Chapter 79

Zara's POV
After Letto left, I felt confused and scared. Without Leo by my side, I feel trapped in a seemingly confined space. Where will this journey take me and Kayra? We both deserve love and protection, and I won't let anyone keep us from each other.
With fear lurking, I took a deep breath and hugged Kayra tighter. If only Leo could be here, I know he would do anything to protect his family. And I would fight tooth and nail to protect us, no matter how hard it was.
I stayed awake all night, filled with deep anxiety after my encounter with Letto. Sleep would not come because thoughts about Kayra's safety and the possibility of Leo being trapped on his planet kept bothering me. When morning came, fatigue had enveloped my body, but my responsibilities as a mother required me to remain ready.
After breastfeeding Kayra, I decided to tell Mother everything that had happened. Seeing her caring face as I told her story about Letto and the possible threat lurking, my heart felt a little calmer.
"Mom, last night Letto came and said that Leo was imprisoned on his planet. He wants to take Kayra away from me. What should we do?" I asked, feeling very dependent on Mother's advice and wisdom.
My mother nodded, her face serious. "We have to be vigilant, Zara. No matter what happens, your and Kayra's safety is our top priority. We can't let anyone in without permission."
We agreed to make sure all doors and windows were double-locked. My mother helped strengthen the security of the house, and although all of these steps seemed simple, the sense of security they brought me calmed me down.
However, in my heart, there was still doubt. Is it true that Leo is trapped and can't come back? What if he needs help? This anxiety made it even harder for me to think clearly.
Meanwhile, Kayra continued to cry, and I tried to calm her down by breastfeeding. These moments felt so intimate, but I also felt the weight of all the thoughts that were bothering me. Every time Kayra cried, my heart ached even more. "Be patient, Kayra. Mommy will always be there for you," I said, trying to provide reassurance even in the uncertainty.
In the following days, my routine was filled with breastfeeding and taking care of Kayra. Although tiredness hit, the moment of breastfeeding gave me new enthusiasm. Sometimes I saw Kayra smile while breastfeeding, and it warmed my heart in this difficult situation.
However, the fear of the possibility of Letto coming back still made me unable to be completely calm. Every sound of the door or window made me startled and worried, even though I had taken preventive measures. The more the anxiety grew, I felt like I could lose more than I wanted.
In my heart, I was determined to fight. Kayra was a gift and a hope that I had to guard with all my heart. In the darkness of this uncertainty, I will try to be a strong mother and protect my little daughter from all threats. And hopefully, one day, Leo will come back for us.
While I was trying to calm Kayra down and organize my thoughts, suddenly my phone vibrated. It turned out to be a message from Orion. With a little anxiety, I read the message:
“Zara, this is Orion. If you need help, don't hesitate to contact me. I know Leo is back on his planet and want you to know that I am always ready to help you.”
Getting the message made my heart tremble. On one hand, I felt grateful that someone offered help, but on the other hand, I couldn't hold back the series of questions that arose. Why is he so kind, even though we have ended our relationship in the past? Does he really want to help me sincerely, or is there another intention behind this attention?
I remembered how the decision to marry Leo on our wedding day with Orion had changed everything. Even though we were just friends, there was still a sense of awkwardness when communicating. On one hand, I appreciated his attention, but guilt also enveloped my heart.
After a moment of reflection, I decided to reply to his message. “Thank you, Orion. I’m fine now. I didn’t want to worry you. Everything is fine here, and I feel better with my mom’s help,” I wrote, trying to sound calm despite my inner doubts.
Shortly after sending the message, I felt a little relieved. There was something comforting about knowing that Orion still cared about me despite the limitations in our relationship. But on the other hand, I also felt anxious about all of these changes.
My days continued to focus on breastfeeding Kayra and taking care of both of our health. Amidst my socializing and feelings, I thought about not having any unnecessary contact with Orion anymore even though I subconsciously had a deep concern for him.
But deep down, the concern warmed my heart. Is it possible to remain friends even though our relationship has gone through so many changes in the past? With all the uncertainty, I knew I had to stay focused on what was most important— Kayra, her health, and her happiness.
During those quiet moments, I promised myself to learn to overcome all challenges, both from within myself and from without, so that I could protect the two lives around me. And for Kayra, I would try my best.
*
The days passed quickly, and Kayra was already six months old. It feels like just yesterday I held her for the first time. But behind that happiness, there was a sadness that continued to gnaw at my heart. Leo had been gone all this time, and there had never been any news from him. This isolation was painful—I had a husband, but he was not by my side when Kayra and I needed him.
Thinking about Kayra, I felt pieces of pain. She was an amazing child, but losing a father figure in her life was heartbreaking. Every laugh and smile of hers seemed to remind me that Leo should have been able to share these precious moments with me.