Page 112 of The Bittersweet Bond

“I should’ve noticed. I should’ve realized something was wrong.”

Evin turned to her then, meeting her gaze with an unwavering stare, her expression unreadable.

“No, you shouldn’t have. And it wouldn’t have made a difference.”

Her voice was calm, almost too calm, a carefully placed mask over something much darker, much more fragile.

“I let it happen. I let him do it.”

She let out a small, hollow laugh, one that didn’t reach her eyes.

"So what’s the point? The first time is never perfect anyway."

Milka narrowed her eyes, inhaling sharply, looking like she was about to argue, but instead, she sighed, pressing her lips into a thin line before standing up.

“If you don’t want to talk about it, I’ll respect that. But please—don’t act like what he did was normal. Or okay.”

Evin didn’t answer.

She simply reached for the next outfit, pulling it over her head without hesitation, keeping her eyes locked on the mirror, as if by changing clothes, she could somehow strip away the past, as if she could slip into a version of herself that hadn’t been touched by any of it.

Milka’s gaze was still on her, the weight of it pressing against her back like a silent plea.

“Are you really not going to tell him?” she asked, her voice quieter now.

Evin exhaled, shaking her head slightly as she adjusted the hem of her top.

"I don’t want him to see me differently. I can’t handle that. He’ll pity me, and that’s the last thing I need."

Milka scoffed softly, stepping closer, her hand resting lightly on Evin’s arm.

“Evin, this is Bas we’re talking about. You know I’m not exactly his biggest fan, but he’s been through so much shit with you already. And with the way he’s been lately—do you really think he’d start treating you differently now?”

Evin swallowed, her eyes darting away, her voice quieter when she spoke again.

“I don’t know… What if he doesn’t want me anymore once he knows? What if it ruins everything?”

Her voice wavered slightly, and for a moment, she hated herself for letting Milka hear it.

“I don’t want him to see me as weak. I can’t stand the idea of him looking at me differently.”

Milka sighed, her expression softening as she squeezed Evin’s arm gently.

“I get it, babe. I do. But Bas isn’t the kind of guy who walks away when things get hard… Okay, actually, he totally is. But not with this. You know he wants you. And if he was the type to leave over something like this, then he wouldn’t be worth your time anyway.”

Evin shrugged slightly, her body stiff, her chest tightening as she tried to push back the lump forming in her throat.

"I just wish it were easier," she admitted.

"But… I’m scared everything will change."

Milka didn’t hesitate this time. She simply wrapped her arms around Evin,pulling her into a hug, holding on just long enough to let her know she wasn’t alone.

"You’ll never know if you don’t try. But no matter what happens—I’m here."

Evin exhaled slowly, nodding slightly before pulling away.

“So… who’s this mystery guy you texted me about?”

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