Eric's POV
I wanted to explain, but the words seemed to freeze. Malisa had every right to be angry; we were all connected in this tragedy. However, in a situation like this, all I could do was stand there, trying to process everything happening. I wanted to reach for Lina’s hand, hoping we could support each other, but everything felt so distant.In the crowd, I tried to find a way to ease the situation. "Malisa, we didn’t know…," I said softly, but my voice was nearly drowned out by her cries.The deep pain hung between us, and I knew we had to find a way out of this darkness. Suddenly, Malisa forcefully grabbed my collar, shaking me while shouting, "Bring my child back!" Her voice was full of anguish and anger, trapping me in a situation that was becoming increasingly tense.“Calm down, Malisa! What’s going on?” I asked, trying to find the right words amid the chaos. But every passing second felt heavier. The crowd around us only increased my aEric's POV "I don’t know the exact moments leading up to all of this. Because Serena was under her mother’s care. But there was clearly some conflict between Serena and Malisa in the weeks leading up to this, that’s all I know. Perhaps her homeroom teacher could clarify more," I said, nudging Lina with my elbow.I hoped this answer would be enough to divert their attention, but the crowd of reporters still seemed curious. Lina looked confused, but I tried to signal her to explain if necessary. The atmosphere was becoming more pressing, and I knew we had to be careful with every word that came out.Lina seemed startled, looking nervous to start her answer. I gestured for her to begin speaking, reassuring her that this was the right time to gain positive validation. In situations like this, every word we uttered would have a significant impact. This news would surely spread, circulating through mass media, print, and even the internet.I imagined how ou
Eric's POV The question heightened the tension in the atmosphere. I could see Lina momentarily stunned, as if trying to recall every detail of that very difficult moment. When she lifted her face, I could sense the uncertainty within her.I felt exhilarated to be in this moment. Honestly, this was the moment I had been waiting for. Finally, I was in a position of control to speak at length and explain everything that was on my mind. Soon, Malisa would surely be shattered in front of many people; her image would deteriorate further. It was even possible that Malisa could become a suspect in Serena's death.That thought sent a rush of energy through my body. With every passing second, I became more confident that my plan would come to fruition. If all this happened, all control of the company would automatically be handed over to me as the sole heir after Serena's departure.I imagined how my position would change. No more shadow of Malisa blocking my w
Malisa's POV Since I found Serena being abducted by Eric and entrusted to her homeroom teacher, I became increasingly convinced that there was something going on between Eric and Mrs. Lina. Even to this day, I still have my assistant investigating the truth. I want to ensure that their conspiracy is uncovered soon.But I lost control when I heard the news that Serena had been hospitalized due to a suicide attempt. I don't understand why Serena has become such a rebellious child and has become so reckless. I almost lost Serena forever, but I managed to bring her home, even though she needs ongoing care at home for her recovery.She had just regained consciousness, and I found her rejecting my presence. I don't know what Eric and Mrs. Lina have indoctrinated Serena with, making her so temperamental. I was nearly overwhelmed trying to handle the Serena of today."Why am I here? Tell me why you brought me back from the hospital! Where's my dad?" Sere
Malisa's POVMy assistant, quickly replied confidently, "No, ma'am. I gave her the medication as per the doctor's orders." Although her tone was calm, there was an underlying tension that I couldn't ignore."Then why? Did she have food poisoning?" I asked, trying to get more clarification. Anxiety and confusion piled up within me. All the worst possibilities spun in my mind, and I needed to understand how Serena's condition had come to this.My assistant hesitated for a moment, perhaps trying to find the right words. However, as my gaze returned to Serena, I felt the panic enveloping the room even more. In such a situation, all I could do was seek answers. I wanted to ensure she received the help she needed as quickly as possible."No, ma'am. If Miss Serena had food poisoning, it’s possible we both would be poisoned since we ate the same food," my assistant replied with a reasonable logic."Oh yes, you’re right," I said, realizing that was a v
Malisa's POVI explained that she couldn’t go out until she was fully recovered. This decision was not made lightly; I wanted to ensure that she was not only safe but also had enough stamina to face the outside world. For that reason, I decided to implement strict supervision around her.Every step I took was made with full awareness. I understood that although my intentions were good, this might make her feel trapped. However, I believed it was what was best for her at this moment. My hope was that by providing the right time and attention, Serena would rediscover her strength.In my heart, I prayed that she could understand this decision and, one day, see it as a form of love and protection. As I observed her reactions, I knew this process would require patience and understanding.Serena threatened me with her words, expressing her anger sharply. "Oh, so you want me to get depressed again and do something crazier in this house?" she asked, and I felt
Malisa's POVI felt relieved to hear her words. Although there were limits, at least she was willing to return to school. This was a positive step, and I was determined to ensure everything went smoothly. I wanted to give her space to grow while still keeping her safe. With this agreement, I hoped we could start a new and better chapter in our relationship.I hoped she would be okay while outside the house. Besides that, I could resume the work I had neglected while focusing my attention on Serena recently.I hoped she wouldn’t do anything strange again and wouldn’t get too close to anyone who would negatively influence her. Especially with Mrs. Lina and Eric. They were people who could bring negative influences, and I felt the need to be more vigilant.I had to warn the guards I would send to accompany Serena. "Make sure you are extra vigilant when Serena has to meet with Mrs. Lina or Eric," I warned them. "If anything seems suspicious or if Serena lo
Malisa's POVDisappointment washed over me as I reflected on what happened to Serena. The guard I trusted had failed. Usually, he was always able to keep everything in check, but this time, it ended tragically. Only regret remained between us, seeping into every passing second.Serena, once full of life, now lay helpless. Her fall from a height had stolen all hope, leaving two painful possibilities: a lifetime of disability or eternal loss. Guilt gnawed at my mind while deep sorrow enveloped my heart. The trust I had placed in him now felt like an unbearable burden.Every memory with her flashed clearly, from joyful laughter to small moments that once seemed trivial. I always felt safe with her, confident that she would protect me and those I loved. However, in an instant, everything changed. Thoughts of what I should have done differently and how I should have been more careful haunted my mind.I couldn't stop thinking, what went wrong? Were there sig
Malisa's POV I held back, trying not to interfere with the medical team working hard beside me. Allowing them to examine Serena was the best decision. In my heart, I hoped they could do everything possible to save her. Each passing second felt like an eternity.With trembling hands, I waited for their confirmation. It felt like I was on the brink of deep uncertainty. I prayed silently, hoping for a miracle so Serena could recover. In such a situation, all I could do was hope and pray, waiting for good news that could change everything."Sorry, Mrs. Malisa, not yet! Let us ensure first that her life is still there and can be saved," said one of them, his voice firm yet empathetic. He immediately began examining Serena quickly and attentively.I didn't know who he was, but in this critical situation, I entrusted the process to him. He carefully checked Serena's condition, repeatedly examining various pulse points and major arteries. Each second felt ten
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