Morning came, and everyone gathered in the dining room. "What are your plans next?" The question came from Antony, Gladwin's father-in-law and brother-in-law. "Are you going to meet Mama directly?" He asked again, looking at Gladwin.Gladwin shook his head in response. "For the time being, only we know about Flavia's pregnancy, and I intend to keep it that way. For now and for some time to come, people will still think Flavia has disappeared. It's cruel indeed, but it's all for Flavia's and our baby's well-being.""But, Brother. Mama will definitely be happy to know about Flavia's pregnancy," Claire objected. Gladwin's twin sister had been trying to convince Gladwin to tell their mother about Flavia's pregnancy, but Gladwin continued to refuse."Our mother will surely feel happy about Flavia's pregnancy. But I'm the one who's afraid if this news reaches Phoebe's ears. We don't know what she'll do, so for the time being, let it remain our secret until I get news from my trusted source,
Flavia was still lost in thought. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. She lifted her head when Brianna spoke. "I think all of this is enough evidence for you. But maybe your associate has different news." Her gaze shifted more towards Gladwin. Flavia glanced at her husband, who now looked pale."I never even imagined this." Gladwin murmured softly. His gaze now shifted to Brianna and Arthur. Meanwhile, the two men Brianna had hired had left without Gladwin realizing."Sad, isn't it? Considering who she is and her upbringing?" Arthur commented."Darling..." Flavia held her husband's arm. Her small hands appeared to tremble. Gladwin reached for her hand and squeezed it gently, trying to convey warmth."Everything is beyond my expectations." Gladwin tried to explain. "I already knew the truth about her biological father. I also knew about her selling herself. But this... I truly never thought she'd go this far. As fellow doctors, I've always known her as a great Doctor.""What shou
Gladwin pondered his sister's words and knew that what she said was true. However, he was confident that if he only revealed some of the facts, Phoebe could twist them, which would ultimately influence their mother's decision. And in the end, their mother would still defend Phoebe out of pity."I think it's better for Mom to feel guilty towards Flavia than to only reveal half of the evidence. If Mom ends up keeping her distance because she feels ashamed towards Flavia, I'm sure it won't last long because the presence of our baby will make Mom embrace Flavia again, even if it means putting aside her embarrassment," he replied. "What does Dad think?" Gladwin asked for advice from his brother-in-law and also his father-in-law with a amused expression because he was not used to calling Antony by the term his wife used. His tongue still felt numb to call the man fifteen years older than him with the title of father.Antony looked back at him with a raised eyebrow, aware that Gladwin's call
The awaited time never came for Gladwin. Somehow, there were so many obstacles to uncovering all these facts. When Gladwin was about to reveal everything to his mother, she fell ill instead, and therefore Gladwin had to restrain himself because he didn't want to worsen her health condition.Then, after his mother's health improved, suddenly Gladwin had to substitute for a doctor who happened to be unable to attend a medical seminar held in Bali, Indonesia. For three days, Gladwin had to leave Flavia under Abigail's supervision again, and during that time, he never stopped feeling anxious.Jonas had contacted Hendrick and decided to end their cooperation. Although Gladwin had requested the investigation to be stopped, Hendrick promised to still inform him if he found anything suspicious regarding Phoebe because the man said he himself was still not satisfied with finding out, and Gladwin thanked him.And in the third week after Gladwin received the envelope from his grandmother-in-law,
"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
"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
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
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
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