After soaking in the bath, trying to relieve the tension and calm herself down, Nayla came out feeling more refreshed, but her mind was still racing. As she reached for her cell phone lying on the dressing table, the screen lit up, displaying a message that had just come in.
It was from Zavier.
“When are you going to reunite me with Joen?”
Nayla paused, staring at the screen with mixed feelings. The message from Zavier made her heart even more uncertain.
He had promised to reunite Joen with his biological father, but she knew something else would happen when Zavier started the DNA test.
“What should I do when Zavier finds out about his son? Will he take him away from me?” Nayla monologued pensively in front of the dressing table.
Beep beep.
Another message came in and it was from Zavier.
&ldquo
Zavier gave a small applause. “That's amazing, Joen! You were great!”Joen smiled shyly and then approached Zavier, taking his hand gently. Zavier felt his heart melt at the little girl's sweet gesture.Nayla smiled happily at their interaction. Inwardly, Nayla recognized that Joen was rarely so close to new people. “You really have the magic touch, Zavier,” Nayla murmured as she gazed at Zavier and his movements in playing with Joen.Zavier felt proud and happy. “I'm glad I could make her comfortable. Joen is a wonderful girl.”Nayla nodded. “She is indeed extraordinary. Joen has her own way of showing affection and comfort. I'm so grateful that you can accept and appreciate her.”“Why do you want to meet him? He is Michael's son. Not yours, stop your unwarranted suspicions,” Nayla said with a confident smile.&n
That night, Zavier went home with a warm feeling in his heart. Meeting Joen gave him new hope and a deep sense of love. He knew that just by virtue of meeting the little girl, he had a chance to win Nayla's heart back.Zavier took out a neatly folded tissue from his pocket as he called Mando.“Yes, sir?”“Come here right now and keep this call a secret from Cahyo. I need you to do something for me!”“Okay!”As the call closed, Zavier smiled mysteriously as he unfolded the neatly folded tissue.A few strands of hair belonged to little Joen.Only half an hour and Mando was already in front of Zavier, “Sir.”“Do a DNA test on this hair and give the samples to three different labs. I don't want any more mistakes.”“Yes, sir.”“There is one more thing,” Zavier continued.“Yes, sir?”“Do Fernando's DNA tes
Nayla was silent for a moment, contemplating Michael's words. “Michael, I'm not asking you to forget or forgive Zavier. I just want to give Joen a chance to get to know his father. I will always protect Joen and myself, but I cannot ignore Joen's happiness.”“This is not about me or my feelings, Michael. It's about Joen.”“She looked like a normal girl when she was playing with Zavier. She was interacting with her father. I-I was touched by the sight.”Michael sighed, held his sore cheek and sat down next to Nayla. “Nayla, I just want you to be happy and safe. I don't want to see you hurt again.”Michael realized his own shortcomings because while he was playing with Joen, the girl kept glancing the other way and playing with her own world.Nayla looked at Michael with understanding. “I know, Michael. I really appreciate your
Nayla was stunned and froze for an instant. She had not yet said anything. Michael had already moved closer to her.With a strong inner drive, Michael finally forced a kiss onto Nayla's lips. The kiss was filled with emotion and desperation. Nayla, who was distressed and confused, did not resist; she let Michael kiss her with a broken heart.However, as the kiss progressed, Nayla felt helpless inside her. The sound of her slow, ragged breathing could also be felt by Michael.Michael realized that the kiss was not getting the response he expected. There was something in the way Nayla responded that showed how much she was still attached to Zavier.Michael pulled away, letting go of Nayla painfully. He looked at Nayla with eyes full of sadness. “I cannot continue this, Nayla. I know that in your heart there is only Zavier.”Nayla looked down, tears streaming down her ch
Nayla watched from the kitchen with mixed feelings. She saw how Zavier patiently and attentively explained the toy to Joen. Although she still doubted Zavier's intentions, she couldn't ignore the happiness on Joen's face.Joen started playing with the puzzle, trying to assemble the pieces according to the instructions given by the software. Zavier sat beside him, providing support and guidance when needed.“Well done, Joen! You're very clever,” Zavier praised when Joen successfully completed one more piece of the puzzle.Joen smiled broadly. “This is fun. Thank you, Uncle Zavier.”Joen hugged Zavier so tightly that Zavier almost fell over and they lay on the floor. The sound of father and son laughing could be heard loudly.Nayla, who was cooking in the kitchen, heard their conversation and felt her heart soften a little. She still doubted Zavier's intentions, but couldn't ignore the fact that Joen seemed happier and more en
Zavier sighed, trying to calm his anger. “I just want to protect you and Joen. I don't want anyone else to hurt you again. Michael is just a coward, he'll hurt you.”Nayla laughed at Zavier's words, “Michael is protecting me from you. Have you forgotten what you did to me?”Zavier swallowed his saliva. “Nayla. I'm just afraid of losing you again.”Nayla leaned closer, touching Zavier's arm gently to get him to let go of the door leaf. “Zavier, I don't want any conflict between you and Michael. I want us to work together for Joen's happiness.”Nayla understood that the decision to allow Zavier back into their lives was not an easy one, but she was determined to do her best for Joen.With a heart full of hope and confidence, Nayla was ready to face whatever was to come, for the sake of her son's happiness.After a deep conversation, Nayla and Zavier stood at the center of the open door in silence
Zavier's anger grew with the rejection he felt from Nayla. Behind his sweet smile and calm demeanor, Zavier harbored a burning anger. He felt humiliated and disrespected, especially after the emotional slap he received from Nayla. For Zavier, it wasn't just a matter of feelings, but of his pride that had been trampled on.He felt the need to conquer her through his business. To make Nayla helpless again and seek him out again.As a smart and ambitious businessman, Zavier knew how to utilize the power he had. He had long built relationships with powerful investors and business partners, and now he decided to use his influence to destroy what was precious to Nayla.With cold calculation, in just a few days, Zavier began to devise a plan to attack Nayla's business. In all seriousness, he utilized the trust he had already gained from major investors, convincing them that Nayla's business was not a safe investment.With his expertise in
“Okay, Nayla. Let's talk about everything,” Zavier replied with mixed feelings. This meeting could be a turning point in their relationship, both as business rivals and as two people who once loved each other.“Me to your house? Or you to mine?”Nayla considered Joen's possible reaction to seeing Zavier again if he came to her house.“How about a café?” Nayla suggested.“I'll send a meeting location,” Zavier agreed.“Okay.”With mixed feelings, they prepared to meet and talk heart-to-heart, finding a way to resolve all the feelings and conflicts that had been holding them back. This meeting was not just about business, but also about starting over with a calmer heart and clearer mind.The day of the long-awaited meeting arrived. Zavier deliberately chose to meet at their old home, a place where they once shared dreams and hopes.
Moments later, Sefia cried out in excitement when the noNaylal of two billion was displayed on her phone screen, indicating that the money had been sent by Bram.“Doctor! Doctor! We can proceed with the surgery!” Sefia exclaimed with excitement.Moments later, the doctor and the medics were ready to resume the operation. Sefia stared at the ceiling, trying to calm herself down. She knew her journey wasn't over yet, but at least now she wasn't alone.There was Doctor Bram who would be the source of funds for her treatment costs.“As long as Zavier hasn't gotten any facts, then I will prepare myself well and become Nayla... for him!”***Five hours seemed like a long time for a plastic surgery that required medical professionals.Sefia woke up with heavy breathing, her vision blurred behind the bandages wrapped around her face. Pain radiated from her cheekbone to her jaw, like thousands of needles stabbing all ov
“What deal are you referring to, Mrs. Sefia?”Sefia snorted then said, “stop pretending! I'm in trouble right now. Zavier maxed out my credit card and I have to have plastic surgery right now!”Bram laughed, and the laughter was painful to Sefia's ears. “Oh, that's your problem. I'm already happy enough having Nayla. Right now, that woman can't remember anything except me as her husband.”“What do you mean, why can't she remember? What have you done to her?” Sefia could not contain her anger and despair. She felt as if her world was collapsing because she was too stupid to hand Nayla over to a man with no humanity like Bram.“Ah, that's just a small problem. Nayla has a bit of amnesia. She doesn't remember anyone, except me. And I have no intention of letting her go,” Bram replied in a very casual tone, as if talking about the weather.“I can't believe this. You have to let her go, B
The doctor stared at her for a moment, trying to find the right words. “There might be a way to contact your family or close friends. Maybe they can help, or you can try to contact the bank to resolve this issue.”Sefia closed her eyes, trying not to feel the growing emotional burden. “I don't want to contact my family. They don't understand this decision. They always think I'm stupid for wanting to do this surgery.”“I understand,” the doctor said gently. “But we need a quick solution. The implant inside your nose will also have to be removed if you can't pay.”“What?!” Sefia let out a deep breath. “Zavier! I thought he would support me. But he blocked me instead. This is so unfair!”“Are there any close friends you can call? Anyone who can help in this situation?” asked the doctor, looking at Sefia seriously.“No! Everyone thinks I'm crazy for doing this. I
Nayla quickly ran to her room and threw herself onto the bed. Covered her hot face with a pillow and snuggled into the blanket.Crying without understanding why she was crying. Something was missing from her, but she didn't know what it was. She just felt broken and strange in the place she was in right now, yet unable to explain anything.She missed someone or something, but she didn't know what it was. It was a feeling that shook him so badly that he cried until he wailed in his room.Bram could only stand at the door with the same heartbreak. His hands were shaking violently. He wanted so badly to turn the door knob and rush in to hug Nayla, but he knew that it would only make her even more depressed.Bram closed his eyes and held his own hands, took a deep breath and decided to stand at the door until the sound of Nayla's crying subsided.***Sefia lay on the patient bed with her face almost completely wrapped in bandages, her feelings w
They walked into a room at the end of the house and by the time Bram turned the door knob. Nayla's eyes rounded perfectly.There were various paintings there and there was also a large blank canvas, brushes, and some oil paints. She set them up deftly by the window overlooking the garden, making sure there was enough light to paint in.“These are all yours, Nadia. And this... is your most amazing work,” said Bram as he showed a beautiful, abstract painting.“This?” asked Nayla. Her voice was barely audible.Bram gave a small nod and pushed Nayla into a chair with the canvas standing in front of her.“Here are your tools,” he said flatly, as he stepped to the side, giving her space.Nayla sat in front of the blank canvas with a blank stare, feeling a subtle tremble in her hands as she stroked the blank canvas.Carefully, she took the brush in her hand. The first touch of the brush on her fingers felt
Silence fell over the room again. Bram tried to smile, although his smile looked stiff. He crouched with one foot next to Nayla. “The important thing is that you're safe now. That's all that matters. We can build everything back, together.”“You will remember everything, sooner or later. My love for you will restore everything, Nadia.”Nayla gave a small nod and continued her meal as Bram stepped back into his chair.However, those words could not penetrate the confusion in Nayla's heart. Every movement at the table felt mechanical, devoid of any real emotion. Every mouthful was hollow, as if there was no taste other than the feeling of being trapped in ignorance.Of course the dinner passed in unspoken tension, with Nayla still immersed in her self-discovery, while Bram tried to endure the silence while considering and doubting whether the medicine he had given her was enough to make her forget her memory.“Bram, am I
The maid seemed hesitant to answer, but before she could elaborate, the door to the room opened slowly. In the doorway stood Bram, his face worried yet calm.“Nadia,” Bram called in a deep, yet gentle voice. “You're awake, darling. How are you feeling?”Bram walked over with steady steps, his eyes thoughtful as he approached the bed where Nayla lay. Wordlessly, he leaned down and planted a soft kiss on the forehead of the woman he claimed as his wife, as if it was his way of calming Nayla's troubled mind. The touch felt cold and unfamiliar to Nayla, who was still struggling to remember who the man before her was.“Didn't you say this gentleman would be home by six?” Nayla glanced at the waitress who was beginning to feel awkward and at fault. The little girl stepped back with her head bowed.“Glad to see you're awake, dear,” Bram said in a low voice. He then turned to the young waitress who was still standin
The young servant paused for a moment, seemingly unsure of Nayla's question. “Mr... Mr. Bram, ma'am,” he replied slowly, his voice trembling slightly. “He's been looking after you all this time.”Nayla closed her eyes, trying to make sense of the situation, but her mind remained foggy. “Bram? Who is he? I don't... don't remember who he is,” she muttered in a confused tone.“You didn't answer my question. What's my name? Do you know?”The young maid looked down, uncomfortable with Nayla's confusion. “Madam... your name is Nadia. Nadia Anderson. And you are Mr. Bram's wife.”“You were just married last week and someone caused Madame to have an accident,” the little maid said with her head bowed.Nayla's eyes widened, a mixed feeling of confusion and fear coming over her. “Wife? An accident? But I don't remember anything... how can I be his wife?”“Who is
Little Joen smiled and wrapped his arms firmly around Zavier, showing him great love. Even though the boy was not very good with words, Zavier could feel the immense love from his little angel.“By the way, Papa Puzzle, there's one more...”“Hmm, what is it, dear?”“Joen saw on the television earlier, there was a story... a family and a story... of love, they met and got together. Is Papa Puzzle and Mama like that too?” Joen linked his two forefingers with sparkling eyes.Zavier frowned, considering what movie this kid had seen. “What do you mean?”“That, Papa... met and got married?”“Ohh, of course. Papa and Mama got married.”Little Joen shifted his butt sitting on Zavier's lap. “Story!” He said enthusiastically.Zavier's eyes stared blankly ahead, there was a pain that could not be hidden behind the small smile he tried to carve for the litt