Eric's POV Now, I feel torn between my responsibilities to my current family and the lingering love I have for Lina. Every day, I struggle to find a balance between these two worlds. On one side, there’s Serena, who needs attention and affection, while on the other, there’s Lina, who haunts my thoughts with beautiful memories and unfulfilled promises.This is a difficult dilemma, and I know the next steps must be taken cautiously. Every decision I make could have significant impacts on our lives. I must plan carefully, considering each person's feelings and hopes, to avoid hurting anyone. In my heart, I hope there is a way to unite all these pieces without sacrificing the love that exists.I remember my life with Lina back then. We had our ups and downs and hit rock bottom. Fortunately, I met Malisa, who was overly generous and loyal. With her support, I could secretly finance Lina, even though our relationship had ended.I was able to make Lina a gra
Eric's POV I need to quickly find a way to make money again, especially to cover the unpaid wages to those buzzers. But I'm confused about how to go about it. For a moment, I thought about finding ideas that could instantly draw in a lot of money from various sources.Maybe I could leverage this situation to find opportunities. Digging up information about the people involved in this issue might be a good first step. Or, I could look for ways to exploit this tension for financial gain, like selling information or creating content that draws attention.I might also think more creatively, like designing a crowdfunding scheme or doing something to attract public interest. With a bit of luck and the right strategy, I’m sure I can get the money I want. These ideas keep swirling in my head, and I’m determined to find a profitable way out.Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck me: to extort Malisa using Serena’s name. Considering Malisa believes Serena is with m
Eric's POVI watched Serena from a distance, feeling the tension flowing between us. I knew this step was crucial; persuading Serena to talk to her mother, Malisa, could be a bridge to mending our relationship. However, it was not an easy task.I was formulating a plan in my mind, trying to envision the best way to approach Serena. I wanted to ensure that the conversation not only went smoothly but also successfully created a stronger bond between Serena and Malisa.However, there was one thing on my mind: money. I hoped Malisa would be willing to send the funds I had planned. I knew that if Malisa refused to send the money, the situation could worsen. Serena might grow to hate her mother even more, and that was not the outcome I wanted.My thoughts kept swirling, meticulously planning every step. If Serena could speak directly to Malisa, perhaps Malisa's heart would open up. I wanted Serena to understand that this was an opportunity for both of u
Eric's POV With her gentleness, Lina tried to provide a sense of security and affection that Serena might not have felt before. Amid the existing tension, this moment became a small light that could potentially change everything.In my view, Lina was an intelligent woman, not shallow like Malisa. That was the charm that made me want to remain with Lina. On the other hand, Malisa was too naive and innocent; I didn’t like women who were practically like her. It felt incredibly boring and unexciting. Malisa seemed monotonous and easily fooled, which made me feel unchallenged.In contrast, Lina was entirely different. She knew how to position herself and feed my ego. Her understanding and caring personality made me feel valued. There was an intriguing dynamic between us, a connection that made me feel alive.Lina could see and understand sides of me that Malisa might never have perceived. In my mind, the stronger this feeling grew, the clearer it became t
Eric's POV That silence allowed Serena to reflect on everything I had just said. The expression on her face indicated that she was beginning to understand the complexity of the situation we faced. In that stillness, my hope was that she would realize how difficult our position was and develop empathy for everyone involved."Yes, that’s true, Serena. That’s what happened," Lina chimed in, affirming my fabricated story to convince Serena further.With Lina’s support, I felt stronger in conveying the message I wanted to get across. Serena seemed to be beginning to digest all this information, and I hoped that this explanation would help her understand how important cooperation and communication were in our family. That moment became key to opening further discussions about the hopes and challenges we faced together."So Mom has been unfair again? Why does she do this to me? After all, I’m her own child. I can’t believe there are mothers who are deceitful
Eric's POV Although I felt hesitant to say it, worried that Serena would reject me or could read my thoughts, I was relieved when she remained silent, as if thinking. However, I spoke again to reassure her."Serena, this could be an opportunity for you. If you ask for money for the study tour, it could show that you still want to be in touch and also put a little pressure on your mother," I said, trying to sound convincing.In my mind, there was a plan to use Serena as a tool to blackmail Malisa. Although my intentions were not pure, I tried to keep Serena from realizing what I was really planning. My success in influencing her mind gave me new impetus to continue my bigger plan. "Sorry, it's not that Dad doesn't want to be responsible for your expenses, but Dad hasn't found a job yet because all of Dad's assets have been secretly frozen by your mom. So, Dad has difficulty making transactions; Dad's credit and ATM cards have also been blocked by your
Eric's POVI felt satisfied today. It felt like a big win after my child defended me. The money I hoped for finally came through, and on the other hand, it made Serena hate Malisa even more and embolden her to act disrespectfully. Indeed, this is what I wanted and hoped for with Lina.In the corner of the room, Lina and I sat waiting for the outcome of the conversation between mother and child. The tension was palpable in the air, but a satisfied smile remained on my face. I knew that all of this was part of my plan to control the situation.With every passing second, my curiosity grew. Whatever happened, I was confident that these steps would lead to a beneficial outcome. In my mind, I was planning the next move, imagining how all of this would end according to my wishes. I hoped Malisa would relent to Serena and agree to send the money that Serena asked for. Lina gave me a faint smile, and I smiled back at her. However, behind our smiles lay feelings of
Eric's POV I tried to keep my expression calm, hoping everything would go as planned and Serena wouldn’t dig deeper into this issue. Suddenly, Serena furrowed her brow, puzzled by my answer.“Is that true, Dad? Is it true that Mom hasn’t sent the money I asked for on the phone?” she pressed again.I felt the pressure mounting, but I tried to stay calm. “Yes, dear. Sometimes transfers can be a bit slow. There might be a technical issue. Let’s just wait, okay?” I replied reassuringly.I hoped to divert her attention and make her feel more comfortable without suspecting anything. I just needed my plan to remain safe.“Let me see,” Serena said.“Of course, look here. Check my phone! There’s no notification that your mother has sent the money you asked for earlier,” I said, handing her my phone to check.Serena took the phone I offered and looked at the screen to check for any transfer notification from Malisa. However, she didn’
Malisa’s POV This night was quite heavy for me, but after dialoguing with myself in the stillness of solitude, I began to find definite answers that came from within. I felt this decision was ripe. I would take Mariana's advice. Although I didn’t know what would happen between me and Eric moving forward, my inner self clearly said that I had to do it. After coming to a conclusion from my relatively brief reflection, I lay down on my bed. I felt a little relief and could breathe in the cool air. My chest slowly felt lighter, no longer tight. I closed my eyes very peacefully, allowing my mind to rest. I let myself drift into sleep for the remainder of the night. By early morning, I immediately contacted Mariana to meet me that very morning. I wanted to discuss the outcome of the decision I would make today. Mariana came, and we talked at length. She understood my thought process and had empathy for the feelings within me. Finally, we began to handle everything according to my wishes
Malisa's POV Doubt still lingered in my heart. "But what if this just leads to repeating the same mistakes? Am I really ready to face that possibility?"Mariana smiled slightly, looking at me with confidence. "Every decision carries risks, Ma'am. But if you feel there’s a chance for growth and change, it’s worth trying. No one can guarantee the outcome, but at least you’ll know you’ve made an effort. If not now, when?"I pondered Mariana’s words, struck by her insightful reasoning. "Yes, you’re right, but..." I said, still feeling uncertain about Eric."Enough, Ma'am Malisa. You can give him a chance. He’s just an ordinary human, like us. But it’s up to you, and the decision is yours," Mariana said with a smile.Hearing her words made me feel a bit more open. Perhaps it was indeed true that everyone deserves a second chance. Eric wasn’t a monster; he also had weaknesses and made mistakes. If I could forgive him, maybe I could also find a way
Malisa’s POVClearly, I felt sad because the current situation regarding this conflict did not align with my hopes and expectations. Everything felt far from what I had imagined. Initially, I just wanted to live my life peacefully, but now, I was trapped in a complicated and emotional conflict.Eric started it, and now I had to resolve it. In my mind, there was a mix of emotions. On one hand, I felt angry and disappointed that everything wasn’t going according to plan. Yet, on the other hand, I also felt this was a responsibility I had to bear. This had already happened, and whether I liked it or not, I had to get involved in a matter that clearly dragged me in.Every time I thought of Eric, there was a battle between hate and pity within me. He might be responsible for many problems, but I couldn't ignore the fact that he was also a human being struggling. The dream about Serena deepened my doubts, as if urging me to consider various possibilities that I had never wanted before.I kn
Malisa’s POVI sighed heavily."I know, but sometimes I wonder if the right punishment can erase all this pain. Is there another way? Perhaps, behind all this, there are lessons to be learned, not just punishment."Mariana looked at me seriously. "Justice isn't just about punishment; it's also about the process of understanding and repairing. But sometimes, we must remember that actions have consequences. Whatever happens tomorrow, it will be part of our journey."I fell silent, contemplating Mariana's words. Perhaps she was right, but still, this feeling of uncertainty was hard to ignore. In that silence, I knew that whatever happened in tomorrow's hearing, my life and the lives of those around us would never be the same again."Mariana, I feel like there’s something weighing on my heart. It’s a feeling that’s hard to explain," I said, confused by my suddenly shifting emotions. "What is it, Ma'am? If you don’t mind, share it with me. Don’t hesitate if you want to share your story w
Malisa's POVEverything feels strange and very odd. Seeing the closeness between Eric and Lina is truly unnatural. In my view, they both seem too familiar with each other, and that makes me suspicious. I have no doubt that they must have something hidden, something they want to keep from those around them. This uncertainty continues to haunt my mind.I feel the need to uncover all the secrets between them. Only by knowing what really happened can I achieve peace of mind. I am sure there is more than just friendship between Eric and Lina. That's why I decided to ask for help from Mariana, my reliable best friend.Mariana is known for being clever and resourceful. She has a sharp instinct for finding the information needed. I gave her the task of investigating the closeness of Eric and Lina, hoping she could find clues that would lead me to the truth. Without hesitation, Mariana accepted this challenge and quickly got to work.Day after day, I waited for news from Mariana with hope. Eve
Eric's POV Trying to maintain my composure, I attempted not to show my fear. "I'm here to serve my sentence," I replied softly, trying to convey that I didn't want to get involved in any conflict. They laughed, their voices filled with mockery. "A sentence? Here, we set the rules. You need to learn to respect your elders!" one of them said, moving closer in a menacing manner. I looked at them one by one, hoping to find at least one person who wasn't too bad and could befriend me. However, all the long-term inmates here appeared fierce and intolerant toward newcomers like me. Despair began to fill my mind, and I knew I had no choice but to accept this reality and situation. "Nice to meet you," said someone right in front of me before delivering a hard punch to my stomach. "Ouch," I exclaimed spontaneously, groaning in pain. The pain shook my body, and I had to bend over to lessen the impact of the sudden attack. The laughter from the other inmates filled the air, adding to the sh
Eric's POV As we walked, I tried to reflect on everything that had happened. Thoughts about the future, about how I could rectify my mistakes, began to fill my mind. Although it felt very heavy right now, I realized there were lessons to be learned from all of this. I followed the officer, trying to stay focused on the next step. In my heart, I promised not to give up and to seek ways to rebuild my life, even though the challenges ahead were still great. As the door to the room opened and I took just two steps forward, I saw faces filled with joy, mocking my situation. Some even looked ready to spit in my direction. Feelings of shame and heartache washed over me, but the officer quickly shielded me, ensuring I didn’t receive mistreatment from the people I was passing. "Come on, pick up the pace!" the officer said, directing me to hurry. I nodded my head, signaling that I understood his instructions. With quick steps, I tried to ignore the voices around me, even though every lau
Eric's POV As the trial proceeded, I tried to focus, listening to every question and statement made. However, my thoughts always returned to Malisa and Roby, wondering how they were feeling about all of this. I wanted to fix everything, but I knew this journey wouldn't be easy. The trial process went relatively smoothly, although there was a bit of chaos midway. The atmosphere became tense, but I tried to stay focused. Among the crowd present, Malisa's gaze was directed at me. The sparkle in her eyes hinted at feelings I could interpret, but could not express. Anxiety washed over me as I sensed something strange in her stare. I felt that she still harbored feelings of love and affection for me, despite the vast distance this situation had created between us. That look reminded me of the beautiful memories we once shared, when everything felt simpler and full of hope. Now, we were in such a different place, and everything felt so foreign. I didn't know how long this situation woul
Eric's POVWithout hesitation, I began to step forward after the cell door was unlocked. The creaking metal signaled the start of this journey. The police officer was ready to escort me to the courtroom, affirming that all of this was a step toward accountability."Are you ready, Mr. Eric?" the officer asked as he turned to me."Yes, I’m ready," I replied, taking a deep breath to calm myself before facing what was to come. My eyes looked straight ahead, trying to ignore the anxiety that clouded my mind."Alright, let’s go!" the officer said, signaling for me to follow his lead. We walked down the cold, empty hallway, our footsteps echoing against the walls. Each step felt heavy, carrying the weight of regret and fear of what would happen in the courtroom.The courtroom was getting closer, and my heart raced. I knew that behind that door, many were waiting to hear my story, to understand the reasons behind everything that had happened. This was