That figure approached and stood at the slightly ajar door, gazing at Gerald with a worried expression. "Gerald, you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with panic. Instead of answering, Gerald glared back at the woman through the glass, his eyes filled with anger. "What are you doing here, Shelma?" he accused, his eyes pointedly locked on the mirror in front of him. The woman attempted to step closer before Gerald extended his left hand, silently instructing her not to approach. "Don't come any closer, your scent makes me nauseous!" he rasped. As Gerald took a breath, he felt the unbearable nausea return. God, his throat was really burning now. "Gerald?" the woman spoke softly. However, her call was drowned out by Gerald's retching. "Yosef!" Gerald shouted loudly. He clutched his stomach, feeling the tension. "Yosef!!!" he yelled even louder. "Yes, sir," Yosef came hurriedly. He stood at the doorway right next to Shelma, who was looking at Gerald with a furrowed brow and a scornf
"You might not remember how your mother was, but looking at Ariana, Grandma feels as if she's seeing your mother still here. A woman I admire so much," tears rolled down the woman's cheeks again. "That's when Grandma decided to find out who Ariana is. A woman who has Karenina's physical appearance but your mother's soul." "I did too," Gerald whispered, although he himself was still confused about where his grandmother's conversation was heading. Mrs. Rosaline shook her head. "But you didn't get all the information about her," Mrs. Rosaline said again. Gerald furrowed his brow again. "In fact, there are things you don't know about her, and I can't tell you this. Honestly, Grandma feels guilty, towards the three of you. You, Ariana, and also Axel. When Grandma wanted to keep her because she missed your mother, Grandma didn't know you would fall in love with her like this, Al," she continued, her voice full of apologies. "I thought our plan would go as we planned. You would marry Arian
Ariana suddenly straightened her shoulders. The woman turned, her smile still on her face. Her left hand reached out as if to welcome Gerald. "Good morning," she greeted so softly. Gerald took her hand, and Ariana's hand moved to wrap around his waist. Her crimson lips gently met his, igniting an instant passion in Gerald. He didn't want to let go of the kiss his wife had given him; he responded by embracing her waist and wanting to kiss her even deeper. However, Ariana placed her hands on Gerald's chest and pushed him gently. "Embarrassed in front of the children," she whispered. Gerald furrowed his brow. Children? he wondered silently. He followed where Ariana looked. There, he saw a little Ariana, laughing, taking hesitant steps, chasing Axel, who was still trying to tease her by moving back and forth in front of the beautiful toddler. Gerald widened his eyes for a moment. But the light was gone. All that remained was darkness. He woke up in his bed at Zeroun's residence. His bre
"How about her?" Gerald asked, curious. He genuinely wanted to know because in the past, Max seemed to despise Gina. The innocent Japanese girl who preferred books over Max himself. The love story between the two had originated from a challenge made by Max and Gerald's friends during their college days. Whatever happened, one day Max admitted that he lost a bet. Since then, they never discussed Gina again. Even when Gerald returned to Indonesia and Max decided to go back to Spain, that topic never surfaced again. Until a few years later, he heard Max was getting married, to Gina, the woman who had once been the subject of their bet. "It's a long story," Max replied when Gerald asked how they ended up marrying each other. And now, ironically, Max was head over heels for his wife, bowing down to her. "And my wife, she's fine. Honestly, we are happy." He said happily, without any intention of mocking Gerald, who seemed visibly annoyed. "I brought her here and told her that I would intr
"I'm crazy," Max said, shaking his head. Gerald winced upon hearing it. "I thought before, when you said he was the twin brother of your runaway fiancée, he did it—at least under pressure, but it was his parents' pressure. I didn't think you'd stoop so low, G." "You don't know the whole story," Gerald replied. "I didn't even know she existed before that day if she hadn't come to the Brooks residence." And so Gerald spilled the entire story: his desire for her at first sight, his passion when he saw her anger, how he incited Brooks to exploit her weakness, which turned out to be her own father. He also told Max how they officially became husband and wife in bed, about Gerald learning about Ariana's past, and Ariana discovering his. His dreams, aspirations, everything he had never revealed to any woman before. "You've truly become a love slave," Max interjected during his story. "Now she's handing me a nuclear bomb. She openly stated that she doesn't want a child in her body because
"Kenzo, the handsome baby," praised Ariana again. The woman smiled, whispering her thanks. "I'm Ariana," she introduced herself. "Are you the owner of this restaurant?" Gina asked again, curious. Ariana nodded. "I thought the owner would be a woman in her forties or older. But it turns out you're still very young," she said, impressed. Ariana just smiled in response. Another knock sounded, and Ariana asked the person outside to come in. A tall, handsome man with dark brown hair and thick eyebrows looked inside with confusion. "Darling, I'm here," Gina said instantly and approached the door. The man handed a bag to Gina but his eyes kept wandering back to Ariana with a perplexed look. "Can my husband come in?" the woman asked Ariana for permission. Ariana nodded, and the man then stepped inside Ariana's room. "This is my husband, Maximilian Cariann," Gina introduced warmly. Ariana smiled again, extending her hand politely. "Ariana Leonidas," she said, stating her full name. "I thou
Ariana shook her head. "I got married a few months ago," she admitted. Gina's forehead wrinkled again. The woman looked at Ariana in disbelief. "So, you married a widower with a child?" she asked, curious. Ariana raised the corner of her mouth. "That's right," she said softly. "Do you really love him so much to marry him?" Gina inquired. Ariana responded with a smile once again. "As far as I know, marrying a widower, especially one with a child, is not easy. This is Indonesia, not a Western country that easily accepts the status of a man or a woman. What I know about this country is the social perception of those who are widowed or widowers, virgins or not. Am I wrong?" the woman asked hesitantly. Ariana smiled again. "No, you're not wrong. Some people—some communities do indeed make a big deal out of such things. But others—those with open minds, don't see it as a problem," she replied. "And to answer your first question, yes, I love them very much. My husband and my child. I lov
"Enjoy your dinner," he said again. Gina nodded, kissing Ariana's cheeks before walking towards the exit, accompanied by her husband who held her back protectively. "If only I were normal too, Gerald and I would look as happy as that couple," Ariana thought to herself. She returned to her seat by the window, gazing at the view below. Soon, she saw the couple returning to their seats, placing the baby back in the stroller adorned with special toys. How beautiful, she murmured to herself. Reluctant to witness the intimacy that made her jealous, Ariana chose to leave the restaurant. The silence of her apartment could be her solace, though it didn't diminish her longing for Axel and Gerald. What was her husband doing right now? Did he miss her too? One thing Ariana was certain of, he must hate her deeply at this moment. A knock on the door woke Ariana from her sleep. She glanced at the clock on the wall and saw it was two in the morning. Who could it be? If it was Amber, her cousin wou