"Oh really? Then what exactly is it that I misunderstood? That romantic show you staged just to make everyone leave you alone, thinking we'd made up? Or the fact that you used me to make your lie more believable?"
To avoid looking weak in front of him, I lowered my head and took a deep breath, my eyes burning. When I looked up again, I spoke without hiding my disappointment.
"Sometimes I can be naive, I admit that. But thinking I'm stupid enough not to realize I was being used… Even I didn't expect that from you. Whatever answer you were looking for, I hope it was worth going this far. One more—"
"Don't, Sunshine…"
I raised my hand to stop him from touching me and finished my sentence.
"I never want to see your face again."
Just as I turned to leave, something came to mind and I gestured toward his shoulder.
"I don't think that wound on your shoulder has healed either…"
When his brows furrowed at this unexpected remark, I continued with a faint smile.
"Yeah. Even this 'stupid' girl noticed. So if you don't want others to realize it too—and for all these lies to go to waste—you should get proper treatment."
As I walked toward the building, I could hear him curse under his breath.
Lost in the images replaying in my head, I didn't notice the person who walked past me and stepped into the elevator.
After holding the door for a while, clearly tired of my pointless hesitation, he finally asked,
"Are you getting in?"
I blinked, slowly turned my gaze toward him, then looked back inside and sighed before shaking my head. He shrugged and let the doors close.
Watching the elevator go up, a feeling inside me whispered that I might actually be claustrophobic now.
The moment I entered my apartment and shut the door, the strength I'd held onto all day finally gave out, along with the two silent tears rolling down my cheeks.
My hand hurt from gripping the doorknob so tightly as I let go and collapsed to the floor, sobbing.
As the tears I'd held back for so long poured freely, I wished this day had never happened.
Even if his kiss meant nothing to him, for me it was the moment I realized, down to my bones, that I'd fallen for him in a way I couldn't come back from.
Even though I'd acted as if he was the guilty one by saying such harsh things to his face, the real culprit was me—for letting it happen, knowing it would hurt.
Because from the very beginning, he'd made it clear what he wanted and what he was capable of doing to get it. He'd even warned me to stay away, even if his reasons were different.
Still, knowing all this didn't stop the pain or my anger toward him.
Just like knowing he was the wrong person hadn't stopped me from falling in love with him.
I didn't know how much time passed, but when I realized I had no tears left to cry, I stood up with the wall's support. I took off my coat and left it with my bag on the hall stand.
Naturally, after crying so much, my eyes were burning and my head was pounding.
A warm shower would definitely help—but I barely had the energy to move my arm.
I went into the bedroom and rummaged through the closet, trying to warm my ice-cold body after standing by the sea in the night chill. Even putting on my thickest pajamas felt like a superhuman effort.
The moment I got into bed, my eyes closed. The last thing that crossed my mind was that fairytale-like kiss that had come so unexpectedly.
Feeling an intense heat, I couldn't breathe and threw the blanket off—but nothing changed.
I got out of bed, bumping into things, and somehow made it to the balcony. Half-asleep, it took effort, but I finally managed to push the door open.
The cool air hitting my face made breathing easier. I sat on the floor, leaned my head against the railing—and my ears began to ring. Then my vision went dark.
After that, there was nothing.
Duru?.. Where are you?.. Duru?.. Why is it so cold here… Duru?.. What are you doing out here?"
I wanted to open my eyes when I felt a hand on my shoulder, but my eyelids were so heavy I couldn't manage it. When something cool touched my forehead, I forced myself to try harder, and managed to crack my eyes open—just a little.
"Rüzgar?"
"We're going to the hospital. Right now."
The arms I felt under my back and beneath my legs lifted me off the ground, and with a mouth so dry it felt like sandpaper, I tried to speak.
"Rüzgar?"
"Say it."
"Let's not go to the hospital."
"You have to. Your fever is really high."
"No! I don't want to. Don't take me."
"If you're scared of needles, don't worry. I won't let them."
"It's not that… I hate hospitals."
"Duru, you're not okay. This isn't the time to be stubborn."
"Please… don't take me. Please."
"Okay… don't cry… I'm not taking you."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
A few seconds later, wrapped in my blanket with the relief of being back in my bed, I listened to Rüzgar in that half-asleep, half-awake haze.
"Demir? Is Aunt Ayşegül awake?.. Good. Ask her what you're supposed to do for someone with a high fever… I'm fine. I'm asking for someone else. It's urgent… Okay, I'm waiting… Got it. I'll call you back."
"Oh, just what we needed. Duru?"
"Mmh?"
"We need to get you into the shower."
"Mmh…"
"This isn't going to work. Where's your phone?"
"My bag…"