The words on the letter refused to leave Mehreen’s mind.

“If you want to find your mother, stop trusting the man who loves you.”

She had read the sentence more than twenty times.

Yet every time she reached the end, her heart refused to accept it.

She looked at Arslan.

He stood near the window of Room 317, staring into the darkness outside.

His face was impossible to read.

“Arslan.”

He didn’t turn.

“Yes?”

“Who wrote this?”

“I don’t know.”

“You’re lying.”

He finally looked at her.

“Why do you think that?”

“Because every time something happens, you already know more than you’re telling me.”

Arslan’s expression hardened.

“Mehreen, I swear I don’t know who left this letter.”

“Then why did they say you love me?”

Silence.

The question hung between them.

Arslan stared at her.

Mehreen suddenly realized what she had said.

Her cheeks became warm.

“I mean…”

She looked away.

“I didn’t mean—”

“You did.”

“Don’t.”

A faint smile appeared on Arslan’s face.

For the first time that evening, there was something almost playful in his eyes.

“You think I love you?”

Mehreen’s face turned red.

“That’s not what I said.”

“That’s exactly what you said.”

“I was talking about the letter.”

“Of course.”

“Arslan.”

He laughed softly.

Mehreen frowned.

“This isn’t funny.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you laughing?”

“Because you’re the first person who has ever made me forget how dangerous my life is.”

The smile slowly disappeared from his face.

Mehreen became quiet.

Arslan stepped closer.

“Maybe that’s why I’m afraid.”

“Afraid of what?”

“Of losing you.”

Her heart skipped.

“Why would you lose me?”

“Because everyone I love disappears.”

Mehreen’s expression softened.

“Maybe I’m not everyone.”

Arslan looked at her.

“No.”

“Then what am I?”

He took a slow breath.

“You’re the person I was never supposed to meet.”

Mehreen’s heart began beating faster.

“Why?”

“Because I knew the moment I saw you that you would become important to me.”

She couldn’t speak.

Arslan looked away.

“And I knew that was dangerous.”

Mehreen slowly stepped closer.

“Arslan…”

He turned back toward her.

Their eyes met.

“Some people don’t enter your heart slowly. They arrive like a storm, destroy every wall you built, and leave you wondering how you ever survived without them.”

For a moment, the world outside disappeared.

There was no mystery.

No letters.

No missing parents.

No dangerous past.

Only them.

Mehreen slowly raised her hand.

Her fingers touched his.

Arslan looked down.

He didn’t move away.

Instead, he gently held her hand.

“I don’t know what happens next,” he whispered.

“Neither do I.”

“I don’t know if we’ll find your mother.”

“We will.”

“I don’t know if my father is really dead.”

“We’ll find out.”

“And I don’t know who we can trust.”

Mehreen looked into his eyes.

“Then trust me.”

Arslan’s fingers tightened around hers.

“I already do.”

The words were simple.

But they meant more than anything he had ever said.

Then suddenly…

The sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway.

They both turned.

Arslan immediately released her hand.

“Someone is coming.”

Mehreen’s heart began racing.

“Salman?”

“Maybe.”

The footsteps grew louder.

Arslan grabbed the envelope from the bed.

“Stay behind me.”

The footsteps stopped.

Silence.

Then a shadow appeared beneath the door.

Mehreen held her breath.

The door slowly opened.

An old woman stood there.

She was wearing a black shawl.

Her face was pale.

Her eyes were tired.

But there was something strangely familiar about her.

Mehreen stared at her.

The woman looked directly at her.

Then tears filled her eyes.

“Mehreen…”

Mehreen froze.

“Who are you?”

The woman stepped inside.

Arslan immediately moved forward.

“Don’t come any closer.”

The woman looked at him.

“Arslan.”

He froze.

“You know me?”

The woman smiled sadly.

“I knew you when you were a child.”

Arslan’s face changed.

“Who are you?”

The woman looked at Mehreen.

“I knew your mother.”

Mehreen stepped forward.

“Where is she?”

The woman lowered her eyes.

“Alive.”

Mehreen’s breath caught.

“Where?”

The woman didn’t answer.

“Please.”

Her voice broke.

“Please tell me where my mother is.”

The woman looked at Arslan.

“She cannot come back yet.”

“Why?”

“Because the people who wanted her dead are still alive.”

Mehreen’s heart stopped.

“Who?”

The woman looked at her.

“Your father.”

Silence.

Mehreen stepped backward.

“No.”

Arslan immediately looked at the woman.

“Don’t.”

But the woman continued.

“Your father knows where your mother is.”

Mehreen shook her head.

“You’re lying.”

“He has been lying to you for fifteen years.”

“No!”

“Mehreen.”

Arslan moved toward her.

She stepped away.

“Don’t.”

“Listen to me.”

“Everyone keeps telling me to listen!”

Tears filled her eyes.

“But nobody tells me the truth!”

The old woman looked at her sadly.

“Because the truth is dangerous.”

Mehreen turned toward her.

“Then give me the danger.”

The woman stared at her.

“What?”

“Give me the truth.”

Her voice became stronger.

“I’ve spent fifteen years living with a lie.”

She wiped her tears.

“Now I want the truth.”

The woman looked at Arslan.

Then back at Mehreen.

“Your mother didn’t die.”

Mehreen closed her eyes.

“I know.”

“She ran.”

“Why?”

“To protect you.”

“From whom?”

The woman hesitated.

“Your father.”

Mehreen’s heart shattered.

“Why?”

“Because your father wanted something your mother had.”

“What?”

The woman looked at the silver key in Mehreen’s hand.

“That.”

Mehreen stared at the key.

“This?”

The woman nodded.

“Your mother gave it to Arslan.”

“Why?”

“Because she knew that one day you would need it.”

Arslan stepped forward.

“What is Room 317?”

The woman looked at him.

“The beginning.”

“The beginning of what?”

“Everything.”

Arslan’s jaw tightened.

“Tell us.”

The woman slowly sat on the bed.

“Fifteen years ago, your mother discovered that your father and my husband were involved in something dangerous.”

Arslan froze.

“My father?”

“Yes.”

“What?”

“Money.”

Mehreen looked at Arslan.

The woman continued.

“Your father and Mehreen’s father were partners.”

“Business partners?”

“At first.”

“Then?”

The woman looked down.

“Then they became involved with people who had no mercy.”

“Who?”

The woman whispered a name.

“The Black Circle.”

Mehreen frowned.

“What is that?”

“A secret organization.”

Arslan’s expression changed.

“That’s impossible.”

“Is it?”

“Why would my father be involved in something like that?”

“Because he was trying to protect someone.”

“Who?”

The woman looked at him.

“Your mother.”

Arslan went silent.

The woman continued.

“Your father discovered that the organization was planning to use your family.”

“Use us for what?”

“I don’t know.”

“You do.”

The woman looked away.

“I know only what my husband told me.”

“What did he tell you?”

“He said there was a list.”

“A list?”

“Names.”

“Whose names?”

“People who had to disappear.”

Mehreen felt a chill.

“Was my mother on that list?”

“Yes.”

“Was Arslan’s mother?”

“Yes.”

Arslan’s voice became cold.

“And my father?”

The woman looked at him.

“Your father was the first person on the list.”

Silence.

Arslan stepped backward.

“Then why was he killed?”

The woman shook her head.

“He wasn’t.”

Mehreen and Arslan both froze.

“What?”

“Your father wasn’t killed.”

Arslan’s eyes widened.

“Then where is he?”

The woman looked toward the window.

“Somewhere no one can find him.”

Arslan’s breathing became heavy.

“Where?”

“I don’t know.”

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not.”

“Then how do you know he’s alive?”

The woman looked at him.

“Because he sends letters.”

Arslan’s heart stopped.

“To whom?”

The woman slowly turned toward Mehreen.

“Your grandmother.”

Mehreen’s face went pale.

“My grandmother knew?”

“Yes.”

“Then why didn’t she tell me?”

“Because she promised your mother.”

“Promised what?”

“That she would protect you.”

Mehreen’s eyes filled with tears.

“From my own father?”

The woman didn’t answer.

That silence was enough.

Mehreen turned away.

Her whole life was suddenly falling apart.

She had believed her father was the safest person in the world.

The person who had protected her after her mother’s death.

The person who had raised her.

And now…

She didn’t know if anything she had ever believed was true.

Arslan stepped toward her.

“Mehreen.”

She didn’t turn.

“Don’t.”

“I’m here.”

“I know.”

“Then look at me.”

She finally turned.

Tears were running down her face.

“I don’t know who I am anymore.”

Arslan looked at her.

“You’re Mehreen.”

“That’s not enough.”

“It is for me.”

She stared at him.

He stepped closer.

“You don’t have to carry your family’s sins.”

“But what if my father is a monster?”

“Then that’s his sin.”

“What if my mother left me?”

“She didn’t.”

“What if she chose to disappear?”

“She didn’t.”

“How do you know?”

Arslan gently touched her face.

“Because a mother doesn’t leave her child unless she’s trying to save her.”

Mehreen’s tears fell harder.

Arslan wiped one away.

“Your mother left you because she loved you.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Because I know what it feels like to lose someone who loved you.”

Mehreen looked into his eyes.

“Arslan…”

He pulled her into his arms.

For a moment, she resisted.

Then she gave in.

Her head rested against his chest.

And she cried.

She cried for her mother.

For the father she no longer understood.

For the grandmother who had died with secrets.

And for the girl she had been before she discovered that her entire life was built on unanswered questions.

Arslan held her tightly.

“Sometimes the person who saves you doesn’t remove your pain. They simply stand beside you and hold you while you learn how to survive it.”

Mehreen closed her eyes.

For the first time in years…

She didn’t feel alone.

Arslan whispered:

“I won’t leave you.”

She slowly looked up.

“Promise?”

He stared into her tearful eyes.

“Even if you hate me?”

“Why would I hate you?”

“Because one day you might discover that I haven’t told you everything.”

Mehreen’s heart stopped.

She slowly pulled away.

“What haven’t you told me?”

Arslan’s face changed.

The woman on the bed looked at him.

“Arslan.”

He remained silent.

Mehreen stared at him.

“Tell me.”

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because—”

“Because what?”

He looked away.

Mehreen’s voice became cold.

“You said you trusted me.”

“I do.”

“Then tell me.”

Arslan closed his eyes.

The old woman stood.

“Mehreen, you need to understand—”

“No.”

Mehreen looked at Arslan.

“I want him to tell me.”

Arslan finally spoke.

“I knew your mother.”

Mehreen stared at him.

“You already told me that.”

“No.”

He shook his head.

“I didn’t just meet her.”

Mehreen’s heart began racing.

“Then?”

Arslan looked at her.

“I knew her for years.”

Silence.

“How?”

“She used to come to my house.”

“Why?”

“Because of my father.”

“You’re hiding something.”

“Yes.”

“What?”

Arslan took a breath.

“Your mother asked me to protect you.”

Mehreen’s eyes widened.

“What?”

“She asked me to protect you if anything happened to her.”

Mehreen couldn’t breathe.

“When?”

“The night she disappeared.”

“How old were you?”

“Twelve.”

“And she trusted a twelve-year-old boy to protect her daughter?”

“She didn’t know what would happen.”

“Then what did she say?”

Arslan’s eyes filled with memories.

“She told me that one day you would find me.”

Mehreen whispered:

“Why?”

“Because she knew that the truth would lead you to me.”

“She knew?”

“Yes.”

Mehreen took a step back.

“So you knew I’d come.”

“Yes.”

“All these years?”

“Yes.”

“Then why didn’t you find me?”

Arslan’s eyes filled with regret.

“Because I was afraid.”

“Of me?”

“Of what would happen if I did.”

Mehreen stared at him.

“And now?”

Arslan stepped closer.

“Now I’m more afraid of losing you.”

Her heart broke.

“I spent years believing that love was something that happened between two people. Then you came into my life, and I realized that sometimes love is the courage to stay when every part of you is screaming to run.”

Mehreen couldn’t look away.

For one beautiful second, everything disappeared.

Then a loud sound came from the hallway.

The old woman immediately turned toward the door.

“We have to leave.”

Arslan’s expression changed.

“Why?”

“He’s here.”

“Who?”

The woman looked at Mehreen.

“Your father.”

Mehreen froze.

“What?”

The sound of footsteps grew closer.

Arslan immediately moved toward the door.

“How did he find us?”

The woman looked at him.

“He always knew where you would go.”

Mehreen’s heart pounded.

“Arslan.”

He turned.

“We need to go.”

The door suddenly opened.

A man stood in the hallway.

Mehreen froze.

Her father.

He looked at her.

Then at Arslan.

Then at the old woman.

His face was filled with anger.

“Mehreen.”

She stepped backward.

“Don’t come near me.”

“Listen to me.”

“You lied to me.”

“I was protecting you.”

“From my mother?”

“From the people who wanted to kill her.”

“Who?”

Her father looked at Arslan.

Then back at her.

“Not here.”

“Tell me!”

“Your mother is alive.”

Mehreen’s breath stopped.

“Where?”

Her father didn’t answer.

“Where is she?”

“Safe.”

“Take me to her.”

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because she doesn’t want you to find her.”

Mehreen stared at him.

“No.”

Her father looked at her.

“She believes that if you find her, they’ll find you.”

“Who?”

“The people who have been watching you.”

Mehreen’s blood ran cold.

“What?”

Her father stepped forward.

“You think the letters were accidents?”

He looked at Arslan.

“You think the key was a gift?”

Then he pointed at the old woman.

“You think she came here to help you?”

The old woman’s face changed.

Mehreen looked between them.

“What are you talking about?”

Her father whispered:

“Everyone around you has been lying.”

He looked directly at Arslan.

“Especially him.”

Arslan’s expression became cold.

“Don’t.”

Mehreen looked at Arslan.

“Tell me.”

Arslan didn’t speak.

“Tell me you’re not lying to me.”

Silence.

Mehreen’s heart shattered.

“Arslan?”

He finally looked at her.

“I never lied about loving you.”

Her eyes filled with tears.

“But you lied about everything else.”

Arslan’s voice broke.

“I was trying to protect you.”

“That’s what everyone says.”

She stepped away.

Her father moved toward her.

“Mehreen, come with me.”

She shook her head.

“I don’t know who to trust.”

Her father looked at her.

“Then trust me.”

She laughed through her tears.

“How can I?”

Suddenly…

A gunshot echoed through the hallway.

Everyone froze.

The window behind them shattered.

The old woman screamed.

Arslan immediately grabbed Mehreen and pulled her to the floor.

“Get down!”

Another shot.

The lights went out.

Complete darkness.

Mehreen held onto Arslan.

“Arslan!”

“I’m here.”

“Where’s my father?”

“I don’t know.”

“Where’s the woman?”

No answer.

“Arslan?”

He held her tighter.

“Stay with me.”

A few seconds passed.

Then the emergency lights came on.

Mehreen looked around.

Her father was gone.

The old woman was gone.

And Arslan…

Was holding something in his hand.

A small piece of paper.

Mehreen took it.

There were only five words.

“The wrong daughter was chosen.”

Mehreen looked at Arslan.

“What does this mean?”

He stared at the message.

His face had gone completely pale.

Then he looked at her.

“I think…”

He stopped.

“What?”

Arslan slowly shook his head.

“No.”

“What?”

He looked into her eyes.

“Mehreen, I think your mother wasn’t protecting you.”

“Then what was she doing?”

Arslan’s voice became a whisper.

“I think she was protecting someone else.”

Mehreen stared at him.

“Who?”

Arslan looked toward the empty doorway.

And then he said the words that changed everything.

“Your sister.”

Mehreen’s heart stopped.

“I don’t have a sister.”

Arslan looked at her.

“That’s what your family wants you to believe.”

The room went silent.

And for the first time…

Mehreen wondered if the greatest secret of her life wasn’t the disappearance of her mother.

But the existence of someone…

She had never known was part of her family.

To Be Continued…