Adaline's POV:"Dad?" I saw my dad sitting on a bench in the park not far from our old rental house.Dad smiled, patting the empty space next to him, and reluctantly, I walked over and sat down."Why are you here?" I asked, glancing at our old house. The house we left when I entered middle school. The house filled with beautiful memories where I grew up."Do you forget? Back when we were moving, you cried incessantly. Saying to us how much you liked our old house."I smiled and nodded. I did cry a lot back then, begging my parents not to move from there.I didn't want to make new friends because I had a hard time socializing. But Dad said everything would be okay. In fact, if we moved, I would be even happier.Dad said I needed to learn to be more sociable because life is more beautiful with many friends."Why are we here?" I asked, confused.My dad smiled. His face looked so fresh, cheerful, and of course, handsome."Just a reminder that we once had a past," my dad said casually. "Do
"Oh God, Al..." Jovanka moaned as Altezza continued moving in and out with a rhythm he knew Jovanka loved. The woman held onto the dressing table while her lover moved faster. "Al..." Jovanka started going wild; she was almost reaching climax, and Altezza's movements became faster, as if he knew what she desired. And not long after..."Arrggghh..." Altezza groaned simultaneously with the warm liquid coming out from him, contained by the rubbery wrapping that sometimes choked him.Altezza removed the used condom and tossed it carelessly into the trash bin, while Jovanka had already put on her nightgown again. Altezza's body was still sweaty after their passionate lovemaking, but seeing Jovanka's appearance, he knew that the discussion he wanted to have would only reignite her anger."Mamma and Padre keep pushing me to get married. How long are we going to continue like this?" Altezza asked in frustration.Jovanka approached Altezza, who was now lying on the bed, moved closer, and cares
Several hours later, at a club.Altezza growled. He downed his drink again, unsure which glass it was. He hoped the hot and bitter taste flowing on his tongue and throat could somewhat ease the tightness in his chest due to the disappointment he got from Jovanka. Antony, his cousin from his father's side, whom he called just before entering the club, looked at him with a furrowed brow."Don't tell me you're getting drunk and asking me to be your driver, Cousin," he grumbled, shaking his drink without intending to sip it."I'm not forcing you to stay," Altezza replied flatly. "You're the one who keeps sticking to me," he continued with a speech that was no longer clear due to the effects of the alcohol he had consumed.Antony smirked mockingly, glancing at Altezza while shaking his head. His cousin clearly looked messed up, so how could he let Altezza be alone and leave like that? His cousin could go crazy when he was drunk. And maybe even worse, Altezza could fall into the traps of tr
Antony had entered the basement of Altezza's apartment and parked his sports car there. He once again helped Altezza toward the elevator that would take them to Altezza's penthouse.Altezza remained silent, wrestling with his own thoughts."Stop crying over your fate, Al. I've told you from the beginning that she never truly loved you," Antony said as the elevator doors closed and began to ascend."She loves me, Antony. That's why she accepted my proposal," Altezza replied coldly."No, she doesn't love you, Al. And you have to stop fooling yourself. She married you because she knew she would get a comfortable life and financial support to boost her career. If she truly loved you, she wouldn't waste you. Her career would be secondary to your happiness. And look at what has been happening. For her, the career comes first, and you, well, who knows what order you're in. So what else do you expect?" Antony asked as the elevator doors opened. They walked slowly out of the elevator toward th
Adaline was late for work. It was all because the taxi she had taken had a flat tire, and they still had a considerable distance to cover. Adaline had no choice but to find another means of transportation to get her to the office. Unfortunately, she couldn't find a taxi during this busy hour, and on top of that, she had run out of money. It was just her luck. However, Adaline had no other option but to run to her office.With heavy breaths, Adaline greeted the security guard at the lobby and shouted at anyone in the elevator to hold it open for her. Adaline stepped out of the elevator looking less than put together. She was sweating, and her hair was slightly disheveled from the run. When she entered her office, her senior and good friend, Tessa, looked at her with a raised eyebrow."Late start?" Tessa asked, casting a teasing look at Adaline.Adaline grinned, placed her bag under the desk, and tidied up her appearance. "No, just unlucky on the way here," she replied while running her
After his conversation with Antony last night, Altezza really tried to consider his cousin's advice. Waking up with a headache and a dry throat from alcohol, Altezza forced himself to get up and hurriedly took a shower. He intended to go to the house he bought to live with his secret wife, Jovanka.Although officially a couple, Altezza didn't stay there because he was afraid that rumors about his relationship with Jovanka would spread to the public, potentially damaging her career. Ironically, every time he went there, Altezza always parked his car far from the house and even entered through the back gate. He behaved as if he were visiting a lover rather than his girlfriend. And he did all this to fulfill the desires of the woman he loved.He was the owner of the house, but he entered it like a thief. He did it all for Jovanka. Even his household assistant—a middle-aged woman with melancholic eyes, and her husband, whom Altezza appointed as Jovanka's personal driver and garden caretak
Jovanka sat on the thick carpet with her head bowed. Perhaps hoping that Altezza would take pity on her and surrender again. But this time, Altezza had truly hardened his heart.He looked at the middle-aged couple still standing in their place, who instantly lowered their heads when they saw the cold expression on Altezza's face."You are now my witnesses. Listen to me. I am Altezza Quirino, and from now on, I have no relationship with her. We started this relationship amicably, and we will part amicably as well."And this house, as I promised you, will be yours."I hope you are happy, and I hope the film you will work on is successful. I always wish the best for you," Altezza said and left Jovanka, who was just frozen in her place, trying to absorb all the words Altezza had spoken."I won't give up, Al! I will come back!"After all this is over, you will come back to me. And I will be yours, Al!" she shouted from the staircase. But Altezza didn't care. For him, everything was finishe
Adaline rushed halfway down the hospital corridor towards her mother's ward. She was in a panic, scared. Earlier, Emma had contacted her with sobs still audible, despite the woman's attempts to hold them back. Her mother was critical, and she was asked to come to the hospital immediately. Hastily, she sought permission from her boss, honestly stating that she needed to see her mother's condition.Adaline arrived at her mother's hospital room. Every time she was there, she felt regret for not being able to provide the best facilities for the woman who raised her. Instead of giving her mother comfort by renting a VVIP or VIP room, Adaline allowed her to be treated in a room shared with three other patients.Adaline desperately wanted to give her mother comfort, but their finances were dwindling day by day. This was all she could afford. It's not that she wasn't trying, but she had to adjust everything to their circumstances. All the money from her father's allowance had been used for he
Adaline's POV:"Dad?" I saw my dad sitting on a bench in the park not far from our old rental house.Dad smiled, patting the empty space next to him, and reluctantly, I walked over and sat down."Why are you here?" I asked, glancing at our old house. The house we left when I entered middle school. The house filled with beautiful memories where I grew up."Do you forget? Back when we were moving, you cried incessantly. Saying to us how much you liked our old house."I smiled and nodded. I did cry a lot back then, begging my parents not to move from there.I didn't want to make new friends because I had a hard time socializing. But Dad said everything would be okay. In fact, if we moved, I would be even happier.Dad said I needed to learn to be more sociable because life is more beautiful with many friends."Why are we here?" I asked, confused.My dad smiled. His face looked so fresh, cheerful, and of course, handsome."Just a reminder that we once had a past," my dad said casually. "Do
Is this some sorta karma?Altezza gazed at his sleeping wife, deeply asleep. The doctor managed to save her. Save their baby.After experiencing a heart attack and losing a lot of blood, his wife could finally return to them. Even though his wife is now declared in a coma, just like himself.Oh God. Is this my payback for all my past mistakes?Why are You like this to me?"Wake up, Darling. Please wake up quickly. Don't you have pity on our two children? I haven't even been able to give them names yet." Altezza whispered to his wife's hand.That hand was so small and weak. The hand that had been holding his all this time. The hand that had always touched him gently. Regardless of what Altezza had ever done to her.Altezza reluctantly rose from his seat. "I'll be right back, hurry and wake up." Altezza kissed his wife's forehead. He bid farewell to his mother and mother-in-law before leaving the hospital.He still limped, his leg condition worsening as he carried Adaline back then, but
Adaline accompanied Altezza back to the hospital for his therapy session. Three times a week, they spent two hours together, even though all Adaline did was watch. After the therapy, Gian would come and accompany them to take Adaline for her prenatal exercises. Altezza never liked it; he always felt jealous whenever Gian took his place as Adaline's companion. But what could he do? His body still wasn't healthy enough to assist. He just hoped that when Adaline gave birth, he would be the one by her side, not Gian.As for Adaline's pregnancy, she was now at 36 weeks, with three to four weeks left until delivery. Stefanie continued to persuade her wife to opt for a cesarean section during delivery, but Adaline remained firm in her decision to have a normal birth, despite knowing the condition of her body.But whatever happened in the future, he only hoped that Adaline would give birth safely. As well as their two babies.Was it just his imagination, or were they being followed since leav
Everyone was running towards the front room. Objects flew, hitting the walls and crashing into pieces. Ceramic and glass shards scattered on the floor. Along with it, the sounds of screams and curses echoed. It was deafening to everyone witnessing it.Yes, Jovanka was raging in her residence. She looked at her assistant with a sharp gaze while Evans stood silently with his blank expression."What's going on?" Cindy glanced between Evans and Jovanka. The middle-aged couple behind her were holding hands in worry and fear simultaneously. "Evans?" Cindy looked at Evans again, seeking an answer.Evans carefully navigated through the glass shards and picked up the papers Jovanka had crumpled in anger. It was a police summons addressed to Jovanka. Not only that, but Cindy also noticed several swollen credit card bills, penalty invoices from the agency's law firm, all addressed to Jovanka Lawrence.Cindy looked at Evans, and Evans returned the gaze. "I told you to stop. But you never cared."
"I'm still better than him, Ada. I won't hurt you. I also won't leave you waiting while I'm in a coma. Because I never wanted to be in a coma. Not like him who left you waiting for so long with the excuse of being in a coma," Gian replied again."Damn you! Come on, Brother, quickly take him home. If possible, send him straight back to Italy to his parents," pleaded Altezza, looking pitiful.Antony sighed. He slapped his thighs and stood up. "I need him, Al. I need a right-hand man since you took Duncan. Come on, Gian, get up." He ordered softly. Gian complied."Thank you," Altezza replied as Antony was willing to fulfill his request."We're going home, Ada," Antony replied, acknowledged by Adaline's nod. "But if you're indeed tempted by Gian's words, just contact me. I'll willingly help you file for divorce from your husband," he replied flatly.Altezza gaped at him while Gian cheered happily. "Yes!" He shouted."Damn you both! Get out of here! Never show up here again!" Altezza yelle
Altezza is indeed conscious, but that doesn't mean she can go home freely. Her broken bones have indeed improved during her coma period, but she still needs intensive care. Because her body didn't move for three months, some parts of her body became swollen and stiff. So, Altezza has to undergo regular therapy.The wound on her head has also dried up. Although the doctor stated that Altezza would definitely have side effects due to the surgery.Meanwhile, after Altezza regained consciousness, the legal process began. During the accident, it turns out that Altezza wasn't the only victim. Two other cars were also hit in the incident. So, the total accident involved four cars and nine victims, although it didn't result in any fatalities. However, among the nine people, Altezza suffered the most severe injuries, while the others only suffered minor injuries.Adaline has never wanted to know the cause of the accident. And her family has never discussed it in front of her to protect her and
Adaline felt kicks in her stomach. She groaned softly. Her eyes opened, and she could see the hospital ceiling in front of her.Wasn't she in the ICU earlier? Since when was she moved to the regular ward?Adaline glanced at the bed next to her. It was clear she had returned to the regular room she had been in. But her husband's bed, which was usually occupied, was empty.Adaline closed her eyes with her arm. She felt the IV needle in her left hand. It seemed she had passed out again, something that had happened frequently lately.Adaline heard her room door open, but she didn't want to turn or see anyone who came in.Footsteps and the sound of wheels approached her bed."Madam..."That voice? It sounded hoarse, but Adaline knew it so well. The voice she had longed to hear. Unwanted tears fell again. How could she daydream at a time like this..."Madam, do you really not want to see me again?"The tone of that voice? It sounded sad yet also joyful at the same time."Are you teasing me
Adaline sat motionless in her place. Her husband's body trembled violently, then convulsed momentarily. All the screens next to the man blared loudly.Adaline could only stare at her husband with an empty gaze. Someone wrapped their arms around her shoulders, pulling her back just as the paramedics arrived."We're leaving, Honey," said Delila's voice. Adaline turned her head and shook it, but Delila kept urging her to go."Mamma... Altezza... he..." she pointed to her husband. Mrs. Delila only nodded and continued to escort her out of the ICU room.Her mother-in-law settled Adaline into a long chair in the hallway. Adaline sat in silence. The commanding screams echoed only in her head. She twisted her hands, praying silently, hoping that God would return the man she loved.This wasn't the first time Altezza had an attack. But it was always frightening for her whenever it happened.Three months. Altezza had been in a coma for three months. Although the doctors said he showed progress,
Altezza opened his eyes, but he quickly covered them with one hand. The dazzling light hurt his eyes. Altezza squinted, trying to adjust his vision and figure out where he was now. As far as he remembered, he had just had an accident, but strangely what he saw now was not the ceiling of a hospital or the view of a treatment room, but large branches and dense foliage.Altezza sat up. He was quite surprised because he didn't feel the pain he should feel. He looked at his body and felt fine. But why was he there? Why was he in this vast green field? Why was he lying under a shady tree before?Altezza turned and was quite surprised to see someone he knew sitting next to him and even smiling at him. "Sir?" he asked, surprised.How long had they not met? If Altezza remembered correctly, the last time he saw that man was about eight years ago. "What are you doing here?" Altezza asked again.The man stared back at Altezza in surprise. "I should be asking you the same. Why are you here?" The m