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2024-11-04 04:59:01Rendy sat on the sofa, enjoying a cup of freshly brewed coffee. His head was leaning back, his eyes slightly closed, trying to calm his mind after so much had happened. Sara, after making sure Dinda was okay in her room, approached Rendy with slow steps.
“Dinda looks very happy,” Sara whispered as she sat beside Rendy, her eyes looking at him full of hope. “I’m glad to see her cheerful again.”Rendy opened his eyes, smiling slightly. “Yes, she is indeed a strong child. It’s nice to see her laugh again.”Sara spun her coffee cup in her hand, hesitating for a moment before finally asking, “Last night, you mentioned your plan. Are you serious about taking Dinda to the Child Protection Commission so we can win custody?”Rendy turned his head, put his coffee cup on the table, and took a deep breath. “Sara, I know this isn’t easy, but we have to make sure that Dinda is in the safest and most stable environment for her. Yesterday’s experience at theRelated chapters
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“Rendy, I… I’m not sure about this,” Sara muttered softly, her voice hoarse. She lowered her head, not daring to look at Rendy. “If we open this in court, Sebastian could turn the tables. The court could see me as the guilty party for hiding the truth. I could lose a lot more than we thought.”Rendy looked at Sara calmly, noticing the anxiety that was clouding her mind. He understood how hard this decision was for Sara. While a DNA test might seem like the perfect solution on paper, the reality in the courtroom could be different. The courts were not always focused on absolute truth, especially if past lies could be used by opponents to tarnish Sara’s image. “I understand your hesitation, Sara,” Rendy said in a soft yet firm tone. He moved closer, sitting closer to Sara. “This is not an easy step. But trust me, we can come up with a solid strategy. I will make sure that the focus remains on Dinda’s well-being, not past mistakes.”Sara took a deep breath,
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"But, Rendy," Sara spoke softly, her voice trembling slightly. "Dinda has long believed that Sebastian is her father. If we suddenly reveal the truth, aren't you afraid that it will destroy her? She's still young..."Rendy looked at her deeply, trying to convince Sara with sincerity in his eyes. "I know this will be hard, Sara. But the longer we wait, the harder it will be for Dinda to accept the truth. Right now, she is still young enough to understand and accept. If we wait until she is older, the impact could be much worse." Sara fell silent, staring blankly ahead. She understood Rendy's concerns. There was a part of her that knew that Rendy was right. However, as a mother, her instincts always wanted to protect Dinda from pain. Revealing that Sebastian was not her biological father would cause confusion and perhaps a sense of betrayal for her daughter. Rendy continued, more gently this time. "I want us to be able to knit a life togeth
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That day, officers from the Child Protection Commission arrived at Sara and Rendy’s house to interview Dinda. Sara greeted them at the door with a polite smile, a little anxious but trying to look calm. Rendy was nearby, making sure everything went smoothly. The Child Protection Commission officer, a friendly woman named Mrs. Anita, asked if they could speak to Dinda privately in the living room.After the request was made, Sara felt a little trembling in her heart. She knew that the conversation would have big consequences for Dinda and them as parents. However, she tried to think positively and hoped that everything would go well. Rendy, beside her, tried to provide moral support by nodding and giving a reassuring smile. "I understand this may be a difficult situation for you," said Mrs. Anita softly, trying to lighten the mood. "But we just want to listen to Dinda's story and make sure that she is safe." Although Mrs. Anita tried to make her comfortable, Sara a
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Dinda looked at Mrs. Anita, her expression looking a little sad. “But I love Daddy Sebastian too… I just don’t like it when Daddy Sebastian gets mad. When it comes to Rich Daddy, no one gets mad. Mommy and Rich Daddy are always nice.”“Okay then, I had cookies for Dinda. See you later,” Anita said as she finished her interview.After the interview was over, Anita sat in the living room with Sara.“Judging from the results of the interview earlier, I think it’s very likely that custody will fall to you,” Anita said quietly, but confidently.Sara looked at her, trying to hold back a relieved smile. “So… everything’s okay, huh?”Anita nodded. “Dinda seems very comfortable with you and Rendy. She also mentioned that Rendy never gets angry, something that seems to make her feel safer in this environment.”Sara smiled faintly. “Dinda is indeed more cheerful when she’s with us.”Anita tidied up her files as she continued, “How
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"I will not give up," he said finally, trying to channel all the conviction he had into his words. "This is about Dinda's future, and I will not stop until I get justice. Whatever it takes, I will do it."His lawyer smiled thinly, though the tiredness was still evident on his face. It was not a smile of victory, but rather a kind of support that he wanted to give to his client in her predicament. "Okay," he said, "we will work hard to turn this around. What we need to do now is show that Dinda needs her father—and that you can provide the love and stability she needs."Sebastian nodded firmly, though his heart was still filled with anxiety. In his chest, feelings of worry and love wrestled in an endless struggle. Still, one thing was for him: he would not back down for the sake of his beloved daughter.---In his office, Sebastian stepped into the room with heavy steps. The air in his office felt more stuffy than usual, and his head was fill
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In a large and classy meeting room, Sebastian sat at the head of a long table, surrounded by company executives. One by one, they gave presentations, discussing the quarterly targets that had to be achieved. However, Sebastian's gaze was blank, his eyes not really paying attention to the presentation screen filled with numbers and graphs. His thoughts drifted to Dinda, his little daughter, and Sara who was increasingly trying to win custody. "Mr. Sebastian," called Andi, the marketing manager, in a hesitant voice. "What do you think about this expansion plan?" Sebastian was surprised as if he had just been woken up from his reverie. "Oh, yes... the expansion plan," he mumbled while trying to understand the slide that was being displayed. However, his mind was still in turmoil. One of the other staff, Lila, looked at him worriedly. "Sir, are you feeling unwell? We can continue another day if you need time." Sebastian shook his head slowly, forc
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Lila nodded slowly, her eyes soft but filled with emotion. "I really thank you. If it weren't for you, maybe I would have given up and left this company, maybe even my dream of becoming a successful person."Sebastian smiled bitterly, feeling the pain behind Lila's praise. "I'm happy to be able to help, but also sad that something like that happened in this company. At that time, I felt that this company was not worthy of continuing anyone's dreams."Lila looked at him gratefully. "It was your presence that changed all that. Since you took over, I and many other staff feel more appreciated. You are not only a leader, but also someone who listens."Sebastian just chuckled, looking at his almost empty glass. "I'm not a perfect leader, Lila. My family's problems... I've never found a solution until now."Lila put her hands on the table, trying to give him support. "We all have problems. Even the strongest ones. There's nothing wrong with feeling tra
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"Sara, please..." Sebastian's voice was barely audible. He knelt down, his head bowed, and both his hands tightly gripped Sara's hands. "I don't care what happens between us... But Dinda, she is my life. Let me remain a part of her life." Sara stared at Sebastian with a look full of disgust, then pulled her hand roughly, freeing herself from Sebastian's grip. "You no longer have any rights over us, Sebastian. And the sooner you accept that fact, the better," she said in a cold and firm tone. Sebastian lowered his head, his tears falling to the ground as if all the hopes he had were shattered into pieces in front of the woman he once loved. He didn't know how he would face life without Dinda, without her warm smile, without her cheerful laughter. The pain was so deep, so devastating. Sara stepped into the house, leaving Sebastian still fallen in front of the gate. The door closed with a loud sound, marking the end of Sebastian's hopes for
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The next morning, even though his heart and mind were still in chaos, Sebastian still had to attend the proposal submission meeting. He walked into the company meeting room with heavy steps but tried to hide all his pain behind a strong face. The office was the only place he felt he still had control, a space that would not judge or abandon him like what had just happened in court. The meeting room was already filling up when Sebastian arrived. There were several employees sitting there with thick documents in their hands, ready to present new proposals. Not far from them, Lila was busy reviewing several files, focused as usual. Their gazes met, and Lila gave a thin, sincere but understanding smile. Sebastian returned it with a small nod, although his smile was not entirely sincere. Lila knew exactly what was going on in his life, and her presence gave him a little comfort in the midst of the chaos. As Sebastian took a seat at the end of the table, he tried to co
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"Yes, custody has officially fallen to Sara," Rendy continued with a thin grin, his expression changing to a satisfied smile. "The hardest part is over. Now all that remains is to make sure she continues to comply with everything that has been agreed upon." Rendy listened for a moment, then added, "Sebastian will not be a problem. He just needs to be left aside, with no chance to interfere again." Rendy's smile grew wider, his face now filled with suspicious confidence. "Just a few more steps and everything will go perfectly. Sara just needs to be kept from ruining this plan.”At the end of the conversation, he nodded slowly and said, “We will meet as usual, next week. Don’t worry, everything is under my control.”Rendy hung up the phone with a mysterious look. The smile on his lips reflected a hidden plan that only he knew, and it seemed that everything that had happened so far was just part of a grand scheme that was slowly star
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Sara let out a long sigh, looking at Rendy with eyes full of disappointment that she had long suppressed. “Rendy, I should feel relieved now. I should feel victorious. But, look… Dinda is still looking for Sebastian, even though we’ve done everything to make her feel comfortable here. It feels like… all this effort is in vain.”Rendy nodded, trying to understand Sara’s feelings. He knew this wasn’t just about winning legal custody; it was about winning Dinda’s heart, something much more complicated.“Sara, I can see how much effort you put in. You’ve given your best, more than most single parents out there can do,” Rendy said while touching Sara’s shoulder, giving her a little encouragement. “But we also have to accept that the bond between Dinda and Sebastian has indeed formed so strongly. It’s not easy to erase those feelings.”Sara stared at Dinda who was sleeping on her bed, feeling increasingly cornered by the reality that Rendy had just revealed. “S
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Dinda looked at Sara with a clear disappointed expression. “But why can’t Daddy come in? Why can’t you just meet me for a moment, Mom?”Sara sighed, a little confused about how to explain this complicated situation to her young child. “Honey, this is indeed difficult to explain. Daddy and Mommy have an agreement for certain times so that everything goes well for you.”Rendy looked at Sara as if he wanted to add something. He knelt down next to Sara and spoke softly, “Dinda, Mommy, and Daddy Sebastian have agreed to meet at a predetermined time. Daddy Sebastian loves you, and he will come at the predetermined time. You will meet Daddy soon, on Sunday, as scheduled.”However, Dinda did not look satisfied with that answer. Her face looked even sadder, and her tiny lips trembled, trying to hold back tears. “But… I miss Daddy Sebastian. Why do I have to wait until Sunday? I… I want to meet Daddy now.”Sara felt a tremor in her chest. She could not deny
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The rain grew heavier, wetting Sebastian’s face until he had difficulty distinguishing between the rainwater and the tears that were starting to wet his cheeks. His gaze shifted from Rendy to Sara, then back again, hoping to see even a little sympathy between them. However, both of them looked cold and unaffected.“Sara, please…” he said again, his voice breaking with deep sadness. “I know I’m not her biological father. I know you think I’m not good enough, but Dinda is everything to me. I’ve taken care of her since she was little, I’ve given her all the love I have…”“And I also gave her love, Sebastian. Love that gives her peace, not anxiety,” Sara replied loudly, trying to hold back her thinning patience. “Dinda feels safer with me. And you should start to appreciate that.”Sebastian clenched his fists, feeling great disappointment welling up inside him. “I’m just asking for a little time, Sara. Just a little. You’ve already won custody. I’m n
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"I will not give up," Sebastian muttered to himself, trying to gather back the strength that was starting to fade. He knew that even though the judge's decision had been made, his struggle as a father was not over. Dinda still needed a father figure in her life, and he was determined to stay there, even if in a different capacity. His lawyer, who was still standing beside him, looked at him with understanding. "Sebastian, we can appeal. There are many ways to fight for your rights as a father. This is not the end of everything," he said in a reassuring tone. Sebastian nodded slowly, even though his heart still felt heavy. He knew that this process would be long and tiring, but he would not back down. Dinda was everything to him, and he would do anything to make sure that his daughter knew how much he loved her. As they stepped out of the courtroom, Sebastian stared out the window, watching the rain begin to pour. He felt uncontrollable tears streaming
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The judge, who had listened to all the arguments thoughtfully, took a moment before speaking.“I will consider all the evidence presented, both from the plaintiff and the defendant,” he said in a firm, careful tone. “But the child’s interests are the top priority. Therefore, this decision will focus on Dinda’s comfort, safety, and happiness.”The courtroom was silent, everyone holding their breath waiting for the decision to be made. Sebastian sat with a broken heart, but deep in his heart he knew that, whatever the outcome, his love for Dinda would never fade. That day, in the midst of the emotional trial, Sebastian realized that being a father was not just about blood ties but about the unconditional love he had for the daughter, he might not be able to hug every day anymore.Sebastian stared ahead, trying to calm his turbulent thoughts. The judge’s firm, the authoritative voice echoed in the courtroom, but it all felt vague to him. He could only think o
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Seeing Sebastian looking shaken, Rendy continued his attack confidently. "In addition, Your Honor, we also have a video recording of the Child Protection Commission interview with Dinda. In this recording, Dinda explained very honestly about her feelings towards the parents who raised her."The video interview was played. Dinda's small voice was heard in the quiet courtroom. Dinda was seen sitting on a chair, trying to look at the Child Protection Commission interviewer with her innocent face, looking honest but full of caution. Her voice sounded soft and slightly trembling."I ... I like living with mom. I feel comfortable at Mom's house. I can sleep soundly and I'm not afraid ..." Dinda looked down, then added in a softer voice, "When it's with Daddy Sebastian ... sometimes Daddy Sebastian likes to get angry with mom. I don't like seeing Mom cry because she fights with Daddy Sebastian ..."Those words pierced Sebastian's heart, who felt as if the world w
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On the other side of the room, Sara sat upright, as if unshaken by the serious atmosphere that dominated the courtroom. Her cold gaze was fixed on the judge, and occasionally she glanced at Rendy as if solidifying their strategy in securing Dinda's custody. Sebastian realized that Sara was very sure of her position. That feeling added a new burden to his chest, which was getting tighter as time went by. When the judge invited Rendy to give his initial statement, the lawyer stood calmly. He stepped into the center of the room with apparent confidence, delivering his opening argument in a loud and firm voice. "Your Honor," he said, "our client, Sara, has provided a stable and loving environment for Dinda. In addition, the emotional closeness between them has been a strong foundation that has encouraged Sara to maintain this custody." Every word that came out of Rendy's mouth was like a knife stabbing Sebastian's heart, making his chest feel tighter. Rendy arranged
