Omer was afraid of her tears. Every time Defne cried, he panicked and was ready to do anything to make her tears dry and she smiles again. But now everything was different. The tears brought relief. Omer saw it in the expressive, deep eyes of his Defne.

"Not his daughter," she whispered under her breath. On the next phrase, her voice grew stronger. - I'm not his daughter!

Omer took the sheet of paper from her trembling fingers and read the line under the columns of numbers.

"Negative result 100%. No relationship."

Not her father! This freak is not Defne's father. He did not yet know if this was good or bad for the peace of mind of his wife, but he felt inner satisfaction. Kadir Shishmaz, a scoundrel, a swindler, and a blackmailer is not the father of his sunny girl Defne.

She, wiping her tears, got to her feet, took the DNA test from her husband's hands, hid it in her purse, and threw the long strap over her shoulder. And then, with restraint and calmness, she turned to the investigator:

- Thank you for your help.

"This is my job," he replied. - The evidence data for depriving Kadir Shishmaz of his paternal rights are ready and by the middle of the week, I will submit it to the court. You will be informed of the date and time of the court.

"Thank you," said Omer.

He took Defne's arm and led her out of the room.

Once outside, she stopped and buried her face in his chest. He silently hugged her and let her cry. And then he drove to the waterside, they sat on "their" bench, and ordered:

- Now tell me what tormented you so? Why did you need to know if you were his daughter or not? But first, answer me - are you feeling better?

- I feel better! Defne blurted out. - As if a stone fell from the soul. I can now hate him without any remorse.

- Did you feel remorse? - Omer was surprised and immediately stopped himself - this is Defne! She has the kindest and noblest heart in the universe.

"Yes," she replied. "I hate him so ... hate him so much!" I wish him a fair reckoning and torment. So that for every tear of Esra, and grandmother, and ... mine, he answered a hundredfold. I was ashamed of my feelings. How can you hate your own father so much? And, having experienced such hatred, do not I become like him? But now everything has cleared up. He is not my father. I can hate him!

- You can, - Omer took her face in his hands and kissed her lips lightly. Looking into her eyes, he smiled and advised: - But it's better if you forget about him, and your hatred evaporates.

- It will evaporate! - Defne promised fervently. - As soon as he is sentenced, I will forget about him immediately and forever!

For a couple of minutes, they sat in silence and looked at the blue waters of the Bosphorus sparkling in the sun. And then Omer asked:

- Will you tell your relatives about the test result?

Defne shook her head thoughtfully and replied:

- I do not know. Yes, probably. In fact, this does not matter for our relationship. We are relatives, and it does not matter who our fathers are. It doesn't matter at all.

Omer hugged her, kissed the top of her head, and said hoarsely:

- You are a wise, little woman and I love you more than life. It doesn't really matter to me who your father is. I know who YOU are and I admire you endlessly.

***

Mirai was sitting at the table with her head bowed and her forehead resting on her palm. Her gaze rested on the countertop, but her eyes did not see anything. Kartal paced the study with wide steps and nervously rubbed the back of his head. She told him two days ago that the wedding is canceled. They cannot get married. And only today she explained the reason.

He wanted to tear and throw. Go to the bastard and beat him half to death. It was not enough for him, that damn Mehmet Astarkhan, to trample Mirai, leave her without a livelihood, crush morally and almost destroy physically. The devilish bloodthirsty nature of Astarkhan again wants to subjugate her, destroy her life.

Scoundrel! What a scoundrel he is, this Mehmet Astarkhan!

Kartal stopped in front of the table and lifted by the chin the face of the infinitely beloved woman. She looked at him with sad, tortured eyes. The door quietly opened, but both, absorbed in their feelings, did not notice it.

- We won't let him! Kartal said firmly. - Do you hear me? We will get married, and if he fulfills his threat and tries to take the girls, we will fight. Defne's family managed to defend Esra and we can!

"You don't understand," Mirai sobbed. - The situation is fundamentally different. Kadir Shishmaz is a swindler and gambler. And Mehmet Astarkhan is a respected member of society, the head of the Turkish Bar Association, the owner of a law firm, and the son of the head of the Istanbul police. We don't have a single chance to defeat him. And I can't let him take the girls. I would die without them," she whispered plaintively.

Mert had never eavesdropped at the door in his life. He didn't want to do it even now. But for the last two days, his mother was absolutely distraught and refused to name the reason for her condition. She also canceled the wedding. The girls were upset, and so was he. Kartal is a wonderful person and a real man. He would make Mom happy, Mert did not doubt it. Then why does she refuse to marry him?

And the reason was simple! Their well-bred scoundrel daddy is just as low a blackmailer as Esra's father. Mert quietly walked away from the door and ran towards the elevator. The first impulse was to rush to Mehmet Astarkhan and express to his face everything that he thinks about him. But by the time the elevator stopped on the lower floor, Mert was able to pull himself together and think with a cool head. His speech will not work. Father is a lawyer. He perfectly knows his rights and that for their mother, children are above all. He's also a heartless bastard. Without hesitation, he will fulfill his threat and will break the life of mom and mister Kartal. There is only one person in the world who can stop him. Mert didn't want to go to him and show his vulnerability. But there was no choice.

He walked out of the building with a brisk pace, crossed the road, and got on a bus bound for Sisli.

Half an hour later, the boy stood in front of the Palace of Justice. After only a moment's hesitation, he entered the building and stopped at the checkpoint.

"I am the grandson of Judge Onder Gumuskaya, Mert Astarkhan," he turned to the security. - I need to meet with my grandfather. You can tell him that I am here.

The guard was surprised, but he complied with the request and called Judge Gumuskaya on the internal phone. After hearing the answer, he told Mert:

- The judge is waiting for you. Cabinet number 186. This is the second floor, the sixth door to the right.

Thanking him, the boy headed for the stairs. Finding office no. 186 was not difficult. Grandfather was really waiting for him. Hands clasped behind his back, he stood in the middle of a huge room furnished with austere but expensive furniture and scanned the front door with his gaze.

- What happened? Your Mom?The girls? He asked anxiously as soon as Mert crossed the threshold.

Mert looked into his eyes and replied:

- Mom and the girls need your help.

Grandfather pointed to a chair and ordered:

- Sit down and tell.

He remained on his feet and while listening to the whole story paced around the room.

"Bastard," he hissed when his grandson was silent. "But don't worry. I have authority over him. It's good that you came to me. You did the right thing.

They exchanged glances and for the first time, Mert did not look at him as an angry wolf cub. This circumstance added to the grandfather's determination and strength. He called both Astarkhan. One at that moment was about to leave the Palace of Justice, the second just drove up to it and entered inside.

"Cancel your appointments," Gumuskaya ordered abruptly. - In fifteen minutes I am waiting for both in my office.

Astarkhan came together. Mehmet, seeing his son, moved his head nervously. His eyes flickered from side to side. Onder Gumuskaya's gaze was filled with fire. He went up to his former son-in-law and punched him in the stomach with all his might. Mehmet bent over, gasping for air. The dumbfounded Engin Astarkhan grabbed his friend's hand and shouted:

- Are you crazy?

Onder looked at him with eyes burning with anger and replied:

- I just did what I had to do seven years ago when your idiot son doubted my daughter's honesty and his paternity. But then I was a blind idiot.

- And now you have seen? - Straightening up, Mehmet asked hoarsely through his teeth.

The irony in his voice further spurred Onder Gumuskaya's anger. He grabbed the man by the collar and poured his anger into his well-groomed face:

- Yes, I have seen! Has seen through! And I won't let you break Mirai's life a second time!

- Why break? Just put everything in its place. Mirai will return to me, and we will all become a big family again.

Mert's eyes went up to his forehead from such blatant arrogance and impudence of his father. He looked at his grandfather and involuntarily held his breath, waiting for how he would take such a statement. Onder shook his former son-in-law and pushed him away. Demonstratively taking a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiping his hands, he said slowly:

- Forget it! You lost Mirai seven years ago and you have no right to even try to get her back.

- Why so? Mehmet asked defiantly.

- Because there is no forgiveness for what you have done. And that means - step aside and let her build her life and her happiness. She deserved it like no other.

The steel tone did not allow for objection. Mehmet gritted his teeth. Hell! He did not think that the former father-in-law would accept such a position. He was sure that he also wants a family reunion. But Gumuskaya decided to support Mirai. This will complicate matters. It is difficult for a lawyer to confront a judge. Although, there is also his father, and his support can be decisive.

Mehmet glanced at his father. He looked bewildered and looked confusedly from friend to son and back.

- Maybe one of you can explain to me what happened? - He demanded an answer.

It was given by Mert. He approached the three men and, looking into the eyes of his father, answered his grandfather clearly:

- Your son found out that his ex-wife was going to get married and threatened that if she did not refuse this decision, he would take her daughters away from her.

- It's true? - Engin Astarkhan asked his son, frowning.

"True," he replied. - I made a mistake seven years ago and I want to fix it. Get my family back. Enough time passed, and I was able to realize finally - Mirai is the only woman that I need. Besides, we have children. They will be better off with their own father.

- What? - Mert laughed in his face. - Do you really think so? What nonsense! We do not consider you a father. You are nobody! An empty place in our life. And that will never change.

"Girls may think differently," Mehmet objected.

- Girls are smart! - retorted Mert. - Most of all in life they love their mother. Her happiness is important to them. Neither attempts at bribery nor psychological pressure will work on them. Besides, there is me. I'll tell them everything they don't remember. Everything you did to mom. And you can be sure that they will listen to me and not you.

- Did you blackmail Mirai? - moving away from the first shock, asked Engin Astarkhan his son. Mehmet silently averted his eyes. - Moron! I understand your desire to return your wife and children! I also want Mirai to come back to you! But is that the way?

- Forget it both! - said Onder Gumuskaya firmly. - Mirai is lost to you forever. This is a fact that you both need to come to terms with. She will marry her beloved man, and you," he poked with a forefinger Mehmet in the chest," will do nothing to prevent this.

- Onder, wait! Engin tried to reason with his friend. - Why is Mirai in a hurry with this marriage?

- Because SHE wants to marry this man! - interrupted Onder. - And you will accept it! Of course, if you want to continue to have my support in your career.

Engin Astarkhan deflated before their eyes like a punctured rubber ball. He needed the support of Judge Gumuskaya like air. The situation with Hazal and her idiot husband significantly undermined his reputation and his career hung in the balance. And two weeks later, is the trial of his unworthy daughter and son-in-law. And what will be the consequences of widespread publicity, no one can predict. Yes, he fully supported the investigation and even ordered it to be carried out with special care. Yes, he did not try to shield his relatives and hush up the case. But the fact remains that the daughter and son-in-law of the head of the Istanbul police are criminals and swindlers.

"Okay," he agreed. - Neither I nor Mehmet will interfere with this marriage. Got it?! - He harshly turned to his son. He gritted his teeth but nodded his head in agreement.

"And both of you will give a receipt that you renounce the claims to girls," Mert put the following condition.

Grandfather Gumuskaya looked at him with respect and said:

- Do not worry. I'll see to it. No one will ever take the girls from Mirai, - he turned to Astarkhan and coldly uttered: - I no longer detain you. When the official document is ready, we will meet at the notary.

Both silently left the office. Onder Gumuskaya and Mert looked at each other. The boy's gaze changed. He no longer looked at his grandfather as a stranger, and he felt crazy joy.

"Thank you," said Mert.

"Тhere is nothing to thank me for, " he replied. - Mirai is my daughter. I was a bad father and brought her a lot of pain. But now I am happy that I was able to help her.

Mert nodded. After thinking for a minute, he spoke again:

- I have a request for you. Personal.

- Speak, - ordered the grandfather.

"I want to ask you that the trial of Kadir Shishmaz is in closed session and that the circumstances of the case should not be published by the media. And also, so that the harshest of all possible sentences should be passed on him.

"You don't have to worry. It will be so, - promised Judge Onder Gumuskaya.

Mirai was crying again. Desperately asked the Almighty, why did he reward her with such a fate? Why she is not entitled to happiness? But no one could answer her question.

Footsteps were heard in the corridor. They fell silent in front of the door and a moment it swung open. Mert stood in the doorway. Mirai wiped away her tears with lightning speed and smiled at her son.

- Where have you been? I was looking for you, but in Passionis they said that you left ...

- Mom, I know everything, - interrupted her boy. - About my father blackmailing you and why you canceled the wedding. Sorry, I accidentally overheard your conversation with Mr. Kartal.

She smiled with trembling lips and assured him:

- Doesn't matter. I would have told you anyway.

"I was with grandfather Onder," Mert blurted out.

Mirai's face stretched, and panic flashed in her eyes.

- With my father? She whispered. - But why?

- Because he was the only one able to help us, - he carefully looked into the pale face of his mother. - And he helped, Mom.

Mert recounted the whole scene in the office of Judge Gumuskaya word for word and finished the story with the words:

- There is no more blackmail and conditions, mom. You are free to do whatever you want. Everything that you think is right for yourself.

Mirai darted from her place. Taking her son's face in her palms, she kissed him on the forehead and said with feeling:

- Thank you! You are the best son in the world.

Mert blushed and pushed his mother to the door: - Run, make your fiancé happy. He, too, is not himself now.

Mirai flew out of the office and, without knocking, ran to Kartal. He sat, bent over a report, but did not see it at all. The worried face of the woman he loved frightened him. He scrambled to his feet, walked out to meet her, and anxiously asked?

- What? New conditions?

She shook her head. Her eyes filled with tears, but a touching smile appeared on her lips.

- Not! There are no more conditions. No blackmail. My father stopped him and Mehmet no longer has any power over the girls. We can get married, as we intended, this Saturday!

A wide smile blossomed on Kartal's face. Laughing triumphantly, he picked up the bride and whirled around the office with her.

Returning to her room, Mirai went to the window and for several minutes gazed thoughtfully at the blue sky. Then she took out her phone and called her father.

- Dad! She whispered and sobbed. - Thank you!

- Well, what are you, dear, - he spoke softly. - Why are you crying? Everything is all right. Astarkhan will never harm you again.

"I know," Mirai said a little louder, and, with courage, asked: "Come to us for dinner today. And come to the wedding. It will take place on Saturday at the City Hall.

"Certainly, my soul," her father promised in a trembling voice.

***

In the evening, Omer and Defne, taking their daughter with them, went to Topal home. They did not expect to see guests at all, but they were glad of such an unexpected visit. The grandmother immediately snatched the great-granddaughter from Omer's hands and began to coo with her:

- My caramel! Did you miss your grandmother?

Defne, however, sat down at the table in the dining room and nodded to her relatives at the chairs.

- Have a seat. I have a story to tell you.

When Grandma, Serdar, and Nihan were seated, she took out a folded sheet of paper from her purse, unrolled it, and put it in the middle of the table.

- What is it? - curious Nihan was the first to grab the paper and unfold it. - DNA test? Negative? Why did you do a DNA test ?! - she exclaimed.

"Yes," Defne confirmed. She gave her family a long look. All three looked at her numb and forgetting to breathe. - I did. And it showed that Kadir Shishmaz is not my biological father.

Grandma and Nihan froze with their mouths open, while Serdar muttered:

- Lucky you. I, too, would love to get rid of his genes.

"You won't succeed," the grandmother whispered, barely moving her lips. "You're definitely his son. Esra is his child too.

Defne turned pale and raised stunned eyes to her.

- Grandmother! Did you know that I am not his daughter?

Turkan lowered her eyes and answered quietly:

- I guessed. But I didn't know for sure. I hid my head in the sand. I didn't want to admit that my daughter was an unworthy woman. Although, what is already there ... such it is. Hold her, son, - she gave Emine Diana to Omer, and she went upstairs.

- Where is she going? - Following her with a surprised look, Nihan asked, but no one answered her. They all sat in silence. Even the baby did not make a sound, as if she understood what kind of drama was happening in the room.

Grandma came back five minutes later and handed Defnе a piece of paper with numbers written on it.

- Here, take it.

- What is it? - Taking it in hand, asked Defne.

- Your mother's phone.

- Where did you get it from? - asked Serdar with a frown.