Part 7

I don't know whether to feel sad or happy. When she found out that her father had been hospitalized and started preparing everything before the surgery. It was something Casandra had always dreamed of. To be able to bring her first love to the hospital, to regain his health as before.

And today, everything became a reality after she agreed to marry her mother's employer. Becoming the second wife and giving birth to a baby from her own womb. It was extremely challenging, and Casandra never expected her destiny to be written like this. She had her own dreams, but she had to let them go for the sake of her father.

Although it was difficult and she had initially resented her mother's decision, now Casandra would try to accept it all. Because her father's recovery was her ultimate dream, and it was about to come true. Not only that, Casandra was also very happy to see her three younger siblings able to live in a decent house. Although it was simple, there was no water dripping when it rained. No roofs clashing in strong winds. No chilling cold air penetrating through the cracks in the walls.

That wasn't all. After this weekend, Casandra's three siblings would be able to attend public school. Her second sibling could continue his education after it was temporarily halted due to financial reasons. It was truly the most beautiful blessing amidst the sorrow of being Alexander's second wife.

"All the promises have been fulfilled, right?" Meri greeted Casandra, who was sitting on the sofa. Alexander had assigned her to take care of Meri while he went to the administrative department to settle all the hospital expenses before they went home.

"If that's the case, you should also fulfill the promise of giving Mama many grandchildren."

"Many, ma'am?" Casandra asked, puzzled by the word 'many' because as far as she knew, one child a year was the norm.

If it was many, that meant it would require a lot of time to fulfill it all.

Meri nodded, holding Casandra's hand and patting her back. "Yes, a lot indeed. Because Alexander is an only child. And one more thing, don't call me 'ma'am' anymore. You should get used to calling me Mama. Whether you agree or not, you have to do it. Understand, dear?"

"B-but... ma'am..."

"Don't 'ma'am' me, Cas!"

Casandra sighed. Her head shook quickly. "N-no, it's not that. But... I don't understand why I have to give birth to many children when in the agreement between Miss Cesilia and Mr. Alexander, I only need to give birth to one baby, and that's it."

"But Mama doesn't want that. Mama wants you to be the mother of all Mama's grandchildren. Mama's daughter-in-law forever. Can you do that, Cas?"

"B-but, ma'am - Mama..."

Meri squeezed Casandra's hand. "No more 'buts,' Cas. Don't you have any pity for this old woman? Having a daughter-in-law like Cesilia. Speaking disrespectfully and only caring about herself. Like last night, I'm sure you heard everything. How Cesilia spoke to Alexander."

Casandra didn't show any expression or response. She just remained silent and bowed her head. Swearing by anything, Casandra didn't want to go any further than this. Let alone have many children and be Alexander's wife forever, even being a paid wife and giving birth to just one baby was something Casandra still wasn't ready to do.

"Enough, don't think about it too much. Now just live as you should. And Mama believes that one day, you and Alexander can become a complete married couple. With love as the bond between the two of you."

Casandra continued to stay silent. She didn't want to deviate from the path that Alexander and Cesilia had set. She didn't want to cross any boundaries, even though Meri asked for more from her. Because honestly, Casandra didn't want to snatch someone else's happiness. Especially not by becoming a third person in a marriage. Well... because she wasn't a husband-snatcher.

***

After waiting for quite some time, Alexander finally arrived. Only then did Casandra get up and guide Meri to walk. They walked through the hospital corridors and went down in the elevator. Casandra skillfully took care of her mother-in-law until she sat comfortably in the car. And all of this did not escape Alexander's gaze.

The man remained calm as he observed how Casandra took care of her mother. It was evident that her mother felt comfortable being around Casandra. Unlike Cesilia, who never bothered to take care of her mother and always made excuses about being busy with photo shoots and other things. Cesilia even emphasized that she didn't get married to become a house assistant or anything similar.

"I'm going to the office." Alexander placed Meri's belongings near the bed. "If there's anything, please contact me quickly."

"You're going to the office? When your mother is still in the recovery period? What kind of child are you?"

Alexander's steps halted. He turned to Meri before shifting his gaze to Casandra. He felt like asking Casandra to take care of Meri, but the words didn't seem to form properly due to his immense ego and pride.

Instead of saying, "Cas, please take care of Mama, I have some important meetings at the office," it turned out...

"I'll only be gone for a short while. There's an important meeting I have to attend, but Mama, don't worry. As soon as the meeting is over, I'll come home immediately."

"An irresponsible child." Meri muttered. "It's true what people say. One mother can take care of ten children, but ten children might not be able to take care of one mother. I never expected to experience all of this."

Alexander winced. He didn't know why, but suddenly his steps felt heavy. It was as if there were over a hundred kilograms of burden weighing him down after hearing his mother's complaints.

"Mom, don't say that. I'm only going away for a short while, and it's not for leisure. It's for work, and you have someone to take care of you. Casandra is here, right?"

"Casandra is Lastri's daughter, there's no way she would take care of Mama. She just finished helping her mother work here, and you're not paying her, are you?" Meri taunted, leaving Casandra stunned by her words.

Even Casandra, who wanted to tidy the blanket at Meri's feet, refrained from doing so and chose to stand with her head bowed. Her eyes focused on her hands, which were clasped together. She didn't know what to do because Casandra was aware that her marriage to Alexander was never taken seriously.

Alexander took a deep breath. "But now she's Mama's daughter-in-law. So it's only right that she takes care of and looks after her mother-in-law."

"She's not Mama's daughter-in-law if Mama's child doesn't acknowledge her as a wife." Meri sneered. Her eyes wandered, provoking Alexander to utter a sacred phrase.

"Why isn't she Mama's daughter-in-law?"

Alexander was exasperated now.

"You don't even consider her as such. There's no way Mama would acknowledge her as my wife!"

Now it was Casandra who gaped at Meri's words. She felt like there was a problem with her hearing because earlier at the hospital, Meri asked for many children. But now?

"If Mama doesn't acknowledge her, then why, Mom?"

"Because she and I are already married. That means Casandra is my wife, Mama's daughter-in-law!" Alexander spoke firmly and clearly, emphasizing each word.

"Now, that's enough to confirm that Casandra is indeed Mama's daughter-in-law. But now... go to work. Be diligent and hardworking. But don't tire yourself out because tonight you have to make a grandchild for Mama. Okay?!" Meri innocently raised her thumb to Alexander.

Both Alexander and Casandra were left dumbfounded by Meri's words.