“Mama is about to go home, dear.”Felly clamped the phone between her ear and shoulder while packing up her things on the table.“Mhm. Oh? Aunty Nicole’s there? The two of them are there?” She frowned in wonder as to why Nicole—her little sister, was in Xavier’s new apartment.“Yup, I’m here. I had been planning to come over, because someone kept bragging about having a new apartment. What a pleasant surprise! My cute nephew is here too,” Nicole chimed in while chuckling.“Oh, Xavier! So, he told you that he had a new apartment, but didn’t say anything to me?” Felly clicked her tongue. She glanced at her watch. It was eight. “Where is he now?”“Xavier left. He said he was going to pick you up.”“I already told him I was going to take a taxi,” Felly grumbled. “Call him. Tell him to wait at Angel Bread. I want to buy some cake for Kimmy first.”“Okay. But don't just buy for Kimmy, what about me?" Nicole protested.Felly chuckled. She then said yes to Nicole's wishes before finally hangin
And also, I … miss you.The sentence was stuck in Archer’s throat. Of course. He would never say the words. The direct expression of what he had felt for the past three days.In the past, Archer never missed Felly, even when he was gone for days or even weeks. He usually knew that Felly would always be home with their child. There was nothing for Archer to worry about.It was different for the past three days. After what he had done to his child and wife on the day of the family gathering, suddenly there was something aside from guilt. Maybe … loss? Archer had no clue. He really did not understand his own feelings.At that time, he did not know where Felly and Kimberly were. The divorce papers he received added to the complexity of the situation. It made Archer furious and confused at the same time.“Get away!” Felly hissed coldly while pushing Archer’s chest when the man was off guard. “I have to get out of—Ah!”Felly suddenly screamed when Archer pulled her waist to straddle him. "I
Felly rose from the edge of the bed when a man in a white shirt entered the luxurious and spacious bedroom. A smile appeared on her lips, welcoming the man who had become her husband since this afternoon. He was Archer Space Ivander, a handsome man with a Russian-Indonesian face. His height was almost 190 cm. It always made whoever stood near him look shrunk. Archer was well-liked by everyone because of his kind and warm nature. That was also what made Felly’s love for him ingrained deeply in her heart since years ago. “Archer, I have prepared a warm bath for you. Do you want to take a bath now?” offered Felly. She approached her husband with extended arms, intending to unbutton his shirt. Felly wanted to be a good wife for her husband. However, when she had just loosened the first button, her arm was suddenly grabbed by Archer. “Do you think I marry you for love?” Felly was startled. Archer’s gaze hardened with his icy tone. The man who usually spoke softly to her with his warm
Four years later.“Papa…? Hello? Papa, when will you be home?”Felly sighed heavily witnessing Kimberly—her three years old child with Archer, talking to herself with her baby talk, on a toy phone she pressed against her right ear. Felly felt sorry for Kimberly, seeing how much she missed her father, who was never home for the past month. “Papa …,” Kimberly whined with teary eyes. Felly stopped what she was doing, which was sketching a wedding dress design for her client. She put her drawing book and pencil on the table. She then scooped up Kimberly who was sitting by her side to her lap. “Kimmy, do you miss Papa?”“Yes, Mama. I want Papa.”Felly smiled gently as she caressed the top of her daughter’s head affectionately. “Papa is working, dear. He will be home soon. You need to be patient for a little longer. Can you do that, Kimmy?”Kimberly pouted. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she started crying. Maybe she was upset, because every time she wanted to meet her father, Felly al
Felly frowned. She did not understand his accusations. Between the two of them, he was the one who cheated, right?“My side piece? What are you talking about, Archer?”“Don’t play dumb,” he replied, clenching his jaw. “No matter what happened, you are still my wife, Felly. You need to uphold your husband’s reputation in front of everyone!”To be honest, Archer never forgot his responsibility as a husband in giving her a living. Archer also loved Kimberly and was a good father. The only problem was that Felly never had her emotional satisfaction with him. Felly felt like she was unloved and unwanted. All because Archer had another woman in his heart.“You still don’t know what you did wrong?” Archer asked, pulling Felly out of her thoughts.“I am always wrong in your eyes.” Felly took a deep breath. “I don’t even know what I did now.”Archer fell silent. His gaze darkened. He finally threw two pieces of printed pictures at the table next to them. Felly took those pictures with a frown.
Archer had many reasons to feel uncomfortable in his own home. One of them was what had just happened. Felly always had her way to come up with a retort. They even always fought whenever they saw each other. Archer was exhausted.The only reason he still came home was Kimberly. Thinking of Kimberly made him feel guilty because he had left her for too long.Archer walked upstairs with a heavy heart. His steps halted when he caught a glimpse of the pictures of Felly and another man on the dining table. Archer turned around and took the pictures. His jaw clenched. He did not like seeing another man carrying his child. Especially Felly’s side piece.He scrunched up both pieces of the pictures to a small crumpled ball. He then threw it into the trash can. Thirty minutes later, Archer had cleaned up and changed his clothes. He went down to the second floor and entered Kimberly’s room. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a yellow night lamp that hit the ceilings in the shape of stars
“Where’s my pony doll, Papa? You bought me a pony doll, right?”Archer immediately fell silent. Kimberly’s innocent, hopeful gaze made him speechless.“Papa, why aren’t you answering?”Felly smiled bitterly. She had guessed that he would forget about his promise again. This was the third time this year Archer had forgotten his promise to Kimberly. Bella. Felly’s hands curled into fists when the name passed her mind, and the carrot in her grip was shaking. All because Archer was too busy taking care of that woman, he forgot his own daughter’s request.“Darling.” Archer’s voice was hoarse. He caressed Kimberly’s hair gently. “I could not find the pony doll in Singapore,” he lied with a tightened throat. “I’m sorry. This afternoon, I will—”Archer’s words were stopped when Kimberly suddenly came down from the chair with pouty lips. Her eyes were teary. She ran upstairs, leaving the dining room.Kimberly was disappointed. Archer was sure of it. His chest tightened, especially when he sa
“What a pretty doll. Is this … from Papa? Papa was here?” Felly asked.Kimberly shook her head so fast that her bangs moved with it. Her expression was grim when her father was mentioned. She regained her smile as she tightened her grip on the pink and blue pony doll. “No, Mama. This is Uncle Ryan’s gift. It’s from Uncle Ryan!” she exclaimed excitedly. Felly could not hide her surprise. “Uncle Ryan?”“Mhm! Oh, that’s him!”Felly’s hazel eyes turned in the direction her daughter pointed. There he was, a man in a gray suit, approaching them with a smile. “Kimmy, have you said thank you to Uncle Ryan?”“Of course, Mama.”“Good girl.” Felly smiled caressing Kimberly’s cheeks. “Now, go keep Aunty Sarah company, alright? She’s alone right now. I want to talk to Uncle Ryan.”“Okay, Mama!”After squealing out the reply, Kimberly ran into the café while hugging her new doll. It was as if she was afraid someone might snatch the doll from her.Felly stood there, staring at Kimberly’s back as s
And also, I … miss you.The sentence was stuck in Archer’s throat. Of course. He would never say the words. The direct expression of what he had felt for the past three days.In the past, Archer never missed Felly, even when he was gone for days or even weeks. He usually knew that Felly would always be home with their child. There was nothing for Archer to worry about.It was different for the past three days. After what he had done to his child and wife on the day of the family gathering, suddenly there was something aside from guilt. Maybe … loss? Archer had no clue. He really did not understand his own feelings.At that time, he did not know where Felly and Kimberly were. The divorce papers he received added to the complexity of the situation. It made Archer furious and confused at the same time.“Get away!” Felly hissed coldly while pushing Archer’s chest when the man was off guard. “I have to get out of—Ah!”Felly suddenly screamed when Archer pulled her waist to straddle him. "I
“Mama is about to go home, dear.”Felly clamped the phone between her ear and shoulder while packing up her things on the table.“Mhm. Oh? Aunty Nicole’s there? The two of them are there?” She frowned in wonder as to why Nicole—her little sister, was in Xavier’s new apartment.“Yup, I’m here. I had been planning to come over, because someone kept bragging about having a new apartment. What a pleasant surprise! My cute nephew is here too,” Nicole chimed in while chuckling.“Oh, Xavier! So, he told you that he had a new apartment, but didn’t say anything to me?” Felly clicked her tongue. She glanced at her watch. It was eight. “Where is he now?”“Xavier left. He said he was going to pick you up.”“I already told him I was going to take a taxi,” Felly grumbled. “Call him. Tell him to wait at Angel Bread. I want to buy some cake for Kimmy first.”“Okay. But don't just buy for Kimmy, what about me?" Nicole protested.Felly chuckled. She then said yes to Nicole's wishes before finally hangin
It had been three days since she met Cecilia. Her lawyer who immediately processed Felly's application. Then Felly immediately sent the divorce paper to Archer the next morning. In the brown envelope, there was not only the divorce paper. Felly also wrote a message.'Once signed, submit the files to this address.' Felly included Cecilia's office address in the message. The hazel-eyed woman took a deep breath while stroking the top of Kimberly's head who was still sleeping beside her this morning. She did not know if Archer had received the letter. Until that moment, Cecilia had not received it from Archer. "Mama, am I off school again today?" The hoarse voice of her daughter who had just woken up distracted Felly from her thoughts. She then smiled and nodded. "Yes, for now." "Why? I didn’t go yesterday, and the day before that.” Felly smiled and then picked Kimberly up to her lap. She was tidying up Kimberly’s long, messy hair. “All of your clothes and school supplies are at hom
“Mama, why can’t we go home?”Kimberly’s question snapped Felly out of her thoughts. She turned and smiled while stroking Kimberly’s cloudy face.During the family gathering this afternoon, Kimberly looked cheerful because she was carried away by the atmosphere. Especially since Xavier was with her. But after the event was over, the girl became gloomy again like a baby chick that had lost its mother.“Let’s stay here for a few days, okay? You’re fine with that, right, Kimmy?”“Does that mean we won’t see Papa?”Felly blinked. She tried hard not to curse the man in front of her innocent daughter. Felly was always angry every time she remembered the man who had repeatedly stabbed every corner of her heart.“Mhm. Papa has work, honey.” Felly lied for this one reason. “While Papa is working, we will stay at Uncle Xavier’s apartment. Is that okay?” she asked once more.“It’s okay.” Kimberly shook her head quickly, then pouted. “I don’t like Papa. I don’t want to see Papa!”Felly could only
Archer got back into the car and dialed Felly's number again. But for the thousandth time, Felly's phone was still off.Archer's heart would not stop beating fast. The beat was far above normal. Remorse stabbed his heart very deeply this time.Archer drove his home. The distance was quite far and the traffic was horrible this afternoon. It took Archer quite a long time to get home.He did not wait for the security guard to open the door as soon as the car stopped in the yard. Archer rushed inside because he wanted to meet Kimberly and apologize to her. Archer was very sure that the child would sulk and be disappointed. Her mother ... Archer took a deep breath as Felly's angry and hurt gaze flashed in his head."They haven't come home yet?" Archer asked Amy when he did not find whom he was looking for."Not yet, sir."Did they stop by somewhere first?Archer wondered to himself as he plopped to the living room sofa. He ran his fingers through his hair, not even caring about his face whi
Archer glanced at the watch on his left wrist. Five in the morning. He knew he had to go home soon to fulfill his promise to Kimberly.He had just woken up after sleeping on the sofa since four in the morning. Archer got up and grabbed the jacket lying on the single sofa.Archer would try his hardest to be with Kimberly all day. Aside from not wanting to disappoint his daughter again, he also knew that Kimberly was looking forward to this family gathering event.“I’m going home, Belle,” Archer muttered as he looked at Bella who was lying weakly in bed. Her face was pale after vomiting blood last night. Her hand had stiff fingers and her middle finger was shorter than the others. It was from that accident.“Archer, don’t go … please,” Bella whispered. It made Archer’s footsteps stop near the door.Archer turned around and walked back to the bed. “I have to be with Kimberly today, Belle. You can have a nurse accompany you for now, okay?” Archer said in a low voice. He closed his eyes for
“Mama, wake up. Let's go, what if we oversleep?" A gentle stroke on her cheek and a whisper in her ear, made Felly open her eyes. She found Kimberly already sitting on her and giggling to herself. "What time is it, dear?" "Five o'clock, Mama." "Oh my God ... it's still five o'clock, we won't oversleep, honey," Felly groaned while pinching Kimberly's cheek in annoyance. Kimberly's laughter echoed through the room that was still dimly lit by the night light. Felly smiled softly then stroked the top of her daughter's head. "You cannot wait, huh? You're rarely up so early." "I can't wait, Mama." The child made a circular motion in the air with both hands. "But where's Papa? Why isn't he here?" Felly cleared her throat. She sat up while hugging Kimberly. She knew Kimberly would ask that. It was unusual for this chubby-cheeked child to enter this room so early in the morning like this. "Papa went out earlier, honey," Felly lied. "Ooh? Where?" "Maybe ... to his office." "Oh ...."
“Mama!”Kimberly's scream surprised Archer. He shifted his gaze from Bella’s message on his phone screen to Felly who had just gotten out of the car. "Papa, put me down," Kimberly whined. "Oh? Okay." The girl immediately rushed into her mother's arms as soon as she got out of Archer's. Archer watched the two of them. His heart was suddenly in turmoil. He had mixed feelings when he saw how Kimberly laughed and Felly tried to look fine in front of their child. "Papa! Come on!" Kimberly exclaimed while waving her hand. "O-oh, yes." Archer came to his senses. He locked his phone and put it in his pocket. He then approached his family. Archer patiently sat Kimberly on her baby seat and put on the seat belt. Meanwhile, Felly was already sitting in the front seat. "Papa, I’m hungry," Kimberly whined. "Do you want to have lunch now?" "Mhm. I do." "Okay. Where do you want to eat?" “Um ….” Kimberly rubbed her chin, imitating Felly’s movement when she was thinking. “I want kimbab, Pap
Archer hurried to catch up with Felly, who had already walked quite far ahead of him.“Shit!” the man cursed when the elevator door that Felly was riding in closed. He did not get the chance to open the door. Archer punched the wall with a clenched fist. He then rubbed his face roughly. He was always in turmoil when dealing with his wife. He wanted to be angry, annoyed, and other emotions that were very difficult for Archer to describe in words. Archer himself was sometimes confused by what he was feeling.The elevator door finally opened. Archer rushed in and pressed the button to the lobby.When he arrived in the lobby, he saw Felly walking a little unsteadily while massaging her temples.Felly almost fell. Archer immediately ran to catch her. But his steps immediately stopped when he saw Ryan—who came out of nowhere. Ryan suddenly caught Felly who was about to fall by embracing her.Archer’s fingers slowly clenched.“Felly, what happened? Are you sick? Your face is pale.” Ryan obs