That evening, something changed.
Asli stopped holding back.
When Ferhat gave an order—
She challenged it.
When he dismissed her—
She pushed back.
"You can't keep living like this," she said during dinner.
He barely looked up. "Like what?"
"Like nothing matters."
"Nothing does."
Her frustration boiled over. "That's not true!"
His fork hit the plate sharply.
"Don't tell me what's true."
"I will if you keep lying to yourself!"
The words hung in the air.
Dangerous.
Bold.
For a moment, it felt like everything might explode.
But instead—
Ferhat leaned back, studying her.
"You're not afraid of me anymore."
Asli met his gaze.
"I am."
A pause.
"But I'm more afraid of becoming silent."
That answer…
Caught him off guard.
And for the first time—
He didn't shut her down.