Chapter 3

The grave was still damp with fresh earth. The headstone had not yet been fully and properly set in the ground, so early in the morning, the male servant at the big house had to dig up the soil next to it, which was still soft enough, using a large hoe.

Yes, early in the morning. No longer giving warning of death or announcing it so loudly as they did for Ekram. In the case of Ismi's death this time, Shahnaz chose to do it in silence. Full of quietness and secrecy. To the extent that only she and the servants knew about the death of their mistress, which coincided with the day of her husband's funeral.

"Miss ... there's a phone call from the police looking for Mrs. Ismi."  The senior servant, who was almost half a century old, approached Shahnaz with her head bowed.

"Just answer it. Mrs. Ismi is gone and we are holding her funeral," replied Shahnaz in a firm and calm voice.

Her gaze was fixed on the grave that had been completely dug out and the coffin that would preserve her aunt's body before it was placed in the grave. Without turning her head or moving, Shahnaz gave the maid a surprising order.

"Wasn't it you who asked for this news to be kept secret?" asked the servant again.

"I will inform certain parties. Besides ... we can't hide this situation any longer. They will definitely continue to contact you to ask about Auntie's whereabouts. And you ... and the other servants clearly need an answer to that."

Shahnaz entered the large house again. She passed her aunt's room and saw several servants still busy going in and out of the empty room. Her eyes glanced briefly at the pile of blood-stained sheets lying on the wooden floor next to Aunt Ismi's large bed

Her steps faltered. Her breath caught and her vision blurred for a moment. She didn't faint, only her tears flowed freely down her thin cheeks. Her eyes, which had been clear, became blurry, washed away by the tears. Shahnaz's hands tried to feel for the wall, searching for something solid to support her body.

She almost lost her balance, even though her legs were still steady with what little strength she had left.

"Miss ... you should rest in your room first. We will take care of Mrs. Ismi and the others." The senior servant reappeared behind Shahnaz.

Margareth—a woman of European descent who had ended up in Turkey and met Ismi—was very loyal. She remained by her master and mistress's side. She even convinced the other servants to stay despite the family's chaotic situation. And now, she was firmly asking Shahnaz to rest and leave the remaining matters in the house to her.

"The police officers ...?" Shahnaz asked breathlessly.

"They haven't called back." Margareth replied. ‘But tomorrow ... someone wants to meet you, Miss."

"The police officers?" the girl asked again.

“No. I … can’t reveal their identity yet because they will introduce themselves to you in person tomorrow. So I hope you can get a good night’s rest tonight.” Margareth emphasised again.

Shahnaz remained silent. She did not respond to Margareth's words. Only a young female servant then took Shahnaz's arm and led the girl back to her room, while Margareth returned to Ismi's room, which was still being cleaned.

Shahnaz sat on the edge of the bed. Her head felt heavy, her eyes were sleepy, and her eyelids were difficult to open properly. But she did not want to lie down on the warm and comfortable bed, because she could still remember what had happened to Ismi a few hours ago.

"Aaarrkkhh ...!" the maid who brought the milk screamed loudly when she saw the bloodstains all over the bed where Ismi was lying with her eyes closed.

Shahnaz herself was actually very shocked. Confused and feeling empty-headed for a few seconds, she tried to process the scene before her. The thick blanket covering her aunt's blood, the sheets completely stained red. Even Ismi's hand, still pressing the small dagger into her own stomach, was a strange and confusing sight for Shahnaz, who stood frozen in place.

“A-Auntie ....” Shahnaz called out.

Her hand reached out. She touched Ismi’s hand and pulled it away from the dagger that was still firmly embedded. The one thing Shahnaz felt was cold. A coldness that was very different from the cold she usually felt throughout the snowy winter.

The coldness now made Shahnaz feel as if her brain had frozen too. Without hesitation, she immediately pulled out the dagger with both hands and took the edge of her nightgown to wipe the handle of the dagger. With her aunt's blood still remaining on the sharp edge of the dagger, she tried to make everything seem fine.

She didn't stop there. Shahnaz also grabbed Ismi's hand to wash away the blood that had started to dry and stick to the middle-aged woman's skin.

"Go and call Margareth. And don't scream or cry." Shahnaz gave her orders clearly, even though her voice was shaking violently.

Her hand pointed to the slightly open door, as if signalling that the maid should leave immediately.

After the maid left, Shahnaz was finally able to breathe properly and felt her lungs constrict deeply. She drew air in through her nose and mouth as hard as she could. She took in as much oxygen as possible in order to stay sane in this chaotic situation. She cried while biting her own lip, then hugged Ismi tightly, who was already stiff and lifeless.

When Margareth arrived and saw the scene, the middle-aged woman knew she had to act quickly, calm Shahnaz down and keep her strong, before another victim fell in the same house.

***

The sound of sparrows singing in the morning always accompanied the sunlight that shone and seeped into the room through the curtains. That morning was much brighter and warmer than the previous day. Although for Shahnaz, that morning would be the coldest morning of her 20 years of life.

The girl remained in her original position, sitting on the edge of the bed, her head resting on the bedpost and her eyes closed

It was a very uncomfortable position to remain in for several hours and was enough to make Shahnaz feel as if her body had frozen from not using a blanket all night.

"Miss ...!" Margareth reappeared.

Now she was right in front of Shahnaz, her face full of obvious concern. She reached out and touched Shahnaz's face, which was so pale and thin from lack of rest and not being able to eat properly. Guilt clearly crept into the woman's heart. After all, she now looked at Shahnaz as if she were her own child.

"The police officers ...?" Since yesterday, Shahnaz had been asking the same question in the same tone of voice.

"They haven't contacted us again, Miss," replied Margareth.

Shahnaz nodded briefly and looked around. Her bed was still neat, but she was surprised and gasped. She stood up suddenly and ran to the corner of the room. Shahnaz looked at the bed, which was exactly the same shape and model as the one Ismi had used that night. The bedsheets were similar in colour, although the patterns on the blankets were very different.

"I will not accept any phone calls or visitors for the time being, at least... until you are ready to leave this room in a better condition," said Margareth.

It took several hours for Shahnaz to regain her calm and sanity. Though not yet fully recovered, at least she dared to open the curtains and gaze at the bright sky outside. The daytime sky, bright and hot, almost as hot as the fires of hell.

The girl opened the window and let the afternoon breeze enter the room and fill every corner. She took a deep breath before finally walking towards the door and going outside to check on her uncle and aunt's grave.

As soon as she stepped into the family room, she heard a man and a woman arguing quite fiercely with each other. She knew who the woman was, but she couldn't recognise the man's voice at all.

Shahnaz peeked from behind the wall separating the family room from the living room and saw a tall man in his forties standing with a small black bag that looked like a briefcase. She was very ambitious and wanted to defeat Margareth, who was clearly holding the man back from meeting her. Yes, Shahnaz had heard correctly. The stranger wanted to meet her. To meet Shahnaz, who was now eavesdropping on their conversation

"He's not in a good condition, for God's sake, Husain! Can't you just give him a little time to breathe?" Margareth asked angrily.

“I don’t just want to give him time to breathe, Margareth. But to live longer in better condition. In accordance with ... what Mr. Adolf has always wanted. That’s why I have to meet him now and bring him before them all,” replied the man named Husain.

Margareth stepped closer and whispered in Husain's ear. Though her voice was still very clear now.

"He has just faced two sudden deaths at once, Husain. If what you're bringing is important news, can't you make them delay it for just one day? She ... She needs to be in much better condition to face those evil people!" Again, Margareth emphasised every word she spoke.

"I beg you, Margareth ... if I don't take him now, he will face even more difficulties in the future. This ... is not just for him, but for Mr. and Mrs. Adolf! They must be able to rest in peace in the afterlife, when everything is still chaotic here. Right?" said Husain.

It was not Margareth who answered Husain's questions and statements. Instead, Shahnaz herself appeared from behind the wall with great courage.'

"That's right," replied Shahnaz. ‘I should be stronger in any situation when it comes to my family."

***

---Turkish Parliament Building, Istanbul, Turkey---

The parliamentary meeting had just begun with the Prime Minister and several other important officials taking their seats. Those who came, of course, would not sit idly by and wait for orders or instructions. They brought many things with them, including stacks of papers that were now spread out on the table.

The room, which had been quiet and calm, became more lively with the sound of whispering among the men and women who held office there.

One of them was Baraq, an official from the city of Izmir. He was Ekram's rival in the current mayoral election in Izmir.

Knock, knock, knock!

The sound of the gavel being struck three times signalled that the parliamentary meeting was about to begin, with the Prime Minister presiding over the meeting. At that moment, the noise subsided and everyone's attention turned to the Prime Minister.

"This meeting has more participants than usual. This is because we will be discussing several important agendas and issues that have suddenly arisen in our government and political world at this time. Therefore, all participants are requested to focus and follow all meeting procedures properly. Please also turn off your mobile phones during the meeting." Instructed the Prime Minister.

After that, the discussion began with intense debate about the hot rumour surrounding the death of Ekram Adolf, a veteran politician known for his integrity.

"I think it would be better if we immediately announced the consequences of Ekram's death to the public directly. This is so that it does not become a topic of gossip that could affect the running of our government," said one government official who had been quite opposed to Ekram.

The Prime Minister frowned upon hearing this suggestion.

"Without informing his family first? That is not the right thing to do, Mr Faqur," replied the Prime Minister.

"Excuse me for interrupting, Prime Minister... but I agree with what Mr Faqur said. We only need to announce the results of the investigation to the public. Because Mr Ekram's family died on the day of Mr Ekram's funeral."

The room became noisy again when the official revealed this fact.

"What are you saying? You mean ... Ekram Adolf's wife is also dead?" asked the Prime Minister.

"That's right, Prime Minister. I have received valid information that Mrs. Adolf is dead and was buried in the same place as Mr. Adolf himself. Since they have no other relatives or descendants, the announcement ... only needs to be made to the public," replied the official.

Baraq was seen smiling in his seat.

However, the man's smile immediately disappeared when he heard the voice of a man who interrupted the meeting, carrying a girl behind him.

"It's me." Shouted Shahnaz. "I am Ekram Adolf's heir."