Catherine tightened her coat. Aiden's words from this afternoon kept ringing in her ears. There was a sense of happiness in her heart, remembering that Aiden still considered her so important even though he was just a friend.
I want us to be like before, but I'm afraid. I'm afraid of falling in love with you even more and repeating the same mistakes," she muttered.
She was afraid of being hurt by love again. This love was really suffocating his chest and killing him slowly. On the other hand, she was longing, but on the other hand, she was scared. Afraid of falling again because of her love.
"Mom..."
The call made her turn her head.
That innocent gaze always reminded him of that love. The love that was still embedded in her heart
Catherine never showed her weakness in front of Jasmine. She always presented a motherly figure who was always firm, disciplined, and strong.
"Why are you out? You haven't slept, h
"Jasmine!"Catherine opened the door to her room loudly, making Jasmine turn her head towards her. "Mom?"Catherine walked quickly to Jasmine and pulled her into her arms. "How are you? Did they hurt you?"“I'm fine, Mom; I have my handsome uncle to help me," said Jasmine, releasing Catherine's hug.“Uncle Handsome?" exclaimed Catherine, scrunching her forehead in confusion.“Yes, Mom, he helped me," said Jasmine. Aiden...“Have you thanked Uncle Handsome yet?" asked Catherine.“I did Mom.""Good girl." Catherine gently rubbed Jasmine's head.Mom, can we invite Uncle Handsome to dinner? Jasmine exclaimed. "I want to take him to dinner. And introduce him to Mommy.Catherine was transfixed by Jasmine's words. How could they meet and have dinner together? Aiden might find out about Jasmine's identity. That was the thing she feared th
Soekarno Hatta International Airport, IndonesiaAiden had just set foot back in the country of his birth. He took off the sunglasses that clung to his sharp nose and looked around.After five years, he is now back in this country. A country that holds so many memories. Memories that traumatized him and caused him pain.After sighing, Aiden resumed his steps while towing his small suitcase. He ordered an online taxi to his apartment.Due to his father's debt, the bank had taken possession of his home. His family's wealth had disappeared because of his parents' greed.Aiden's life has changed drastically since five years ago. Not only did he lose his love and girlfriend, he also lost all the wealth and luxurious facilities his family had. His family's life is broken. Elena's mother had to go to jail, and his father died of bankruptcy, and all his wealth disappeared. Aiden left town with his personal fortune.It was not easy to go through
Aiden walked down the hallway of the hospital. He stopped his steps when he reached the front of the room where Elena was being treated.He stood facing the door and stared at it for a long time. It wasn't that he didn't love Elena, but it was because of Elena that he lost Agneta. Because of her mother's greed, he had to live like a chess piece that Elena had to manage.Aiden sighed before grabbing the doorknob and opening the door. He entered the infirmary.The figure of an elderly woman lay weakly on a bed. He stared at her as medical equipment filled her frail body.The Elena of old had changed. The woman who was her mother was no longer as haughty and arrogant as before. She now looked old, frail, and helpless.At the sound of approaching footsteps, her wrinkled eyes opened, and she turned to the side of the gurney. "A-aiden?"She mumbled weakly and sounded like a whisper because her mouth was covered with a breathin
Five days passed without Aiden, which made Catherine feel discouraged. Aiden really affected her. Before reuniting with Aiden, she was able to stand on her feet with resilience. Spending five years focusing on her daughter as well as her work. But after reuniting with Aiden, her heart was fragile again. The wall she had built was shattered, making her weak again. She couldn't deny that she fell back into Aiden's charm and love.Why is she so weak? While Aiden still looks indifferent to her. Why should she feel the pain of unrequited love? "AH!"Catherine screeched in surprise at someone's pull. She saw a box car carrying goods almost hit her. At that time, Catherine was taking a walk by herself to relieve her headache. "Why aren't you careful?" The exclamation made her turn to the source of the voice. "Aiden? You're back?" She exclaimed, looking at the handsome face of the man in front of her.
Catherine's body froze again, and she became very confused about how to answer Aiden's question."Look at me, Cath." Aiden pulled Catherine by both shoulders so that she was now staring at him. "Is Jasmine the-""No Aiden. She's not your daughter," Catherine said, pushing Aiden's chest to release his grip, and she walked backward.There was a look of disappointment in Aiden's eyes. He felt close to and familiar with Jasmine."She's Marinka's adopted daughter!" Catherine exclaimed."Adopted?" asked Aiden, furrowing his brow."Yes," Catherine replied."But why didn't you mention Jasmine back then?" asked Aiden, looking incredulous."It was because her status was unclear. And we decided to hide Jasmine's whereabouts," said Catherine."Really?""You can ask Marinka," Catherine said, trying to hide the truth."Alright, I believe you. Let me take you home," Aiden said."I have my own car," Catherine said.
Catherine stood in front of the bathroom sink in her room. Her gaze was fixed on the mirror in front of her.You have the right to be happy, and you have the right to pursue your own desires. Don't sell your happiness and your life for business. Leave that damn man alone.Aiden's words rang in her ears again. If only she could achieve happiness. If only his love wasn't one-sided. If only Aiden loved her too. Maybe she wouldn't have felt all this pain.Catherine's hand shot up to hold her chest, which was suddenly tight and painful. She squeezed her clothes as if to stop the pain in her chest. Tears involuntarily rolled down her cheeks. 'I want to be happy; I really do. But can I be happy without you?' Catherine thought.ꙬAiden was standing on the balcony of his apartment, drinking a can of beer. His mind recalled the incident earlier, where Catherine's gaze somehow made him feel uncomfortable.What's wrong with me
"Mommy!"Jasmine barged into Catherine's room."Mom, did you say you were hurt? Jasmine exclaimed, looking at Catherine, who was lying on her bed."Mommy is fine, mine.""But she said Mommy got hurt last night. Who hurt Mom? Let Jasmine teach her a lesson! The little girl exclaimed something so cute that Catherine chuckled and felt very funny seeing the behavior of a 5-year-old little girl."You're a girl; why are you so arrogant? she chuckled."Mommy is laughing at me. I'm serious; I want to take care of Mommy.""Really?" teased Catherine."Seriously Mom. It's not just the two of us. So we both have to take care of each other. I don't have a Daddy who will always take care of Mom and me."DegJasmine's words touched Catherine's heart, making her smile disappear. There was both regret and pain in her heart for hiding the facts about her father. But if Aiden knew all of this, would he accept her as well as Jasmine?
"Do you still have feelings for Agneta?" asked Catherine.Cath, what exactly do you want to confirm? Aiden's question hit the nail on the head, making Catherine freeze in place. "That's-" Catherine fell silent. "Then let's turn the question around. What made you walk away from me five years ago and leave me? What made you avoid me, Cath? Is there something you're hiding that I shouldn't know about?Aiden's gaze implied suspicion, making Catherine misbehave and become nervous. She did her best not to say anything that could embarrass herself. "The food is here. We'd better eat! Catherine exclaimed as several waiters came to serve their orders.The two of them enjoyed their meal in silence. ----Catherine walked out of the restaurant first after finishing her meal, heading for the parking lot. "Catherine wait!" Aiden pulled Catheri