- Thank you for agreeing to listen to us.

Mirai spoke calmly and a little distantly. Mert was silent and looked at his two grandfathers point-blank.

- Let's sit down and make an order, - suggested Gumuskaya.

Mert pulled out a chair for Mom and helped her to sit down. The men looked at each other and also sank into their seats. Mert sat down next to his mother. The waiter served the menu. Mirai looked it over and chose the cheapest dish. Mert repeated Mom's order. Gumuskaya frowned and called the same thing. Oddly enough, Astarkhan also ordered it. When the waiter left, he turned to his former daughter-in-law and grandson:

- Mirai, Mert, I apologize for Hazal, Mehmet, and myself. I understand that it is impossible to forgive such a thing, but I want you to know that I regret that I believed the scoundrel and the daughter who defended him.

Mert's cheekbones tightened, his eyes turned to ice. But he remained silent. Mirai looked Engin Astarkhan in the eyes and said:

- If you repent and want to clear your conscience, then help the people who also almost became victims of Hazal and her, already second, husband.

- Passionis and Sapphire? - asked Engin Astarkhan. - Or, to be precise, their owners, Omer, and Defne Iplikci?

"Yes," Mirai confirmed. - Honest businessmen and decent people. They did a lot of good for me, Mert, and the girls. But now they are in trouble.

- Tell me, - ordered the chief of the Istanbul police.

Concisely and clearly, without unnecessary digressions and phrases, Mirai told the whole story. The men listened attentively, and when she fell silent, the father said:

- I can help to ensure that the court's decision when Iplikci files a lawsuit to be in their favor. But they are right. If there is a serious reason to consider Kadir Shishmaz an unreliable citizen, then he will not have a single chance to get custody of his minor daughter. Gambling is such a ground. Engin, what do you say?

Astarkhan rubbed his chin thoughtfully and was silent.

"You're not risking anything," said Mert, and his grandfather's face quivered. Finally, the grandson spoke to him. For this, he agreed to turn any adventure and risk not only his position but also his life. - To bring out the sharper and the swindler, isn't this the task of the police?

- You're right, son. Such an operation will be fully justified. But, - the expression on his face became hard again, - I will have a condition. You and your sisters will agree to meet with your father and me.

- Engin! - Gumuskaya was indignant. - You have no right to put pressure on the children. Maybe you will also make Mirai return to Mehmet.

Mirai raised her eyebrows ironically, showing with all her appearance that she thought about such an assumption. Astarkhan cast a short glance at his former daughter-in-law and replied:

- Not. I have no right to this. Mehmet is not worthy of a woman like Mirai. Seven years ago, it was he who should have stood up for her. But he didn't do it. Now let him bite his elbows. But Mert and the girls are his children. And my only grandchildren. We want to see them.

"For seven years you did not consider us your grandchildren," Mert reminded him.

- Yes it is. I made a mistake, which I admit and regret. And yet I insist. I will do my best to help Iplikci, but in return, I ask for one evening a week with my grandchildren.

Mert was silent. Pride demanded to send to hell his grandfather with his conditions. But Esra was in danger. The beautiful girl who made his heartbeat often and feel unreasonably happy. She filled his soul with light and his thoughts with joy. For her sake, he was ready for anything. Even talking to his grandfather and father.

- Your decision? - Engin Astarkhan demanded an answer.

"Okay," the boy agreed grimly. "But not on weekends. Weekday evening. Also, we will not come to your home. Park, shopping center, cafe. Anywhere, but not in your home.

- I agree, - the grandfather answered without hesitation. In the next second, his voice took on a business note. - I will give the order for the operation, as well as my best operative. He will supervise all steps and competently collect evidence. Let Mr. Iplikci call me tomorrow," he dictated the number, and Mirai entered it into the address book of her phone.

The waiter brought the order, but Mirai and Mert did not touch the dishes. Mirai put the money next to the plate and stood up. Mert got up after her.

- Where are you going? - Gumuskaya was surprised.

"Home," Mirai replied calmly.

- And dinner?

- We'll have dinner at home. With the girls. They are waiting. Bon appetit and good evening.

She took Mert's arm and together they headed for the exit. The men watched them go. With straight shoulders and back, confidence in every movement.

"You have a strong daughter," Astarkhan said, addressing his friend. - She went through rape, betrayal, poverty and did not break. She raised a real man from her son. You can be proud of her.

"I'm proud," Onder said. There was clearly a bitterness in his voice. "And I regret that I once doubted her and her honor. I deserve my loneliness."

He lowered his head and sighed heavily. Astarkhan patted him on the shoulder and said:

"I'm going to take my granddaughters and Mert to the horse farm in a week. I will be glad if you join us."

***

Banu and Esra had been living on the island for a week. With Maya, they learned to cook Polynesian dishes, picking fruits in the garden, looked after flowers in flower beds. With Theo, they trained the horses and helped him in the stable. He praised them and said that both girls were born riders and favorites of the handsome silver-white Nei.

In the evenings, they swam in the turquoise water of the lagoon. Theo taught them to swim and soon both felt like fish in the water. A couple of times, at dawn, he took the girls fishing. By boat, they sailed far from the shore and threw their fishing rods into the water. Each fish caught became the subject of exuberant joy. And then, cooked by Maya's skillful hands, it seemed doubly tasty.

Cheerful and funny, the girls became a real joy and great help for Maya. The work was done in their deft hands. Esra did better, Banu a little worse, but she did not lose heart. She diligently repeated everything that Maya taught her. She, observing the efforts of the girls, said that they would become good wives to someone. Both lit up with blush and smiled, imagining in their dreams a handsome, blue-eyed guy.

Mert Astarkhan.

He sometimes called, set up a conference, and the three of them chatted for hours about everything in the world. And in the evenings, exactly at ten o'clock Polynesian time, he wrote to Esra. She waited for these messages and opened them with bated breath. She read, while the soul lifted off the ground and, happy, floated in the air. But she was silent about it, to anyone, not even Banu, not telling about her secret. There was nothing romantic about these messages. Mert told funny stories, made jokes, and amusingly talked about the office life of Sapphire and Passionis. And only at the end, each time he wrote:

"I miss you".

These words gave wings and lifted to the stars. Esra, throwing her head back, danced around the room, and then answered: "Me too."

***

On Saturday, family and friends gathered at Iplikci's house again. They didn't look angry and depressed this time. Rather belligerent and determined to punish the blackmailer. The last to arrive was the private detective. Omer introduced him and motioned for him to read the report. The man cleared his throat and, opening the folder, spoke:

- I watched Kadir Shishmaz for five days and collected information about him along the way. Here's what I found out: does not work anywhere, lives on a grand scale. Five-star hotel room, branded clothing, latest iPhone, and dinners at expensive restaurants. But at the same time, he has a huge card debt. Wakes up late. Breakfast in the room, lunch in the hotel restaurant.

During the day, he hardly leaves the hotel, in the evening he goes to the club Night. He doesn't drink a lot. He tries to fool the rich middle-aged ladies who appear in the club. I spoke to the staff. Kadir Shishmaz had asked if there were any underground casinos in Istanbul and how to get there. The bartender gave him several addresses. But Shishmaz did not go to any of them. All named casinos belong to the same mafia group. It can be concluded that these are the people to whom Shishmaz owes. If so, then he is in a big hole. You can't hide from these. They'll get him out of the ground.

"Maybe we don't need to do anything," Serdar muttered. - Let them get him and kill him.

- They will not kill him. He will get out, - Defne rightly remarked. - He's a wolf and lives by wolf laws. He does not need anyone except himself. Saving his own skin, he, without hesitation, will destroy even his own children. But we must protect ourselves and make sure that according to our, human and state laws, he has nothing to do with us and no rights on Esra.

"You're right," Serdar smiled sadly at his sister. - When did you manage to grow up and become such a wise, bully Defne?

"And you're not the Serdar you were a couple of years ago," she answered in tone. - From a careless donkey and a dunce, you grew into a worthy man and a father of a family.

Grandmother Turkan sobbed and wiped her eyes with the corner of her handkerchief. Nihan put her arms around her shoulders and rebuked her.

- Well, why are you crying, aunt Turkan? You brought up, such grandchildren! Should be proud, not cry! And generally speaking! Enough sentiments! Let's move on to discussing the details of the plan! Jansu! Your way out.

***

The basement of one of the boutiques of the Baisal jewelry house was gradually turning into an elite casino. In a square room with roughly plastered concrete walls, was installed a rectangular oak card table with a wide copper edging, which framed the tabletop covered with green cloth. Antique chairs with high backs and soft, velvet seats were set around the table. Three copper lamps with shades of pale green glass hung directly above the table. The lampshades were designed to illuminate the green cloth, copper edging, and the hands of the players at the table. Only one chair fell into the light zone entirely. It was at it that the surveillance cameras were directed, hidden behind a rack with game chips, decks of cards, and other attributes of gambling. In the far corner, dimly lit by a small lamp, was a bar with expensive drinks.

When everything was ready, Ozcan Baisal invited Iplikci to evaluate the work. Defne wandered about the room with wide eyes and tightly compressed lips. It was the first time she saw a casino and it did not evoke the slightest good feelings in her. And when she approached the card table, disgust was reflected on her face. Omer understood her feelings, but now was not the time or place to talk about them. He went up to his wife, gently touched her back, but spoke to Baisal:

- Faultless underground casino. You have wasted time and money on it. Defne and I are grateful to you and would like to reimburse the costs.

Baisal raised his hand, stopping his words with a gesture.

- Please, Mr. Omer! Let's leave the topic of money. This casino and my help in Jansu's adventure is so negligible compared to what you did for me and my daughter. Let me be grateful.

Omer nodded sparingly and said:

- Thanks! So, everything is ready and we can start implementing the plan?

- The room is ready, but the connection between the cameras here and the monitors in the next room has not yet been fully established. And there is also the question of who will play the roles of the casino workers. The security and the bartender are simple. Let's take some of my employees or yours. But here's the croupier ..., - Baisal scratched his head. - Special skills are needed here. Give me time until Friday.

Omer and Defne went outside and stopped on the sidewalk, squinting in the bright light. Defne took a deep breath and said:

- Glory to the Almighty! We went out into the air. I thought I would suffocate there. Such an oppressive atmosphere. I would never have been able to sit at this table. It is one thing to play cards at home at will, and it's quite another to play such places. Creepy.

Omer took her hand and offered:

- Come on, on the evening of the game you will stay at home, and you will patiently wait for news from me. I promise I won't let anything bad happen.

- No! Defne objected fervently. - I'll go crazy! Grandma will stay with Emine, and I, together with you, will sit in the secret room, get nervous and scan the screen with my eyes.

"That's what I don't like," Omer frowned. - What are you going to be nervous about.

"But in any case, I will be tormented by anxiety," Defne said rightly. - I'd rather be on the scene and you will be there.

Again, her words made his heart skip a beat. So ordinary and innocent, they made Omer melt with happiness. Every time Defne casually talked about her love and that her husband was needed and important to her, he felt a surge of incredible tenderness, delight, and exultation. And he realized that he loved her to the point of madness.

And Defne, not suspecting what kind of volcano of emotions rages in her husband's chest now, looked at her wristwatch and exclaimed:

- My dear! In an hour we have to show Emine Diana to the pediatrician. Let's hurry! We also need to pick her up from Laura and change her clothes. Our girl is a month old today. She must appear before the doctor's eyes as a real princess.

Omer put his arm around her waist and led her to the car, asking:

- Shall we arrange a party in the evening? We will buy balloons, an ice cream cake and a lot of toys. Let's dance and have fun.

"And you will forget your fears and worries at least for a while," he added mentally. "You will become my old, cheerful, laughing Defne."

Emine has grown by three centimeters in a month and has become heavier by a kilogram.

"A beautiful, healthy girl," the pediatrician said with satisfaction, examining her. - It's a pity that you had to put her to artificial feeding. But nothing terrible happened. Millions of children grow up completely healthy on formula.

- I dreamed about something else, - Defne sighed. - I thought I would breastfeed Emine for at least a year.

"Our desires and plans do not always come true," the doctor said philosophically. - Your girl looks happy and healthy. This is the main thing. From now on, she can be given special vitamins for babies.

She finished her examination and sat down to write out the prescription. Dad and mom bent over their daughter. They dressed her so harmoniously and efficiently that the doctor involuntarily distracted from her work, and stared in fascination at the small family. Omer lifted his daughter's head, and Defne put the neck of her dress through it. And although she did it carefully, Emine did not like such manipulations. Her face twisted and her lower lip trembled finely.

- No! No! No! - Dad sang. - Nobody is crying! Mom has already dressed the Bead, and the Bead will now go for a walk.

The lip stopped quivering, and the next second the child's face lit up with a smile. Mom and Dad exhaled. Defne slipped her daughter's arms into the sleeves and lifted her up, clutching her to her chest. Omer immediately deftly straightened her dress and put a lace cap on the tiny head.

"Well, here we are, dressed," he said with satisfaction.

"Take the prescription," the doctor smiled and handed him an oblong sheet of paper.

Omer took it and put it in the inside pocket of his jacket.

- Thank you, madam! - He thanked her. - Have a nice day!

The three of them went out into the street and stopped near the car.

- Where to now? Defne asked.

- For the balloons! Omer said confidently. - We have a holiday today.

They honestly tried to disconnect from all the problems and sincerely have fun. They went to Omer's mom's favorite pastry shop. Ordered Montebianco and divine coffee. They showed the elderly owner Emine Diana. He looked at her tiny face for a long time, nodded his head in satisfaction, and then said that the baby looked like her grandmother. The same refined and graceful.

"Grow up healthy and happy," he said to Emine Diana. She gave him a toothless smile that melted the old man's heart.

Then mom and dad bought a huge bunch of colored balloons and brought their daughter to the observation deck over the Bosphorus. The sun was shining brightly and was reflected by glare on the surface of the water. The sky was deep and clear. Airy, like lumps of cotton, clouds floated across its azure. Seagulls screamed, but their screams were not alarming. Birds dived over the water, rejoicing in summer, sun, and sea.

The breeze ruffled the hem of Defne's light green dress and fluttered her copper hair. She laughed and held them with one hand. Omer, holding his daughter to his chest, openly admired his wife and her happy smile. Stopping at the stone parapet, he turned to Defne:

- Give the balloons here!

Putting a long silver ribbon in Emine Diana's fist, Omer gently squeezed it in his palms and spoke to his daughter:

- Daddy's swallow, make a wish. And you make a wish too, - he ordered his wife.

"And you," she said.

They closed their eyes. And only Emine Diana clapped her eyes-olives and looked at the multi-colored balloons in fascination.

- Did you make a wish? - Opening his eyes, Omer asked Defne.

She nodded and smiled at him.

- One hundred and one wishes!

- Did you hear, my soul? - Omer kissed his daughter's cool forehead. - Your mother and I have now wished a beautiful and happy fate for you. Let's release the balloons. Let the wishes fly to the sky.

He gently unclenched his daughter's fingers. The ribbon slipped out of them, and the bunch of balloons flew into the sky. All three looked at them until they became a dot and disappeared among the white lumps-clouds.

In the evening, while washing the dishes after dinner, Defne suddenly stopped and stared thoughtfully at one point.

- What's the matter? Omer asked anxiously.

He just entered the kitchen. Putting the baby monitor on the counter, he went up to his wife and looked into her face. Defne looked up at him and blurted out:

- I know who the croupier can be! Iso! He was fond of card tricks. He knows how to juggle them and, in general, is very dexterous in handling them. He has not been to a real casino, but if you explain everything to him...

- We need to talk to him. Immediately! - Omer grabbed the plate from her hand, put it in the dryer, and, taking her by the wrist, he pulled Defne along. Sitting her on a chair in the dining room, he handed her the phone and ordered:

- Call him!

Iso was slightly dumbfounded but agreed immediately. Little Esra was in the category of people whom he loved devotedly and selflessly. So, for her sake, he agreed to any adventure and daring feat.

"There is nothing difficult in dealing cards," he said with feigned confidence. - I saw how the croupiers behave in films. Don't worry, Defoe! I'll play!

***