Is this destiny?

Corey's mouth was half-open. He could not believe that Merve went through that. And what was more unbelievable was that she was telling him about it.

His head was buzzing, and he was unable to respond as Merve continued talking: "...Hande came out of nowhere and jumped on him. She screamed at him to let me go. He hit her and dislocated her jaw. I used the commotion to grab the kitchen knife and I stabbed him. I stabbed my father who wanted to force himself on me. And then I grabbed Hande and ran out. I hid behind the shed among wood with Hande and waited for our end to come. At that time, I didn't know what my father did, but I knew that he hurt me while my two own mother and a few more people who should be my family, watched from the side without any intention to help me. I was all alone, in the dark, holding onto my little sister who was unconscious in my arms. Two times Hande stirred, but due to the pain, she lost consciousness after a few seconds. It took me a while to remember that Sarah gave me an SOS beacon, in case something goes wrong. It was night when Masika and Zack found us, and we became part of Sarah's and Aiden's family."

Merve looked at Corey's frozen expression and she didn't know what was going on in his mind, but he was definitely in shock. Well, shocked is better than cursing at her or calling her names.

Merve exhaled. "It's better if I go home."

"Home?" Corey repeated robotically. What happened with their day together?

"I will understand if you don't want me to be your girlfriend." Merve said weakly to Corey who was non-responsive.

Merve forced herself to stand up and she made two heavy steps away from Corey when he hugged her from behind.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know." He whispered into her hair. "If I knew, I would be more considerate. Please, don't leave."

After an unknown measure of time, Merve turned to face Corey. "Corey, it's OK. I am not pure… not worthy. You can find someone better."

Corey looked at Merve and panic swelled inside him when her words sank in. Is she breaking up with him? "Better? You are kidding, right? You are the best girl there is. I am sorry that your father hurt you, but don't let him continue doing that now. You are here, with a new family and with me."

Corey cupped her cheeks into his palms and his eyes showed how desperate he is for her to believe him.

"Merve, don't put yourself down because you were a victim. That was in the past. Now, you are a survivor and you have a dashing boyfriend who loves you very much and who wants to spend the day with you, and to take you to the prom, and who is looking forward to many years together with you. As a couple. Don't leave him, that will only prove that your father can still hurt you from the other side of Earth."

Merve was touched by Corey's words, but she found something strange… "Why are you talking about yourself in the third person?"

"Because it's difficult for me to believe that I am worthy enough to be your boyfriend. So your boyfriend must be some other guy who is at least several times better than me."

Merve blinked. "You are amazing. Any girl would be lucky to be your girlfriend."

Corey smiled. "Then… consider yourself lucky."

They moved back on the sofa and Corey pulled Merve into his embrace. They sat like that in silence for a long time.

Corey was thinking about what Merve told him and he could not believe how vile her father was. Who would do such a thing to his own daughter? Aren't fathers wired by nature to protect their offspring? But then… he remembered his father. The father who took advantage of a woman and let her suffer as a single parent without offering any help or acknowledging their existence while living in the same city. Corey confirmed that this is one more thing that Merve and he have in common: shitty fathers.

Merve sank into Corey's embrace and she inhaled his scent. She marveled this feeling of freedom because she told him about her darkest moment, and he didn't hate her for it. Corey accepts her, the way she is and he does not see her as dirty. His hold on her was firm and solid and it made her feel safe. And she wished that he never lets go.

"Where do you want us to go? It can be anywhere." Corey broke the silence, now confident that Merve has no more ideas of going home and cutting their whole-day-date short.

Merve looked at Corey. She knew that he was asking about the day ahead. "How about… we stay here?"

Corey was surprised by this. "The whole day?"

"Can we?"

Corey had no objections. "Sure. What do you want to do?"

"We can order pizza, watch movies… and you can continue hugging me."

Corey decided to try his luck. "Only hugging?"

"Kissing is fine also."

"Only hugging and kissing?" Corey asked cheekily.

Merve smiled. She likes it when Corey is playful. He is super handsome and charming, and he has no idea how many girls fell for that boyish grin. Well, Merve has no idea either, and she does not want to know.

She inched closer and kissed his cheek, and then his neck.

"I didn't say that there is a limit on where the kiss can land…" Merve said in a half-whisper.

Corey licked his lips slowly. "So… I can kiss you… anywhere?"

Merve exploded into blush. "What are you thinking about?"

Corey smiled smugly and pulled her hand higher to kiss the back of her palm. "I was thinking about kissing your hand. What were you thinking? Are you having dirty thoughts again?"

Corey laughed when he saw that Merve is embarrassed.

"Merve, Merve…" Corey chanted while tightening his hold on her. "You are amazing, and I love you. Don't doubt that because, in my eyes, you are perfect."

Merve hid her red face at the crook of Corey's neck. "I will do my best to become the perfect girl, how you see me."

Corey chuckled. "Do whatever you want, but don't disparage yourself. And don't think about leaving me, unless you find a guy you like more than me."

Merve looked at him and blinked. How can she ever find a better guy than Corey? "There is no way that a better guy than you exists. But if you find another girl, I will not tolerate it. My father had two wives and it caused problems in the house because they always fought for his favor."

Corey was surprised by this. While talking about her past, Merve mentioned siblings from two mothers, but he didn't realize that those two women were with her father at the same time.

"One Merve is plenty."

Merve narrowed her eyes. "What does that mean?"

"It means that my heart is full and there is no space for any other girl. You are and will be my only one."

Merve felt a warm and fuzzy feeling filling up her chest and spreading through her body. Without thinking, she straddled Corey, and then she kissed him. Again, and again, and again.

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