Author's pov

Flashback

Eight-year-old Angelina sat by the poolside of the Giordano mansion, her tiny feet dipping into the cold blue water as sunlight shimmered across the surface. Her wide hazel eyes brimmed with curiosity at everything around her. Beside her, Deniz leaned closer, proudly showing her a new game he had installed on the tablet.

“Wow… it has so many games,” she gasped, her little voice filled with wonder. Her attention lingered on one screen. “This shooting game looks scary—the zombies are horrible! Can we download more games too?”

Deniz chuckled softly, opening the play store for her. “Of course. Look, you can download anything here.”

Angelina took the tablet with both hands, clutching it carefully so it wouldn’t slip into the water. Her face lit up as she discovered a world of Barbie dress-ups and makeover apps. Within minutes, the device was filled with pink icons and sparkly games.

Deniz wrinkled his nose but said nothing. Watching her tiny forehead crease as she concentrated on choosing the right shade of eyeshadow made him smile instead.

“Mom baked cupcakes this morning,” Deniz said gently. “Do you want some now, Angy?”

Angelina only shook her head, too absorbed in her game to notice his retreat toward the kitchen.

At the same moment, Demir stormed down the stairs, his expression already sour. He was searching for his tablet—the one holding his unfinished science project. He scoured the living room, frowning when he couldn’t find it. He remembered leaving it on his study table this morning.

His gaze shifted to the poolside.  There, he saw her—Angelina—sitting at the very edge, her small fingers busy tapping away at his tablet, giggling softly for whatever ridiculous reason. He strode towards that area.

She hadn’t even noticed him standing behind her.

She grew bored of one game and went straight back into the Play Store to download another.

Demir clenched his jaw, and snatched it from her hands.

“Are you touching my things again?” His voice was low, strained with controlled fury—he knew how easily she cried when it came to him—but irritation dripped from every word.

The last thing he wanted is a flood of tears disturbing his peace.

Angelina flinched, her hazel eyes widening. Slowly she stood up and whispered timidly, “I was just playing… Deniz gave it to me.”

Her voice is soft and defensive, but hurt.

Demir stared at her in silence. Already, her eyes are turning glassy, shimmering with unshed tears. The sight only irritated him further. He hadn’t even shouted, so why is she on the verge of crying? With a frustrated sigh, he turned to leave.

But then—his steps froze. She is standing at the very edge of the pool, her feet dangerously close to slipping.

“Why are you playing here?” His voice is firm. “Go somewhere else.”

Angelina frowned, pouting stubbornly. “But I like it here. We don’t have a pool at my house.”

Demir sighed. This girl is stubborn and literally a headache. Still, his gaze returned to her feet near the edge, and unease twisted in his chest.

“Stand here,” he said, tugging her gently back.

Before he could finish, her little foot slipped. With a piercing scream, Angelina plunged into the water.

The world blurred for Demir. Without hesitation, he flung the tablet away and dove in after her.

By then, Deniz returned with cupcakes, only to freeze at the scene.

“Oh my God—Angy!” he shouted, panic spreading across his face.

The commotion brought Ashleen and Siana rushing to the poolside, their hearts hammering in fear.

Demir had already pulled Angelina out, her small body shivering violently, tears streaming down her cheeks. Deniz immediately crouched and wrapped his arms around her.

“Angy, are you okay? Look at me!”

Demir lingered close to see if she is okay, but Ashleen swooped in, gathering her trembling daughter into her embrace, she is crying seeing her doughter like this. Already she has hydrophobia.

Siana hurried the maids to bring towels.

Then she turned to Demir, her voice low but urgent.

“How did this happen?”

Demir opened his mouth to answer, but Deniz interrupted, he asked her desperately.

“Angy, tell me—how did this happen?”

Angelina, teeth chattering, looked at them through watery lashes. Her lips trembled as she whispered weakly,

“D… Demir…”

And then she fainted in Ashleen’s arms.

Demir froze. Her fragile whisper cut deeper than a blade.

Deniz looks at him accusingly.  Ashleen and Siana are shocked.

“Demir…” Siana began softly.

But before she could finish, Demir turned away, his face became hard and walked off without a word.

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“Dad, he literally pushed Angy into the water. Ask anyone—mom, Aunt Ash, everyone was there. Angy said it herself! How can he do this?”

Deniz’s voice cracked with anger as he repeated himself.

Devillian sat still, silent, his face unreadable. Across from him, Demir sat on the sofa, his posture is straight. He hadn’t defended himself once.

Siana’s heart twisted. She had spoken to him, tried to get something out of him, but he had only kept quiet. Still—she believed her son. Something deep inside told her he couldn’t have done this.

Angy had been taken home, she had also got fever. Selene insisted on watching over her too. So siana sent her there too.

“See, dad?” Deniz snapped, pointing at his brother. “Even now he just sits there like he did nothing wrong!”

“Indeed,” Demir’s voice cut through like a blade, sharp and sudden. “I did nothing wrong.”

Deniz’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Siana gasped, tears spilling. “Demir… what are you saying?"

“Just what are you hearing, mom?” he replied evenly, his gaze steady.

“Demir!” Devillian’s tone thundered through the room, so cold and commanding that everyone flinched—except Demir. His son met his stare with unyielding eyes.

Siana saw Devillian’s jaw tighten, his hands clenched. She hurried to his side, placing a hand on his shoulder before the storm broke. Out of all their children, only Demir dared stand toe-to-toe with Devillian… and only Demir is closest to him too.

“Behave with your mother,” Devillian ordered, his voice like steel.

Demir’s tone softened, but not his stance. “I meant no disrespect, dad. I only said what needed to be said.”

Deniz’s patience shattered. “You know what? Everything would be better if you weren’t even here!” he shouted, then stormed out, the slam of the door echoing behind him.

Demir didn’t flinch, didn’t even blink. He only watched everything in silence.

Siana’s tears spilled helplessly.

Devillian exhaled slowly, his voice like iron.

“He’s right.”

Her head snapped toward him.

“Dev… what are you saying?”

Devillian cupped her face, wiping her tears with surprising gentleness.

“Hear me out, sunshine.”

Then his gaze returned to Demir.

“I was already thinking of sending you abroad for training. You’ll learn everything there—business, strategy, the mafia ways. As the elder heir, you must take over one day. Better you start now, without distractions.”

Siana sobbed, shaking her head, before running out of there.

Demir’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles went white, but he didn’t speak.

Devillian noticed.

“Your packing starts now. You will leave tomorrow early in the morning."

He turned and walked away.

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"Yes, Mom... he called me this evening. He told me himself that he’s finally coming back. Isn’t it amazing?"

Selene’s enthusiastic voice rang through the dining room like a bell.

Angelina sat quietly, nibbling at her food. She had wanted to leave after meeting Selene, but Aunt Siana had insisted her to stay for dinner.

Siana smiled wholeheartedly at her daughter’s excitement. Her gaze drifted to Devillian, who immediately reached across the table to hold her hand with quiet affection.

"It’s a happy moment, isn’t it, sunshine? Then why are you crying?"

His voice softened, but the sharpness of his eyes lingered. He hated to see her tears. Over the years, Siana had often broken down whenever Demir’s name came up, resenting Devillian for sending him away. That was why Devillian had called him back years ago, but Demir had refused then.

Siana smiled through her tears and quickly wiped them away.

"It’s just... a mother’s way of showing love."

Around the table, the quadruplets—Alessio, Akif, Aylin, Agnese—and Deniz were all visibly excited. They too had missed Demir when he left years ago.

When Demir had left years ago, Deniz had taken it the hardest. He had missed his brother terribly. They were just kids back then, still figuring life out. Later, Deniz apologized for his behavior, and Demir had assured him that leaving home for training had nothing to do with him. That conversation had lifted a burden from Deniz’s shoulders. Since then, they have only spoken on the phone—personal visits weren’t allowed. Demir’s training had been confidential.

Agnese leaned forward, eyes sparkling.

"I’m so excited! I already told my friends my brother is going to buy me the limited three-piece Saint Laurent bag." She squealed, clasping her hands together.

Aylin rolled her eyes.

"You already have too many bags. What are you planning to do, start a resale business? Wow, Mom, looks like we’ve got a seller woman in the house."

Agnese shot her a sharp side glance.

"Do you want me to start with you, b—"

"Stop it!" Aylin snapped, her voice rising.

"Enough, both of you," Siana cut in firmly. "Can’t you behave cordially for even one day?"

"But Mom, she started it—" Agnese protested.

"I prefer silence at the table, Agnese," Devillian interjected, his voice is calm but even in his firmness, there is a softness reserved only for his daughters.

Agnese huffed, crossing her arms before silently resuming her meal.

At the far end, Angelina sat quietly, pushing food around her plate. Siana noticed and frowned.

"Angelina, sweetheart, what’s wrong? Don’t you like the food?" she asked gently.

Angelina startled, quickly forcing a smile.

"N-No, Aunt Siana. It’s wonderful, really. Amazing."

Siana’s expression softened, but before she could say more, Alessio spoke up without thinking.

“Are you scared Demir bro is coming back? I heard he was really cold to you.”

Angelina froze, her fork slipping slightly from her fingers. Everyone becomes silent hearing it.

"Alessio, shut up! Where did that even come from?" Deniz's voice cut sharply, his eyes darting toward Angelina's pale stricken face.

"Mom, can’t we just seal his mouth already?" Selene sneered.

Siana sighed deeply and looked toward Devillian.

"B-but—" Alessio stammered, about to defend himself. But one glance at his father’s  sharp expression is enough. He swallowed nervously and forced a crooked smile.

"Uh... sorry," he muttered, lowering his eyes to his plate.

Devillian calmly wiped his fingers with a napkin and rose to his feet.

"It’s late. Deniz, drop Angelina home."

Angelina looked up, mustering a small smile.

"Thank you, Mr. Giordano."

She always addressed him that way. Unlike Aunt Siana’s warm sunshine-like aura, Devillian exuded a colder, commanding presence. To Angelina, he is "Mr. Giordano"—never anything else. And yet, she often found herself startled by the way his entire demeanor softened whenever his eyes fell on Siana. His love for her isn’t hidden. It is fierce, consuming, and undeniable.

Devillian left the room without another word.

Just then, Akif’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, grinning at the name. Standing up, he excused himself with a smirk.

“Sorry, guys, duty calls.” He answered the phone, already walking away. “Hey, sweetheart…” His voice faded into the distance.

The lively dining table had shifted into awkward silence. Angelina no longer had any appetite left.

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His hand clamped tightly against the jagged stone, muscles straining as he pulled himself higher. His upper body is bare, sweat gleaming across his skin, tracing his chest and arms. Every bicep flexed under the pressure he exerted, veins standing out like ropes. He climbed without a harness, rope, or safety..... it's just his body against the mountain.

Out of all the things he had learned, this is his favorite. The danger, the thrill—it set his blood on fire. Up here, clinging to stone and sky, he felt untouchable. The world was his battlefield, and he intended to conquer every inch of it.

His green eyes darkened with focus as he scaled higher. His jaw clenched, muscles tightening with each move. One slip would mean death—but not a flicker of fear crossed his face.

His mantra is simple, and it burned through his mind like scripture... Either you control life, or let the life control you.

And he would burn the world to ash before letting the latter happen.

With a final surge, he pushed himself over the ledge and stood upright at the peak. His chest rose and fell with deep breaths, his arms folding across his torso as he looked down at the dizzying drop beneath him. Satisfaction gleamed in his eyes, the faintest twitch tugging his lips into a half-smile.

His phone vibrated in the pocket of his trousers. Pulling it out, he saw the caller ID—and for a moment, his eyes softened. Mom.

He didn’t like affection. Public displays of hugs and kisses made his skin crawl. But when it came to his mother, his Inside always warmed slightly.

He answered.

“Mom…”

Siana’s voice, warm and breaking, filled his ear.

“You’re coming back… and still you didn’t call me to tell me yourself? I had to hear it from Selene.”

Even without seeing her, he knew her eyes must be glistening with tears. He sighed.

“Because every time I call, you’re crying. You know Dad and I hate that, right?”

He sat at the edge of the cliff, trying to make his tone sound casual rather than cold.

On the other end, she chuckled through her tears.

“I’ve been dying to see you, my son… Fifteen years, Demir. Fifteen. Do you know how many times I cursed your father for sending you away to that ridiculous training? Only phone calls once in months… it’s cruel.”

Her voice cracked again, breaking into sobs.

Demir closed his eyes briefly and exhale.

“Stop crying, sunshine,” another voice broke in—his father’s. Firm and protective. “Do you want to make yourself sick? Your face is already red.”

Demir could almost see him hovering at her side, knowing how much possesive he is for his mother.

“Shut up, Dev. You’re the reason he left in the first place,” Siana accused, her voice wobbling.

Demir pinched the bridge of his nose, a rare smile tugging faintly at his lips. His parents never changed.

“Mom, listen to me,” he said softly, “If you cry like this, you’ll ruin my journey home. You don’t want that, do you?”

There is a pause, then a small sniff left from her.

“Fine. Your father wants to speak to you.”

The phone shifted, and his father’s commanding tone filled the line.

“When is your flight?”

“Tomorrow morning. I’ll be home by afternoon.” Demir’s reply is as firm as his father’s.

Devillian hummed low, a sound of approval.

“Hmm. Safe journey, son. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Hmm.” Demir mirrored, before the line went dead.

He sat there in the silence for sometime while staring at the dark sky. Stars glittered like shards of glass scattered above nothing. Leaning back, he lay against the stone, arms tucked behind his head. His eyes drifted shut.

Tomorrow… he will finally be home.