In Pursuit of the Hidden Truth
Yaman sat with Lin and his long-lost friend, Rayan.
Yaman's voice trembled with emotion:
"When did you return, Rayan? How? And why didn't you tell me you were coming back?"
Lin added quickly:
"More importantly, why did you leave so suddenly without a word? What happened to you?"
Rayan chuckled, trying to ease the tension:
"Calm down, both of you. I'll explain everything."
He leaned back, eyes drifting as he began his story.
"You both know how my father was—controlling, obsessed with legacy. He never wanted me to stay in this city, believing it would only distract me from taking over the family business. I wanted to stay, to study with Yaman and enter the engineering college. But he forced me to leave during high school.
And after I graduated, he didn't let me go to university—said it was a waste of time. So he immediately placed me in the company, starting from the bottom to learn how to 'lead like a man'. Eventually, I climbed to the top. Now, I oversee the company's operations myself."
Lin raised her eyebrows playfully.
"So, you're now the head of a big company?"
Yaman teased, grinning:
"Looks like our friend has become one of the country's business tycoons."
Yaman added sincerely:
"None of that matters to me. What matters… is that you're back."
Lin nodded.
"He's right."
Rayan smiled warmly.
"Tell me everything. What happened after I left? And you, Lin — did you become a doctor? Do you have kids now? Are you married?" he joked.
Lin laughed.
"Yes, I did become a doctor… and yes, I do have children."
Rayan's eyes widened.
"Really? Where are they now? Out with their father?"
Lin smirked.
"They're right here, in front of you."
Rayan looked around, confused.
"Where? I don't see anyone."
She pointed at the two young men.
"You two. I don't need children. I already have two full-grown ones."
Rayan burst out laughing.
"You haven't changed a bit, Lin."
He paused, then added with a more serious tone:
"But don't you think we've grown up?"
Lin:
"Yes. You two are just grown-up kids now."
Rayan shook his head in defeat.
"As always, I lose every argument with you."
Yaman laughed.
"Just like the old days… nothing's changed."
Rayan grinned.
"And you're still the quiet listener who says nothing."
They all laughed loudly together.
Lin then turned to Rayan.
"But don't you think Yaman has changed a bit?"
"Changed how?" Rayan asked.
"After you left, he became distant. He didn't want to talk to anyone or make new friends. But now... he has a new friend he spends time with."
Rayan looked at Yaman, his voice soft with guilt.
"I'm sorry, brother… for leaving you."
Yaman placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Don't say that. You didn't leave by choice. I always believed you'd come back — and you did."
Rayan smiled.
"I did… and I'm not going anywhere this time."
Lin wiped her eyes dramatically.
"Stop it, you two idiots. You'll make me cry."
The boys laughed:
"Please don't cry, Grandma. We can't handle that."
She smacked them both on the head.
"Who are you calling Grandma, fools?"
They both shouted:
"No one! We didn't mean it!"
The laughter returned.
Rayan turned to Yaman with a playful tone.
"So this new friend of yours… is he better than me?"
Yaman smiled.
"No one could ever take your place."
Rayan sighed in relief.
"Good. I was afraid I'd slipped to second place."
"How did you meet him? Is he from this city?"
"His name's Danny," Yaman explained.
"We met by chance. He's a detective, from out of town, here investigating a case."
Lin added:
"It feels like fate brought them together, Rayan. Yaman can tell you more."
"All I care about is that he found a friend. That makes me happy," said Rayan.
Just then, Lin's phone rang. It was the hospital.
"I have to go. Emergency at work," she said.
"I'll leave you two alone. I'm sure you've got a lot to catch up on."
Rayan joked:
"Alright, see you later… Grandma—oh, sorry, I meant Doctor."
Lin grinned back:
"Later, kiddo. Or should I say, Mr. CEO?"
As she opened the door, she called out:
"Don't go anywhere, Rayan. Wait for me so we can have dinner together."
Rayan smiled.
"Of course. I've missed your delicious cooking."
She waved goodbye and left.
---
At the hospital, Lin was quickly ushered into the morgue. A 37-year-old man had reportedly committed suicide by slashing his right wrist. Though it looked like suicide, the police wanted confirmation: was this truly self-inflicted… or was it murder?
As Lin entered the autopsy room, a man in a black coat and a gun on his hip followed behind her. From his appearance, she knew he had to be with the police.
"Are you a cop?" she asked.
"I'm the lead investigator on this case," he replied.
He said firmly:
"I don't believe this was a suicide."
Lin looked at him, surprised.
"Why not? Many people who give up on life turn to death for peace. What makes you think this was murder?"
"True. But a person has to be truly hopeless to kill themselves, right?"
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"If someone lives a good life, has no signs of depression or struggle… why would they suddenly take their own life? If there's no reason to die, then why choose death?"
Lin paused, then slowly nodded.
"You make a logical point. But in the end, everyone has their own reasons. The autopsy will reveal the truth."
She took the man's hand and examined his wrist.
"It looks like he was left-handed," Lin muttered.
"Why do you think so?" the detective asked.
"Because the cut is on his right wrist. A right-handed person wouldn't be able to make such a precise, deep cut unless they were trained. It requires precision."
"So… the killer might be left-handed?"
"Or the victim was left-handed and killed himself. We shouldn't jump to conclusions."
"You're right. The truth will reveal itself."
The detective thanked Lin and left the room.
She was puzzled by his words but didn't give them too much thought
After finishing her shift, Lin headed home early to cook dinner for the boys.
But when she arrived at the house…
it was empty.
No one was there.