A ring was attached to the chain. Elegant gold ring. Not too expensive, but priceless. Ahtem would have recognized it from a million. He made it himself. For her, for his Laura. He put it on her finger and asked to become his wife. And she agreed. They were so happy until the moment when he decided to go to her father and tell him about their intentions. Laura asked him not to do this, to wait a little while both graduate and be able to leave Italy, but he took a chance. And lost. Lost Laura, as he thought, forever. Tore her out from his heart and thoughts, forced himself to hate her. He thought - she forgot about him...

But she loved him.

All these years, she loved and cherished his ring. She carried it near her heart and protected it at the cost of her life.

He sat on a plastic chair and clasped his head in his hands. He thought ... thought ... thought ... Recalled the past. The moment lived anew when Laura appeared in front of him in Istanbul, heard her words, saw her eyes, and his heart burned with fire. It was so numb for so long that now when it came to life and allowed itself to feel again, it hurt mercilessly.

They touched his shoulder. He removed his hands from his face and looked up. A familiar nurse stood beside him. She pointed deep into the corridor and said:

"You can go see Mrs. Laura." Seventh room.

He jerked up and almost ran along the corridor. Near the door with the number seven stopped. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. And then he resolutely opened it.

Laura looked at him with huge, sad eyes. There was a question in them, and Ahtem answered in the only right way - he went up to her, sat down on the bed, and kissed her. With trembling hands, he stroked her hair and shoulders, covered her face with kisses and whispered:

"I love you ... how I love you."

- Is this a dream? She whispered - Am I sleeping?

Ahtem pulled away and took her face in the palm of his hand. Looking into tear-filled eyes, he shook his head and answered:

"Not a dream, my angel." It's not a dream.

Tears rolled down her cheeks. He wiped them with his thumbs. Kissing wet cheeks and trembling lips begged:

"Don't cry ... please don't cry." Forgive me, the stubborn idiot ... it's my fault.

"What are you saying," she whispered in response and stroked his face. She looked into his eyes and asked: - You will not leave? Do not leave me?

"Never," he promised fervently. - Never, my love. I will always be here. Even if you drive me away, I still won't leave.

- Drive you out? I will cling to you and will not let you go for a minute or a second...

The last words were drowned in a kiss. Laura moaned quietly, and Ahtem pulled back in fright.

- Does it hurt you? Where? Did I touch the wound?

She shook her head and smiled happily:

- Not. It doesn't hurt. I feel wonderful. I'm in seventh heaven. And where was this burglar before?

"Don't joke like that," he pressed the index finger to her lips. "I almost died of fear." Why and where did you go so late?

- To the pharmacy. I had a headache, but there was no medicine.

- The head? - Ahtem leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Does it hurt now?"

- Not. So much painkiller poured into me that nothing hurts, - Laura reached for him and asked: "Kiss me."

He kissed her long and reverently. Both revealed in these kisses, gave themselves to them in every cell, died away from bliss, and melted from tenderness. Looking up from their lips, they whispered about love, laughed happily, and kissed again.

It seemed to them that minutes had passed, and the dawn was already outside.

At eight, a doctor entered the room. He examined the patient, made dressing and, making sure that the wound did not inflame, let her go home. Her clothes were completely unusable so that she could be dressed and Ahtem went to the nearest store for a new set. When he returned, there were police in Laura's room. Another hour went to the testimony and they could leave the hospital closer to noon.

Ahtem drove the car so carefully as if carrying a priceless vase of the Qing Dynasty. Laura was infinitely grateful to him for this. The effect of painkillers weakened, and the wound ached quite noticeably. But she agreed to endure any pain if only he was nearby. If only he spoke with her in his deep, gentle voice and not hiding the look of love and tenderness. She dreamed about it for many years, and now a dream come true filled the soul with euphoria and the body with ease.

"Whose house are we going to, yours or mine?" Ahtem's voice violated her wandering in the clouds.

"In mine," Laura answered, not hiding her joy. - In it, all things are at hand. Plus, you're hungry. And my refrigerator is full of manti, dolma, and kofte.

- Wow! - exclaimed Ahtem. - Have you decided to master Turkish-Tatar cuisine?

"Yeah," she smiled. - Yesterday I took a master class from Mrs. Turkan, Defne's grandmother. She praised me. Now let's see what you say.

Ahtem drove up to the house, stopped the car, and turned to Laura. He took her hand, brought it to his lips, kissed her palm, and only then answered:

- For me, there is no tastier food than that prepared by your hands. So it was before, and so it will remain forever. But a few days, until your wound heals, we will be content with my cooking.

- Will you cook? Laura asked incredulously. Her black eyes lit up with laughter. "You always said you couldn't stand it." And, in general, the kitchen is not a male occupation.

He grinned sadly. With a gesture so familiar, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and answered:

- Honey, seven years have passed since then. Lonely years. I had to learn. And my opinion somehow changed. "He removed the ignition key from the lock and opened the door. - Sit and don't move. I will help you out.

He walked around the car and helped Laura get out of it. She took his arm and together they slowly went to the house.

***

- Defne, where are you? Cried, Omer.

A couple of minutes ago he went downstairs and did not find his pregnant but restless wife.

- I'm here! - Came from outside.

Omer went into the kitchen and only now noticed that the door to the terrace was ajar. He looked out and saw his wife who, bending down, put a plastic bowl of food on a gray floor tile. And she was dressed only in pajamas.

"Why didn't you get dressed?" You'll freeze! - He was indignant. - Get back to the house faster!

"I'm coming," she agreed. - I just went out for a minute.

She went into the house and Omer, closing the door, hugged her and kissed her cold nose.

"Just a moment," he grumbled. - You'll catch a cold.

"Uhh," throwing her head back and smiling at him radiantly, Defne answered. - Forgot? Happy people do not get sick. And I am very happy. So no cold will cling to me.

"And you have an answer to everything," Omer teased her and asked: "For whom did you leave the food?"

"For that gray cat, we saw yesterday." She is so thin. Maybe she ran away from home and does not want to return. After all, cats are such - independent and with character. Today I put her some food, but let's go to the supermarket on the way to Iso and buy some special food. Ok?

"My good girl with a big heart and a smart head," Omer kissed her forehead. - Of course, we will. Now let's get ready or we will not get to Iso until evening.

"Allah Allah," Defne was indignant. "Is it my fault that a certain black-eyed handsome man did not let me out of bed all morning?"

A pleased smile blossomed on Omer's face. He looked down at Defne's mouth and warned:

- If you continue so tempting to blow your lips, then there we will return now.

Defne fearfully opened her eyes and pressed her lips into a string. Omer laughed, turned her to face the door, and patted her lower back.

- Run change your clothes. You have ten minutes. If you wouldn't be on time, we'll return to bed!

Iso, blinking eyes, stood on the threshold of his house and looked from one smiling face to the other with a surprised look.

"We decided to visit you without warning," Defne enlightened him cheerfully. - Hello! One hundred years have not seen. Miss you!

She hugged him and patted him on the back.

Iso, recovering from amazement, stepped aside and invited Iplikci to the house.

- Hello! How glad I am to see you! Welcome. "He shook Omer's hand and took both coats. Hanging them on hooks screwed to the wall, he ordered the guests: - Come into the living room, and I'll make tea now.

"We brought simit bagels for the tea," Defne's voice rang from the living room. - With sesame seeds. Still hot.

Over tea, they chatted about everything under the sun. About football, the workshop, neighborhood boys, and the weather outside. That's just they bypassed the main topic. Iso was silent, but Defne and Omer did not know how to start the necessary conversation.

- How are you? - Defne asked her friend. "You don't look good."

She was right. Iso looked bad. The darkened, haggard face and circles under the eyes without further words spoke of spiritual torment. Hearing the question, he bowed his head sadly and answered:

- With all my might I flew into a brick wall ... and now I'm fighting against it, but to no avail.

There was a longing in his voice. Omer and Defne looked at each other. She moved closer to her friend and embraced him in silent support.

- Do you love her? - Without preamble, Omer asked directly. Iso, without raising his head, nodded. - And she loves you?

- Loves...

- Then fight!

- She is married. The husband does not want to give her divorce.

"You can get a divorce without the husband's will," Defne said rightly.

"You can," agreed Iso. But his consent was bitter with sorry. - When there is no fear, and there is willpower to fight. Aysegul has none of this. She is terrified of her husband, the anger of her relatives' and gossip. Afraid of being dishonored. Afraid that her father will renounce her. Afraid that my feelings are not real...

- What nonsense! - Defne was indignant. - You to deceive her! But you are the noblest man in the world. You are simply not capable of meanness.

Iso finally raised his head and looked at her. He grinned sadly at one corner of his mouth and said:

"Thank you, Defoe ... But you know that, but Aysegul not ..."

"I'll tell her," Defne said confidently.

"You don't know each other," Iso reminded her.

- You think so! I'll stop by tomorrow to have lunch with my brother in the cafe and meet. Does she work there? Omer raised his eyebrows in surprise, but Defne ignored his gesture.

"Not worth it," objected Iso. - She won't hear. She will become more closed in itself. Serdar and Nihan tried to talk to her, but ... no point. Let everything go as it should. Maybe life itself will put everything in its place.

"But you suffer," exclaimed Defne.

"And who lived a life without suffering, Defoe?"

"You're right ..." she dropped and sighed heavily.

"But don't you dare to worry about this," Iso patted her shoulder. - The kid under your heart does not want his mother to be sad. Better tell me how things are going in the new company. Opening soon?

"After two weeks," Defne smiled and hit him on the shoulder with a fist. - You are invited.

Iplikci was returning home when Omer's phone rang. Turning to the side of the road, he stopped the car and answered the call:

- Hello, Ahtem!

Ahtem was saying something quickly. Defne heard only an even mutter, but Omer's face darkened more and more from his words.

"We'll be there," he threw abruptly into the phone and put it in his pocket.

Defne looked at him with wide-open eyes and anxiety flared up in them.

- What happened? She asked.

Omer turned slowly to her and stroked her cheek soothingly.

"Don't worry," he said as calmly as possible, but Defne screamed at him:

- Omer, talk! What happened?

- Nothing terrible. All are alive and well," he hastened to reassure her. - Laura had a headache in the evening, there was no medicine, and she went to the pharmacy. On the way, a robber attacked her and wounded her with a knife. Ahtem arrived in time, crushed the bandit, and called an ambulance. The wound is not dangerous. The knife slashed along the ribs and cut through the skin. Laura was stitched and released home. Ahtem is with her now.

"Let's go faster," Defne ordered, and Omer immediately started the car. "Why didn't he call us right away?" So much time has passed, but we did not know anything! - Defne talked scared.

"That's why he didn't call," Omer answered reasonably. "He knew that you would worry, but you should not." Moreover, the wound is not serious. They sewed in, injected painkillers, and released them in the morning. Do not worry, my soul. Everything is fine with Laura.

- What good? - Defne did not calm down. - She was scared! Now, probably, with every rustle, she flinches.

Everything turned out exactly the opposite. Laura, in comfortable pajamas and legs wrapped in a blanket, sat on the sofa in the living room and shone brighter than a lighted light bulb. And Ahtem looked as if a light had been turned on inside him. He moved around the house with the confidence of the owner. He opened the door for the guests, escorted them into the living room, nodded casually at the sofa, and leaned toward Laura. Touching her forehead with a palm, he asked if it was comfortable for her. The answer was a gentle smile. The surprised Iplikci spouses looked at each other and stared at the happy couple.

"I'll go make some tea," Ahtem uttered and went into the kitchen.

"I'm with you," said Omer, and hurried after him.

Defne looked at her husband's receding and moved to Laura. Taking her chin, carefully examined her face and confidently declared:

- You have reconciled with Ahtem.

"Is it so noticeable," she smiled.

"Like it's written here," Defne tapped a finger on her friend's high, smooth forehead. Laura laughed merrily and leaned her head back on the sofa.

- Defne, I'm happy! You can't even imagine how happy I am!

"I can imagine."

"No," Laura shook her head. - You can't imagine. For seven years without him, I did not go through seven, but seventy-seven circles of hell. I hated the title and fortune ... even religion. I now believe in God, but not in church. I saw the true face of my father and people whom I considered a family. I realized that it is not the church that sanctifies marriage, but love. My husband cheated on me right at the wedding with my cousin. I was ashamed but not hurt. For four years, under a hail of ridicule, I kept my head straight and only I know what it cost me. I had no one but Gina, with whom I could just talk. With the rest, it was necessary to hide feelings and think through every word. Because everything said was turned against me. It was impossible to show pain because then they beat me exactly where it hurts. It was impossible to show weakness because it meant - to fall into psychological slavery. I lived in a luxurious prison where I was subjected to sophisticated torture every day. And now I am free. I can openly show my feelings. Speak without controlling every word. I can love and not hide my love behind seven locks. I can ... live.

Defne carefully hugged her shoulders and, not hiding her tears, whispered:

"And I thought it was unbearable to me ... How strong you are, Countess Laura."

Laura bowed her head and pressed her temple against Defne's shoulder.

Ahtem stood with a tray in his hands and heard every word. Like Omer. Seeing that his friend froze as if struck by thunder, he took the tray from him and went to the sofa.

"And here is the tea," he said in an everyday tone and set the silver dish with the finest porcelain on a low, oval table.

"Thank you," Defne smiled at her husband and picked up the cup. - Mmm! It smells good. Ahtem, you are a master at making tea.

Her words brought the man out of a stupor. Taking a deep breath, he went to the room. Laura looked up at him. Eyes pure, clear, emitting soft light of sincere kindness and humanity. He looked into these eyes and did not understand how in that hell in which she had lived for so many years, this strong girl could save and not lose these feelings? How was she able to save her soul, not harden her heart, not turn into a cynical bitch and not lose faith in love? What kept her in this world? What added strength? Laura smiled sweetly and patted the sofa next to her.

- Sit down and have some tea. You are tired of this day. You didn't sleep at all.

Defne put her cup on the tray and got up.

"Then we will go, and you will have a good rest." Laura, until the seams are not removed, stay at home.

"But preparation for the opening ..." she began to object, but Defne stopped her with a gesture of her hand.

- Seda and Mr. Kartal will figure it out and control everything, and you will give orders by phone. And do not argue! Get well soon and gain strength.

When Iplikci left, Ahtem closed the door behind them and returned to the living room. He stopped in front of Laura and looked into her eyes seriously.

- What? She asked anxiously.

"I heard," he answered. "What you told Defne, I heard ... How did you survive among this pack of rabid dogs?"

She shrugged and answered:

"Thinking of you ... You were my beacon and the one who kept me on the edge of the abyss. You didn't let me lose myself and become like them. Thanks to you, I knew that in the world there are nobility, selflessness, true love, and held onto these principles with both hands.

Ahtem knelt beside the couch and clasped her face in his hands. Looking into her eyes he repeated the words said by Defne:

"How strong you are, Countess Laura."

"Don't call me that," she asked, looking down. - I hate this title and everything connected with it.

"Then get rid of it forever."

Laura looked up at him. Her eyes reflected unbelief and ... hope. He pulled a chain from his breast pocket and removed the ring from it. He took Laura's trembling hand and spoke:

"I idolized you when you were a young girl, but I love the woman you have become even more." Laura, I was a stubborn, blinded by pride, donkey. Because of my preconceptions, we lost a lot of time. Please forgive me.

She pressed a hand to his cheek and asked:

"Don't ... don't apologize." I understand you. You didn't know anything and you couldn't otherwise.

"But now I know and no longer want to waste precious time." You'll be mine? Will you accept me and my name? I promise I will love you until the last minute. I'll be the one who always listens to you and understands you ... hugs you when you're sad ... will hide you behind my back when you're scared ... Will you marry me?

"Yes," answered Laura and the ring that had been hiding near her heart for seven years has returned to its rightful place.

She cried. Ahtem wiped her tears and covered her face with kisses.

"Don't cry," whispered. - Please do not cry. My heart breaks when you cry.

Laura smiled touchingly through her tears and promised:

- I won't...

But tears flowed and flowed from her eyes shining with happiness.

***