Lara never imagined her feelings would become so conflicted. Andre wasn’t anyone special, so why did she feel uneasy about him ... getting married?“What am I thinking?” Lara gave a bitter smile while watching the flower petals sway in the breeze. The atmosphere on the hospital rooftop was cool with a strong wind blowing. Thankfully, a large tree nearby shielded Lara. Without it, she might have caught a cold.“Excuse me,” an old man suddenly passed by in front of Lara. She nodded, allowing him to pass without awkwardness. This was a courtesy Lara appreciated about living in Indonesia. The people were friendly and always ready with a smile.Lara felt slightly relieved, and the smile became contagious.“Hello, Mrs. Lara,” suddenly, Lara heard someone call her name.That person ... “Doctor Miriam? Hello,” Lara responded with a forced smile. How was the doctor already here? Wasn’t she limping earlier?“May I sit?” the doctor asked, pointing to the garden bench beside Lara.“Please do,” Lar
“What do you mean, Doctor?” Lara couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Was Dr. Miriam really trying to warn her? They had been fine before, hadn’t they?“I—I mean, I hope you don’t get sick again.” Miriam cleared her throat as she tucked away the stray hairs that the evening breeze had messed up. The yellow sky had turned gray. Soon, night would fall.“Oh, alright. Thank you.” Lara didn’t know whether to believe her or not, but there was no point in making things worse. She needed to leave. The evening wind was blowing too hard. She couldn’t afford to catch a cold! She would head home soon.“Would you like me to escort you?” Dr. Miriam offered. Lara gently shook her head.“I have other things to take care of. I’ll call for a nurse later,” the pregnant woman replied with a forced smile. The atmosphere between them grew tense again. Lara didn’t understand why Dr. Miriam’s mood was changing so much.“Alright then.”Lara nodded and took her leave. There was no reason to stay any longer. S
Lara fell silent upon hearing her mother-in-law's words. She was always like this—nagging and impolite. Lara didn’t want to escalate the situation. She didn’t want to argue with the middle-aged woman. Their quarrels would benefit no one. Lara just had to be patient, for the sake of the baby in her womb.“You know you’re pregnant, so take care of yourself! Don’t be careless! Oh, Lord! Why do you keep causing trouble for others?” Her mother-in-law continued to scold Lara without even looking at her. Ami only glanced at Lara briefly before resuming her makeup touch-up with a small compact powder she always carried. “So troublesome! Really!” Ami clicked her tongue in annoyance, waving her hand. Shortly afterward, a chauffeur dressed in an all-black suit approached them.“Take this child inside. Hurry!” she ordered.Lara could only sigh at each word her mother-in-law uttered. Nothing was pleasant to hear, and nothing was worth arguing about. The scorching weather that afternoon would only g
"Ami! Watch your mouth," Lusi said, her sharp gaze fixed on her only daughter. How could this woman speak so cruelly to her own daughter-in-law? "I never taught you to be this rude!" Lusi shouted, hands on her hips."Mama always takes Lara's side! What's so great about her?" Ami raised her voice, unwilling to back down to her mother's scolding. How could she love someone else more than her own flesh and blood?"Shut your mouth and leave! Didn’t you say you had an event? Then go!" Lusi turned her back and ordered another servant to push Lara’s wheelchair. Her beloved daughter-in-law must not suffer emotional pain because of her mother-in-law’s senseless nagging."Lara, it's okay, Grandma," Lara said softly, forcing a smile. But Lusi shook her head."She shouldn’t be allowed to get away with this. I’ll report her to Seno. She’ll regret it!" "But—""Enough. Just relax. Come on, rest for a bit." Lusi suddenly stopped, clutching her head. "Ouch!" she groaned, then slowly walked towards the
Ami couldn’t believe her ears. How could her own son defend Lara so blindly?“Seno! I’m your mother!” she shouted, her entire body trembling. Ami couldn’t comprehend how Seno’s love for his useless wife could surpass his love for his own mother.“Mama, you’re in the wrong. Seno isn’t playing favorites—”“Enough! You ungrateful child!” Ami cut him off abruptly. She almost struck Seno, but Lusi suddenly entered, yelling loudly.“Ami!”Ami was startled and held back her anger. “Ma—Mama?” she whimpered, tears streaming down her face. The overwhelming rage, coupled with the inability to vent it because of her mother’s intervention, left Ami feeling utterly conflicted. “Look at your grandson!” she screamed, but Lusi quickened her steps toward her.*Slap!*The sound of the slap echoed through the room, silencing everyone. Lusi had slapped Ami. Even Seno hadn’t expected his grandmother to act that way.“I told you not to bother Lara! Why didn’t you listen?” Lusi’s eyes widened, and the wrinkle
Lara’s question remained unanswered. They missed that intimate moment, each falling asleep on their respective sides of the bed. The call Seno had received was long, and Lara couldn’t wait. She eventually fell into a deep sleep, waking up hours later to find Seno also fast asleep beside her.The touch was gone.Lara couldn’t believe that Seno had only sparked her desire without any intention of fulfilling it."Hhhh..." Lara sighed, picking up the glass on the nightstand. After three sips, she fell back asleep until dawn.Lara never expected that the next day, Seno would suggest returning to their own home.***"Are we leaving?" Lara asked after opening her eyes. Seno was busy packing their belongings into a suitcase. He smiled at her, but Lara only responded minimally. Her feelings were still sour from the previous night. Seno hadn’t even mentioned it.“Yes, dear,” Seno said as he placed the suitcase on the bed. Lara flinched and protested, but Seno’s actions were merely to show her so
Seno was taken aback to see the woman who almost caused their accident wearing a friendly smile. Her tanned skin, dressed in a white shirt and her striking appearance, made Seno forget to blink.“You—how dare you smile?” Seno shouted, realizing that this was not the time to admire her.The woman had almost caused a miscarriage!“Sorry. Did I startle you? There was a cat crossing the road. I stopped the car to save it,” she said, putting on a sorrowful face. Her cheeks were flushed, and tears were welling up in her eyes. Seno was stunned. However, he needed to stay alert. He couldn’t be distracted by this woman’s beauty.“You nearly caused my wife to miscarry!” Seno pointed an accusatory finger at the woman, gritting his teeth. He was furious! But then, a moment later, Seno seemed to regret his harshness. The beautiful ponytailed woman was now shedding tears.“Hey—how dare you cry!” Seno snapped, not wanting to change his stance. He was the victim! How could he feel guilty in this situa
Mahya returned to her desk, where her investigation files on Seno Adhijaya were scattered in a way that suited her instincts.“How could a broke guy like him become a billionaire in just two years? Hah!” Mahya scoffed, clutching tightly to a document containing Seno’s profile in a leading business magazine.She started typing the continuation of her investigation. Of course, she hadn't done much yet. Investigative coverage required approval from her superiors, and to get that approval, Mahya had to first prepare a proposal.“Have you made it yet?” Carol suddenly interrupted, her head popping up from the glass door of Mahya's workspace. The ponytailed girl nearly had a heart attack, not expecting anyone to appear so suddenly.“Knock first, would you!” Mahya snapped, her concentration shattered by Carol’s interruption. The editor just chuckled.“So?”“Yeah, I’m working on it.” Mahya returned to her computer screen. The investigation proposal had to be completed this week, or she’d have t
Shanon still lay weakly, Mia and Tomi were already in the waiting room. The doctor still couldn't allow them to visit because they weren't family members."How's the director?" Mia asked as Darren finally emerged from the inpatient room. "She's recovering, although she's still unconscious," he said softly. His eyes looked weary, very different from when they met before this tragic incident occurred."Mia, tell me anything I might have missed," Darren asked for clues. He would soon get Ian and Miriam arrested, but Darren wanted to uncover the truth that had been hidden all this time."Ian and Miriam have been playing both of you. We only found out after catching Alice," Mia said, with Tomi nodding in agreement."Their internal lackeys are being interrogated by investigators. We've reported Ian and Miriam, but it seems they've already fled, Sir," Tomi sighed. It seemed their actions were too late. Somehow, Ian and Miriam had managed to escape so quickly."So, what did they take?""For n
"Darling!" Darren shot forward, embracing Shanon whom sprawled on the carpet. Ian and Miriam watched from behind the door. The threat wasn't over."Hand over your car keys!" Ian barked. Darren didn't even hear the thin man's shout. He was busy checking Shanon's pulse and breathing. Every vital area he could ensure to make sure Shanon was still alive."Call an ambulance!" Darren yelled while carrying Shanon in his arms."We're not your maids. Can't you see? We're the villains here." Ian scoffed, making Darren's anger reach its boiling point."What have you done to her?!""We were just playing around with her a bit. Not our fault if she struggled and ended up like that."Darren's eyes reddened. He immediately dashed towards the door to take Shanon to the nearest hospital, but Ian stopped him."Hey! You can't go anywhere!" Ian grabbed Darren's collar and pulled him back."I need to get to the hospital! Shanon is dying!""Hey, where do you think you're going? Aren't you leaving her behind
Shanon collapsed with a bloody leg. Miriam immediately grabbed her hair and dragged her out of the warehouse to get to a brighter light. Shanon's blood smelled metallic and scattered along the floor as Miriam changed the location of her torture."Let me go!!" Shanon screamed in pain. The stinging sensation and anger piled up inside her. How could she be tortured in her own home?"I already told you, didn't I? Stop acting up! It will only hurt you even more," Miriam scolded. Ian staggered behind them. After successfully removing the bloody pen, he quickly wrapped the wound with a scarf he took from the warehouse."Bastard!" he cursed, groaning in pain as the burning sensation pierced his skin. Shanon's stab wounds were deep, but he didn't have time to treat it. They needed to get that signature quickly."Get it done real quick! Sign that fucking document and we will call an ambulance to take care of you! We don't want your life. What's so hard about it?!" Ian shouted, and Shanon now tr
Shanon narrowed her eyes; she clearly recognized him. The man was ...."Ian?" Shanon's voice caught, as there was someone else standing beside Ian. The woman was very familiar to Shanon. "Miriam? So ... it's all your doing?" Shanon screamed. Angry. But Ian quickly darted towards her and hit the back of her neck.Shanon passed out.In the darkness. She could still imagine her lover's face. Darren. Oh, if only the figure welcoming her behind the darkness was her husband. Miriam would be very happy.Sadly, it's not him.Darren would never be there. Not anymore.***"Urgh...." Shanon groaned. She was awake now. It seemed she had been unconscious for several hours. Her hands couldn't move, nor could her feet. Even the sound that came out was just a whimper. She couldn't speak. Black tape bound her perfectly."You're awake, it seems," Miriam exclaimed from behind the door, which now gave Shanon some clues about her whereabouts. She was in the back warehouse, near the stairs. Why were they k
Tomi was stunned, unable to believe what he had just heard. His eyes shifted from Shanon's devastated face to Mia, who was trying to hide her anxiety."I'm sorry, Mrs. Shanon, I don't know what to say," Tomi said, his voice trembling. He had known Shanon and Darren for quite some time. Their relationship seemed strong, solid, and full of love. Even Tomi, who only interacted minimally with the couple, could feel the positive vibes of their bond."What do you think, Tomi?" Mia asked, her voice sounding fragile. She was also shocked by the news, but she didn't want to exacerbate the situation. Mia wanted to hear the legal solutions regarding this divorce lawsuit from the expert.Shanon simply bowed her head, trying to hold back the tears that kept flowing. Her heart was shattered into pieces. Shanon felt like she was in the middle of an endless storm. Problems upon problems hit her without permission. No matter how hard she tried to hold on, she wouldn't be able to push away her feelings
Shanon ended the board meeting with determined steps, albeit somewhat forced. She couldn't afford to be careless. If even one more unintentional mistake surfaced, her position would truly be in jeopardy!"Great job, Ma'am! We can call it a day." Mia said, patting her boss on the shoulder. The work hours were over, and now their relationship transcended mere colleagues; they were more like friends fighting hard to navigate the crisis in the company."Thank you, Mia. I'm really tired," Shanon replied, her face pale. Mia felt concerned, especially since she knew that Shanon's conflict wasn't just about this video issue, but also about her separation from her beloved husband."I'm sure you'll become stronger and more resilient facing all these challenges, Ma'am. Trust me, God will provide a way," Mia reassured, embracing Shanon tightly. She could feel her friend's heartache. Shanon wasn't expressive enough, and that only made Mia feel more sorry for her. If only she could cry like most wo
The scheduled press conference finally occurred. Though not in her prime state, Shanon came with her usual aura: resolute, menacing, and also captivating. Her long hair was left loose but styled with transparent pomade, giving off a sleek impression. Shanon was ready to conquer her enemies behind the mask of her firmness."Mrs. Shanon, is it true that the circulating scandalous video involves you with a male friend?" A journalist's question pierced Shanon's heart. Despite preparing herself, experiencing the sting of accusations was indeed painful."That's not true," Shanon quickly replied. She didn't appear nervous or trembling. Tomi had warned her to appear normal. This lie had to be an eternal secret for their team."What about your husband's reaction? Is he not bothered?" Another question slipped, successfully almost crumbling Shanon's attempted defense.The blonde woman fell silent for a moment. Shanon tried to gather strength, but... her tears fell unexpectedly."Ah... I'm sorry.
Shanon and Mia walked side by side to the legal office on the 10th floor. The hospital, with its 12 floors, was quite efficient, and the management offices were located on the top two floors."Mrs. Shanon! We've been waiting for your arrival," Legal Manager, Tomi Winarta, extended his hand for a handshake. Shannon accepted it gracefully, though she can no hide her vulnerability. Shannon suffered from a severe shock. She couldn't deny it."What's the situation?" the blonde-haired woman asked with a worried expression. Tomi just nodded and gestured to his assistant. Unfortunately, the assistant only shook his head, saying, "It's bad, Ma'am. Several articles related to this scandal have been released, and we've received numerous complaints from the PR team."Shanon's heart felt torn apart. She never imagined that her problems wouldn't end with the argument with Darren but would involve her ex-lover as well."I should have sensed something suspicious from Ian! Damn it!" Shannon growled an
Shanon was completely asleep and hadn't had a chance to move to the bed. The golden-haired woman could only crawl to the sofa and curl up there until the next morning.“What the–” Shanon exclaimed as a barrage of messages flooded her phone screen. All from… Ian! “What is this?” Shanon trembled after receiving an unwanted video… a video of their kiss!‘Honey, I could easily release this video to the public and ruin your reputation, but I won't do it. Last night a nasty rat has captured our intimate moment, and I've beaten him to a pulp. You know what you should do.’“Fuck!” Shanon immediately called Ian amidst the pounding headache. How could she stay calm? And… what should she do? “Ian?”“Shanon ... darling! How are you?” Ian answered with a smooth voice. Instead of feeling pressured after such an unpleasant incident, Ian seemed to be on cloud nine.“What should I do, Ian? This video must not leak anywhere!” Shanon insisted. She didn't want Darren to hate her even more, especially his