[3]

A white sports car pulled into the yard of the two-story house where his girlfriend lived. A bespectacled man with a gentle, warm gaze got out of the car and walked confidently. He had hung his white suit neatly in the back seat. Don't wrinkle it, he doesn't like it. But his steps were stopped when he heard a commotion from inside the house.

"What's going on?" he asked with a deep frown. "Should... I go in now?"

Suddenly he heard the sound of a heavy blow. The man had to shake his head in amazement and curiosity. And as soon as he stood in the doorway, he found an ominous scene. A woman had been struck hard on the cheek. Had he not remembered his purpose for coming to this house, he would have quickly gone to help the woman.

To him, a man should never hit a woman. He was truly angry at a man who could do that to a woman.

"Ah... you've finally arrived, my love!"

The scream made Michael realize where he was. He couldn't help but smile at the beautiful woman who came to him. He returned the hug he received immediately, though not too tightly.

"Have you been waiting long?"

"No," Michael replied immediately. The tail of his eyes continued to watch the group of people who were first in the center of the room, including the woman he had slapped earlier. Who was now climbing the stairs, presumably to her room. "That poor woman. What did she do to get hit?" he said to himself.

"Thank God," Yori said with a sigh of relief. "There's little trouble in this house." She frowned slightly. "I told you about my sister-in-law, right? Helena?"

Ah, the woman turned out to be Helena. Yori's sister-in-law, the girlfriend Michael had been seeing for the past three months. Although he still doubted his decision to go out with Yori Tan, at least he was no longer bothered by his parents about his soul mate.

"Come on, I can't wait to introduce you to my family." Yori took Michael's hand immediately and enthusiastically. For Yori, what had just happened would not affect her enjoyment of today. Helena should go, right? That woman had no place in this house. Unlike Tiara. She had Tiara to thank for the fact that she would soon be her sister-in-law. Besides introducing Yori to Michael, Tiara would soon give birth to a sweet baby. Ah... Yori couldn't wait.

Michael preferred to follow the plot Yori had created. He was also curious about what had just happened in front of his eyes. What exactly had happened?

"Mom, this is Michael." Yori said with a smile. Her hand was still clasped tightly around her handsome boyfriend.

"Oh my gosh." Mirna let out a long sigh. "I forgot something important. My daughter's lover is coming to visit, but I haven't prepared anything."

Michael smiled slightly. "I'm sorry to bother you, Aunt."

"Oh, no." Mirna shook her head quickly. "I never minded receiving visits, especially from you." She offered her hand. "I'm Mirna Tan. Yori's mother. And you must already know about my son, right?"

Michael returned her best smile. "Of course." He shook Mirna's hand respectfully. "The CEO of Intel Corporation, whose name is becoming more and more known among young businessmen."

Mirna laughed proudly. While Michael and Arslan exchanged glances, Arslan knew that this man was the one who had lightly slapped a woman earlier. Arslan's handsome face was chiseled to perfection by God, but in Michael's eyes, Arslan was like a cowardly man who could only show strength to intimidate a woman, not to protect her.

Michael hated such men. But he couldn't show his hatred directly.

"You are too modest, Dr. Michael." Arslan held out his hand. It was taken no less firmly by Michael, who was still smiling faintly. "I am not yet as great as those at the top. But one day I'll make sure my name is right up there with theirs."

"I'm sure you will," Michael said.

"Do you know Tiara?" asked Mirna, interrupting their conversation. This caused Michael to turn his attention to the middle-aged woman who was now standing next to the beautiful woman in the rather revealing red dress.

"Yes, I know her."

Tiara chuckled. "He was a friend of mine when we were in New York, Mom."

Mirna puffed out her chest even more. "Ah, yes. You graduated from a foreign university. It's only natural that your contacts are so wide and, I suppose, quite influential." She immediately took Tiara's hand. "Do you know, Michael, that Tiara will soon be my daughter-in-law?"

Michael blinked in confusion, but quickly covered it with a friendly smile. "Should I congratulate you first?"

Tiara waved her hand. "I hope your relationship with Yori ends in marriage. That means we'll be brothers, Michael."

"Ah, I can't wait for that to happen." Yori clung to Michael. "Isn't that right, darling?"

Michael put on his best smile.

"We'd better talk in the lounge. I'm sure Rani has some snacks prepared." Mirna immediately called the butler. Before they had even stepped into the lounge, located in another corner of the mansion, a woman who seemed to be struggling with her suitcase came down the stairs.

Once again, the woman became the center of everyone's attention. Including Michael, who was stunned by the figure he could see more clearly this time. And he was also sure that she was the one who had been slapped by Arslan for whatever reason.

"You packed very quickly," Yori grinned triumphantly. "That's good. Then I won't have to see you hanging around the house for long."

Helena made no sound. Her eyes took in one person after another in front of her. There was one figure she didn't recognize, but she didn't care. All she focused on were the people she had a relationship with. Especially Arslan Tan. The man she loved with all her heart. And the beautiful woman next to Arslan. Tiara clung to her, making a seductive face, but as soon as her eyes fell on Helena, the woman looked at her with a triumphant expression.

"Rani!" cried Mirna immediately.

The butler of the house stumbled over to Mirna. "Yes, ma'am?"

"Check Helena's suitcase. Make sure there are no valuables in it. I don't want that woman to take anything from this house."

Helena's hands clenched tightly. She really hadn't expected this much humiliation in her entire life. As Rani approached, the middle-aged woman looked at Helena with pity. Helena just gave a small nod and a gentle smile, reassuring Rani to do her job well.

"I have no interest in the things in this house," Helena said quietly.

"How arrogant," Yori scolded with a look of disgust. "I'm sure when she gets out of this house she'll be nothing more than a beggar!"

Tiara giggled, while Arslan was still quietly watching what was happening in front of him.

"That's good." Mirna snuggled up again, but her eyes continued to watch Rani examining Helena's suitcase. It was true what Helena had said earlier; she didn't have anything in this house except her clothes.

"N-nothing, ma'am," Rani reported with a downcast face. She really felt sorry for Helena, but there wasn't much she could do about it. It was outrageous of Mirna to treat a daughter-in-law as well as Helena, but the one in charge of this house was Mirna. Rani was only a worker in this house. She still needed money from her job.

Mirna also waved her hand slightly, a sign for Rani to leave.

The suitcase Rani had just checked was back to normal. Ready for Helena to leave the house. For the last time, Helena looked up at the ceiling of the house she thought could be a place where she could spend a lot of time with the people she loved. A place she could truly call 'home'. Unfortunately, that was only in her mind.

Helena smiled sadly. "I'm leaving," she said after she felt in control. "I hope you don't regret doing this to me."

"Clh!" Mirna clucked loudly. "We? Regret?"

"Has your self-confidence disappeared, Helena?" Yori said in a tone of amazement and disgust. "Hurry and leave. My brother divorced you, right? You have no right to be in this house anymore."

Helena smiled slightly. "You're right." She gripped the handle of her suitcase tightly. For the last time she looked at the man standing there. Not a single defense came out of Arslan for her. Ah, Helena. How sad your life is.

But...

"Thank you for everything, Arslan. Don't ever beg me again." Helena turned around and pulled her suitcase confidently. Even though her heart was torn, she would never go back.

She had suffered enough betrayal and humiliation. As soon as her footsteps left this house, Helena would make sure they all regretted their actions today.

That was her promise.

"Wait, Helena!"