"Marry Radit.”“W-What??”Amanda looked up, her eyes widening in shock, her face still bearing traces of sorrow. She couldn’t believe the unexpected words she had just heard from her dad.“You heard me right. I want you to marry Radit. Be his wife and also Ayra’s stepmom.”“NO WAY!” Amanda snapped sarcastically, her voice loud as she rejected the absurd request. “I do want to get married, Dad, but definitely not to Radit. I’m going to marry Andre. He even proposed to me in London.”With confidence, Amanda raised her left hand, showing off the blue diamond ring on her finger, a gift from her beloved fiancé. But her dad remained unmoved, as if her evidence held no significance.“I’ve never asked much from you. This time, please listen. You’re the only one I can count on.”Amanda let out a small scoff. “I love Andre, Dad. I only want to marry him!”“Ayra needs a mother’s love. You’re the only one who can give her that. I can’t bear the thought of Radit marrying someone else. You’re Dinda
Amanda's heart pounded wildly when she saw her dad lying motionless on the floor. She immediately dropped to the ground nearby, her legs feeling weak beneath her.The ER waiting room became the silent witness of her pacing back and forth, anxiety etched on her face as she waited for the doctor's report. So lost in her own thoughts, she didn’t even notice the intense gaze of a man watching her from a distance. Only when they both approached the wide-open glass doors did she realize he was there.“Family of Mr. Yuda?”“Yes, I’m his daughter, Doc,” Amanda answered quickly, trying to step forward. But her arm was suddenly yanked back roughly. Her brows furrowed as she turned to see who it was.“I’ll go,” the man said curtly.Amanda raised an eyebrow as he cut in front of her and walked inside. Left with no choice, she stayed back, waiting with Mama Tiara.“Radit cares a lot about your dad,” her stepmother said with a deep sigh, a faint smile crossing her lips. “He’s been part of the famil
"Mom, I'm still going to marry Amanda."The words made Amanda turn her head slowly. Right next to her, Radit stood tall, lowering the hand that had touched her shoulder earlier. She blinked slowly, unable to believe what the man—still her supposed brother-in-law—had just said."You don’t consider me your mother anymore, Radit?" his mom said, shaking her head, her gaze looking hurt. "I came all this way to defend you. And this is what you do?""Mom."The woman took a step back, then glanced at Amanda, her father, and her stepmother with a disapproving look."You’ve brainwashed my son. You’re all cruel!"After hurling those words, she stormed off. Radit quickly excused himself and ran after his mother, leaving Amanda frozen in shock, unable to utter a word."Sweetheart, come on, let’s have breakfast. I ordered chicken porridge earlier. It’s on the coffee table," her stepmom coaxed.Since Amanda didn’t respond, her dad gestured to Tiara to lead her to the table."Dad.""I’ve already eate
The dad was right. Sooner or later, Amanda would become Radit's wife. No matter how much they delayed it, the outcome would still be the same.There wasn't much to prepare since the atmosphere at Yuda's luxurious house was still filled with mourning. Earlier this evening, the middle-aged man breathed a sigh of relief as the doctor had permitted him to go home. That’s why tonight, all the extended family was gathered to hear the important news that would take place the next day."That's great, Yuda. We fully support Radit getting married," chimed in one of the relatives in the living room."Yes, Ayra won’t lose love and care because her aunt will take over raising her."There were countless more words of encouragement received by Yuda, making Amanda's father even more confident in the decision. Meanwhile, the two soon-to-be newlyweds were having a private discussion in the backyard, choosing a quieter spot so others wouldn’t overhear."Listen, Radit. Our status only applies on paper. D
“Are you drunk?”Amanda took a step back as her husband’s body moved closer. Fortunately, she had locked the door earlier. If not, someone might have come in or peeked into their room, especially with a few relatives still staying over.“Dinda.”“I’m Amanda!!”The voice made Radit shake his head weakly. Especially when he blinked slowly and saw the face of his late wife.“Sorry,” he said apologetically. “I was just—”“Quick, change your clothes! I don’t like that smell,” Amanda snapped, pushing his hand away so he would leave her alone.Believe me. There was a small pain that pinched her chest. Amanda chuckled softly, mocking herself for still not believing that she and Radit were officially husband and wife.“Manda?”Amanda quickly wiped away the disappointment in her heart and said, “You can sleep on the sofa, right? Dadang changed it to a bigger one this afternoon. It’ll fit you.”Radit nodded slowly. “Sorry about earlier, Manda.” Amanda stayed silent, returning to adjust herself i
Radit chose to pull over the car he was driving right in the rest area on the right side of the toll road. Not wanting the situation to turn even more heated. Evidently, at this time the two women who stared at each other fiercely quickly broke their eye contact."Take a break for a while. I want to have coffee. Maybe you and Manda want to go to the toilet too."Her mother nodded quickly. "I'll give you some tea at the same time, Radit.""Yes, mom." After saying that, the middle-aged woman quickly left the car. She didn't care about Amanda who was still silent. Radit took the initiative to get out and open the door for a woman who hadn't even been his wife for 24 hours."I'm sorry.""No need to apologize. My ears get hot listening to you say the same thing over and over again," Amanda snorted with a sour face."Yes, yes. Just be patient, Manda. Mom does like to be snappy. She's nice. The proof is that she can melt with Dinda." Amanda just roll
Radit's steady nod of his head made all the customers in the stall fall silent instantly. After that, they looked at Amanda with an incredulous look."What's wrong?" Radit asked later. "There's no rule that says a man whose wife dies needs time to remarry, right?" Suddenly they shook their heads in unison. Radit smiled and finished paying for the food he ordered. Initially, the atmosphere in the beautiful house belonging to Radit's family heritage seemed quiet after lunch. The mother chose to rest in the room. Meanwhile, the two married couples were still at the dining table."Not even a sink?" Amanda chuckled with a dismissive look on her face. Radit responded with a casual nod. Inevitably grabbed the cutlery they had just used. "Let me show you the bathroom. Just in case you want to pee or something. Help me wash the dishes too.""Teach your wife to clean up, Dit, don't be a spoiled brat from the city!"
"Manda!" The voice just now was ignored by the owner of the name. She continued to pace until she came to a halt at the doorway of the room. Hindered by Radit's tall strapping body who was already there."No need to explain. I know!" Amanda snapped, making her husband's tense face disappear in an instant."Thank you. I'm sorry that we have to stay here a little longer. Mom only lives alone. I don't want her to suffer from a lot of thoughts later," Radit explained at length. He glanced at the towel draped over Amanda's right shoulder. "Let me take you. You must not be used to bathing in this condition." Radit's words were true. Amanda took another step until she passed her mother-in-law who was serving dinner."Radit is my son. He will choose his mother.""Mom," scolded Radit who felt bad."Never mind. Hurry up and accompany your pampered wife. I am hungry." Ningsih threw her hands in the air to stop Radit from contradicting her. Here the two w
"Do you know her?"The woman who was in the arms of the strange man shook her head quickly. Staring at Radit while shuddering in horror. A few seconds later there was eye contact between the two men."Sorry. I ... have the wrong person," said Radit while grimacing softly."Next time use your eyes!" the man scolded with his eyes flashing with anger. Radit nodded in agreement. After that, he turned around and cursed himself. The feeling of anxiety that was going on was able to make him act rashly. Even so, deep down he was relieved that Amanda wasn't as bad as he thought. Hopefully."See you?" asked Sebastian, who was still there. Radit's shaking made him smile mockingly. "Why don't you just call her?" His friend had a point. Radit snorted softly then quickly reached into his pants pocket. Not long after, his cell phone vibrated."Where are you?" Amanda's voice had been heard as soon as she picked up the device.["I'm inside. Are you alone?"]"I'm in the parkin
"Do you know her?"The woman who was in the arms of the strange man shook her head quickly. Staring at Radit while shuddering in horror. A few seconds later there was eye contact between the two men."Sorry. I ... have the wrong person," said Radit while grimacing softly."Next time use your eyes!" the man scolded with his eyes flashing with anger. Radit nodded in agreement. After that, he turned around and cursed himself. The feeling of anxiety that was going on was able to make him act rashly. Even so, deep down he was relieved that Amanda wasn't as bad as he thought. Hopefully."See you?" asked Sebastian, who was still there. Radit's shaking made him smile mockingly. "Why don't you just call her?" His friend had a point. Radit snorted softly then quickly reached into his pants pocket. Not long after, his cell phone vibrated."Where are you?" Amanda's voice had been heard as soon as she picked up the device.["I'm inside. Are you alone?"]"I'm in the parkin
"Bye, Daddy." Amanda spoke up first and backed up her body. Making Radit hurriedly straighten his head too."I-I'll go first," Radit said in a slightly stuttered voice."Yes," Amanda replied flatly. Her smile rose when she looked at Ayra. Then she spoke again. "Be careful, Dad. Ayra will wait at home.""Yes, dear. See you later." After making sure Radit's car disappeared, Amanda turned around. Coincidentally, across the street, the women who were going to hunt for vegetables and side dishes passed by. They looked at her with curious eyes."I'm going to the store, ma'am. What do you want to cook?" asked Asih, who had appeared from the doorway. Diverting her employer's attention immediately."What is it?" Amanda thought for a minute and then shrugged. Her household assistant chuckled. "Didn't Ayra's daddy ask to cook anything?"Asih shook her head. "He said it's up to you.""That's fine. Whatever you want. Except for the mussels. If you want to buy them, plea
Radit chuckled when he saw who had appeared in front of him. A man who was smiling broadly without any burden at all."Sorry. Your door was already open. So I didn't knock," said the man who was casually sitting on the living room sofa. His hand reached for the cell phone in his pants pocket and said, "Wow. It was you who called. I'm sorry. I was on the road earlier.""Did I ask you to come?" said Radit, who was already ruffling his waist."Relax, Radit. I just wanted to make sure your sofa arrived safely. You see, their courier told me that you wanted to complain. Is that right?""Yes, yes." Radit nodded in agreement. "What sofa did you order for me, huh?" His impromptu guest laughed. Then turned to Amanda who was still standing like a statue around them. Instead of listening to her friend's
"Well, my wife happens to be there too. So please come in first." Radit immediately stepped aside from the doorway. This allowed Amanda to see clearly who her husband was talking to. A middle-aged woman was smiling and bowing.Amanda approached even though she felt too hot to get to the room. "Who?""The prospective housemaid that Rini told me about yesterday," Radit replied later."Oh," Amanda said quietly. She didn't seem to care at all about what Radit had just said. However, she still nodded politely before finally saying goodbye to the woman to go to her room. Little did she know that her steps were followed by Radit. Just as he was about to grab the towel her husband cleared his throat briefly."You don't like her, do you?" asked Radit, which reflexively made Amanda frown.
Radit hurriedly dropped his cigarette. Stepping on the long object the size of his index finger that became his brief entertainment with a quick movement. Then he lowered his head as he wiped away the rough traces of tears that were still on his cheeks at this time. Meanwhile, Amanda, who was now next to her, still had not made a sound. Just silent while looking at the grass that began to get wet with raindrops. The universe seemed to know the condition of the couple who were still muffling the grief in their hearts."Dinda and I only lived in this house for two months." Radit began to tell the story. His head looked up for a moment and then looked straight at what he saw. The living room. For some reason, the image of him and the late Dinda hugging during the first moment of entering the new house came to mind."Since Dinda was pregnant and often nauseous and vomiting, we decided to stay at Daddy's house until she gave birth." Rad
Amanda then looked at Radit and her father in turn. She waited for an answer to come out of the two men's mouths."I haven't had a chance to talk to Manda yet, Dad," Radit finally said. The explanation just now made Mr. Yuda nod in understanding. He and his wife then took their leave. Letting the couple take their time to chat. This is where the two of them are now. Amanda's room legally belonged to Radit too. It's just a shame that until this moment the body and heart of the beautiful woman who is his wife still cannot be touched at all."What do you want to say?" Amanda asked straight to the point. She looked closely at Radit who was also looking at her.Radit sighed softly until he began to open his voice. He loo
Early in the morning, the whole room had been stirred up by the sound of Ayra's crying. Meanwhile, the two adults there continued to argue."You're the one sleeping like the dead. If Ayra could talk, she would defend me. You suck!" snapped Amanda, trying to calm the tiny baby in her arms.Radit snorted softly. "I apologize. I swear. I can't hear your voice.""Excuse me. You talk too much. Just one night has proven to be a failure.""Hey! You're not used to it." Radit was still defending himself. "Maybe she's thirsty so she keeps crying." Amanda squinted her eyes. She gave Radit a chin gesture to look at the bottle of milk in the crib."She refused. Didn't pee either. I don't know," she moaned almost in frustration."Here, sweetheart. I will carry you, okay?"&n
["Yes. We're even home now."] The voice on the other side made Radit breathe a sigh of relief. How could he not? The wound of loss due to the departure of the late Dinda was still very tight in the chest. Especially hearing bad news about his daughter. His world could have collapsed instantly.["I'm sorry. Daddy panicked so he immediately informed you. It turns out Ayra only has a fever due to the effects of immunization this afternoon."] There was a scolding sound afterward. Of course, it was Tiara who protested the careless attitude of the middle-aged man. Now Amanda and Radit turned to each other silently. Both of them kept a calm feeling after getting enlightenment from the married couple.["It's good that Ayra is okay. Please take care of her. Manda and I are on our way home."] Radit also handed over the cell phone he was holding just now to the master. Then returned his focus to the steering wheel again."That's all right. I'll hang up f