Heartless Until Him.

7 years Later

Hurrem’s Pov:

Seven years had passed since Abraham walked away on prom night.

I was not that girl anymore. I was twenty-three now. Sharp, successful and famous.

I had buried the memory of Abraham so deep that sometimes I forgot he ever existed. I didn't wait for him anymore. I didn't hope. It was just a scar that had stopped hurting a long time ago.

After high school, I moved to the city and studied journalism. I found my voice — loud, brave, unstoppable. Within two years, I became the youngest prime-time anchor at KTV News. My show was called Truth Unfiltered.

Every night, I sat across from politicians, business owners, and celebrities. I asked them the questions no one else dared to ask. I didn't care about their power or money. I cared about the truth.

The audience loved me. Women sent me letters saying I gave them courage. Men tried to date me. I turned them all down with a smile.

Not because I was saving myself for someone. Because I had stopped believing in love years ago.

Lara was still in my life — but barely. We texted sometimes. Met for coffee once a month. But something had changed between us after high school. Lara chose a different path. Business school. Rich friends. Expensive things.

I didn't judge. People change.

But sometimes, late at night, I wondered if I had changed too much. I didn’t like this change, I miss my old me, but that’s life things happened.

The Night Of The Show:

It was a Tuesday night. The studio lights were hot. The cameras were rolling.

I sat behind my desk and read from the screen. "Welcome back to Truth Unfiltered. Tonight's guest is Richard Liam, CEO of Liam Holdings. He has been accused of stealing money from a public housing project. He is here to tell his side of the story."

The audience murmured and started looking Richard with doubtfully.

Richard walked onto the set. He was tall and dressed well. Maybe thirty years old. Perfect hair. Perfect smile. The kind of man who knew he looked good in a suit.

He sat across from me and reached out his hand. "Miss Hurrem. A pleasure."

I did not shake it. "Let's begin." I said firmly.

The interview was brutal.

I did not hold back. I showed documents. I read quotes from people who used to work for him. I played recordings of his former employees calling him a liar.

Richard's smile faded. His answers became defensive. Then angry.

"You don't understand business," he said, his voice tight. "These are fake accusations."

"Three independent audits say otherwise," I replied, calm as ice. "So tell me, Mr. Richard — where did the money go?"

Richard had no answer and he stayed quiet.

The audience clapped and I ended the show proudly by revealing another truth.

By the end of the show, Richard was humiliated. His face was red. His hands were shaking. He stood up without saying goodbye and walked off the set.

I watched him go and felt nothing.

Another liar caught. Another night done.

Richard’s Pov - Walking off the set:

Richard walked to his car, his fists clenched.

“That woman. That little, proud and filthy woman.”He screamed in anger.

She had humiliated him on national television. In front of millions. His investors would see this. His board would see this. Everyone would laugh at him.

He sat in the driver's seat and gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white.

“She thinks she's so strong and untouchable. I will end her proud and show her that she’s nothing but a piece of s**t”. I said to myself while planning what to do next.

He took a deep breath and then another. A slow smile spread across his face.

Fine!! You want to play games? Let's play.

He had done this before. Find a woman. Break her trust and left her shattered.

Hurrem would be no different.

Strong women break the hardest, he thought. And when she breaks, she will beg.

He started the car and drove home, already planning his first move.

Hurrem’s POV - The Apology

The next morning, I found a big bouquet of red roses on my desk at the studio.

No card,a box of expensive chocolates and a handwritten letter.

Dear Miss Hurrem,

You were right. I was wrong. Your courage made me see my mistakes. I have already started fixing everything. I will pay back every dollar. I hope you can forgive me. I would like to meet you — not as a guest, but as a man who wants to learn from you.

Respectfully,

Richard Liam.

I read the letter twice. Then I laughed.

"Men," I said to my assistant. "They lie on TV, then send flowers."

But something about the letter felt different. He admitted he was wrong. He didn't make excuses. He said he would fix things.

I checked the news. He had actually started paying back the housing fund. The government confirmed it.

“Huh!!! he fixed his mess. Nothing Big”.

Richard’s POV - Writing the letter

Richard sat in his office, reading the letter one more time before sealing the envelope.

“Perfect,humble and forgiving.These aspects can make any woman feel emotion, no matter how tough they are”. I said proudly.

“Women loved a man who admitted fault. It made them feel powerful. And feeling powerful made them vulnerable.” He had learned this trick from his father. First, apologize. Second, give a small gift. Third, wait.

They always came to you. Always.

He lift the envelope and handed it to his assistant. "Deliver this to her studio personally. And make sure she sees you leave it."

"Yes, sir." The assistant said and left.

Richard leaned back in his chair and smiled.

“Let the game begin.”He said in his mind.

Hurrem’s POV - The Elevator

A week later, I stepped off the elevator to find Richard waiting in the lobby. No cameras. No lawyers. Just him, holding a small velvet box.

"Hurrem." His voice was quieter than I remembered. "I know you don't trust me. You shouldn't. But I want to earn it. That's all."

He held out the box. Inside lay a simple silver bracelet — not expensive, just pretty.

"To remind you that some men keep their promises." He said softly.

I didn't take it. "I don't date." I said firmly.

"I'm not asking for a date. Just Coffee. Two people talking. Nothing more."

I looked at his face. He seemed honest. Almost shy.

Maybe, I thought, I have been too hard on everyone.

"Fine," I said. "Coffee. One hour. My assistant picks the place."

Richard smiled. "Thank you, Hurrem. That's all I ask."

He turned and walked away, leaving the bracelet on the reception desk.

I picked it up. The metal was cool against my palm.

Some men keep their promises. I thought of Abraham. Of the oak tree. The text I had read a hundred times before finally deleting it.

No, that was seven years ago. This is now.

I slipped the bracelet into my pocket and went to prepare for tonight's show.

Richard’s POV - Walking away

Richard walked to the elevator and pressed the button.

His heart was calm. His mind was sharp.He knew that his plan is taking a wild turn.

“She took the bracelet. That means she will come to coffee.” He thought.

He had read her correctly. Lonely,guarded and desperate for someone to see through the armor.

“She thinks I'm shy. Cute. A man who made mistakes and wants to be better.” He almost laughed.

The elevator doors opened. He stepped inside and watched the numbers go down.

Step one complete. Step two begins tomorrow.

He checked his phone. A message from an old friend: "Got the money?"

He typed back: "Soon. Just need to squeeze her a little more."

The doors opened to the parking garage. Richard walked to his car and went to his home happily for making his next move.