The day of the trial finally arrived, and Sebastian sat in the cold visitor's chair, looking at the room with mixed feelings. Although the courtroom was quite large, the day felt cramped and full of pressure. The high ceiling that usually made the room feel spacious actually added to the unbearable sense of intimidation. Sebastian's heart was beating fast, its rhythm seeming to accompany his increasing anxiety. His gaze was straight ahead, but occasionally, he glanced at Sara and Rendy, who had come as Sara's lawyer, his wife, sitting a few rows in front of him. Sebastian tried to calm himself down, but every beat of his heart seemed to remind him how important today was. Dinda, his beloved daughter, was at the center of all this. He remembered the beautiful moments with Dinda, the laughter and happiness they shared, and how hard it was to imagine life without her presence. Sara looked calm, but Sebastian knew very well that behind her calm face, there was the sa
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
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
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
"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
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
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
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
The resident took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I promise I'll do my best to ensure you get all the necessary information. This is a valuable lesson for me."The resident looked increasingly nervous. He lowered his gaze, avoiding Sara's eyes. "I truly apologize, Mrs. Sara," he said softly. "I didn't mean... to hide anything. That was indeed my mistake.""Mistake?" Sara emphasized the word with a sarcastic tone. "What kind of mistake results in an injury like that not being mentioned at all? My child is my responsibility, and I have the right to know what is happening to her."Sara's words left the resident speechless. He felt the heavy burden of responsibility on him. "I understand, ma'am. This is a very difficult situation, and I don't want you to feel neglected. We should have been more transparent."Sara shook her head, tears starting to well up in her eyes. "I just want to ensure Dinda receives the right care. I can't stand b
"Forgot?" The senior doctor raised his voice, creating a tense atmosphere in the room. "How could you overlook something like this? This is not just a technical issue; it concerns the trust of the patient in us as a medical team!"His words echoed in the silence, adding weight to an already tense atmosphere. All eyes were on the doctor, observing how serious the situation had become. "We must remember that every decision we make can have a significant impact on someone's life. We cannot take risks like this."The doctor looked at his colleagues, hoping they understood the importance of maintaining integrity and professionalism in every action. "We must commit to providing the best for our patients, no matter how small the details," he emphasized.Sara watched the scene with her mouth half-open, her heart pounding in a mix of confusion and anger. "So, you mean, the wound was found during surgery, but I was not informed?" she asked sharply, her eyes fixed di
Sara couldn’t ignore the doubts that began to overshadow her thoughts about Rendy and their relationship. This uncertainty made her feel trapped, torn between trust in her partner and the growing worry.With each heartbeat, Sara was resolved to seek the truth—whatever might be revealed, she needed to know in order to protect Dinda and herself.But Sara brushed the thought aside. Sebastian was just trying to complicate her life, she thought stubbornly. Yet, the doubt continued to grow in a small corner of her heart.After ensuring Dinda was sleeping peacefully, Sara decided to find the doctor on duty who could explain the scar. She walked toward the doctor's office with firm steps. There, she found a nurse organizing the patient schedule."Excuse me, I want to see the doctor who is taking care of my daughter, Dinda," Sara said in a firm yet polite tone.The nurse looked at the schedule in her hand before responding, "I’m sorry, Mrs. S
Sara felt her heart ache at the anger and sadness on Dinda's face. She knew her daughter missed Daddy Sebastian very much, and her feelings were entirely valid. Although she tried to explain gently, Dinda still looked disappointed and confused.Sara reminded herself to be patient, trying to find a way to explain the situation better. She hoped to give Dinda understanding so her daughter could feel more at ease and not neglected. In her mind, she resolved to find the right time to talk to Dinda about her feelings and hopes.Sara took a deep breath, trying to hold back her emotions. "Sweetheart, Mommy just wants the best for you. Besides, Daddy Rendy is here. You can play with him."Dinda huffed, crossing her arms. "Daddy Rendy isn’t fun. He always daydreams when I invite him to play. That makes me mad!"Hearing that, Sara felt a bit frustrated. She knew Dinda really needed attention and love. However, she also understood that Rendy might be facing
The woman looked pale, her eyes swollen, clearly showing that she had just been crying. When she saw Rendy approaching, Vina appeared a bit relieved but still deeply worried.Rendy felt the pain in Vina's heart and knew this situation was very serious. He tried to calm himself, even though the tension in the air felt heavy. Rendy knew that this was the right time to support Vina and find out what was really happening with Rachel."Rendy!" Vina called with a trembling voice. She immediately walked up to him and hugged him tightly without hesitation."What happened?" Rendy asked urgently, although his voice sounded softer. He stroked Vina's back with a hand that tried to remain calm, even though he himself was on the verge of losing control.Vina took a deep breath, trying to hold back her tears. Rendy felt the tension in her body, and he grew more worried about Rachel's condition. In that embrace, he tried to provide strength to Vina, hoping to hea
Suddenly, Rendy's phone rang. As he answered, his expression changed instantly. From a warm face while with Dinda, now it showed a striking tension. He listened intently to the voice on the other end, occasionally nodding even though those around him couldn't hear the conversation.A moment later, he hung up and hurriedly put his phone in his pocket. His face revealed that something serious was happening, and I felt curious about what he had heard. Rendy looked restless, and I could sense that this situation might be related to something more significant than just personal issues."Sara," Rendy said, his voice somewhat tense. "I have to go to the office now. There’s an important matter with a client that can’t be postponed."Rendy appeared rushed, and the tension on his face became more evident. He seemed to struggle with his words before leaving, as if he wanted to explain more, but time seemed to be running out. With quick steps, he prepared to leave, ab
"Are you sure this is just a coincidence?" Sara asked again, this time her voice softer.Rendy nodded firmly. "Of course. There's nothing for you to worry about. They’re just clients, nothing more."Seeing Rendy's calm demeanor, Sara began to second-guess her suspicions. A part of her wanted to believe Rendy’s words, even though the shadow of Sebastian and his earlier words still lingered in her mind.The anxiety that had once consumed her thoughts began to subside, but an underlying sense of unease remained. She tried to convince herself that maybe this was indeed just a coincidence. However, doubt still loomed in her heart, leaving her feeling trapped between the desire to believe and the fear of a greater possibility.Rendy stepped closer, gently touching Sara's shoulder. "You look tired. Let’s go back to Dinda's room. I'm sure she wants to see both of us," he said softly. Sara gazed deeply at Rendy, trying to read
Sara bit her lip. She knew she shouldn't let her thoughts carry her away. However, her maternal instinct—the urge to protect Dinda—was starting to push her to uncover the truth. Sebastian might be wrong, but what if he was right?That worry gnawed at her mind, making her feel restless. She wanted to protect Dinda from anything that could harm her, including painful truths. Taking a deep breath, Sara tried to calm herself, but the urge to find out more grew stronger.She picked up her phone again, contemplating her next move. Should she try to contact Rendy once more or seek out other information? Deep down, she knew she had to get answers, no matter how difficult it might be.After a few minutes, Sara tried calling again, but still no answer. Her anxiety grew, and she began to feel something was off. Yet, on the other hand, she didn’t want to think too far without proof."Be patient, Sara," she told herself. "Maybe this is all just a coincidence.
Sara took a deep breath, her face showing a mix of exhaustion and anger. "Sebastian, I don’t care what you saw or think. All I know is that you’ve crossed the line by interfering in my life and Rendy’s. I’ve been patient enough. You should mind your own business and leave now."Those words felt like a slap to Sebastian. He sensed the tension in the air thickening, and even though he wanted to fight to convey the truth, Sara's firm voice made him hesitate. He realized that this situation had exceeded the boundaries he had anticipated.Sebastian stood still, trying to digest her words, but his heart felt heavy. He wanted to defend himself, but seeing Sara's expression, he knew that continuing this conversation would only make things worse.He stared at Sara for a moment, trying to find signs that she might be hiding something. However, Sara's gaze was stern, leaving no room for further discussion. He felt uncertainty and doubt, but the courage to ask further