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2024-10-29 19:42:56“Ah, Sebastian. You remember, right? This land is under my name. You gave it to me as our wedding gift. Even the house you built with great difficulty, it’s all mine now.”
Sebastian fell silent, his heart felt like it was being squeezed. That house was where he had placed his hopes and dreams, every stone he had stacked was a manifestation of his love and dedication to their little family. He used to think that the house would be a place where they would grow old together, watching their children grow up. But now, reality hit him. Sara not only claimed the property but also lived there with another man—her lover. The thought of that stranger sitting in the living room, walking on the floor that Sebastian had once built with his own hands, was something he could barely accept. Sebastian’s lawyer coughed softly, drawing his attention back to the pile of documents in front of him. “You need to sign this as soon as possible. The longer we delay, the worse the situation will be. Especially regarding the custody of your daughter…” Sebastian shifted his gaze to the papers. His eyes traced every word, and suddenly his breath hitched when he read one clause that made his blood boil. Full custody of their daughter, Dinda, would go to Sara. Not only that, Sebastian would also be required to pay $10,000 every month in child support. “What do you mean by this?” His voice was low but tense, almost shaking. He slammed the paper down on the table. “Sara gets custody of Dinda? And do I have to pay that much support every month? For what? So she can continue living comfortably with that jerk?” “We both know Dinda needs her mother more than her father. Besides, $10,000 is not a big amount for you. You have more than enough.” “It’s not about the money, Sara. It’s about Dinda! You don’t even care about her. You’re more busy with your new life, with that man. Do you really think you can be a good mother to Dinda when you can’t even be loyal to your family?” Sara chuckled, coldly. “Oh, Sebastian, you’re always so dramatic. Do you want to raise Dinda? In what way? You’re almost always working, how much time can you spend with her? Besides, I know you don’t want Dinda to grow up traumatized by this divorce. She’d rather be with her mother.” Sebastian gripped the arms of his chair, trying to hold back his rising anger. It was true that work often took up his time, but he knew he was more capable of being a loving and caring parent than Sara. Sara had never really been interested in a home life, let alone being a good mother to Dinda. She was always focused on herself—on her social life, her friends, and now her new man. There was no place for Dinda in Sara’s life, and that made Sebastian angry. “You don’t deserve Dinda. You don’t even deserve to be called a mother. While I worked hard to give you guys a decent life, what were you doing? Going on vacations, partying, and cheating. And now, you want me to pay this much alimony? For what, Sara? So you can keep traveling with that man? So you can live a life of luxury with the money I earn?” “It’s up to you how you look at it. What’s clear is that Dinda is better off with me. And about the money, it’s child support, not support for me. But if it also helps me live more comfortably, well, that’s a bonus.” Sebastian’s anger was getting hotter. How could Sara be so cold? How could she consider the money as just a “bonus” for him, while what was at stake was their child’s future? For him, the money wasn’t just about material things. It was a symbol of his hard work, of every hour of overtime he spent to support his family. And now, everything he did would become funds for an affair, funds for Sara to continue her new luxurious life while she tried to rise from the ruins of their household. “I won’t let this happen. I will fight for Dinda, and I won’t just hand over this money for you to spend as you please. You can continue to live in your false fantasy, but Dinda will know who the parents are who really care about her.” Sara just smiled thinly, as if unperturbed by Sebastian’s threats. “We’ll see. The court will decide.” Sebastian clenched his fists on the table, holding back the harsh words that threatened to escape his lips. He knew that this was not over yet. But one thing was for sure—he would not back down. Dinda’s custody and their future were too precious to be handed over to a woman who only cared about herself. “I will not sign this. Do you think I will give up custody of Dinda just like that?” “Oh, come on, Sebastian. This is just a formality. You know you won’t have time to take care of Dinda. You are always busy working. Leave her with her mother, where she can get the attention she needs.” “What attention? You never even cared about Dinda! All this time, you only cared about yourself, about your luxurious life.” “Sebastian, you are being too emotional. Don’t make this harder than it has to be. Besides, $10,000 a month is not a big deal for you. You have more than enough to give Dinda a decent life.” “This is about Dinda. You don’t care about her future. All you want is my money! You expect to live comfortably on child support, without having to lift a finger to work. This isn’t about Dinda. This is about you and the lavish lifestyle you want!” Sara’s expression hardened. Her smile vanished, replaced by a sharp glare. “You know what, Sebastian? You’re right. I do need the money. Why not? Dinda lives with me, I take care of her. What’s wrong with me enjoying a decent allowance while she’s under my care?” “You call that ‘taking care of’? While you’re busy traveling and partying with that jerk? You only see Dinda as a long-term meal ticket. Dinda needs more than just money. She needs love, attention, and stability—all things you’ll never give her.” Sara’s eyes narrowed, and her lips tightened. “You don’t understand. You always think you’re better than me just because you work hard and have money. But Dinda would be happier with her mother, and you know it.” “No, Dinda would be happier with someone who truly loves her, not someone who only sees her as a source of income. I will not hand Dinda over to you, Sara. I will fight for her.” At that moment, a small voice from behind made them both flinch. Unknowingly the argument woke their daughter.Related chapters
I am Not a Poor Daddy 5
"Dinda, honey, let's go back to sleep," Sebastian said softly, holding back the emotional turmoil that was still swirling inside him. He looked at his daughter lovingly, realizing that this argument was not something a child should hear. "Mommy and daddy are just talking, there's nothing for you to worry about." Dinda stood in the doorway, confused. Her eyes moved from Sebastian to Sara, then to the lawyer sitting quietly beside her mother. Her expression did not show fear, but confusion, as if she was trying to understand this complicated situation. Sebastian's heart sank when he saw his daughter's innocent face. He opened his arms, wanting to hug Dinda, trying to give her the sense of security she needed. "Come here, honey. Daddy's here." However, Dinda did not immediately run into his arms. Instead, she looked at her mother, then turned to the lawyer who was sitting calmly, not the least bit disturbed by the tension in the room. Dinda hesitated for a moment, then what happened
I am Not a Poor Daddy 6
Hearing all this, Sebastian almost fainted. The emotions burning in his heart could not be contained. In an instant, anger took over him. With a swift movement, he knocked the lawyer to the ground and grabbed his neck tightly. “You are indeed a cowardly man, a traitor! Insolent!” He could not understand that the person in front of him was a traitor, a person who had messed up everything he had. However, as the situation was getting out of control and the atmosphere in the room was tense, his wife ran over, quickly breaking a vase on Sebastian’s head. The sound of the broken ceramics made him jump, as if making him realize the bitter reality that he had to face. Sebastian could not believe what was happening. In an instant, he was arrested by the police. His wife, who was now standing next to the lawyer with a straight face, claimed that he had intentionally hurt someone. Even their little daughter, Dinda, who had always been considered his hope and happiness, testified against Se
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“Yes, but we need to talk quickly. Things are getting worse out there. If there’s anything you need to say, now is the time,” the old man replied, glancing around at the policeman who stood there in fear. The chief of police was watching the situation anxiously, and he certainly knew how scary it was to get on the wrong side of the respected family’s caretaker. He fought to keep his cool, but his face showed how worried he was about what was going to happen next. Sebastian swallowed, trying to gather his words. “There’s a lot going on and I can’t explain it all right now, but I’m innocent. My wife… she set this up. I’m the victim of all this.” The chief of the family’s caretaker nodded, understanding the complex situation Sebastian was in. “I believe what you say. However, it’s important to remember that we need evidence and a strategy to turn this around.” As the argument continued, the policeman asserted himself and tried to press for an explanation. “Sir, we were just doing our
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“But what about everything here? My life…” he answered, hesitant. He didn’t want to leave Isabella like this. “The family needs you now more than ever. This could open a new path for everyone, including Isabella and your child in the future.” The old man spoke wisely, triggering considerations in Sebastian’s mind. Finally, Sebastian felt a mixture of emotions—sadness for the loss of his mother, anxiety, but also a sense of responsibility for his father who seemed unlikely to last. Maybe, for him, it was time to try to understand the relationship even though there were many wounds that needed to be healed. “Okay, I’ll come back,” he said, his tone firm but deep down, he knew that this was a big step, full of challenges. Coming back, not only for his father, but also for himself. As the car moved away from the city, hopes and doubts mixed, but in his mind there was a belief that every step he took next would give new colors to his life and perhaps, could restore something that had
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“I know this is hard for you,” his father replied, his voice low but firm. “But you are the only one who can do it. And if anyone can lead this family well, it is you.”There was silence, and Sebastian absorbed everything his father had said. He knew that taking on such responsibility would not be easy, but perhaps, this was a chance to make amends, and do something meaningful for his family.He nodded slowly, ready for the challenge ahead. “If that’s what I have to do, I will do it. For this family, for us,” he said, settling himself.At that moment, Sebastian and his father looked at each other, feeling a renewed bond. Though the road was long and winding, they were finally ready to bridge the gap that once existed, showing that in love, there is the power to start over.Sebastian heard his father’s words and felt the tension as his father began to explain the world he had left behind. “Our family is one of the few dynasties that has a huge influence on global industry. You may kno
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The worry and pain came back to him, because he knew how complicated their relationship was in the past. “Dad, I’m not sure I’m ready to deal with her right now. There’s a lot of pain that’s still bothering me,” he said. “I understand. But sometimes, in order to move forward, we need to face the past and resolve things that are unfinished. This could be an opportunity to find the peace you need. It will give you strength on your journey forward,” his father said, adding that sometimes facing memories can be an important step in healing. Sebastian was silent, torn between his past and the path ahead. He knew that facing Sara, and everything that had happened, would be a challenge. But at the same time, it could be a new beginning, a chance to close an old chapter and open a new one entirely. He considered all of this as he stared out the window, watching the scenery pass by, feeling the weight of the burden on his shoulders but also the hope that, maybe, things could be fixed. Thre
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And behind every step he took toward Sara, there was a new dream being woven—a dream of starting over with his life, though he didn’t realize that behind it all, his father had his own agenda that could possibly shake the world he was building. Upon arriving outside the Blue Net Group building, Sebastian felt his heart pounding. The grand building stood tall before his eyes, towering with a professional and prestigious air. He swallowed, feeling a mixture of excitement and anxiety as he entered a new world. However, as soon as he stepped forward, he was stopped by the security guard standing guard at the entrance. “Excuse me, sir,” the guard said in a formal tone, “but we cannot let you in with such casual attire. Only employees who are properly dressed are allowed to enter this building.” Sebastian looked at the guard in frustration. He was wearing jeans and a plain jacket, perhaps not fitting the formal look expected in this building. “I’m Sebastian,” he replied with a slight s
I am Not a Poor Daddy 12
After saving the woman, Sebastian took a closer look at her face and quickly realized that she was not Sara, but a woman who had been his co-worker. She was known for her beauty and always exuded a charming aura, but their circumstances had never been close. He remembered how, during their time working together, he had often kept his distance because he was married and wanted to avoid unnecessary gossip or rumors, especially because his wife was known to be abusive. “Thank you for coming on time!” the woman said, her voice calm and nervous. She was still sobbing a little, and Sebastian could see the fear in her eyes. “I’m not sure what would have happened if you hadn’t shown up.”Sebastian tried to reassure her. “You’re safe now. But how did you get into this situation?” he asked, trying to catch his breath.The woman shook her head, her face pale. “I was invited to meet some of the employees here, so I came to the office and… he just came up to me. I did
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I am Not a Poor Daddy 51
After the ice cream was finished, Sebastian took Dinda to a small bookstore not far from the park. He knew that Dinda really liked storybooks, and this had been their favorite place for a long time. Every time she went to this store, Dinda always looked so excited to choose books with animal stories or fantasy stories. In the store, Dinda started walking from shelf to shelf, looking for a book that caught her attention. Sebastian followed her, occasionally helping her reach the books neatly arranged on the high shelves. Finally, Dinda found a picture book of a little elephant going on an adventure to find a friend. Her eyes shone as she showed the book to Sebastian. “Daddy, I want this book! Look, there’s a cute little elephant!” she exclaimed, smiling broadly. Sebastian stroked Dinda’s head gently. “Of course, honey. Daddy bought it for you. You’ll definitely like the story about this little elephant,” she replied, then took the book to the cashier.
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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
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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
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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
