Florentia, December 2
As December began, snow started blanketing every corner of the city. Towering skyscrapers stood proudly against the pale sky, surrounded by pockets of flower gardens—one of the largest being the iconic Florentia Park, famous for its endless fields of blooming tulips.
Various kinds of tulips flourished here year-round. The city itself grew powerful thanks to the Sagara Group, a massive corporation founded by the first-generation patriarch, Sagara Indrajati.
He had only one son, now deceased, and the entire empire was inherited by his grandson, Topan Sagara—the younger of two siblings born to Kamil Sagara and Ratna Dwipa. His older brother had long abandoned the family business to pursue a career in modeling, a decision that caused years of tension between them.
No one really knew where the old founder lived now. Rumor said he spent his twilight years alone in a small village near the Florentia–Jianju border.
Weekend mornings like this were usually quiet, most residents preferring to stay home in the cold. But the chilly world outside was nothing compared to the tension filling the spacious living room of Dewi's childhood home.
For the past two weeks, Dewi had been avoiding her parents entirely. Thankfully, her husband Topan firmly forbade them from visiting the couple's penthouse in Sky Tower unless Dewi and Topan were the ones coming over.
"Dewi, sweetheart… Dad's really worried. I'm glad you finally agreed to see us," Andri said softly, watching his only daughter from a short distance.
Dewi's expression remained stiff. Not even a hint of a smile.
Earlier this afternoon, she had asked Topan to drive her here. After a long argument—Topan had his own company issues to deal with—he eventually agreed, though he couldn't stay.
"I came here to hear why you two never separated. You've been fighting since forever. I'm tired," Dewi said flatly, her gaze cold on both of them.
Mira and Andri both froze. Dewi never asked anything before. They also never dared bring it up in front of her.
"…Does this have anything to do with Merry?" Dewi murmured bitterly. She wasn't a child. She knew something had always been off.
"De… Dewi… that…" Mira's voice trembled.
This secret had once shaken the whole household two decades ago, when Dewi was only ten. Even though she and Andri had erased every trace, sooner or later, Dewi would find out.
"Daddy was wrong… It was all my fault. Like I told you before… I made a terrible mistake. One I can't run from," Andri said, eyes clouded with regret.
"What do you mean?" Dewi swallowed hard. She had known bits of the truth… but hearing it spoken aloud terrified her.
Andri exhaled long, his mind drifting back to the chaos of the past.
---
Flashback 20 Years Ago...
"What is this?! Explain, Andri! Who is this child?!"
Andri Jeffrey, a well-known private bank and real estate tycoon, was famous for his charm—and many women still tried pursuing him despite his marriage to a notable designer.
Mira stood frozen, shocked beyond words as she saw her husband carrying a tiny two-year-old girl. Rage and disbelief filled her eyes.
"So it's true? You cheated?! With Luna, wasn't it?! This is your child with her?! Damn it—why did I ever help that ungrateful girl—hiks… you—"
Thud!
"Mommy!!!"
A ten-year-old girl came running, only to witness her mother collapse on the floor.
Andri quickly set the toddler down. His heart stopped as he rushed to Mira's limp body, shouting for the maid.
"Satya! Satya!!!" His voice shook. He was terrified something had happened to her.
"Honey, please… wake up… I'm so sorry… Mira…" His fingers trembled as he tapped her cheek.
"Hiks… Mommy… Daddy—why?"
Andri looked up—and cursed himself. Dewi had seen everything.
"Dewi, sweetheart, go with Satya to Auntie Ratna's house for now, okay? Stay there for a while. Daddy will pick you up soon. You understand?" he coaxed gently.
When Satya arrived, Andri immediately sent Dewi away to Mira's closest friend, Ratna Sagara. Meanwhile, he rushed Mira and the toddler to the hospital.
Dewi watched her father leave, fear creeping into her heart. And who exactly was that little girl?
---
A Few Hours Later…
Mira opened her eyes, weak and emotionally shattered. Something small wrapped around her thumb.
She wanted to push it away… but stopped when she saw a pair of round brown eyes staring up at her curiously.
"Mom… uhh… wake…"
Oh God… what was happening to her? She should reject this child.
"Hiks… hikss…"
Her tears fell uncontrollably. Her body trembled. Andri had betrayed her? With Luna? She cursed herself for ignoring the employees' warnings, trusting her husband too much.
Click!
The door opened. Andri entered with a doctor.
"Mira? You're awake—hey!"
Crash!
The vase she threw nearly hit him.
"GET OUT OF MY SIGHT, YOU BASTARD!"
"Mira, please, don't—"
The doctor hurriedly picked up the toddler before Mira's unstable emotion lashed out again.
"WHERE IS LUNA?! That snake—where is she?! I'll kill her!"
Thud!
Mira forced herself off the bed, ripping the IV from her arm.
"Mira, wait—"
Andri grabbed her from behind, holding her tightly.
"Please, honey… I'm sorry… it's all my fault… please…"
"Let go! You and that shameless woman—you're disgusting!! LET GO!"
Andri held on. "Mira… Luna is gone. It's pointless chasing her. I haven't spoken to her in years. Merry suddenly showed up at my office out of nowhere…"
"Liar! Hiks… you're lying…"
Mira's strength drained. She collapsed, but Andri didn't let go.
"Hikss… I…"
WAAAH!!!
Both of them turned sharply. The toddler was screaming in the doctor's arms, kicking, reaching out.
"Huhuu… mom… 'fwaid… 'fwaid… huhuu…"
Her teary brown eyes pleaded desperately for someone to hold her.
Hug
Mira's motherly instinct snapped first. She pulled the little girl into her arms and hugged her tight.
"Sst… it's okay. Mommy's here. Your name was Merry, right? Now you have Mommy… and you'll have a big sister too… don't cry anymore, sweetheart…"
Andri quietly wiped his tears. His wife's heart was far bigger than he ever deserved.
"Don't forget Daddy's here too… I won't leave," he whispered, embracing both of them.
Mira didn't push him away—but he knew how deeply she was hurting.
Flashback Ends
---
Dewi had been crying silently for a while now.
"Since then, we started over from zero. I worked hard to earn your Mommy's trust back," Andri murmured.
"But now you're repeating it, Andri!" Mira snapped suddenly.
"Repeating? What do you mean?" Dewi looked confused.
Andri sighed. "No, I didn't cheat, sweetheart. Don't misunderstand."
"She came back, didn't she?"
A trembling voice came from the doorway. The three of them turned. Merry stood there, eyes glassy with tears.
"Mama Luna is here, right? Isn't that true, Dad?"
"See?! What did I tell you?! Luna is back and you two want to get back together! Answer me, Andri!" Mira's voice cracked, sharp as a blade.
"She's seriously ill, Mira! Who's cheating?! I'm just helping her get treatment!"
Both parents rose to their feet, glaring at one another.
"Oh, sick? Is that your excuse now?! I know you still want her! Fine! Then let's divorce! I'll take my children with me!"
Andri shook his head violently—no, never. He didn't want to lose his family. He just wanted to help Luna, who had no one else in this world.
"DON'T DRAG ME AND MERRY INTO YOUR MESS!"
Dewi's voice boomed through the room. Her hands trembled, but her resolve didn't waver. She walked to Merry and took her hand.
"Pack your things. You're coming with me."
The two sisters headed toward Merry's room. Dewi didn't bother staying to watch her parents fall apart again. She had long grown tired of shutting her eyes and ears to the chaos in this house.
TO BE CONTINUED…