THE INHERITANCE CONTRACT

Biological father?

Ivy had headed to the kitchen to prepare the coffees, but Lena's mind was still busy cursing the rejected job offer and those big shots. She had worked for months on this project, carefully crafting every detail. She was sure she would succeed, but now there was no one left to support her financially. She took a deep breath in disappointment, her fingers impatiently tapping a rhythm on the edge of the table.

After a while, Ivy appeared with two cups of coffee and hazelnut pancakes. As she put them on the table casually, she nudged Lena's leg with her hip to get her friend out of this mood.

"Ahh sorry, sweetheart," she giggled.

Then she rolled her eyes and handed Lena her coffee. "Come on, if you're going to sulk, at least do it while drinking coffee."

Lena tried not to laugh but couldn't help it. Ivy wasn't just a friend to her; she was truly a support and a sister.

Ivy wrinkled her nose playfully, squinting at her. "Ooh, speaking of which... Where did you disappear to from the nightclub? You didn't check your phone or give any news. That's not like you."

Lena's body suddenly tensed as if electrocuted by Ivy's question. A warm wave spread to her cheeks as she cleared her throat.

"Umm... Nothing, I just left. The atmosphere wasn't good."

Ivy tilted her head slightly, trying to catch Lena's evasive gaze. "Something happened. What is it? Lenaa?"

Lena turned her face away and took a sip of her coffee. Then, in a voice almost inaudible, she managed to say, "I was with someone."

Ivy's eyes widened, then she jumped up screaming. She was spinning around with joy, clapping her hands. "It happened! You finally slept with someone?! Who was it? Is it someone I know? Never mind, that's not important. Was it good?!"

The last question made Lena's embarrassment skyrocket. She almost dropped her coffee. "Ugh, Ivy, don't ask me things like that!"

Ivy rolled her eyes. "Oh my dear friend, it's not like I ask about every relationship you have. This is your first experience, I'm just curious. Just tell me briefly, and I'll shut up immediately!"

Lena cleared her throat, avoided eye contact, and swallowed. Finally, she reluctantly whispered, "Yes... It was good."

Ivy covered her mouth with both hands to keep from screaming but was still hitting her knees. "Oh, I'm so happy! That useless Erik... he didn't even deserve a strand of your hair, let alone your virginity! But what can I do, I was putting up with him for your sake!"

She took a deep breath, but clearly couldn't stop. She was quiet for a bit, then her eyes sparkled again.

"Okay, I'll ask one last thing, I swear it's the last! Are you going to see him again?"

Lena, somewhat used to Ivy's excessive enthusiasm and somewhat relieved, shook her head slightly. "No, honey. I can never see that man again."

That's what she had wanted. For Lena, this was just a sinful night.

After finishing their coffees with Ivy, Lena went to the magazine where she worked, completed her shift, and finally left work. She was exhausted after a busy day, but the only thing on her mind right now was going home, taking a long shower, and continuing her romantic comedy book.

Yes, for the first time, she was writing a book instead of articles or magazine bulletins, and she was extremely hopeful about it. She often heard from her readers that her descriptions drew them into the story and made them feel as if they were experiencing events firsthand. This gave her courage. However, when it came to romance, things changed. Wasn't it ironic that a cold woman like herself, who didn't know love, was writing a romantic story? There wasn't much in her life to draw inspiration from, but she still wanted to continue.

She parked her car in the apartment's indoor garage. As she headed toward the elevator, she noticed her mailbox was overflowing. She grumbled slightly, called the concierge, had him open the lock, and collected all the mail. Then she went upstairs.

As soon as she entered the house, she left her bag on the console by the door, hung up her coat, and sprawled on the couch with a tired sigh. She looked through the envelopes, bills, and a few magazines. Standard stuff… but one of them caught her attention.

A yellow envelope. With a seal on it.

She frowned, sat up, took the envelope, and carefully tore it open. She quickly scanned the document inside.

"Istanbul… Law Office"

What? What business could she have with a lawyer?

She shrugged and continued reading, but when a few words caught her eye, her heartbeat suddenly changed.

"Your biological father…"

Lena's entire body froze.

I have… a biological father?

She rolled her eyes as if annoyed at her own thought. Of course she had a biological father; after all, she wasn't brought by storks. But that wasn't the point. Why was he showing up after all this time?

"I'm almost thirty, man, why now?" she muttered to herself.

But as she read the next lines, her curiosity turned into a bitter surprise and a thin disappointment.

"Your father found you ten years ago."

*Ten years ago? Then why did he never come?*

Her throat tightened as she read the next lines.

"If she asks why, tell her: Her mother died, and because I couldn't protect her mother, I don't have the right to be there for her and show her fatherly love."

That was it. That was all?

Her mother had died for some reason, her father couldn't protect her, and Lena had been given up for adoption. And now, that man who had been silently sitting on the sidelines for ten years… what did he want?

She held the paper in her hands a little tighter and continued reading.

"As of this month, your father has passed away. Since we were instructed to deliver his will to you after his death, we are notifying you with this letter legally."

*He died?*

She blinked. Her brain was having difficulty comprehending the words. For a few seconds, she felt nothing. But the last sentence left a thin ache inside her.

"May he rest in peace."

May he rest in peace. Such a simple word. But even if it was a stranger… it still hurt.

Lena took a deep breath, picked up her phone, and stared blankly at the screen for a while. Trying to suppress the strange discomfort rising inside her, she dialed the number. Assuming they were within working hours, she waited for the call to be answered.

After a few rings, a professional but equally neutral voice came from the other side.

"Istanbul… Law Office, how can I help you?"

Lena cleared her throat and pulled herself together.

"Hello, I'm Lena Dean. You sent me a notification. Would you be available for a meeting tomorrow?"

The secretary was silent for a few seconds, then keyboard sounds were heard.

"Yes, Lena Dean… The lawyer has an opening tomorrow before noon at 11. Would that work?"

"Okay, please note it. I'll be there tomorrow at 11. Thank you."

"You're welcome, have a nice day."

Lena hung up and sighed deeply. She looked at the paper in her hand once more.

Biological father. Death. Will.

All of this suddenly falling into her life felt strange, even a little too dramatic. As if she had fallen into a badly written TV series. But this was her reality, and now it was time to learn the truth.

The first light of morning hit her face as Lena opened her eyes in her white sheets. She stretched happily, then slowly sat up and got out of bed. In her striped pajamas, she headed to the kitchen and pressed the button on the coffee machine. Coffee was the only way for her to wake up and start the day. Then she went to the bathroom, washed her face, brushed her teeth, and tied up her hair.

When she returned to the kitchen, the aroma of coffee had spread around. She took a deep breath for a moment, then called out to her home assistant:

"Start my happy playlist, Mimi!"

She took her coffee cup and opened the floor-to-ceiling windows of the living room. As the morning coolness filled the room, she began to dance with rhythmic steps to the Eastern melodies filling her ears.

From the outside, she might look like a sophisticated, urban woman, but her passion for vibrant Eastern culture was something else entirely. She loved the contrasts within herself. She took a sip of her coffee and glanced at the view, thinking about what the day would bring…