They walked together up the stairs to their private prayer room, arm in arm. Amora stopped her steps, now at the top of the stairs. Seeing the intimacy between her husband and daughter warmed Amora's heart. Amora was very grateful for what she had now, especially with her soon-to-arrive grandchild in their midst. Unnoticed, a teardrop fell from her cheek. But Amora quickly wiped it away and followed her two beloved people.At exactly seven o'clock in the evening, Emily's family arrived. Amora welcomed them with overwhelming happiness. Her best friend and sister-in-law, she embraced tightly. Words alone couldn't express their happiness. While waiting for dinner to be ready, they all gathered in the family room. At the same time, Calvin and Emily came down from their room to join the others.Emily's eyes welled up with tears as she saw her parents and older brother arrive. She hurriedly reached out and kissed her parents' hands one after the other. Then, she continued with her two broth
"Mama, why isn't Emily waking up?" Calvin asked Amora with a worried expression."She'll wake up soon; you're a doctor, why are you so confused? How do you manage emergency patients?" Steve, who was sitting on the sofa with Amora, interjected casually."It's different, Dad. I've never treated my own family. I'm not brave enough for that, especially pregnant women. I've never treated a pregnant woman like Emily before," Calvin replied while looking at the helpless Emily lying on the bed."You're being ridiculous. You should change your profession or go back to school and specialize in obstetrics, so you understand that pregnant women are different by nature," Steve responded with a laugh."Yes, Calvin, when I was pregnant with you, I was just like this. I often went in and out of the hospital due to dehydration, just like Emily now," Amora added while looking at Nadila, who was currently sitting on the edge of the bed, opposite to where Calvin was sitting.Emily, who was beginning to r
After the evening prayer, both families gathered in Emily's hospital room to provide comfort and support. Emily, who had been terrified every time she saw the needle and IV line in her hand, gradually began to relax.Seeing that there was nothing more to worry about, Calvin told his parents and in-laws to rest at home. It would be enough for him and Erick to accompany Emily in the hospital. Calvin could have handled Emily on his own, but because Emily wanted to be with Erick, he couldn't refuse. Calvin was well aware of how spoiled Emily was when it came to her two older brothers. In fact, earlier, Edwin and Erick had fought over who would stay with Emily at the hospital, but since Edwin had to work in the morning, it was decided that Erick would stay.After the nurse had delivered Emily's medication and vitamins, Calvin planned to go to the hospital cafeteria to buy some food and coffee for himself and Erick. Calvin had forgotten to eat since noon, only drinking water.Shortly, Calvi
Family is the best place for us to learn about sacrifice. And experience is a teacher for us to interpret love. Family is true unconditional love.***"Chelsea?" Amora muttered in surprise upon seeing who had arrived. Of course, Amora was quite familiar with Chelsea. Back when she was still dating Calvin, Chelsea often came to their house. Suddenly, Amora felt uneasy. She didn't want Chelsea's presence to disrupt her son's marriage with Emily.Chelsea greeted them warmly and then shook hands with a shocked Amora. Chelsea then turned to greet Nadila, who smiled back politely. Nadila didn't know Chelsea at all, so she assumed that the beautiful woman was one of her daughter's friends."How have you been?" Chelsea asked Emily, who had a neutral expression. Chelsea remained calm, even though she received a less-than-friendly reception from Emily. Emily had every reason to be unfriendly, given their history.Before Emily could respond to Chelsea's question, the sound of the door opening in
Chelsea wanted to return to Bogor and be with her family, the people who loved her unconditionally. When it came to matters of the heart, Chelsea left it in God's hands. For someone like her, with her imperfections, she no longer deserved a good man. She was no longer whole, and how could a good man accept a woman who was no longer complete?"Let's go," Chelsea said to Ara with a friendly tone, and they quickly got into the car.Ara, a very perceptive person, was aware that there was something unsaid between Ryan and the woman who had been a one-night stand in her friend's marriage. Still, Ara could only offer a rueful smile. She had no right to inquire about the personal matters of the man sitting beside her. While their marriage was recognized both in terms of religion and law, it was a form of responsibility for their actions. Their relationship had started as husband and wife, but personally, it was a commitment based on the consequences of their actions."Ayo!" Ryan invited her,
Three months later..."Darling, what if you resign from school?" Calvin said for the umpteenth time while caressing Emily's visibly pregnant belly.Emily stopped her activity of reading a novel on one of the online reading apps. She then looked at Calvin, who was lying beside her, continuously rubbing her belly."I'm getting bored, Vin, just being at home all the time. Besides, I already had a two-month break due to morning sickness," Emily replied, placing her phone on the nightstand."You won't get bored soon, my love, because our baby is on the way," Calvin coaxed, trying to melt Emily's heart.In truth, ever since Emily was hospitalized, Calvin wanted her to resign from her teaching position. However, due to Emily's stubbornness, Calvin had to give in. Especially since her mood swings during pregnancy were like a rollercoaster. Sometimes, Calvin was bewildered by Emily's unusual wishes. But for his love for Emily and their future child, Calvin always complied with her requests. Em
If a few months ago, Emily didn't like Calvin's body odor, it was now the opposite. Emily even prohibited Calvin from showering after work until she had enjoyed the scent of his sweat. It wasn't uncommon for them to end with lovemaking and then proceed to shower together. And this intoxicating activity had been going on for a week."Thank you, my love," Calvin whispered between their breathless moments.Emily smiled broadly as she looked at Calvin, who was also gazing at her. "I love you, handsome Doctor," Emily murmured and then buried herself in Calvin's embrace."I love you more," Calvin replied and showered the top of Emily's head with kisses.For a few minutes, they remained silent, trying to calm their racing hearts after the passionate encounter. Emily's fingers moved, drawing a straight line from the top until it stopped at Calvin's six-pack abs. Her fingers continued to move, creating an abstract pattern, which reignited Calvin's desire."Let's rest for a bit, dear. We can go
"Love is like a cold-blooded poet who is skilled at engraving all the pain. And longing is a simple poem that will never find its destination."Upon arriving at the hospital, Calvin didn't immediately go to his practice room but headed to Ryan's office instead. Calvin couldn't believe that Ryan would treat Ara like this.Calvin entered without knocking. Ryan, who was about to put on his white coat, stared at Calvin with a blank expression. For now, Ryan didn't feel like joking around or even listening to a lecture from his friend. He was in a really bad mood."I'd like to talk to Dr. Ryan for a moment," Calvin said to Ryan's assistant. The young nurse nodded and left."Five minutes," Ryan said with an unfriendly expression."Okay, I'm sorry if I have to meddle in your family affairs, but I can't stand seeing Ara alone on the street, especially with her big belly," Calvin honestly expressed, but Ryan responded with a sardonic smile."Ryan, I'm serious," Calvin said emphatically, trying
Andrew couldn't hide his emotion when he uttered the marriage vows. Just a few seconds ago, those sacred words resonated in a room adorned with white and silver tones. Andrew managed to pronounce them loudly and smoothly, accompanied by the harmonious echoes of the official announcement. Now, Andrew looked at the beautiful woman beside him, gazing at the woman in a white kebaya who had been lowering her face. Andrew reached for the fingers of the woman named Alice Nichole Wirawan and then placed the ring on her ring finger.Slowly, Alice lifted her face, daring to look at Andrew with teary eyes. With trembling hands, Alice switched to holding Andrew's fingers, placing the ring on his ring finger as a sign that their relationship was now recognized both in the eyes of religion and the state. Nothing could separate them now except death.After Alice kissed the back of Andrew's hand for the first time, Andrew kissed Alice's forehead while reciting a prayer. This was followed by a collect
Now they were all in the dining room except for Melinda, who had not come out of her room yet. Despite receiving a warm welcome from Papa and Andrew's younger sibling, Alice's heart was not at ease. The key was Melinda, Andrew's mother. She was the instigator of the arranged marriage plan between Andrew and Nafisah that Alice had successfully thwarted. This was the reason causing fear in Alice at the moment."Alice, are you feeling better?" Anindya asked, as Alice looked pale and anxious since her arrival."I'm fine Nin, I'm okay," Alice replied with a smile."There, your Mom finally came down. Women always need more time to get ready," Januar whispered so as not to be heard by the hijab-wearing woman currently descending the stairs.Andrew and Alice immediately approached to greet Melinda. Then Melinda sat next to Januar, facing Alice without saying a word. The woman stared at Alice expressionlessly, while Alice chose to lower her head, her heart pounding. Honestly, Alice wanted to g
Andrew remained silent while playing with the ends of Alice's hair as she leaned against his chest. The facts he learned today truly opened his eyes, making Andrew determined to keep Alice by his side. However, a significant obstacle lay ahead. Could he keep the promise he made to Alice? Could he prove to her that his love was not just a mere joke? This time, Andrew was truly serious about falling in love, a feeling he had never experienced before. His emotions for Alice were so strong that Andrew felt powerless. He was like a tortured man awaiting a death sentence, just waiting for certainty from Alice. Ahead were two obstacles that Andrew couldn't predict. How to thwart his arranged marriage with Nafisah and waiting to see how Alice's parents would react when he came. Everything was still unclear, making Andrew's heart feel uncertain. All he could do now was wait, because forcing his will on Alice would be akin to torturing her. And Andrew didn't want to inflict more wounds on Alice
"Do your parents accept a prospective son-in-law like me?" Alice said with a wistful smile, looking at Andrew who was driving seriously.Andrew remained silent. Unable to answer Alice's question because he had never introduced a woman as his girlfriend to his parents."I haven't tried," Andrew finally answered, seeing Alice's disappointed expression. "We will meet my parents soon after you're ready. And I hope that won't be too long," Andrew said firmly, then reached for Alice's fingers to hold them.Alice snorted in annoyance. Why did it have to be so complicated? Alice's intention was to corner Andrew, but it turned into a boomerang attacking herself."Ahem... So, who was the woman in a hijab you hugged at the mall that time? I'm sure it wasn't your sister Nindy," Alice asked, shifting the conversation in a teasing manner."Are you jealous?" Andrew teased, receiving only a head shake from Alice. "Okay then. I won't answer if that's the case," Andrew replied, holding back a smile."J
"Oh, my God, I forgot to inform Mr. Andrew. I might get scolded later," Lexy muttered while holding his phone.Andrew, who was still talking with his colleague, immediately excused himself to answer the call."What's wrong, Lex?" Andrew said, getting straight to the point."Alice is now in the hospital, Sir," Lexy replied hesitantly, successfully surprising Andrew."Since when?" Andrew asked, sounding clearly panicked. Now he was walking towards the exit door of the ballroom."At 7 pm, Alice had a fever again. Then...""Tell me, which hospital?" Andrew interrupted impatiently."Medical Center Hospital, Cendana Pavilion VIP 03," Lexy explained quickly.Andrew quickly took brisk steps towards the parking area. Due to his haste, Andrew didn't even reply to the greetings of the security personnel on duty there. In a rush, Andrew started his car's engine and swiftly left the building area. Ignoring his duties entirely, he considered the most important thing at the moment was to meet Alice
A beautiful woman of English-Indonesian mixed heritage walked casually down the hospital corridor. Despite nearing half a century, her age didn't seem to affect her beauty. Her glossy, black, long hair was neatly tied. There was not a hint of sadness on her face. Unlike most mothers who would panic upon hearing that their daughter was sick, she remained calm and composed. Two words aptly described the expression on Valerie's face: calm and composed.Lexy, who had just stepped out of Alice's hospital room, was startled to see Valerie's arrival."Where's Alice?" Valerie asked arrogantly."Inside," Lexy replied briefly. Regret instantly crept into Lexy's heart. It seemed he was greatly mistaken in contacting a woman who did not deserve the title of a mother.Valerie stared at Lexy sharply, as he stood there dumbfounded, blocking her way. "Can you step aside?" Valerie said sarcastically. Lexy immediately snapped back to reality and quickly stepped aside, making way for the arrogant woman
At exactly seven in the evening, Asih, accompanied by Zahra, arrived with the bouquet of flowers ordered by Lexy – red and white lilies, Alice's favorites. Since their encounter at the flower market, Alice had never been late in ordering flowers to adorn her apartment. Every three days, Alice would order lilies and use a courier service to deliver them to her apartment."Where's Alice?" Asih asked with a worried expression."Alice is in her room, Ma'am," Lexy replied politely, accepting the bouquet from Zahra's hands and inviting them to enter.Asih's eyes instantly welled up with tears seeing Alice curled up under the blanket. Slowly, she approached the bed and sat by Alice's side."Oh, Lord, Miss, how did it come to this?" Asih exclaimed, tears rolling down her cheeks.Asih held Alice's shoulder while gazing at the pale face before her. Then, with trembling hands, Asih reached out to touch Alice's forehead."Son, let's go to the doctor. Miss Alice has a high fever," Asih said in pan
"Alice, what's wrong, Sir?" Lexy asked in a panic, barging in past Andrew. Passing through the living room, Lexy caught a glimpse of an empty whiskey bottle there. Without permission, Lexy entered Alice's room. Fortunately, earlier when Andrew called, Lexy was on his way to Alice's apartment. In his rented house, Lexy was restless after seeing the news on television about the marriage of the man who had once been engaged to Alice. So Lexy decided to cancel a date with his girlfriend and chose to accompany Alice during the weekend. And indeed, Alice violated Dr. Henry's prohibition on consuming alcohol again."Liz?" Lexy called when he saw Alice curled up under the blanket. "You're really stubborn, I've told you not to drink again, but you keep breaking the rules," Lexy scolded while taking a compress cloth from Alice's forehead."Alice has a fever, but she hasn't regained consciousness; I don't know where she keeps her medicine," Andrew said, walking towards the bed. "I'm also confuse
And Andrew finally gave in. With uncertain feelings, Andrew reached for the back of Alice's head and gently kissed her lips. Shortly after, Alice released their lip connection to take a breath. She looked into Andrew's eyes, now filled with passion, and kissed Andrew's lips again to release all the burdens in her chest. In reality, Andrew was the only man who always worried about her, the man who always came at the right time. Without any resistance, Andrew took Alice's body to the bedroom.Andrew started his actions, playing with Alice's body until she felt crazy. Unlike usual, this time Andrew quickly finished their passionate encounter. Alice quickly got up from the bed and put on her clothes casually, while Andrew still stared at Alice's back with an indescribable feeling."Liz!" called Andrew, instantly making Alice turn and mumble, "As long as we're having sex, I've never used protection. I'll take responsibility if you get pregnant," Andrew said for the umpteenth time, looking