Median Hospital
In one of the VIP rooms on the 4th floor of this big hospital lay a weak woman, 48 years old, with an IV in her left arm and an oxygen mask on her nose. Her thin body showed how much she was suffering from her illness.
Click!
The door opened, revealing a man in a navy suit, looking exhausted. His face was tired as he walked in. This room wasn't open to just anyone, only family and doctors.
"Andri…" a voice whispered through the oxygen mask. Her tired eyes opened, watching who had come in that afternoon.
"Rest, Luna. I'm just here for a bit, want to check on you…" Andri said, forcing a small smile.
Luna nodded slowly. She gently removed her oxygen mask as Andri took a chair and sat near her bed. The middle-aged man looked completely worn out; his face showed extreme fatigue.
"Mira must hate me, right?" she whispered, breaking the silence between them.
Andri sighed deeply, not answering at once. "Mira insists on divorce. She even contacted our family lawyer and prepared the papers…" he said, frustrated. He lifted one hand, running it through his black hair, streaked with gray.
"I've run out of ways to convince her! Even if I explain, Mira refuses to listen!" he added, sounding desperate.
Luna, weak and fragile, gazed at Andri with teary eyes. She felt a bit of envy and jealousy, but she could no longer take him back to her side—her fight now was simply to stay alive.
"I… I'll try talking to Mira… maybe she'll reconsider," she whispered. For some reason, she felt her time was short.
Andri looked at Luna in surprise. He felt a flicker of hope, but how could he bring his wife here when every meeting was met with Mira's cold hostility?
"I don't know… I'm not sure about that," Andri muttered.
Slowly, he rose from his chair and walked toward the only big window in the room, letting the afternoon light fall on him.
Florentia City was still covered in snow, but the sunset cast a warm glow, giving a little comfort amid the chill.
---
Tuesday, December 10, 10:45 PM
Sky Tower Building…
The night wind blew strongly. Merry, standing on the bedroom balcony in her nightdress, didn't feel anything.
The 22-year-old's mind was tangled, thinking about her parents' upcoming divorce, just two days away.
She gripped the balcony railing tightly, bowing her head. Tears slowly fell, chilling her cheeks.
Click!
"Mer, can I come in? I've been calling, but you didn't answer…"
Dewi froze seeing her younger sister standing silently on the balcony. She quickly went to Merry after grabbing a blanket from the bed.
"Hey—"
Merry lifted her tear-streaked face, looking at her sister who draped the blanket over her shoulders.
"Hikss… I… I don't want them to separate, Sis… hikss…"
Dewi froze, tongue-tied. She sighed, then hugged her sister.
"I don't want mom and dad to separate either…" she whispered, agreeing with her sister. "But maybe mom would suffer more if she stayed. I just hope both mom and dad find their own happiness," she added.
Honestly, Dewi didn't want her parents' divorce either, but knowing their past, she couldn't take sides. Her father had done hurtful things that made her mother carry wounds for years.
"But Sis— hikss… if only I hadn't gone to Daddy back then… maybe it wouldn't be like this—" Merry sobbed again.
She knew their family harmony had broken since she entered their lives.
"Ssst, what are you talking about? I've told you many times, right? Don't blame yourself! You were too young to understand, okay? Besides—"
Dewi cupped her sister's face, smiling gently. "My dream of having a little sister finally came true, hehe. Thanks for being my most beloved little sister."
Dewi's wide smile made Merry smile too. She hugged her sister tightly. She was so grateful for Dewi, her big sister who always protected her no matter what.
"I love you so much, Sis…"
Dewi just chuckled and nodded, patting her sister's back, signaling her to go inside. The night was deep, and the air was cold.
---
Living Room...
"You're not sleeping yet, huh?" Dewi asked, surprised to see her husband still watching TV.
Topan cleared his throat. He glanced at Dewi.
"How's Merry? Already asleep?" he asked, changing the topic. He didn't want his wife to think he was waiting for her.
Dewi nodded. "She's still sad, hmm, but a little better. Hoamm… sshh, are you really not sleepy? Then I'll go to the bedroom first, okay?"
She yawned openly. The clock showed almost midnight.
"Yeah, go ahead. I'll follow later. The show's still good," Topan said, looking at the TV.
Dewi frowned slightly, glancing at the TV. It was a comedy show, but Topan didn't laugh at all? Just a serious face. Oh well, she decided to go sleep first.
Since her sister Merry had been staying at their apartment for almost a week, Dewi had to share a room with her husband. But don't worry, nothing weird happened! Or maybe… not yet? Time would tell.
-----
Wednesday, December 11, 10 AM
Florentia City High Court..
Today was the mediation session for Mira and Andri. Mira had arrived an hour ago, but where was Andri? He still hadn't shown up.
Mira had worn an unfriendly expression all this time. She thought Andri was probably dealing with his affair. Hmm, that made her angrier.
She looked at her lawyer, Hendrik, with a sharp glare. "I don't need mediation! I've made up my mind. I want a divorce!" she snapped.
Mira stood up, rushing to leave, ignoring her lawyer's voice trying to stop her.
"But, Mrs. Mira… this—"
Thud…Thud...
Everyone in the mediation room froze as Andri arrived, pushing a wheelchair in front of him.
"You—" Mira's tongue froze. Oh no… the woman who had betrayed her.
"Mira, sorry I'm late. Luna insisted on coming, so I had to bring her here. You need to hear everything and—"
"HOW DARE YOU SHOW UP IN FRONT OF ME, DAMN IT!!!"
Mira's face turned red with anger. She rushed to Andri and Luna, who sat weakly in the wheelchair.
SLAP!
Luna's cheek turned bright red from Mira's slap.
"What the hell, Mira?! She's seriously sick, and you—"
Andri unconsciously raised his voice and moved Mira away from Luna. He was shocked at his wife's action.
Mira then glared at Andri.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, HUH?! YOU WANT TO SHOW ME YOU TWO ARE TOGETHER, HUH?! I DON'T CARE! MY HEART HURTS!!!"
Brugh!
Mira shook off Andri's hold on her arm. She didn't care, rushing toward the exit, slightly bumping into Luna's wheelchair. She was deeply hurt now. How dare Andri show off their closeness?! Damn it!
She walked with her head down, wiping her tears. "Stupid! Why now? Hikss…" she muttered, rubbing her wet cheeks.
Hug!
She almost fell forward as her leg was suddenly held tight.
"Hey, let go—huh?!"
Looking down, she saw fragile Luna holding on desperately.
"LET GO, I SAID!!"
Mira struggled, kicking, but Luna refused to release. Even when she coughed violently, she still held Mira's leg.
"I SAID LET GO—"
"MOMMY!!!"
Mira froze, looking ahead. Her eyes widened seeing Dewi and Merry, even her son-in-law Topan, a few steps away. Both daughters stared at her worriedly.
"Ughh… uhukk… I… I… ughh… forgive me…"
Mira, who had been kicking, stopped at the soft voice. A voice she once loved like a sister, yet now made her disgusted for her betrayal.
"Oh, forgive me? Hahaha…"
Mira laughed bitterly. Her body seemed drained, especially after Luna's next words.
"Ughh… Mer… Merry isn't Andri's biological child…"
●●●●●
Flashback, a few days ago…
Click!
Dewi opened the car door, while her sister Merry sat in the back seat, staring blankly after witnessing her parents' fight again.
Topan glanced in the rearview mirror. "Merry will stay over?" he asked flatly.
He started the engine. After handling the factory issue, he immediately picked up Dewi from her parents' house.
Before getting out, he saw Dewi's silhouette holding her sister's hand and dragging a big suitcase, then getting into the car.
"My sister will stay at your apartment for a while, okay? If not, I'll find somewhere else tomorrow—"
"No need. She can stay with us," Topan said flatly. He focused on driving, ending the conversation.
Dewi nodded, understanding, and sat quietly. She occasionally glanced back to check on Merry.
---
Skip later…
After making sure her sister was comfortable in her room, Dewi exhaled and walked out.
"Huh? Topan? What are you doing here?" she asked, confused seeing him lying on the long sofa, with pillows and blankets he had prepared.
Topan looked at Dewi calmly. "I'll sleep here. You sleep in my room."
"Eh, no need! I'll stay here!" Dewi shook her head.
The sofa was too small for Topan's tall body, and he would feel sore after waking up.
They argued over who should sleep in the room, ending up sharing a room but Topan laid a floor mattress for himself while Dewi slept on his bed.
"Are you sure you won't get cold there?" Dewi asked softly after the lights went off. She felt bad letting him sleep on the floor while she was in his bed.
No reply for a while, so Dewi shrugged and got ready to sleep.
"Nothing you want to talk about? I know I might not solve your problem, but…"
Dewi, eyes closed, opened them again. She listened carefully for Topan's next words.
"As long as you're my wife, I'll protect you. So whatever it is, be honest with me. I'm here, won't leave you."
Thump!
Topan's husky voice sent a strange shiver through Dewi's chest. Her lower stomach felt tickled, but somehow she liked it.
In the dark, Dewi smiled softly, murmuring in agreement with Topan's words.
"Yes, I will."
TO BE CONTINUED…