The car stopped in front of a two-story luxurious house. A middle-aged couple who had been sitting on wooden chairs stood up as Phoebe opened the iron gate. Gladwin, following Phoebe, entered the front yard and greeted them while kissing the back of their hands as a gesture of courtesy. "Doctor Gladwin," Phoebe's mother greeted. Gladwin nodded politely. "Darling, this is Doctor Gladwin, Julie's son." Phoebe's mother informed her husband with enthusiasm that Gladwin found a bit excessive. "Does Dr. Gladwin also work at the same hospital as Phoebe?" Phoebe's father asked, and Gladwin shook his head in response. "Phoebe will move to the hospital where Gladwin works after finishing her current contract, Pi," Phoebe explained with her sweet smile. Gladwin felt a sense of discomfort when the woman beside him spoke. He knew Phoebe was making her move, and he was aware of it because he was an adult, not an inexperienced young boy. "Come inside. I've prepared some snacks," Phoebe's mother
Gladwin had already parked his car in the orphanage parking lot. He looked for Flavia's known car but didn't find it. Was Flavia not coming? Was the girl avoiding him again? He wondered to himself. Gladwin increasingly realized that avoiding him was now Flavia's specialty. This conclusion was not made without reason because it became clearer day by day that Flavia was deliberately avoiding him, especially yesterday. Flavia refused to be in the same car with him, refused to be in the same room with him. And Gladwin was sure that if he had picked her up at her house, she would have refused his offer to go together with various excuses. Gladwin tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. His heart felt conflicted. On one hand, Gladwin was clearly unwilling if Flavia avoided him. But on the other hand, he felt that he didn't need to go through the trouble of finding ways to avoid the girl as he had been trying to do. For ten minutes, Gladwin wrestled with his own thoughts until he final
They had just finished their routine event at the orphanage, and Eijaz was driving while Flavia sat casually beside the steering wheel. Eijaz intended to invite her to dinner, and Flavia agreed.Flavia looked at the man beside her, Eijaz Dominic, also known as Dr. Eijaz. A tall man with tan skin and thick, shiny black hair, he had a handsome face. His smile was always warm, and his voice was calming. His demeanor was nurturing, and his attention?Flavia had known him for five years. Let's skip the details of their first meeting. The next day, she was reintroduced to him, revealing that he was the son of her father's acquaintance, a businessman who chose to become a doctor instead of continuing the family business.Eijaz was extremely, even excessively, polite. He always spoke politely but didn't hesitate to be sharp if Flavia made a mistake. Everyone assumed they were a couple, but in reality, only Flavia and Eijaz knew the truth.Eijaz had expressed his feelings to Flavia about his l
"Well, you could say yes. You could also say no. I'm not sure how to put it. It's about Gilbert." Gilbert? Flavia still furrowed her brow at Abigail. "Why with Gilbert?" "He's here." This time Flavia was stunned. "Gilbert? Here? With Haisley?" "Ugh... Why bring up Haisley. Haisley is definitely in England with Nathan." "And then?" "Gilbert is here. Turns out, he's a photographer now," Abigail answered with an annoyed sigh. "Really?" Flavia smiled, seeing her friend's annoyed expression. Gilbert was the brother-in-law of their friend, Haisley. He was the guy who had once confessed to liking Flavia. It wasn't a love triangle, but Abigail considered it as such. Meanwhile, Flavia saw it as a strange form of love. Abigail, despite not wanting to admit it, clearly liked Gilbert. While Gilbert claimed to like Flavia, Flavia didn't reciprocate his feelings because, even though she didn't have another man she liked, she couldn't accept Gilbert due to their differences in beliefs. At th
The hospital has its distinctive smell; that's what's on Gladwin's mind. And those smells have lingered long enough in his head. In the early days of his practice, all those scents made him feel dizzy, but now, because he's accustomed to them, all those smells have become ordinary.The hospital's dedicated phone rings. There's a special message. Gladwin reads the message and immediately leaves his desk. The teakwood door with a natural brown color, labeled 'Director,' is in front of him. He knocks twice until he gets permission to enter. He opens it and sees several fellow doctors with morning schedules like his gathered inside the room."Doctor Hampton, please come in." The heavy and friendly voice of Doctor Hamid welcomes him. "Well, now that it seems everyone on morning duty is here, let me introduce. Doctors, all of you, staff members as well. As discussed earlier, we'll have a new doctor in this hospital. So let me introduce to all of y
"In a relationship, you should complement each other. If one is passive, the other should be active." He says before getting out of the car with an annoyed expression, followed by Phoebe.Jonas, who was waiting for Abigail to exit, seems to muster the courage to ask. "Abby, is something wrong?" Jonas looks at Abigail, puzzled. Abigail looks back at him with a warm smile."According to you?" Abigail asks back. "Okay, I feel like there's no need to be too formal." Abigail continues casually. Seeing Jonas's indifferent expression, it seems he doesn't mind either. "I know we can't be considered close, but I'll need your help in the future. Considering you seem to be able to assess situations quickly, like just now. Will you help me?" Abigail looks at him hopefully.The idea actually came out spontaneously, and Abigail wasn't expecting a hundred percent 'yes' from Jonas. After all, they just met, and they're not too 'close' t
Flavia was copying the records into the computer when Abigail entered with her beaming smile. Earlier, after lunch, Abigail had returned the favor by driving Gladwin, Phoebe, and Jonas to the hospital, citing responsibility as the reason. However, Eijaz had generously invited the three guests to return to the hospital with him."Why are you back? I thought you were heading home," Flavia asked, and Abigail responded with a shrug before sitting on the long sofa across from Flavia. "Don't you have other work?""None. I'm free. Just finished reloading my ammo," Abigail replied casually, choosing to focus on the CCTV."Gilbert?" Flavia asked again. The mention of 'ammo' indirectly reminded her of their previous conversation about Gilbert, who was a photographer working with Abigail.Abigail paused for a moment before turning to look at Flavia with a puzzled expression. "Why bring up Gilbert?""You mentioned reloading ammo. Automatically, my mind goes back to Gilbert," Flavia answered nonch
"If that's the case, when does he plan to stay single? Will he wait until he's forty? Your child is almost three. How come he doesn't have one yet? It's fine if he has a child right after marriage, but what if he doesn't? What if he ends up like your elder brother, having a child after five years of marriage? I might be called by God earlier." Julie Hampton responded, still annoyed."Don't talk like that. Mom herself told me that fate is already arranged. Why is Mom being pessimistic now? Gladwin might be waiting for the right time to introduce his girlfriend to us.""Yeah, if there's one. What if there isn't?" Her mother continued to frown. "Yesterday, I tried to set him up with one of my friend's daughters, but his reaction was flat.""Who did you try to match Gladwin with?" Claire asked, but Flavia secretly listened."Phoebe. I tried to match him with Phoebe."Julie's words made the two women of different generations in front of her fall silent. "Isn't Phoebe a widow? And she alrea
Dear Diary,A myriad of gratitude cannot adequately express what I feel right now.My happiness feels so complete.I have regained love.Love from my mother-in-law that was momentarily lost.Something I thought I would never have, I can now obtain.So a thousand words of gratitude are not enough to express the fullness of the happiness that now fills my heart.Dear Diary,Allow us to live our future years with happiness.I know our journey is still long.He and I have other responsibilities that we will be accountable for in His presence.But I hope we can get through it all without any more drama. Without any more suffering.Dear Diary,If I may ask,Now I ask for happiness for him. My dearest friend who loves me so much.I hope God hears my prayer and gives him all the love he needs.Give him someone who can make him happy like You gave me a lover whom I love so much and who loves me.And I hope, in the future, he will have his own "Ayla." Like You gave me mine.Dear Diary,Thank yo
Gladwin, Abigail, Jonas, and the man named Hendrick, along with one more person who introduced himself as Ramon, now stand in the hallway of the hospital, which is starting to empty."As I promised earlier, I didn't cease my surveillance of that doctor until I felt it was sufficient. And earlier, I reported his crimes to the police. They acted promptly, arresting his father caught red-handed selling stolen cars. And the additional charge against him was human trafficking. The evidence is being processed, isn't it, Ramon?" Hendrick got straight to the point. The man named Ramon nodded."We also kept watch on the abortion clinic Hendrick informed us about. After several days of surveillance, the woman named Phoebe indeed didn't show up. But the clinic was still operating under the orders of one of its associates. And we also caught them red-handed when the victim and the perpetrator were conducting a transaction. Meanwhile, the woman named Phoebe vanished." Roni added."And she was just
Three hours later.Josef had been well taken care of. His broken bones turned out not to be too severe, and the surgery had already been performed. The doctor had applied a cast to his leg, and now he was still sleeping under the effects of anesthesia.Meanwhile, Flavia, Abigail's friend, was now in the delivery room with Gladwin. Abigail sat alone in the waiting room because Jonas had other matters to attend to in the hospital, but he promised to return and accompany her once he was done.Abigail was now sitting alone in the waiting room. She was sure that her employees were currently trying to reach her to inform her about the latest condition of the perpetrator, whom Abigail herself wanted to know who they were and why the accident happened. But suddenly she remembered one name.Abigail reached for her uncle's phone and darn, the phone was in locked mode, and she didn't know the pattern. Did she really have to wait until the childbirth process was over to unlock her uncle's phone?
"Oh my God." Abigail was now panicking too. She looked at the people who were now divided into two groups. The first group was those helping the old man. And the second group was a few meters away from them, which Abigail believed were trying to trap the person who tried to hit Flavia."Help!" Abigail screamed.A car was parked not far from them. Some people were seen carrying the old man's body into the car. And after closing it, they then turned and noticed Abigail and Flavia. Quickly, they helped Flavia. Carrying her and putting her in the front of the car where the old man victim was earlier.Abigail then ran into her car, following the car carrying Flavia and the victim from earlier. She didn't care about the fate of the perpetrator. She entrusted everything to her employees. And then she remembered Gladwin. No, she had to contact Gladwin later when it was clear which hospital Flavia was taken to.Fortunately, they took Flavia and the victim to the hospital where Gladwin worked.
The roar of children's laughter and shouts was so loud it echoed into the outer area outside the orphanage's fence. A woman with dark glasses could be seen gripping the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white. She gazed at the figures she recognized there, laughing happily. As for herself? She was shattered. Finished. She had nothing left in life to boast about anymore.Yes. She was Phoebe.A month had passed since that night. The night when she and her mother left Gladwin's house with all the evidence in hand.Satisfied? Yes, initially she was satisfied and thought all the evidence was gone when she destroyed it by burning. Even then, she immediately contacted her associate at the clinic to shut down the clinic where they had been accumulating their wealth because she was afraid Gladwin would take drastic action and report her to the police.Of course, the man wouldn't just sit still, would he? He would certainly seek revenge on her, especially since she had been ruining
Julie lifted her head, wiping the tears from her face and sniffing loudly before nodding like a child asking for something from their parent."I promise, I swear I won't demand anything from Flavia anymore. It's enough for me if she comes back to you. It's enough for me if she forgives me. I promise not to pressure her to give me grandchildren.""I should have realized that offspring is a gift given by God to us, not solely because of our desires. I was foolish and selfish. I was wrong."Gladwin hugged her mother who still sobbed. "There, there, Ma. Don't cry anymore. If you keep crying, your wrinkles will look even more and your face will look uglier." Gladwin teased her mother while patting her back, which made her mother gently hit her back in response. "I promise I will bring Flavia back. I will make Flavia my only wife, and I will make sure she becomes the most beloved daughter-in-law by her mother-in-law," she said. Julie Hampton just nodded in Gladwin's embrace.The next mornin
Abigail and Gladwin are focused on Julie's condition. The anxiety about something happening to the middle-aged woman causes them to forget and overlook the presence of Phoebe and Penelope. So, without them realizing it, the two women leave with the evidence that Gladwin had given earlier.Gladwin carries her mother to the car and quickly takes her to the nearest hospital. In less than ten minutes, Julie receives first aid. The results of the EKG (Electrocardiogram) show less than optimal results. However, she is not declared to have had a heart attack.Julie Hampton now lies weakly with an oxygen tube under her nose. Her face is pale, and her body is sweating coldly. Even her body temperature is low due to her sudden drop in blood pressure.Gladwin observes the devices attached to her mother's left and right sides. Watching the graphs and numbers appear on the screen. And she is thankful; her mother is still within what is considered non-alarming limits.Abigail, waiting outside the V
"I'm not unwilling to reveal everything; I'm just worried that if I do, you might have a heart attack. But if Grandma is sure she can handle it all, I'll lay it all out," she replied casually."Julie, I think we should just go home. I can't bear to see my daughter being slandered by others," Penelope said, now pulling Phoebe's arm."Aunt Phoebe clearly had a husband even when she married her first husband. That's the first point," Abigail didn't want to give up just yet. "Even then, she was pregnant with Gisel, who turns out not to be her first husband's child. Nor is he Deryl's child, the man who is still her husband." She continued. Penelope and Phoebe looked at Abigail with wide-eyed shock."Gisel is the result of Aunt Phoebe's affair with her own father-in-law. Isn't that right, Aunt?" Abigail asked with a sardonic smile. "The second fact, Grandma. All this time, Aunt Phoebe has been prostituting herself under her father's control." Julie Madsen gasped, while Phoebe and Penelope r
"Yes, Grandma?" Abigail responded in a flat tone. "What's wrong with what I said? You're the one who said you want grandchildren, but when I discuss it, I'm still blamed. Why, Grandma? Do you only want grandchildren born from Aunt Phoebe? Don't you want grandchildren from Flavia?" Abigail asked in a sharp tone, making Julie have to pinch her under the table. "Ouch, Grandma. That hurts.""You need to watch your mouth. Stop hurting people with your words," Julie muttered angrily. Abigail was equally annoyed; she rubbed her leg which felt hot from her grandmother's pinch."I learn from the expert," Abigail replied, causing her grandmother to raise an eyebrow. "Besides, I'm better off because I only need to watch my mouth. Meanwhile, your chosen daughter-in-law, not only does she need to watch her mouth, but she has to watch everything." She replied irritably."What do you mean?" Penelope and Julie asked simultaneously."Earlier, you told me to watch my mouth, and now you're telling me to