As Adrik turned into the inner road of the palace with the child in his arms, Soha quickly slipped out through the back door behind the church. From a distance, she watched carefully—who Adrik was talking to.
When Adrik finally left, Soha gathered her courage and stood before the cleric. She had pulled her thin veil over her head clumsily, barely hiding the dried traces of tears at the corners of her eyes.
The cleric was slightly taken aback upon seeing her. Her calm yet ethereal face made him realize—this was the woman whose story whispered through the air of the island.
Soha (softly, with humility):
"Assalamu Alaikum, Huzur. I… I am Soha. I am a Muslim woman. I was brought here by force."
The cleric let out a deep sigh. He knew well of Adrik's stubborn nature, but hearing her identify herself through her faith made him pause. His eyes fell on something else—near her neck, the bruise from the previous night was still visible, imperfectly hidden by the veil.
Cleric (frowning, concerned):
"Wa Alaikum Assalam, my child. I'm glad to know you belong to a Muslim family. But… what is that mark on your neck? And why is there so much fear in your eyes?"
Soha's lips trembled. She hesitated—should she tell him everything? After all, Adrik was the king of this island, and the cleric held him in high regard.
Soha (wiping her tears):
"Huzur, that is not just a mark. It is the wound of my captivity. Adrik considers me his property, not a human being. He keeps me imprisoned without caring for any rule or law. Please talk to him, Huzur. Ask him to let me return to my father."
The cleric stared silently at the bluish mark on her neck. In that moment, he understood—what Adrik called love was, in truth, a terrifying obsession.
Cleric (gravely):
"My child, in Islam, a woman's dignity stands above all. If Adrik has oppressed you, it is a grave injustice. But he is extremely obstinate. I will speak to him. Still, remember—leaving this island is not an easy path."
Soha nearly collapsed at the cleric's feet. To her, he felt like the only man capable of saving her from this hell.
But just then, loud laughter echoed from the palace balcony.
Adrik had been watching.
As Soha was pouring out her pain, Adrik descended from above. His footsteps spread a quiet terror through the air. He stopped close to Soha—but in the presence of the cleric, he concealed the raging beast within him.
Adrik (calmly):
"Soha, I see you've met the Huzur. Very good."
Turning to the cleric, he spoke politely,
"Huzur, whatever you've seen or heard is merely a misunderstanding. I love Soha deeply, but she is stubborn. These marks… she hurt herself."
Soha froze at the blatant lie. She looked desperately at the cleric—but Adrik had already gripped her shoulder tightly, pulling her against him.
Cleric (firmly):
"Adrik, love wins hearts—violence never does. This girl is Muslim. Her dignity is your responsibility. I hope the next time I see her, there will be no tears in her eyes."
The cleric walked away.
The moment he disappeared, the calm vanished from Adrik's face. With a violent jerk, he spun Soha toward him. His eyes burned red.
Adrik (through clenched teeth):
"So, you've grown brave, Soha? Complaining to the cleric about me? You thought he would save you? Remember—on this island, no one can protect you from me."
He pressed his fingers hard against the bruise on her neck. Soha gasped in pain.
Adrik:
"You're proud of being a Muslim woman? Fine. Tonight, there will be a final decision—between your sacred faith and my madness. Be ready. Tonight, only the sky will witness your screams in the middle of the sea."
He dragged her toward the palace.
Soha realized—by seeking help, she had only awakened the monster further.
Suddenly—
SLAP.
Soha's palm struck Adrik's cheek with a sharp sound. Silence fell. No one had ever dared to hit a man like Adrik. His face turned aside; her handprint burned red on his fair skin.
Soha trembled with rage and humiliation, her eyes blazing.
Soha (screaming):
"Enough! Don't you dare speak filth using my religion! Never let your dirty tongue touch my sacred faith again. I may be your prisoner—but my belief and my dignity are not slaves you can buy!"
Adrik stood stunned. Normally, he would have destroyed her—but the hatred in her eyes stopped the beast inside him.
For the first time, he lowered his head.
Adrik (hoarsely):
"I'm… I'm sorry. I lost myself in rage."
He stepped closer—not to seize her, but with guilt.
Adrik:
"I want authority over you—but I have no right to belittle your faith. Forgive me. I don't want you to hate me like this."
Soha stared, confused. Was this real—or another trap?
Four months passed.
The island changed. So did Soha's life.
Adrik's violence had softened. Perhaps her slap—and the cleric's words—had planted a strange seed inside him.
At sunset, the sea shimmered. Soha sat on the shore, a child in her lap. Two more children played nearby—one building sand houses, the other chasing sea foam.
For a moment, she forgot she was a captive.
Soha (whispering, kissing the child's forehead):
"You are the reason I survive this hell. Never become cruel like your father."
A shadow fell behind her.
Adrik sat beside her, quietly.
Adrik:
"Four months ago, you slapped me. The mark is gone—but it stayed in my heart. Look at us now. Do you still hate me?"
Soha said nothing.
Then—
She revealed the truth.
Her real parents were murdered.
By Adrik's father.
And by Adrik himself.
Her voice shattered the silence.
Soha:
"Can you return my parents? My childhood? Every breath of these children carries their screams. And you speak of love?"
Adrik broke.
Adrik (broken):
"I didn't know… I found you at an auction. I only wanted you."
Soha's eyes turned stone-cold.
Soha:
"You apologized for your behavior. Can you apologize to the dead?"
The moon hid behind clouds.
And darkness swallowed the sea.The moment Adrik heard this undeniable truth from Soha's lips, the brief flicker of remorse inside him twisted into something far more terrifying—madness. His eyes no longer carried guilt, but a primal fear: the fear of losing Soha. He understood now—after learning the truth, Soha would never accept him of her own will. And Adrik could not tolerate losing anything that belonged to him.
He rose slowly from the sand. The softness on his face vanished in an instant, replaced by ruthless hardness. He stepped toward Soha, his gaze sharp like a serpent's.
Adrik (in an ice-cold voice):
"So you know the truth now? Good. Very good. No more games between us. Yes, Soha—my father wiped out your family. And today, I possess you. This is fate. The powerful write history, and you are merely a part of it."
Soha stared at him with pure hatred. Before she could speak, Adrik seized both her arms, his fingers digging painfully into her soft skin.
Adrik:
"Did you think knowing the truth would earn you freedom? Mercy? You're mistaken. Now I will chain you even tighter. I would rather keep you beside me in hatred than lose you. Where will you run, Soha? From this island? Or from my arms?"
He gestured toward the children and smiled demonically.
Adrik:
"Remember—my blood flows through those children. If you try to escape, you will lose them too, just like your parents. From this moment on, I will not leave you alone on this shore even for a second."
He yanked her up roughly. The children began crying in terror at their father's monstrous form. But Adrik felt no mercy today. He lifted Soha into his arms. She screamed and struggled, but she was powerless against his strength.
Adrik (breathing hot against her ear):
"From today, your home will be the palace's secret chamber—whose key only I possess. Hate me, Soha. Hate me with all your heart. Your hatred will remind me that you still belong only to me."
He began walking toward the palace, leaving behind the restless sea and the restless sighs of Soha's murdered parents.
As Adrik stormed away with Soha in his arms, blinded by rage, the ten‑month‑old baby left behind on the sand was struck with terror. At six months, the child had only known how to smile. At ten months, he had begun to understand fear, voices, violence.
Seeing his parents like this, the baby let out a heart‑rending cry—so loud it drowned out the roar of the sea.
The baby (crying desperately):
"Ahh… ahh… Amm… Ammma…"
Hearing the word "Amma" for the first time shattered Soha's heart. She began pounding Adrik's chest.
Soha (screaming):
"Adrik, put me down! Look—he's crying! He's calling me! Have you become such a beast that you can't hear your own child crying? He called me 'Amma'! Let me go!"
Adrik froze for a moment. The word shook even his stone heart—but fear hardened him again. He thought if he let Soha go now, she might take a drastic step with the children.
Adrik (through clenched teeth):
"Silence, Soha! Let him cry. The maids will handle him. I won't listen to your motherhood today. You insulted me, called my family murderers—this is your punishment."
He tightened his grip and entered the palace. On the beach, the baby crawled through the sand toward his mother, crying uncontrollably, his tiny hands coated with sand.
Soha looked back over Adrik's shoulder—her ten‑month‑old heart, reaching for her.
Soha (breaking down):
"Adrik, for Allah's sake, let me go to him! He'll die like this! Will you leave your own blood in the sand? Are you truly not human?"
Adrik slammed the massive wooden door shut.
Outside remained the baby's cries.
Inside began a new, darker chapter of Soha's captivity.
Two hours passed.
Inside the sealed chamber, devastation had swept through. Soha sat curled in a corner of the bed. Her long silky hair lay tangled across her back. Her clothes were torn—she now wore one of Adrik's oversized white shirts, the sleeves covering her hands.
Her eyes were swollen red from crying. More than her own pain, the sound of her baby's cries haunted her.
The heavy door opened slightly. A maid entered, holding the ten‑month‑old baby. His face was pale from crying; his body still trembled.
Maid (head lowered):
"Sir… the young master won't stop crying. He won't eat. He's very thirsty. He needs breast milk. Should I give him to his mother?"
Adrik stood by the window, staring at the sea. He turned slowly. Seeing Soha desperately trying to rise despite her weakness, he gestured.
The maid placed the baby near Soha and left quickly.
The baby sensed his mother's scent and warmth beneath the white shirt and lunged toward her chest, clutching her shirt tightly.
Soha (sobbing, holding him):
"My child… forgive me… your mother couldn't protect you… Here, my love—eat your fill…"
She loosened the buttons of Adrik's shirt and pulled the baby to her breast. The baby fed peacefully. His crying faded into soft, contented sounds.
Adrik watched from the wall—the child inside his shirt, pressed against the woman who was both his greatest obsession and greatest hatred. The sight was beautiful—and unbearable.
He realized then: he could chain Soha's body forever, but her heart would never love him.
Adrik (low voice):
"When he's done, put him to sleep. From tonight, he stays in this room. I won't let my son stay away from me—and I won't let you dream of escaping with him."
Soha said nothing. She only stroked her child's head. The white shirt soaked with her tears.
The baby slowly fell asleep against her chest.
But across the room—
Adrik stood on the balcony, cigarette burning. He exhaled smoke into the night sky. No remorse remained—only cruel indifference.
Soha watched as he pulled out his phone and spoke intimately with another woman.
Adrik (laughing softly on the phone):
"Yes, love… I know you're upset. Don't worry. I'll be there soon. Just a few island issues to settle. I miss you too."
The words pierced Soha like arrows. He imprisoned her, violated her—yet spoke of love to another woman.
She stared at him with hatred, wrapped in his shirt, smelling smoke and his scent.
Soha (to herself):
"He claims ownership over me—and romances another woman. Does this man have no fear of Allah? Will he never be human?"
Adrik ended the call with a flying kiss, crushed the cigarette, and walked inside. Seeing her gaze, he smirked.
Adrik:
"What are you staring at, Soha? Who I talk to is none of your concern. You hate me, don't you? Then why should it matter if I love someone else?"
He approached her slowly. The baby slept peacefully.
He brushed hair from her forehead.
Adrik:
"Remember this, Soha—I keep you only to satisfy my desire. Love? I'll find that outside. You will remain nothing more than a decorative doll in my palace."