Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Six
"I'm calling my doctor now," Ahmet said, already reaching for his phone.
Asli shook her head immediately. The movement was sharp, and instinctive. Fear tightened her throat before she could even explain it.
"She's one of my people," he assured, softer this time, as if that alone should calm her.
It didn't.
She kept shaking her head, small and stubborn, her arms folding around herself like she was bracing for something unseen. Ahmet watched her for a second longer, then lowered his phone. He didn't argue and didn't insist. For once, he simply let it go.
"Okay," he said quietly. "Not now, but let me know when you go for a check-up."
That alone surprised her.
The tension didn't disappear, but it loosened, just enough for air to slip back into the room. Asli exhaled, not realizing she'd been holding her breath. She moved toward the bed, staring at nothing in particular, fingers absently tracing the edge of the sheets.
