Flavia woke up feeling sore all over, especially in her intimate area. Instead of stretching her muscles, she chose to stay lying down, not wanting to let go of the warm feeling pressing against her back and Gladwin's strong hand embracing her stomach, to which she responded by clasping Gladwin's hand against her back. Gladwin's warm and steady breaths blew against her neck.
Now, Flavia was officially a wife. Fully belonging to Gladwin. Happiness bubbled within her heart for no apparent reason.
Flavia glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand. Morning was approaching, and she was about to get out of bed, but Gladwin held her back. "Where are you going?" he asked with a hoarse voice, typical of him waking up.
"To shower, it's already morning," she replied softly. Gladwin got up, placed his elbow under his head, and supported it with his palm.
"Wanna shower together?" he teased. Flavia sho
The elapsed time feels short because we enjoy it too much. It's so leisurely that twenty-four hours in a day don't seem enough.Flavia and Gladwin's routine is always the same. Working, coming home, and enjoying the rest of the day together. Two months passed by just like that. Flavia has begun to manage the café again and started working on reports with the help of her stepmother, Claire. Meanwhile, her studies had to be temporarily postponed. It's a pity, but what can be done? Her current condition doesn't allow it. Besides, Gladwin also asked her not to worry too much. Excessive stress is not good for her head.Apart from the café, Flavia once again only spends time with her cousins. Since the last meeting with her mother-in-law, Flavia hasn't seen her again. And Gladwin hasn't visited her either.Cruel? Some people might judge Gladwin's action of not meeting his mother as cruel. But Gladwin does all of
Ten minutes before twelve o'clock, Flavia heard the door to her office being knocked, and the figure that Gladwin had been trying to keep away from her appeared before Flavia with her broad grin."Gladwin can't come this afternoon, can he?" the woman asked, to which Flavia didn't respond at all because she knew the woman's question was rhetorical. "Not offering me a seat or perhaps a drink?" she asked again. Her friendly demeanor seemed too forced."Please, have a seat, Doctor Madsen," Flavia invited, and Phoebe sat back on the sofa, leaning casually as if the room were hers."Just call me Phoebe. Your room is quite comfortable, I must say," she looked around Flavia's office, assessing it. "Rich people's offices are classy." Whether it was praise or sarcasm, Flavia couldn't distinguish. She pressed a button on her desk phone and asked someone to bring drinks to her office."What brings you here?" she
Flavia shook her head, hoping the pain would fade away. The muscles behind her eyes seemed to tense up. The throbbing felt painful, blurring her vision. She tried to open the drawer, searching for the pain relief medication prescribed by Eijaz. Instead, her rolling chair accidentally pushed back, and her foot unintentionally stepped on the hem of her skirt, causing her to fall onto the floor on both knees."It feels like marrying your own niece. I prefer women who aren't too much younger." That was Gladwin's voice.Every memory that entered her head only made Flavia's head hurt more. Her vision was blurred. She tried to shake her head again, trying to push away all those memories so they wouldn't come back. But it was futile. She saw Phoebe sitting quietly on the sofa. There was no intention from her to move and help."Two months, Flavia. That's all that's left. Let him go, let him be with me. A woman who's clearly more
Flavia's POVMemories stirred within me. The woman's words unintentionally brought back all my memories. And now, the man looked at me with his sad gaze."Uncle?" The word slipped out of my tongue. I should've bitten my tongue. The face of the man I loved now paled in surprise. I shouldn't have addressed him like that. Didn't we agree that I would call him 'Dear'?Yes, my memory returned. And the memories during my memory loss were still intact, not a single one lost."Via..." I turned. Abigail was still faithfully waiting for me, always like that. Oh God, my heart felt grateful yet sinful towards her. Why was she always good to me even though I always acted wickedly towards the people she loved? Towards Gladwin and the man's mother."Abby..." I greeted. The girl held my hand, squeezing it tightly. Somehow, I felt desperation in that squeeze. Or was it just my thoughts?"What's happening? Do you remember something?" She asked,
Flavia looked at Abigail. She didn't want her friend to be angry. Gladwin already had enough resentment towards his biological mother; she didn't want her friend to also hate her grandmother because of herself.Growing impatient at not receiving an answer, Abigail shifted her gaze to Gladwin. Gladwin shrugged casually, his left hand gently stroking Flavia's head."Your grandmother asked Flavia to give me a child within a year. And if Via isn't pregnant, she has to be willing to divorce me or let me marry Phoebe," he said, still maintaining his relaxed demeanor.The crease in Abigail's forehead deepened. She tried to digest the information before finally cursing in frustration. "Has Grandma lost her mind? It seems old age has made her think irrationally," she huffed angrily. "Does she think you're some kind of livestock? Does Grandma really think you're a god who can easily fill your womb with the presence of a baby?" Abi
The news about Flavia's memory returning spread so quickly, even though initially only Abigail and Gladwin knew about it. For the time being, they decided to keep it a secret because they wanted to buy time to come up with a new plan regarding the two options Julie had given Flavia. Flavia hadn't even informed her parents about her memory returning yet, but now she had to prepare herself to confront her mother-in-law. Yes, her mother-in-law who was also her step-grandmother. The middle-aged woman suddenly appeared at Flavia's workplace with her chosen daughter-in-law, none other than Phoebe Madsen. Flavia didn't feel scared by their presence, but she, who usually didn't harbor any anger towards anyone, now had to stain her heart because of one name: Phoebe. Flavia didn't hate her step-grandmother. As a woman, she also understood that Julie's desires were reasonable for any mother in the world. She just wanted her son's life to be happy and their family name to continue with the arr
Phoebe scoffed. "You're so arrogant!" she sneered. Julie Hampton looked at Flavia with a doubtful gaze, a hint of hesitation disturbing her thoughts. What Flavia said wasn't entirely wrong, but Julie also didn't want to give in so easily. "Via, I know that you and Gladwin love each other. But love won't last if there are no offspring between you. Eventually, that love will fade along with Gladwin's desire and need for offspring. And I also want my son to have descendants, not just for Gladwin." "Then is your patience only up to one year? Even you were patient when Uncle Harry didn't have children for five years of marriage. So why can't Grandma be patient with me and Uncle?" "Because Phoebe is right, I'm not young anymore. Because I don't know when I'll die." "Tapi pilihanmu sekarang juga belum tentu membuatmu memiliki keturunan dari Uncle." "Why not?" Phoebe asked cynically. "I am fertile. I can give Gladwin as many descendants as he wants," she boasted. Flavia reluctantly gla
Flavia looked back at her grandmother. "I just don't want you to regret and ultimately lose your beloved son." Flavia tried to change her grandmother's mind again. "Give me the letter. If within two months I still haven't conceived, then I will willingly hand it over to you. "But let me tell you again. Won't you change your mind? Because in the end, it won't just be me who's hurt by being forced to step back. But you and Uncle will also bear the consequences. "I don't want you and Uncle to end up hating each other. Uncle's heaven is at your feet, and I also want your blessing. But if it's done like this..." Flavia saw doubt in her grandmother's eyes, but it seemed Phoebe's whisper strengthened her resolve. Flavia smiled, taking a sheet of divorce papers. Meanwhile, the document containing her statement to give permission for Gladwin to marry Phoebe and make her his second wife remained untouched. She folded the paper and held it tightly. "Grandma, you don't need to worry. I won't
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