Adaline spent her Friday night with Tess at one of their favorite cafes, reliving the routines they used to have when Adaline was still single. Although Tess was already dating Duncan at that time, due to Altezza's busy schedule, Tess and Duncan rarely enjoyed time together.Adaline wore a knee-length black dress with small floral patterns. The collar was round, and the sleeves puffed up to above her elbows. A white leather belt cinched her slim waist. Her long hair cascaded beautifully in waves down her back, making her look more like a teenage girl than a twenty-five-year-old woman. Perhaps it was because of her petite frame and natural makeup that she looked youthful."Have you been waiting long?" Tess sat in front of her, wearing a long-sleeved turtle neck top and a black leather mini skirt. Her body looked beautiful and sensual with curves in all the right places. Even Adaline herself desired Tess's ideal body. Compared to Joanna, Tess had an equally sexy body, just shorter. And
It seemed like the men preferred to accept the decisions of the women. Adaline herself was unsure of what to do, so she chose to go along with whatever Tessa wanted to do.When Tessa pulled her into a boutique, Adaline noticed that Altezza was busy picking out items for her. And when they exited the store, Altezza had more bags than Tessa."Boss, I noticed the Mrs. didn't choose anything inside, but how come there are so many shopping bags?" Duncan remarked, eyeing the bags in Altezza's hands.Altezza shrugged nonchalantly. "The Boss can do as he pleases. No need to be jealous," he replied casually.Tessa also commented on this to Adaline. Like Altezza, Adaline responded with a shrug.There was no movie watching. What they did for hours was wander around the mall, going in and out of stores and shopping. After enjoying their stroll and having a meal, they returned home in their respective vehicles.Adaline felt tired herself from accompanying Tessa and Altezza shopping all night. Yes,
Adaline rubbed her head. Her vision blurred. Since morning, her stomach had felt uneasy. Earlier everything was fine; she felt perfectly healthy. She had even had breakfast. So why did she feel nauseous now?Adaline unlocked her phone and received a message from Altezza that he had just arrived at the project site. For the past two weeks, Altezza had ceased to lead Coskun Company. After returning from Bangka Belitung recently, it was finally decided that Gian would officially take Altezza's position in the company, as Duncan and Tessa had discussed earlier.Now Gian held the position of COO—Chief Operating Officer—which was previously held by Altezza in Coskun Company. Meanwhile, Altezza had returned to his own founded company, an architecture firm that had been established over the last five years and which he had left to assist Antony at Coskun.So for the past two weeks, Adaline and Altezza had been going to the office separately. However, if Altezza had no urgent matters, he would
Adaline lifted her head upon hearing her name called. A beautiful woman with long, flowing hair waved at her with a wide smile. It couldn't be said that she wasn't surprised to see her there. It was Joanna, her friend, who somehow looked even more stunning, especially since they hadn't seen each other for quite some time."How have you been?" Adaline approached, and they hugged each other, releasing the longing."As you can see, I always look as beautiful as ever," Joanna replied with her usual proud tone. "How about you? I really have to apologize for disappearing like that."Adaline remembered the moment when Joanna instructed her to return the money she borrowed from Altezza. Her friend even willingly covered the losses Adaline had incurred. Or to put it more accurately, she was willing to cover all the costs of her mother's surgery. But Adaline hadn't had the chance to mention the continuation of the debt between her and Altezza because Joanna had already left due to a sudden job
"Whatever happens, no matter how angry you are, never yell at her. If she's silent, it means there's something wrong with you and she can't say it. Never waste her love. Because if she loves, she'll love with all her heart. But if she's hurt, she's very difficult to forgive. Maybe her mouth says she forgives, but her heart doesn't," Altezza nodded again at Joanna's words.Altezza wanted a better future with Adaline, even though he never said it to her. And he was trying to understand her. He realized that all the attention Adaline had given him so far was genuine. He even realized that until now, Adaline had never asked him for anything. She just accepted whatever he gave her without ever demanding. Adaline, his funny wife. Somehow, every time he saw her smile, his heart felt warm. Somehow, every time he remembered her name, he felt nostalgic.Altezza was confused about his feelings. On one hand, he wanted to maintain the initial agreement they made. But on the other hand, he wanted t
Morning sickness for Adaline worsened day by day. Every time she finished eating, all the food would come back up. And it happened every time she was at the office. As a result, she always looked weary and lacked enthusiasm.Joanna contacted her again, this time inviting her for lunch at a five-star hotel restaurant. Joanna also invited Tessa to join them, stating briefly that she wanted to tease Tessa as usual.True to form, when the beautiful model waited for their arrival in the lobby, her first words to Tessa were teasing remarks."Hey, aspiring model of limited height, long time no see," she greeted with an exaggeratedly friendly face. Tessa squinted at her, but shortly after, they hugged each other."Long time no see, skinny girl. Been modeling for so long, you seem to be getting thinner," Tessa retorted with mockery."I'm skinny, but not just any skinny. Skinny from modeling brings in money. Are you skinny from worrying?" Joanna replied."Enough already, you two look like Siame
Altezza shook his head from side to side. His shoulders and neck felt stiff from too long spent hunched over the monitor screen. Suddenly, his phone rang, displaying Antony's name."Yeah?" he answered on the first ring."Still at the office?" Antony asked from the other end of the line. Altezza glanced at the watch on his left wrist. It was 4:15."I'll be heading home soon," he replied, leaning back in his chair. "What's up, cousin? Any problems?""None! Just wanted to extend an invitation. My beloved wife invites you and yours for dinner at our place tonight.""Finally, you both moved back to Manhattan?""Yups," Antony's voice sounded cheerful."Flavia?""She'll move next academic year. But for now, she's here.""Alright, then Adaline and I will come. Should we bring anything? Or perhaps the appropriate question is 'will you be giving us gifts'?""Already rich but still stingy. But be prepared, cousin, because another cousin will also be coming," Antony said playfully."What?!" Altez
"I always feel not quite right whenever I see you," Altezza replied curtly.Tessa, overhearing them, could only gape in disbelief. Although she didn't understand the man's words, she could tell that he was angry with his cousin. And she never expected to see that handsome face filled with such hostility, because as far as she knew, Altezza was always friendly to everyone."Are they arguing?" Tessa whispered to Adaline, who shook her head in response because she didn't understand what they were saying either."And please, stay away from my wife. Pretend you don't know her even if you accidentally meet her.""Oh come on, Cousin. How could I act like that? Ignoring an angel as beautiful as her just like that? Even other people would do a double-take if they saw her. What about me?" Gian seemed unwilling to back down. Altezza sneered."I don't care. Whatever the reason, you need to keep your distance from her. At least one meter. If not, I'll put blinders on that ugly head of yours." He t
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