**Chapter 2: Fading Light**

The city lights seemed to fade into the distance as Halsey and Alev walked, lost in their own thoughts. The sound of the street performers and the chatter of passersby receded into the background, replaced by the quiet hum of Halsey's own doubts. She felt like she was stuck in a never-ending loop, with each failed attempt at getting pregnant chipping away at her confidence. As they turned onto a side street, Alev guided Halsey into a small, cozy coffee shop. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped them, and Halsey felt a brief respite from her worries. They ordered two lattes and sat down at a small table by the window, watching as people rushed to and fro on the sidewalk. Alev reached across the table and took Halsey's hand, his eyes searching hers. "Hey, I know this is tough, but we're in this together, okay?" Halsey smiled weakly, trying to muster up some optimism. But as she looked around the coffee shop, she couldn't help but feel like she was seeing the world through a different lens. The couple sitting in the corner, holding hands and laughing, seemed to be radiating an aura of happiness and contentment. The young mother pushing a stroller down the sidewalk, her child gazing up at her with adoring eyes, made Halsey's heart ache with longing. Alev followed her gaze and squeezed her hand. "We're not alone in this, Ash. So many women struggle with fertility issues. We'll get through this, together." Halsey nodded, trying to draw strength from his words. But as they sipped their coffee and sat in silence, she couldn't shake the feeling that time was slipping away from her. The coffee shop's door swung open, and a woman in her mid-30s walked in, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for someone. Her gaze landed on Halsey, and for a moment, they locked eyes. There was something in the woman's expression that Halsey couldn't quite place – a deep understanding, perhaps, or a shared sense of longing. The woman smiled and approached their table. "Mind if I join you?" she asked, her voice warm and gentle. Alev and Halsey exchanged a glance, and Alev nodded. The woman sat down, introducing herself as Sophia. As they chatted, Halsey discovered that Sophia was a therapist specializing in women's reproductive health. Their conversation flowed easily, and Halsey found herself opening up about her struggles with endometriosis and her desire to become a mother. Sophia listened attentively, her eyes filled with empathy. "You're not alone, Halsey," she said, her voice low and soothing. "So many women struggle with these issues. But sometimes, it's not just about the physical challenges – it's about the emotional toll, too." Halsey felt a lump form in her throat as Sophia shared her own story of struggle and resilience. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she was talking to someone who truly understood her. As they finished their coffee and prepared to part ways, Sophia handed Halsey a small piece of paper with her phone number on it. "If you ever need to talk, I'm here," she said, her eyes shining with kindness. Halsey tucked the paper into her pocket, feeling a sense of hope that she hadn't felt in a long time. Maybe, just maybe, she wasn't alone in this journey after all. And as she walked out of the coffee shop with Alev, the fading light of day seemed a little less daunting.