Anggia looked at her reflection in the mirror once more, ensuring that her appearance was absolutely perfect. There was a reason for her wanting to look flawless. Today was an important and possibly historic day in her life. She had waited for a moment like this for a long time, hoping that everything she had meticulously planned would go off without a hitch.Entering the car, Anggia reached for her phone first. She opened her contacts, found Raphael's name, and sent a message.Anggia: Mr. Raphael, I’m on my way to the event now. I hope you arrive on time.She didn’t have to wait long before getting a reply. She quickly opened and read it.Raphael: I’m also getting ready to leave, Miss Anggia. I’m waiting for the online taxi I ordered to arrive at the guest house.Anggia: I hope you will do what I taught you yesterday at the event, Mr. Raphael. And please, don’t take offense if I belittle you or say something that sounds humiliating. I will definitely pay you as we agreed.Raphael: Al
"No! This is impossible. You all can't treat me like this!" Anggia shook her head repeatedly. She continued to reject what Ashton and Raphael had just done to her.Amidst the chaos, Anggia glanced around. From her own eyes, she could see how the invited guests stared at her with looks of disgust and irritation.Initially, Anggia was so confident. She was absolutely sure that her carefully laid plans would yield the results she desired. But it seemed God had other plans. Instead of successfully embarrassing Alice, she herself was humiliated in front of everyone."Mr. Raphael, you have to pay for what you've done. You think you can just toy with me like this!" Anggia exclaimed angrily. She still couldn't accept that Raphael had played her. Who would have thought that the person she had invited all the way to Jakarta for potential collaboration would now humiliate her in front of everyone?"Don't be angry, Miss Anggia. I think you deserve all of this. Maybe now you'll learn not to belitt
After showering, instead of immediately getting dressed or preparing, still in her bathrobe, Alice was seen sitting at the edge of the bed. Her gaze was fixed out the window. Whatever she was thinking about, she seemed content to sit there quietly for a long time.Ashton, who had just finished dressing and observed Alice's behavior, decided to approach her. Taking a seat right beside her, he addressed her."What are you thinking about?"Alice immediately turned to him. Smiling, she reached for Ashton's wrist and replied."I've been thinking about all the changes that have happened in my life."This time, Ashton smiled. Holding Alice's hand in return, he responded playfully to her words."Well, I hope those changes didn't turn you into a Power Ranger, did they?""Haha," Alice laughed. "But seriously. Until now, sometimes I still can't believe I'm actually living a normal married life with you."Ashton raised an eyebrow. He sighed. Did she think he wasn't normal before, to the extent th
Today, as planned, Rapael decided to return to Batam to continue living as usual. After meeting Alice and Ashton's extended family, Rapael felt that he had taken the time to express his feelings. Moreover, all sorts of debt problems that had previously entangled Ashton had been resolved without a trace. So, from now on, Rapael could lead a comfortable life without having to worry as before."Yes. Besides, Dad has to continue living. Later, if there's an opportunity, Dad will visit Jakarta again. Or, if you have free time, come and visit Batam."Ashton nodded."Later, Ashton will arrange a schedule to visit there, Dad.""Dad will wait.""Then, my money from yesterday, what's the progress?"Rumi, who was enjoying fried rice, joined the conversation. Before Rapael really left, he felt he had to clarify the fate of the 500 million rupiahs he had sent to Rapael yesterday."Don't worry, Rumi," Rapael replied with a smile. "I have returned all the money to Ashton. The money Alice sent has al
"Hasn't Mr. Ashton arrived yet? He didn't forget about today's meeting schedule with the editorial and field teams, did he?""He's already here, sir. He might still be in his office."Rumi checked the round watch on his left wrist again. It was already past eleven in the morning. But he couldn't see his brother who was supposed to lead the evaluation meeting today.Initially, Rumi wanted to relax and wait. But feeling uneasy about the other staff who had already gathered in the room, he decided to take the initiative to follow up."You all get ready. Let me go find Mr. Ashton in his office.""Is Mr. Rumi going to follow up on Mr. Ashton?" asked Alice, who was also in the room."Yes.""I'll come with you, sir."Rumi nodded, allowing Alice to accompany him. Taking long strides, they hurried off. Upon reaching the fifth floor and stepping out of the elevator, Rumi and Alice both noticed from a distance that Mr. Ashton's office door was wide open.Indeed, Rumi and Alice didn't think anyth
If I may ask, what is the right word to describe Alice's feelings right now? Is she sad? Devastated? Hurt? Shattered into pieces? Or perhaps no words can describe it at all. Truly, Alice's life has felt like a heavy test. Let's start from the beginning since she was born into this world.From the death of her mother while giving birth to her. Then, as she grew a little older, her biological father cruelly abandoned her. Not to mention, when she started to reach adulthood and pursue her dreams, she lost her brother, who had always been her protector and life support.Alice has faced so many difficulties. Honestly, at the beginning of her marriage to Ashton, she also experienced hardships. She had to endure and be patient with Ashton's annoying behavior. Only recently has Alice gradually felt happiness. She was enjoying the beauty of marriage, the attention, and the love from her husband. But again, God gave her a test.Just this morning, Alice could still talk and laugh, hugging Ashton
"Zayn, Hana, from the bottom of our hearts, we both apologize for what Anggia has done."Frans and Celine are Anggia's parents. They came to the hospital specifically to visit Ashton and apologize for their daughter's bad behavior and the chaos she has caused in the past few days.Frans was clearly embarrassed. His relationship with Zayn's extended family had always been very good, and now, everything was at risk of being ruined because of Anggia's reckless actions, which no one had predicted.Everyone knew Anggia as a good person. She was smart, independent, and accomplished. Frans was very proud of his only daughter.Frans knew that Anggia had liked Ashton for a long time. Because of her love for Ashton, Anggia had once asked for permission to change her religion so their relationship could go more smoothly.As a father, Frans initially disagreed. But seeing Anggia's strong determination, he couldn't bear to refuse and gave her permission to choose her own faith.However, if God say
"Sweetheart... why are you crying?"Ashton's consciousness had fully returned. After being examined for a while and confirmed to be in good condition, the medical team and other family members gave him some time to be alone with his wife.Inside the treatment room, Ashton turned slowly. He found Alice sitting there, holding his right hand tightly.Upon closer inspection, he noticed his wife's eyes were swollen and puffy. Ashton was sure it was from crying too much and not getting enough sleep."I'm awake now. You should be happy, not crying. Besides, why stay sad when happiness is free.""I know," Alice replied softly. "I'm like this because I missed you so much," she murmured, her voice trembling. Soon, tears fell down her cheeks again.Anyone would be moved. Just imagine, after two days of uncertain feelings—fear, worry—about something bad happening to her husband. And now, after a long wait, Alice's prayers, along with those of their family, were answered by God.Ashton, who had be