Stay with me

Chapter 52 - Love and pride

Omer took Defne by the hand and led her to the sofa. He sat down next to her and hugged her. Stroking her shoulder gently, he spoke:

- Darling, it's just a coincidence. Don't take it to heart. Nobody can become you and take your place. This is simply not possible. After all, you are you. Unique. The only one.

Defne looked into his eyes. Beautiful, black eyes. They looked affectionately and warmed her chilled heart. But did Omer hear her? Did he understand?

"I feel that way," she whispered, and a tear ran down her cheek.

- My soul, these are hormones, - Omer rubbed the moisture on her cheek with his thumb. - I read that during pregnancy, this often happens. Calm down and try to forget.

Defne froze. She looked at her husband, and something broke inside. He doesn't understand her anymore. He considers her feelings to be the whim of pregnant women, and she is a stupid wife who throws tantrums from scratch. It was painful. So painful and cold. She lowered her eyes and replied:

- You're right. These are hormones. "She stood up and walked over to the table. She picked up a pencil and touched its sharpened tip." - It's time to get back to work.

Omer got up from the sofa, walked over to her, and hugged her. He kissed the temple and said in a velvet voice:

"My sensible girl."

- Do not call me that.

- How? - Omer was taken aback.

- Your girl.

- Why?

He didn't understand. He really didn't understand that the girl grew up and learned to see the world differently. Don't trust words. Doubt people, you don't like. Feel their envy. See prudence and falsehood. And to understand that this envy can destroy her life. Will Omer be able to love such a Defne, or does he only need his pure and naive girl?

"I grew up, Omer," she replied.

- Silly, - he smiled and straightened a red strand of hair that was out of her hair. Then he lightly flicked his index finger against the tip of her small nose. "Even in forty years, you will be my girl. Some things don't change, my love.

***

Ahtem inserted the last stone into the pendant-amulet ordered by Defne and admired his work. The decoration is amazing. Knowing what a noble goal is inherent in this pendant, he put all his soul and all his skill into it.

Putting the amulet in the case, Ahtem glanced around the new workshop proudly. As he dreamed, he equipped it in the basement of their house with Laura. Now he worked here, and in the old workshop, three novice craftsmen settled. Under his patronage, they were hired to work in Sapphire.

Something soft touched his feet and a purr was heard. He bent down and stroked the gray cat's neck with a familiar gesture.

- Hi, Gri! Do you like the pendant? - The cat purred louder. - Me too. It turned out beautifully.

A door slammed upstairs, and rapid footsteps were heard. Ahtem raised his eyebrows in surprise. Only Laura could open the door with her key. But what does she do at home during the day?

Footsteps were heard closer, and the wife herself flew into the workshop.

- Honey, - he hurried to meet her and took her hands. - What happened?

She looked at him with wide, shining eyes. She took a breath and blurted out:

- Two stripes. Blue. Bright blue, you know? Two!