Eva

No Neutrality, No Calm”

“No Neutrality, No Calm”

The courthouse was tense, but it was just another ordinary morning. Lawyers rushed by in their robes, bailiffs checked their lists. However, in front of the 17th High Criminal Court, everyone’s face was slightly strained. Because in that courtroom, it wasn’t just a murder trial being held—there was also the infamous couple of Istanbul Courthouse… Prosecutor Kemal Karan and lawyer Eva Tezcan Karan, once again, facing off in the same case.

And they were still married.

Kemal entered the courtroom first. Under his dark gray suit, his robe was meticulously worn, his expression was the same classic mask of emotionlessness. He adjusted his glasses, opened his file, glanced over his notes. Everything was planned, everything was under control.

Then Eva arrived. The click of her high heels echoed through the room. She swung her robe over her shoulders and tossed her reading glasses into her bag. As she headed to her table, she glanced at Kemal—just for a brief second. No greeting, no nod.

Only a cold passage.

The bailiff got the courtroom in order. The judge would be there in a few minutes. But Kemal was the first to break the silence:

“Don’t make this hearing personal again today, will you? Last session you were screaming like a child in front of the judge.”

Eva replied without turning her head:

“Children point at liars immediately, Kemal. That’s exactly what happened last time.”

Kemal clenched his jaw.

“If I had known you would stoop this low…”

Eva calmly put on her glasses, firmly placed her pen on the file without even looking at him.

“Your definition of being ‘big’ only concerns how many women you can fit in your bed. In that area… you have quite a range.”

Kemal’s lips twitched. He was about to reply when the door opened.

The judge walked in.

Everyone stood up.

Eva and Kemal, a second ago ready to pounce at each other, now simultaneously said, “Your Honor,” rising to their feet.

The hearing began.

Eva’s defense was delivered in a cold, sharp tone, her words like blades.

“The prosecution’s claim rests purely on assumptions. However, we have two witness statements and video evidence—solid proof. But it seems the prosecutor’s imagination has once again surpassed the evidence.”

Kemal cut in immediately.

“As usual, the defense is theatrical. But truth unfolds in the file, not on stage.”

The judge raised his eyebrows.

“Mr. and Mrs. Karan, this is a courtroom. Leave your personal quarrels outside.”

Eva smiled.

“We already argue outside too, Your Honor. This place is… relatively calm.”

Kemal leaned forward, his voice low but menacing enough to be heard:

“There’s an end to this game, Eva. Be careful before you humiliate yourself in front of everyone.”

Eva met his gaze.

“Your life is the game, Kemal. I’m simply done watching.”

The atmosphere in the room turned ice cold.

And the judge, before diving into the file, remarked to them:

“We don’t follow your divorce case, but just so you know—everyone in this courtroom is well aware of it.”

“Divorcing in the Hallway”

By the end of the session, the courtroom slowly emptied. Eva tucked the file under her arm, unbuttoned her robe. Kemal followed a step behind. The courthouse hallway was crowded, but all eyes subtly drifted toward them. Because every time they crossed paths… it ended in a fight.

And today was no different.

In the middle of the hallway leading to the clerk’s office, Eva suddenly stopped. Kemal had to halt behind her. Eva turned, her voice low but icy:

“Having to handle the same case as you… makes me sick.”

Kemal scoffed, mocking:

“Then withdraw. Save your client… and me.”

Eva stepped closer, her eyes sparking with anger:

“I already pay the price every day for being married to you. Keep your filth out of my profession.”

Kemal shrugged.

“I’m not talking about your profession, I’m talking about your morals. You’ve been mixing them up.”

At that moment, Eva’s eyes darkened.

“I don’t need morality lectures from a man who wakes up in a different woman’s bed every night!”

A nearby intern nearly dropped their file. An old clerk from the records office shook his head and walked off. Kemal spoke, seemingly calm but his jaw was tight.

“Not every night. Some aren’t even worth staying until morning.”

Eva gritted her teeth.

“When will you learn how to love without destroying someone, Kemal? When will you grow up?”

Kemal stepped closer, his voice low and threatening:

“I did love someone once. But the moment she started shining in another man’s eyes… I became her worst enemy.”

Eva froze for a second. Then she took a step back.

“You never loved me, Kemal. You just wanted to own me. Because love… is far too complicated for you.”

Kemal let out a laugh, though it was far from genuine.

“Is that so? Then why are you still carrying my last name, Eva?”

Eva pulled out her phone, avoiding eye contact:

“I’m filing for divorce this week. Get ready. I’ll throw away your name… and you.”

And she walked away. Her robe swayed on her shoulders, the sound of her heels echoed through the corridor. Kemal watched her walk off. The fury inside him was tangled with something else—longing. But control was no longer his.

And at the end of the hallway, Aziz Berkay Kılıç, stepping outside for a smoke after court, saw her.

Her cheeks flushed with anger, her stride fierce like she was fighting a war.

Turning to his right-hand man Osman, he asked:

“Who is that woman?”