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
"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
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
Sebastian took a deep breath, trying to steel himself. Lila’s words gave him a little hope, even though the bitterness had not completely disappeared. “Thank you, Lila. I just… I just need time to accept all of this.”Lila smiled faintly. “I’ll always be here, Sebastian. Whenever you need help or just want to talk, you know I’m ready to listen.”Sebastian smiled back softly. Even though his life felt like a mess, Lila’s presence gave him a little light in the darkness he was facing. And for now, that was more than enough.***Two weeks had passed, but for Sebastian, time felt like it was moving slowly, every second filled with immeasurable longing for his little daughter, Dinda. This was the day he had been waiting for with all the mixed feelings, the first day he could spend time with Dinda after the painful trial results.Sebastian stared at the clock with hope trembling in his heart. Every second that passed seemed to be a reminder of
Sebastian nodded. “Yes, Sara. I will be on time,” he said with a faint smile, calming Dinda who was holding his hand tightly. Today, he was determined to make Dinda happy, no matter how short their time together was.He took Dinda by the hand towards the car, then closed the door slowly. With a hopeful gaze, Sebastian looked at his little daughter sitting beside him, ready to bring simple but meaningful happiness. Today was the day he had been waiting for with all his heart, and he knew how precious every second he had with Dinda was. Sebastian drove his car with a heart full of hope, his eyes occasionally glancing at Dinda who was sitting beside him with an enthusiastic face. In his mind, he had imagined this day over and over again. A full day that he would fill with happiness and beautiful memories with his daughter. "Daddy, where are we going first?" Dinda asked while looking at him with sparkling eyes. Sebastian smiled warmly. "Let's go to
Rendy stood with a tired face, filled with regret, and before Sara could say anything, he suddenly knelt at the door. "Sara... Please. I know I was wrong. I know I don't deserve to apologize, but I can't keep living like this without trying to make things right," Rendy said with a trembling voice.Sara's face instantly turned red, not with emotion, but with boiling anger. "How dare you come here after what you did to Dinda! Do you think an apology can erase everything?!" she shouted.Sara's loud voice made Sebastian come out of the kitchen, holding Dinda's hand. When he saw Rendy kneeling at the door, his expression hardened."Dinda," Rendy whispered when his gaze fell on the little girl standing next to Sebastian. With a sudden movement, Rendy stood up and ran toward Dinda, his arms outstretched wanting to hug her.However, before he could get close, Sebastian swiftly pulled Dinda behind him, distancing her from Rendy. "That's enou
"Yes," Sebastian replied without hesitation. "What he did is not only wrong but also illegal. He took away Dinda's right to choose. He exploited his position and your trust. That can't be allowed to pass."Sara took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Part of her felt relieved that Sebastian was by her side now, but another part still felt crushed under the heavy weight of guilt."I need time, Sebastian," she finally said. "To think about all this... and to find a way to make up for what has happened to Dinda."Sebastian nodded. "Take as much time as you need, Sara. The important thing is that we face this together. For Dinda."Time passed quickly, and Dinda slowly opened her eyes. The night air felt calm, but the faint aroma of cooking tickled her nose. She got out of bed, rubbing her still-sleepy eyes. The sound of laughter and chatter from the kitchen piqued her curiosity.With slow steps, Dinda walked toward the kitchen.
After helping Dinda lie down in her room, Sara stepped out and slowly closed the door. She stood for a moment in the hallway, taking a deep breath before finally walking to the living room where Sebastian was still standing.“Thank you for helping me today,” Sara said suddenly, her voice soft but sincere.Sebastian was a bit surprised, but he didn’t show it. “For me, Dinda is my child too. I will always be there for her.”The atmosphere between them felt lighter, although sadness still enveloped the day. Sara felt Sebastian's presence as a significant support. In this tense moment, gratitude flowed in her heart.Sebastian looked at Sara, understanding the heavy burden she had to bear. Although their relationship was not always perfect, moments like this made him realize the importance of supporting each other. He was determined to always be by Sara’s and Dinda's side, no matter how difficult their situation became.They exchanged glances,
“Clear!” The shout echoed again, followed by a second shock. But the monitor still showed a flat line.Panic enveloped the room further. Every second felt like a century. The doctors exchanged glances, trying to hide their anxiety even as the situation grew more critical. The continuous beeping of the alarm added to the tension, making everyone feel trapped in uncertainty.Meanwhile, outside the room, Rendy and Vina watched with bated breath. Rendy squeezed Vina's hand, trying to channel some strength. “Please, Rachel... Get up,” he whispered, hoping his heartfelt words reached the weak girl lying there.Vina, unable to hold back any longer, sobbed loudly. “Rachel, we love you! Come back!” Her voice was full of hope, even as fear gnawed at her heart. In this tense moment, all their hopes focused on one point: may a miracle happen.Sebastian stood a few steps behind Rendy and Vina, his heart heavy witnessing the scene. He knew this was a criti
Rendy felt his body weaken, as if struck by a heavy stone. His legs could barely support him, yet he held onto Vina, who continued to cry. “No... it can’t be...” he murmured, almost as if speaking to himself.Panic and fear enveloped him, making him feel trapped in darkness. Each heartbeat felt heavy, and Vina's sobs reminded him of how fragile life can be. Rendy tried to comfort the little girl, even though he himself didn’t know how to cope with the overwhelming fear.As he stared at the closed ICU door, thoughts of all the worst possibilities haunted his mind. Rendy felt guilty, realizing that all of this was the result of his own choices. He wanted to protect Rachel, but now he found himself in a situation that endangered everyone he loved.The tension in the air became palpable, and Rendy prayed that it wouldn’t end in disaster. He was determined to face the consequences of his actions, no matter how painful they might be. In his heart, he hoped there
Rendy looked shocked, but there was deep unease on his face. He knew the situation was worsening. Every word spoken by Sebastian only strengthened his resolve to protect Dinda, and Rendy felt cornered.Sebastian stood firm, trying to contain his emotions. He did not want to be trapped in this game, but the deep pain and anger pushed him to take action. In his mind, there was only one goal: to save Dinda from potential harm.They both fell silent, caught in a moment full of tension. Sebastian knew that the next step would determine not only their fates but also Dinda's future, which should not be affected by the selfish decisions of adults.However, before Sebastian could continue, Rendy knelt before him. His usually confident face was now weak and desperate. Tears began to flow down his cheeks. "Sebastian, please... don’t do this," he said with a trembling voice. "Rachel... Rachel doesn't have much time left."Sebastian paused, shocked to see
Filled with anger, Sebastian chose to confront Rendy. When he arrived in front of the ICU and saw Rendy there, without a second thought, Sebastian threw a punch. He growled with rage, his eyes red as he glared at Rendy, who staggered slightly from the blow.Without thinking, Sebastian grabbed Rendy by the collar, pulling him closer until their faces were just inches apart. "What are you doing with Sara and Dinda?" he hissed, his voice trembling with emotion.Rendy, still shocked, tried to defuse the situation. "Sebastian, wait! This isn't what you think!" he said, trying to keep his distance.Sebastian didn't want to hear any defense. His anger clouded his judgment. He wanted to know the truth, but right now, everything was blurred by his burning rage. He knew he had to listen to what Rendy had to say, but all he felt was the need to protect his loved ones.With his heart racing, Sebastian waited for Rendy's explanation, ready to listen or continu
Sebastian tried to imagine how Rendy and Vina were feeling right now. They must be experiencing a mix of profound hope and fear. He felt compelled to be by their side, providing the support they needed amidst this chaos.His mind was increasingly filled with questions. He recalled how strange Rendy's behavior had been all this time. Rendy suddenly appearing in Sara and Dinda's lives, always looking for ways to get close to them. And now, knowing that Rachel had just undergone a liver transplant, Sebastian couldn't ignore his suspicions.Could it be...? No, that was too cruel. Yet, as he contemplated the situation, the question kept haunting him. Did Rendy really approach Sara because of Dinda? Because he knew Dinda could be a liver donor?Sebastian felt a deep discomfort. He tried to dismiss the thought, but the more he thought about it, the harder it became to ignore. Rendy always seemed very involved and caring, but was it all just a facade to
Sebastian walked down the hospital corridor with hesitant steps, his mind filled with questions. He tried to locate Rendy, Vina, and Rachel, but he had no idea where they were. The hospital corridor felt silent, with only the sound of his footsteps echoing, intensifying his anxiety.Each door he passed seemed to hold untold secrets. He felt the tension in the air, shadows of uncertainty accompanying him. Memories of their emotionally charged meeting replayed in his mind, making his heart tremble.Sebastian thought about Rachel, the helpless little girl, and how easily the situation could turn into conflict. He wanted to protect them, yet at the same time, he felt trapped in confusion.He glanced at the clock on the wall; time seemed to crawl. In his heart, he prayed for their safety and tried to calm himself. He knew he had to find them and get the necessary explanations. With renewed determination, Sebastian continued his search, hoping to rectify his mis