Andre was shocked by the news from the nurse who had just entered Lara's hospital room."Ndre!" Lara smiled joyfully and held Andre's hand tightly and warmly. "Ra! Let's go to Mahya's room!" Andre invited while holding Lara's hand and walking slightly hurriedly towards the intensive care unit on the top floor.***"Mahya!" Lara called out emotionally as she hugged her friend who was still struggling to move her body."Aww! Ouch," Mahya groaned playfully when Lara came and immediately showered her with hugs."How are you? Where does it hurt?" Lara asked with concern. She stepped back a bit so Mahya could breathe easier, but then the black-haired girl just smiled broadly."My heart hurts," she joked.Lara pouted and lightly hit Mahya's chest. "Don't joke!""Seriously, you know! My heart hurts. How could we be caught off guard like this, huh?" Mahya joked lightly, recalling the unfortunate events that had befallen them both."Come on, forget about it," Lara said softly while gently strok
The CEO sighed deeply. Even though the conversation was conducted over the phone, he could feel the anger boiling from his beloved daughter's end."Yam...," he called softly. A father's heart certainly hurts more when news of the breakup is suddenly revealed, without adequate explanation and in haste."Dad, don't hide anything from me! Tell me! What did Andre say? Why don't I know anything?"No matter how well you hide a carcass, it will eventually be discovered. That was the situation the CEO found himself in. He had unleashed anger, threats, and curses on his future son-in-law, but to no avail. Andre remained unmoved. He stuck to his decision."You can find a better man, Yam! Andre is not worthy of you!" Now, it was the CEO's turn to raise his voice, accompanied by his daughter's heartbreaking sobs."So, Andre really ended our engagement?" Miriam cried bitterly. Her sacrifices seemed to have been in vain. She was furious!"Yam, listen to me--""Enough, Dad! I'm disappointed in you!
Lara widened her eyes. How could Andre tease her like that? "Ndre! We're in the hospital!" exclaimed Lara, turning her face away. 'Hopefully Andre didn't notice my flushed face,' she thought as she cupped her face with her hands."Come here," Andre turned Lara around, who had her back to him earlier. Now, their faces were facing each other, and of course, Andre planted a kiss!"Aaah...." Lara sighed, and for the umpteenth time, they kissed passionately on Lara's bed.The incident was nothing out of the ordinary for them, but it was for... Miriam!The woman who Andre had proclaimed as his former fiancée was shocked to see the lewd scene on Andre's patient's bed. "It's... it's so inappropriate! Damn it!" But instead of recording and providing evidence to the disciplinary committee, Miriam ran away crying.She then took out her phone and dialed Seno's number. "Sir. I want to proceed with option two."The female doctor's voice trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes again. Miriam was tr
Lara woke up again, her hands and feet tied. This time, she couldn't see at all."Mmm!" Lara tried to struggle, but her efforts were in vain. No one intended to free her.The cold air began to suffocate her. The iron chair supporting her body felt like biting ice. Lara felt paralyzed and helpless. Where was she, actually?The hum of the air conditioner was the only thing she could hear and feel. The draft of air back and forth in the empty room intentionally hurt Lara. Seno indeed had a specific purpose in turning on the air conditioner in freezing temperatures. At least, so Lara could feel that her life was truly meaningless."Ah, awake already, I see?"The very distinctive baritone voice startled her. Lara flinched and automatically turned to the source of the sound on her left side."Mmm!" she replied, stomping her feet in anger. Lara knew that her ex-husband was behind all of this."Calm down, my wife. Oh. Ex-wife. You'll die soon," Seno said coldly as he walked closer to Lara.Ta
The air around her suddenly grew colder, Lara was choked by the crushing reality."M-my child! What have you done to him?" Lara still couldn't accept the painful reality."Well, I just did a little experiment, but it turns out... he wasn't that tough.""W-what?""Yes, Lara. Your child died during the bone marrow extraction process. Hah. Quite suffocating. Now I have to rearrange how cell multiplication works properly." Seno said it as if without burden. Lara was truly furious."How could you? How could you be so cruel, Seno?! ARGH!""How cruel? Sacrifices are necessary, right? What else do you want to know? Isn't that enough?""You... monster!" Lara's tears fell along with her shattered heart. She couldn't see Seno as human. Seno was a demon incarnate blending in like any other ordinary person."Cry beautifully, Lara. That way, I'll be more satisfied when I take your life! Don't you want to know where your child is?"Lara's eyes widened, still teary. Her face looked desperate, as if s
Amongst the silhouette of dawn already revealing its light, Lara sat in the police car with tension creeping into her heart. Her eyes continued to stare blankly out the window. Lara felt the silence enveloping them, but within that silence, she felt the weight heavily burdening her chest."Sigh...." Every time Lara closed her eyes, the image of her child's face appeared in her mind. She tried to calm herself, but the pain and loss ran so deep it made it hard for her to breathe."Ra...." Andre called softly when he saw Lara shedding tears. She immediately wiped her wet face and leaned her head on Andre's shoulder. He knew, it still needed a process to know the fate of their child for sure. Seno could have been lying, right?"I'm always here to help. Stay calm," Andre whispered softly while gently caressing his lover's head. Lara nodded weakly, although Andre said comforting things to her, she still felt like she was in darkness alone.Andre sighed deeply. No matter how hard he tried to
"Doctor Ricky?" Andre was surprised to see his colleague coming to the safe house where Lara was staying."Doctor Andre!" The doctor was equally surprised.The sun had started to rise. The glare of light dazzled from the front window. An ambulance was parked there, along with the arrival of Doctor Ricky and his entourage.They entered the safe house orderly, lining up one by one, while carrying quite complete medical equipment. Nurses immediately took out infusion fluids, tubes, and also moved the support stand near Lara's bed. The treatment process would begin shortly.However, something strange happened. Doctor Ricky's face looked pale, as if there was something he wanted to convey."Why do you look like that, Bro? Is there a problem?" Andre asked curiously."Oh, nothing. I'll tell you later. Hello, Mrs. Lara. I'm Doctor Ricky. I'm here to take care of you for the next few days," the doctor greeted warmly.Lara nodded. "Nice to meet you, Doctor Ricky. I'm Lara.""I know."Lara and A
The atmosphere at the hospital seemed normal. However, there was a police patrol car parked in the front courtyard. Usually, if there were no criminal cases, the car wouldn't be there. Now, perhaps as part of an investigation, the car was still moving around there.Andre hurriedly walked towards the President Director's office on the top floor, near the VVIP area which was the most expensive room in Andromeda Hospital. Occasionally, he glanced at his watch; it was still not too late, only 11 o'clock."Is the President Director still in his office?" Andre asked the secretary in front. This was just a simple formality, although Andre had the right to enter, considering he was the prospective son-in-law and part owner of this hospital."He is, Doctor. But...""But?""You're not allowed to see him. That's what he said.""What? That doesn't make sny sense!""I-I'm sorry, Doctor. But we're prohibited from letting you in."Andre ruffled his hair roughly, then walked into the President Direct
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