As she walked away, Selim stayed seated, watching her figure disappear into the crowd. He had given his word. He would be the one to carry the sadness so that she didn't have to.

She looked at him for a long moment, seeing the immense effort he was making to be her strength one last time. She wiped her eyes and gave him a small, flickering smile—a fragile light in the autumn chill.

"Because I am giving you your life back," Selim replied, standing up. "And a gift shouldn't be a burden. Smile for me once, and then go. That’s the only promise I need."

The phrase "" (Promise, please don't be sad) is a poignant sentiment often found in Turkish music and literature, most notably in the song "Üzülme" by Ferda Anıl Yarkın . It represents a desperate, loving plea for a partner to find peace even as a relationship ends or faces a deep struggle.

"I can't do this anymore, Selim," she whispered, her eyes fixed on the gray water. "The distance, the waiting... it’s wearing me away."

Selim felt a sharp ache in his chest, but he didn't reach out to stop her. He loved her enough to know that his grip was what was suffocating her. He took a deep breath, forcing a smile that didn't reach his tired eyes. "Then let's make a deal," he said softly. She finally looked up, confused. "A deal?"