"May I help your father?" Vio was surprised to hear Azzura's question, so she could only stare. She had only just met the woman, but why did she seem so good to her. "No need, Ma'am." Vio couldn't help but smile. She didn't want to bother other people. "So what?" "I can still take care of my father." Vio smiled awkwardly. She wasn't comfortable with this kind of attention. Especially from someone she just met. "Sorry," Azura whispered. She didn't expect her good intentions to cause inconvenience to others. After that, there was only silence between the two. Not long after, Azzura's car entered the courtyard of a clinic. They were both still silent. They were confused about where to start the conversation again. "Vio! Come on. Treat your wound first." Azzura entered the clinic, followed by Vio behind her. "Afternoon, Mrs. Azzura," said one of the security guards in front of the clinic. "Afternoon too, Mr. Supri. Is Mr. Adrian inside?" asked Azzura. She smiled back at Mr. Supri
"Ah, no! It's just that--" Vio hung her words. She hesitated again. Should she ask this or not? Azzura raised her eyebrows, still waiting for what Vio would say. "Are you married?" Vio closed. Sometimes she asks someone she has just met. 'You stupid Vio,' she cursed in her heart. "Ha ha ha ...!" Vio is confused. Why is Azzura laughing? Isn't Vio already rude by asking like that? Azzura raised her left hand as if she wanted to show Vio something. "It's a wedding ring. That means I'm married." "Yes." Vio smirked. She felt the question was very unimportant. If only she could turn back time. "I'm married, and I love him." Vio looked at Zura. She says honesty. There was a twinkle of happiness in the woman's eyes when she said, love. Vio was sure that Azzura was telling the truth. But why is there sadness in it too? "Surely your husband is a good person. The proof is that you are perfect," said Vio. She likes that. Says what's on her mind. Sometimes she wonders herself with her mout
"Sir! There is a meeting with Mr. Mark Sutopo this afternoon." Risa is currently in front of Brian's desk. She holds the tablet in her hand. All of Brian's schedules are in Risa's hands. "What time is the meeting?" Brian asked, his eyes still on the pile of reports in front of him. "Two o'clock in the afternoon," answered Risa firmly. Brian stopped his activities he took a deep breath. Mark Sutopo is one of his business rivals who aggressively bring down his company. Brian knew that Mark often resorted to sneaky ways, but as an honest person, Brian couldn't move. He had to think of all the consequences he had to take. "Remind me later!" Brian decides to go back to dealing with the reports that he says never stop. Every day, there was always a mountain of information that he had to check. If the company gets bigger, the work will also increase. Brian suddenly remembered when his company wasn't this big before, and he still had plenty of time for Azzura and Kyra. Not like this time.
"Vio! What are you doing? Why is your face so battered?" Handoko looked panicked when he saw that his only daughter was battered. The beautiful face that she used to show in an instant disappeared, replaced with horrific bruises. "Papa. This Vio fell earlier, Pa," replied Vio. She couldn't be honest with her father, knowing she would be apprehensive if she told the truth. "Fall? Where? There's no way you just fell, girl?" Handoko approached Vio. He wanted to see the wound himself. Is it true that she fell or was beaten? Vio looked away as her father looked at the area of her face. "Yes, Pa. Vio just fell. She landed on the asphalt. So it was battered like this." Vio smirked. It's as if she doesn't have any problems now. "Don't lie, Vio. I know you're lying. I've known you since you were a baby." With his weak voice, Handoko sticks to his opinion. He had eaten so long in life that there was no way such a clichéd excuse could fool him. Vio took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Pa. Sorr
"Morning, Honey." Azzura came down from the top floor of her room. She headed straight to the dining room to accompany Brian to breakfast. Azzura looks very beautiful in a black dress with a length below the knee. Brian had been stealing glances ever since he smelled his wife's scent. Even from a distance of meters, Brian knew the smell of Azzura's perfume. "Hmm...!" He still felt annoyed with Azzura's request that night even though he had also spent a long passionate night with her. "Tsk!" Azzura memorized Brian inside and out. She knew that at this time, her husband was trying to sulk her. Something that has not been in their relationship for a long time. So far, there is only passion without any significant waves in their household. At least that's what Azzura thought. Zura walked over to Brian and put her hand on her husband's shoulder, and then kissed his cheek. Azzura didn't care about Brian's carefree attitude; she kept acting. A masculine scent immediately wafted into Azzur
After Vio said goodbye to Handoko to look for work, she continued walking down the sidewalk in an uncertain direction. She was confused about where to look? Vio doesn't want Handoko to worry about her situation. Because if she stays at home, then she will only contemplate. "I'm drained. Been around like this; no one has open vacancies. Only a high school diploma. Where else do you ask?" Vio is now sitting on a long chair by the roadside. She wiped her sweaty forehead, although sometimes she had to endure the sting of the wound that had not yet dried. "Ouch...!" Vio complained when her hand accidentally nudged the bruises that still hurt. She could only wince in pain. Maybe she felt like she wanted to cry right now, but that would only make her weak. Vio pouted. She felt that her luck was too bad. Had she done anything wrong in the past that she received karma like this—a lousy life and far from happy. Vio saw the brown envelope in her hand. If she gave up this time, what about her
Brian came home in a terrible mood. Every day he had to meet with Mark because of business matters. Either he is like a child or the two of them can't get along. However, his meeting with Mark was not at all suitable for him. Azzura followed Brian into his room. The woman saw her husband slamming his coat and tie on the bed. She swiftly picked up the two objects. "What are you doing, Honey?" Azura asked. Lately, her husband seems to be more and more grumpy. She had never seen Brian like this before. Brian glanced at Azzura briefly. I don't know how he feels about his wife now. Missing, hating, angry, disappointed. All mixed feelings in one. Brian snorted. He looked away. Brian didn't want to be confused by his feelings anymore. If he looked into Zura's eyes, he would surely fall back into his wife's charm. "Honey...." Zura hugged Brian from behind. Her hands touched her husband's sensitive points, which had always been able to make Brian melt even when he was angry. "Go away, Zu
Brian opened his eyes. He felt something hot tickle his senses. Brian blinked, looking around. "I am at home?" He is very familiar with the atmosphere of his room. There was a family photo displayed beautifully and majestically when he opened his eyes. "You're awake, Honey." Azzura entered the room and smiled sweetly at Brian. She came in with a shirt and suit. Azzura put it on the back of the sofa in her room. She then approached Brian who was still staring at him confused. There was no anger or annoyance on Azzura's face. She acted normal as if last night there was no fight at all. "Hurry up, Honey. You take a shower first." Azzura's smile can make Brian melt. He immediately got out of bed and went into the bathroom. There was the sound of a shower splashing a sign that Brian had performed his ritual. Azzura changed to sit on the bed. Her eyes never left his family portrait. She, Brian, and also Kyra seemed to be smiling happily there. Azzura's memory came back to when the pho
The air felt heavy, as if the remaining oxygen was dwindling. The wall clock ticked slowly, each second sounding like an eternity. Five people sat there in silence, each trapped in their own thoughts.On the long sofa, Anthony Wijaya sat with his wife, Wening. They stared intently at Brian, who looked dishevelled in front of them. He hadn't stopped fidgeting since his wife had gone into hysteria because of him. Next to Brian was Kyra, still visibly shocked, witnessing the reality of her mother's condition.In the corner of the room, Adrian stood, leaning against the wall. He folded his arms in front of his chest, his eyes constantly watching the four people in front of him. The atmosphere in the room was more chilling than a cemetery. Even for Adrian, this was more horrifying than encountering a ghost.Although he was Azzura's best friend and doctor, he was confused by the situation. Both sides were unable to reconcile. Although Mr. Wijaya seemed more lenient than usual, he still felt
The father and daughter stared at each other for a long time. There was a sense of longing conveyed in Brian's gaze towards Kyra. He wanted to run and hug her, but he was also afraid that Kyra would reject him."Daddy…!" Finally, Brian felt relieved when Kyra approached him first. She ran and then hugged him. Brian happily returned Kyra's hug. He held Kyra tightly, as if he didn't want to let go anymore."Kyra, I miss you." One word that could explain all he had felt all this time. They had met a few times, but the closeness of a father and daughter had been lost for a long time."I'm sorry, Daddy. Forgive me for always blaming you. Forgive me for not understanding you." A sincere apology came from Kyra's small lips. She also longed for this, hugging her father with feelings of love and affection."No, dear. I am the one who needs to apologise to you for being selfish and never understanding you."Wening and Anthony Wijaya just watched silently. Although they were upset with Brian's s
Kyra remained silent after meeting Vio. She was still pondering over what had been said. For a long time, she had turned a blind eye and deaf ear to what happened to her parents. She simply wanted to blame Vio for everything that had happened.Kyra still held the agreement in her hands. Several times, she only glanced at it and was afraid to open it again. She still couldn't believe that her mother had planned all this. She still denied that her mother had schizophrenia.Kyra shook her head. "This can't be true, right?" Kyra asked more of herself. She took a deep breath and then lifted her head, which had been bowed down.Kyra remembered her grandfather, who had been in Switzerland for the past few days. Vio had mentioned earlier that her father was in Switzerland to pick up her mother. Could her grandfather have been with her mother all this time?"Sir! Can you go faster?" Kyra commanded the driver, who responded with a nod. The car sped up faster than before. Kyra sat anxiously in t
After hearing everything from Handoko, Vio decided to visit her mother's grave. Handoko had never told her about her mother, always keeping the truth hidden. Vio had grown accustomed to not asking. The most important thing for her was that she had a great father.Vio sat in front of the tombstone for a while, saying nothing. She didn't know how to address her mother because she had never done so in her life.With her mouth still closed, Vio began to move her hand to pull out the weeds growing on the mound of earth. Occasionally, her eyes would glance at the name on the tombstone."I wish I knew you before, Mom. I’m sorry it took so long for me to come here." Vio took a deep breath, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall. Although she didn't know anything about her mother, Vio could feel the sadness her mother had experienced. Thankfully, Handoko had finally made her stay, even if it wasn't for long.No more words came out of Vio's mouth. She just wanted to enjoy this mo
Wijaya didn't forbid Brian from coming after that incident. He was pleased to see Azzura becoming more cheerful. Although he would occasionally flare up in anger, Azzura's smiles were more frequent.Every day, Brian came with Adrian and always accompanied Azzura, whether reading novels or knitting. He was so attentive and meticulous in caring for Azzura that he seemed to forget about Vio's existence. He hadn't even contacted Vio since that day.Vio kept glancing at her phone. It had been days since her husband left without any news. Naturally, she was worried that something bad had happened to Brian. Brian had only called once when he left the airport on his way to the hotel."What's wrong, dear? Why do you look so anxious? Hasn't Brian contacted you?" Handoko emerged from his room. His right hand pressed a button, causing his wheelchair to move automatically.Vio winced. She hadn't even told her father about this, so how could he know?Vio shook her head. "No, Dad. Mas Brian usually
Wijaya strode quickly towards Azzura's bed. He then grabbed the back of Brian's shirt and shoved him hard, sending him crashing into the wall. Still not satisfied, Wijaya moved closer to Brian and pulled off the wig he was wearing. Wijaya's face turned crimson when he realized that Brian had been with his daughter all along.From the moment he saw the man carrying Azzura, Wijaya had suspected it was Brian. After all, there was no way Adrian would allow another man to touch Azzura. And this time, his suspicion was confirmed. Wijaya was furious to learn that Adrian had deceived him."What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you not to look for Azzura anymore?" Wijaya snapped at Brian. His blood was boiling because he couldn't stand the thought of Brian touching Azzura again. Even though Wijaya knew that Brian's second marriage was Azzura's wish, he hadn't accepted it yet. He didn't care who Brian was with now, but he didn't want Brian with Azzura anymore.Brian, who had been silent until
"What's going on, Adrian?" The sound of a familiar voice stopped them in their tracks. Both Brian and Adrian were so scared that neither of them turned around."Adrian! Why are you just standing there?" The sound of footsteps approaching forced Adrian to turn around. He smiled, greeting Mr. Wijaya as the older man drew closer. He hadn't expected the old man to arrive earlier than usual."Uh... I sedated Azzura because she was having a fit earlier, Uncle," explained Adrian, shifting his body to cover Brian's back. Even though Brian was still disguised, there was a chance Mr. Wijaya might recognise his son-in-law. After all, they had been father-in-law and son-in-law for quite some time.Mr. Wijaya sighed deeply. "Is there any treatment that can fully cure her? I'll pay anything." It was the despair of a father facing his daughter's condition. Azzura was his only child, and she was his world. He couldn't believe she would suffer from a mental illness like this.Adrian shook his head fee
The sound of Adrian's car horn caught the attention of the guard at the gate. Upon realizing it was Adrian's car, they opened the gate."Has Mr. Wijaya arrived?" Adrian asked the guard opening the door for him. Before answering, the guard glanced at the man sitting next to Adrian. His furrowed brow showing doubt about the person Adrian brought.Adrian, realizing this, briefly glanced at Brian. "Ah... this is my assistant. I brought him because I need his help. Azzura's condition is very bad, and I'm afraid she might hurt me."Brian pondered upon hearing Adrian's words. Was his wife's condition really that severe?"Don't make a scene!" Brian turned when Adrian said something. Adrian had just closed the car window and was about to drive off.Brian remained silent, looking confused. Eventually, he opened his mouth and asked, "Is Azzura's condition really that bad?" Half of his soul felt wounded after hearing Adrian's earlier statement. He couldn't ima
Brian drove recklessly despite the terrible weather conditions. The heavy snowfall obstructed his view. However, Brian managed to catch up with Adrian's car and cut him off, forcing Adrian to abruptly stop his vehicle.Brian slammed the car door shut, creating a loud noise. He quickly walked towards Adrian and began pounding on the man's car window."Adrian! Come out!" Emotions had taken over Brian, making him impatient. As Azzura's husband, he was not allowed to meet with her, so why could Adrian meet her?Adrian remained quiet for a while. He took a deep breath, trying to remain calm, and after a few moments, he opened his car door."What are you doing? Why are you behaving like a thug?" Adrian raised his face, indicating he wasn't afraid of Brian. Both men stared at each other sharply, each harboring resentment.Anger consumed Brian to the point where he couldn't remain calm. His hand suddenly reached out and grabbed Adrian's shirt collar. "Tell me! Is Azzura in that house?" Brian'