"Fachri, still taking care of Airin's child? Aren't you uncomfortable? People might think you're the biological father of this child."Ingrid, who had just arrived near Fachri, immediately spoke with harsh words. She was annoyed to see Fachri always looking after Via when Airin went to campus. She wanted to scold Airin to stop entrusting Via to Fachri."No, besides, Via is not fussy at all. So, it doesn't disturb my work. Even if people think so, it's not a problem at all. Airin is a woman, and I am a man. It's very normal to have a relationship," he said calmly, but with a hardened jaw.It was evident that Fachri disliked Ingrid's presence near him, especially hearing every harsh word that cornered Airin. His ears felt hot due to Ingrid's remarks."Well, okay then. I think there is still a lot of work we need to finish. It's better to take care of ourselves than to deal with other people's affairs that have nothing to do with our relationship," Fachri said. He quickly entered his off
“Sis, with whom did Via go home? Why is she with the nanny, but I didn't see her father's car in front?” Aisya asked as she approached the babysitter who was holding Via.“With her mother and father. But, a moment ago, her father excused himself to go to the office,” replied the babysitter.A few minutes earlier, Fachri had left with a bit of haste for a scheduled meeting with his father, precisely at two in the afternoon.“Oh, come here, Via. Let me take her to her mother's place,” Aisya requested, reaching out to take Via from the babysitter.Aisya's unexpected move caught the babysitter off guard, prompting her to release Via to Aisya, afraid that the tiny baby might fall if she resisted.“But, Miss... aren't you not allowed to go upstairs?” The babysitter attempted to stop her, not wanting Aisya to act out of line. After all, Airin had already been upset with Aisya for entering without permission, and the babysitter didn't want to repeat the same mistake.“It's okay, Sis. I'm just
Being unreachable is impossible for Fachri. He always ensures to send a message if he's coming home late, so Airin won't worry about him. However, today, there is no message from Fachri at all. Even his phone number cannot be reached.Airin, waiting for Fachri's return, is naturally anxious without any news like this. She stands in the living room, pacing with her phone in her hand, waiting for Fachri who hasn't come home even though it's already half-past eleven at night.Which wife wouldn't worry about her husband's condition out there? Especially when there is no reachable number to inquire about Fachri's whereabouts. Airin wants to ask her mother-in-law but hesitates to do so. She doesn't want to be labeled as a wife who restricts her husband and disapproves of Fachri being active at the office.It's not that Airin doesn't understand. Since Fachri started managing his father's company, he has been extremely busy. He comes home late, but not as late as now. Airin even falls asleep
"Surprised you couldn't be reached, Dear? You usually never turn off your phone. Always let me know if you're coming home late. I worry that something bad might happen to you when you act like this," Airin grumbled, settling herself on the edge of the bed.Despite Fachri hugging and comforting her, Airin still wanted an explanation for why Fachri came home late without any notice at all."Ehhmm... I was dealing with issues and work at the office. And sorry, I didn't inform you because there was simply no time. I wanted to focus on work so that I wouldn't have a pile of tasks to leave behind at the university tomorrow," Fachri complained. He sat next to Airin, using his thighs as a pillow.Fachri's eyes closed. "Where's Via?" he asked when his gaze couldn't find Via."Via is in her aunt's room, Dear," Airin replied wearily. She was slightly disappointed that Fachri couldn't spare time for her, even just to let her know he would be coming home late."Why is Via sleeping there?""I had a
"Wait, Aisya," Inggrid said, attempting to hide her surprise at Fachri's arrival.Aisya nodded. She was not much different from Inggrid. Both couldn't believe that Fachri could come suddenly and cut their conversation."Yes, Sir. This is Aisya's sister. Is there something important?" Inggrid asked."Oh, coincidentally then. I want to borrow Aisya for a moment. According to the administration, there are some incomplete data." Without permission from Inggrid, Fachri approached and took the documents still in Aisya's hand. Before handing them to Inggrid, they had already inadvertently discussed Airin's matter."Sorry, Aisya. Can you come with me for a moment?" Fachri asked, his heart pounding. He was afraid Aisya might refuse and be more interested in his conversation with Inggrid.However, it seemed that was just Fachri's fear. Aisya nodded and quickly got up, excusing herself to Inggrid before heading to Fachri's room.Inggrid could only nod, allowing Aisya to leave to settle her matte
"There's good news for all three of you. The company's leader has invited us for lunch in an hour, in his office. So, tidy up your appearance to ensure you look neat and clean, even though you've been tired from touring all day. We'll gather back here in half an hour after I finish my business upstairs," the supervising lecturer bid farewell before heading to meet the company's management. He concluded his tasks before leaving his three students.Airin simply nodded. Having a little time to rest would be utilized wisely, especially since her chest felt sore from not pumping breast milk for too long. Without waiting any longer, Airin went to the bathroom to alleviate the discomfort before tidying up her appearance, as advised by the lecturer."Enough," Airin murmured to herself, inspecting her appearance from head to toe in a mirror in the bathroom. With limited time, she pumped just enough to relieve the discomfort. Afterward, she washed her face and reapplied a thin layer of makeup.
"Sorry, I can't. Please don't insist, let's end it here," Airin requested, clasping her hands in front of her chest.Pleading for Zidan to let her go, not to get any closer. She felt it was enough, as she couldn't hurt Fachri any further."Just as friends, escorting a friend home. Nothing more," Zidan replied after parking his car. "Now tell me where I should drop you off."Airin shook her head. "No, I can't disclose my address. I don't want my husband to know we met again, and I go home with you. Please understand. Being friends doesn't mean you're free to escort me like this or touch me as you did in the bathroom. And please, keep a distance, so others won't see me as a cheap woman, especially when my husband has gone through so much to cover the disgrace you caused.""Forgive me, Rin," Zidan mumbled softly, trying to reach for Airin's hand but was promptly brushed off to avoid falling into Zidan's trap."How else can I say this to you, Zidan? I beg you to step back and not get clos
The positive thoughts that Airin had been clinging to have run out as she glances at the clock on the wall. It's four in the morning, and Fachri hasn't returned yet. She has tried calling their home phone but couldn't reach him. This only strengthens Airin's suspicion that Fachri knows Zidan was the one who brought her home.However, a glimmer of hope arises when she recalls that Fachri wasn't wearing his glasses. She desperately clings to the possibility that he might not have seen Zidan, preventing her from crying in the wee hours of the morning. Airin can't fathom living without Fachri by her side.Zidan is still in her heart, but Fachri is the reason she has been able to live until now. Without Fachri, she and Via wouldn't have been able to lead a decent life without being judged by others.When Airin hears the sound of a car entering the garage, the tears she's been holding back finally fall. She hastily wipes them away before running downstairs to open the door for her husband,