• • •

I was convinced that this was all dream, better yet, a nightmare. A paralysis which I couldn't wake from.

It was all happening before me yet, then it wasn't. Almost like a alternate reality masked by a blur. I was there yet my entire being was numb. My ears were turned deaf and my eyes blurred from the world.

Glancing over my shoulder, I felt my breathing hitch staring at the man behind me. The world stilled for that split second as I felt my eyes flickered over his large figure standing a few feet away from me. Dressed in a black coat with matching suit, the man's raven hair was brushed backwards and his stubble jaw was clenched tightly. Anger glowing in his dark eyes.

Oh god, what is he doing here

I mentally whispered hearing utter silence surround me. His loud voice now filling the entire hall. Taking my breath away.

" I will marry her"

He spoke loud and clear. His dominating voice now ringing in each corner. Almost like the drum to war. My knees suddenly turned weak as I reached for support feeling Noursheen hands hold mine tightly.

" Over my dead body" My mother's dark voice spat as my gaze flickered towards Moustafa's face. Feeling his eyes land on mine. A dark look flashing through it.

The last time I had seen the man, I was dragged by my father, with his army of men in to the car.

" You have the nerve to show up in my home. In my territory" My father's voice snapped as the man took a step forward. Now standing in front of Moustafa who stared at him straight in the eyes. Not bothered the least.

Did he have a death wish

" Or what Fatih. What will you do?" Moustafa growled taking a dangerous step towards my father. The two men having a heated stare off.

Glancing towards Noursheen, the women's face was frighteningly pale as her hand squeezed mine tightly. Nearly breaking my bones. Moving my hand the woman's eyes snapped towards mine, before speaking.

" They're going to kill each other" She murmured seriously. Her chocked voice reaching my ears making me glance towards Moustafa and Abi.

" Why is he here?" I whispered softly seeing Nourie give me a baffled look before she shook her head and stared ahead.

" Somebody needs to stop them" Noursheen spoke as I stared at Moustafa and my father, who looked as if they were going to pull each other's heads off.

" Son, calm down" Imaam Mebarak spoke, his hand resting on Abi shoulder who tensed before inhaling sharply. Standing between the two men, Imaam Mebarak voice suddenly reached my ears. Leaving me numb.

" If your daughter isn't happy with this union. Fatih you know their marriage cannot be done" The man started as Noursheen held both of my hands which were now utterly cold. As though my soul was ready to leave me.

Glancing at Moustafa, I pleaded inwardly for him to leave. To walk away from here. This wasn't his battle. This wasn't his war.

Giving me a pointed look, the man with a flicker of his eyes confirmed he wasn't going anywhere making my heart drop.

" They're going to ask you" Nourie murmured beside me as Imaam Mebarak stepped towards me. His kind eyes reminding me of what's good left in the world.

" What shall I say?" I barely whispered hearing her soft voice reach my ears making a metallic taste splurge down my throat.

" If you marry him. You'll be marrying your enemy" She spoke as my blurry gaze flickered towards her large doe eyes seeing her lower lip tremble.

" If you don't. They'll kill you"

It was one thing assuming your fate and then it was another hearing it for yourself. And if there was one thing Nourie never did was lie.

My eyes suddenly stung with unshed tears as the woman breathing hitched. Staring towards Imaam Mebarak he glanced at me before looking around.

" Farya, do you wish to marry Moustafa?" The man spoke making my eyes widen. Shaking my head abruptly I felt Moustafa gaze pierce through me as I whispered to the Imaam.

" I want to go home, please" I whispered seeing the elderly man's eyes flicker with a string of tear before he blinked it away.

" You have to choose, my daughter " He asked again as I glanced towards Noursheen seeing a pained look on her face.

" Your father and the men in your household aren't forgiving" He spoke softly making my heart pang with hurt. Why couldn't they understand that I had nothing to do with Moustafa. That he was just someone I had come across.

" Imaam, I swear I have no relation with the man. It's all a misunderstanding" I whispered feeling tears trail down my face seeing the man nod as he glanced around before looking back at me.

" I know, I can see it in your eyes but they don't. Marriage is a very precious bond and shouldn't be made in haste but you have to choose. I can only hold them back by so much"

He spoke as I felt my eyes flicker across the guards my father had assigned. How they stood tall. Their hands at their sides and the outline of the weapon they were wielding. My eyes flickered towards Abi who nodded his head at Agha who left the hall quietly before speaking through his ear piece.

" Farya" Noursheen murmured squeezing on to my shoulders as I felt my gaze flicker towards Moustafa.

I could see the man's eyes glance at me. An unknown look flashing in his eyes before he nodded his head a little. As if to say it'll be okay.

Maybe, if I agreed to marry him. He could help me. I could go to the police or better yet I could go back to Canada.

" I agree"

I whispered and it all happened in a blink of an eye as I felt someone grab be from behind and the next thing I knew. I was holding on to my stinging face.

Staggering backwards, I stared at my mother who looked absolutely livid. From the corner of my eyes I could see Emre and his family leave; and so were some of the guests. Luckily, most of them were family.

Now all that remained between the army of men in black and my father, was Imaam Mebarak, Noursheen and Moustafa.

" It doesn't have to be this way Fatih. Let them get married, your honour is at stake"

Imaam Mebarak spoke as I glanced down. My face stinging with pain. Noursheen took a protective stand in front of me as Abi stared at me. His striking blue eyes reminding me of the cold ocean.

" Fatih" Noursheen spoke as the man took a step back. His face paling and anger swirling in his eyes.

" Let it be" A voice spoke behind Abi as my eyes landed on my uncle, Kasim. Staring shocked at the man he walked towards Imaam Mebarak before reaching towards a chair for the man.

" I can give her away. She's my niece"

The man spoke as I felt tears blurring my vision feeling my heart break. Uncle Kasim, dressed in his simple attire gave me a kind smile. As if he knew this would be my only way out.

If Roshan was here, he would have shook his head and smiled at uncle Kasim. He had always loved him. He had always loved his family, and because of that. He was dead. All because he fell in love with Uncle Kasim daughter.

Imaam Mebarak nodded. Noursheen who was standing beside me slowly reached towards my hair. Brushing it backwards before placing the veil across my head.

As Imaam Mebarak had said. Marriage was a sacred union, to be cherished and filled with love yet mine wasn't. Mine was filled with tears and blood. Almost as if it was cursed by the world itself.

The moment I whispered 'Yes' for the third time. How was I to know, I had escaped from one hell and signed myself in to another

Imaam Mebarak stood up as I slowly pushed the veil off myself. Glancing upwards, my eyes landed on Moustafa. It felt as those for that split second the world froze around us, and the man I had only glanced at in the Hagia Sophia was now my husband.

Standing up, Moustafa walked towards me. His large figure towering above mine before he reached towards my hand. His large one holding mine against his.

I could feel the man walk towards where Abi stood. Where he had been throughout the whole ceremony.

Glancing at the man who once tucked me in bed and told me stories. I felt my stomach turn seeing him look upwards. If only he had believed me. Only if he had listened.

Yet as Moustafa spoke. It wasn't my fathers reaction that had left me paralysed. It was the words, the man uttered that knocked the breath out of me.

" I told you Fatih. The day Hamza body was lifted that I'd destroy you.

Now I have.

I have your most prized possession"

• • •

for .