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11- playing with fire

When Güven returned to the room in the late morning, he found Neslihan stirring from her restless sleep. The sun filtered through the thin curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Her eyes fluttered open, confusion and weariness evident in her gaze.

Güven watched her for a moment, his expression a mix of sternness and something softer that he struggled to define. He approached her, feeling a slight shift in his demeanor as he saw her vulnerable state.

"Good morning," he said, his voice betraying a hint of the care he was trying to suppress. "I hope you slept well."

Neslihan blinked at him, the remnants of sleep still heavy in her eyes. "Good morning," she mumbled, her voice hoarse. She rubbed her wrists, which were now bandaged from the previous night's treatment.

Güven's gaze softened as he observed her discomfort. He motioned to the wardrobe, where new clothes had been arranged. The garments were a stark contrast to the dark, restrictive outfits she had been wearing. Instead, they were filled with bright colors and varied styles, a small attempt to offer her some semblance of normalcy and comfort.

"I've had some new clothes brought in for you," Güven said, his tone more neutral than usual. "You can choose whatever you'd like to wear today. Just remember, you still need to follow the rules I set."

Neslihan's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at the wardrobe. It was filled with an assortment of clothing—blouses in soft pastels, skirts, and even a few casual dresses. It was a stark departure from the dark, formal attire she had been confined to.

"Thank you," she said quietly, her voice tinged with cautious hope. She hesitated for a moment, then stood up, feeling the residual soreness from the previous night but determined to choose something that would make her feel a bit more like herself.

Güven watched as she selected a simple, light blue blouse and a pair of well-fitted jeans. The outfit was casual but still elegant, and he noticed the small change in her demeanor as she slipped into the clothes. It was clear that she appreciated the gesture, despite the ongoing tension between them.

As she dressed, Güven remained in the room, observing her with a mix of detachment and curiosity. He couldn't fully shake the feeling of guilt from the previous night's events, but he was also resolute in maintaining control. His attempt to be accommodating was just another layer of the complex situation between them.

Once she was dressed, Güven gestured for her to sit at the small table in the room. "I'm going out for a while," he said. "There are still some things I need to take care of. Make sure to follow the house rules while I'm gone."

Neslihan nodded, her gaze shifting from the clothes to Güven. "I understand," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

Güven's eyes lingered on her for a moment longer before he turned to leave. As he reached the door, he paused and glanced back at her. Despite his strict demeanor, there was a flicker of something softer in his eyes—a fleeting moment of recognition that perhaps his actions had an impact on her more than he'd like to admit.

As he left the room, Neslihan sat at the table, contemplating the changes. The new clothes were a small but significant shift in her reality, a glimmer of kindness in an otherwise harsh environment. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions as she considered her next steps.

With Güven gone, she felt a brief sense of freedom, an opportunity to gather her thoughts and regain some control over her situation. She took her time preparing a simple breakfast for herself, using the kitchen utensils she had grown accustomed to. The task gave her a momentary sense of normalcy amidst the chaos of her life.