"If we want this new branch to thrive, we can't just copy-paste what we've done before," Fahlada said with a calm but firm tone. "This place needs its own identity. We tailor our services, fine-tune the marketing, and bring in people who understand this community. This isn't just expansion. It's evolution."
Her voice cut cleanly through the conference room, drawing a murmur of approval. Across the table, her father leaned back in his chair, a small smile spreading across his face.
When the meeting ended, her parents made their way toward her, their faces a mix of pride and hope.
"You've grown, Lada," her father said, his voice rich with pride. "Seeing you like this. I know the hospital will be in good hands long after I'm gone."
Her mother's eyes softened, carrying unspoken memories.
"Your father's right. You're not just leading anymore. You're listening, adapting, and bringing people along with you."
Fahlada gave a small nod and hugged her parents. They headed to a small restaurant the family had been going to for years. The lunchtime rush had just passed, leaving the place quieter, with only the soft clink of cutlery and the hum of distant conversation.
Her father ordered his usual grilled fish, her mother went for the chicken salad, and Fahlada settled on stir-fried vegetables with rice. The aroma of garlic and fresh herbs drifted from the open kitchen, warming the table with a familiar scent.
"I've been looking over your plans for the new branch," Phuthares said, slicing into his fish. "You've thought of things I wouldn't have even considered. That's the kind of foresight that keeps a business alive."
Her mother nodded in agreement and smiled over the rim of her glass.
"You've really grown into the role, Lada. We're proud of you."
Fahlada smiled faintly, taking a sip of water. "It's not just me. The team's been incredible. We've been looking at how to make the new branch fit the neighborhood. Different medical services, different marketing. It's a challenge, but a good one."
They lingered on business talk for a while. Staffing, projected numbers, outreach ideas. Then her father's tone shifted.
"We haven't seen Earn lately. How is she?"
Fahlada's hand stilled on her chopsticks, her expression tensing with a flicker of worry.
"She's focusing on her health for now. We haven't really talked much since I've been very busy."
Her mother's brows knit with concern, a silent message passing between her and her husband.
"Marriage has its seasons, Lada. Don't let being busy turn into a habit."
Fahlada pressed her lips together, uncertainty swirling in her chest as she fumbled for an excuse to say.
"Of course, Earn and I are good. You don't have to worry about us."
Renesmee studied her, as if searching for the truth. Fahlada noticed the scrutiny and felt a brief spark of anxiety, but decided saying more would only lead to more questions. She forced herself to keep eating, but her mind churned with thoughts of Earn.
'I should give Earn a little surprise later,' she thought, longing for the genuine smile she missed so much from her wife. Her thumb traced the edge of her phone, hesitating as if the device itself could bridge the distance between them.
Then her phone buzzed against the table. She picked it up, her heart skipping a beat, hoping it was a message from Earn. But it wasn't. The screen showed a message from the nurse station, advising that her regular VIP patient had just arrived and required emergency skin surgery.
A sigh escaped her lips, and she ran a hand over her face, feeling a mix of disappointment and the familiar pull of responsibility.
"Sorry, I have to go now," she said, setting her napkin down and rising from her chair.
She gave her parents a quick smile and kissed them on the cheeks to say goodbye.
As Fahlada turned to leave, Renesmee chuckled softly and whispered to her husband,
"Your daughter is turning into you."
Phuthares simply shook his head, a mix of pride and worry on his face.
__
Meanwhile, across town, as Fahlada was immersed in shaping the future of their hospital, Earn was quietly struggling to find her own place in the world. Susi had brought Rati and Ingfah along, hoping to lift her spirits. They settled at a small table outside one of Earn's favorite cafés, the afternoon sun warm on their faces, a setting chosen to gently brighten her mood.
Little did her friends know, Earn had spent thirty minutes staring at her closet, unsure what to wear. It had been a while since she went out with them, and she still wanted to look her best. But nothing felt right, not the soft dresses she used to love, nor the tailored blazers that once made her feel powerful.
In the end, she chose something neutral, something that wouldn't draw attention.
As a former actress, she was used to maintaining an image, but today wasn't about being seen. Today was about feeling… normal.
Trying to push her swirling thoughts aside, Earn sipped her coffee and glanced at her friends. She wanted to laugh with them, to feel light, but the heaviness in her chest remained.
Rati shared stories from her recent events abroad, while Ingfah buzzed with excitement about her upcoming GL movie, where she would play the lead. They laughed, teasing Ingfah about finally being the star. But Earn remained distant, her mouth curving into a faint, forced smile.
As her friends basked in the joy of new beginnings, she couldn't imagine herself anywhere else. Not on a set, not in front of a camera. Not anymore.
Her eyes drifted toward the park beyond the café tables. There, she saw a small family: a woman pushing a stroller. The baby's tiny movements struck her with sudden sorrow, while a toddler followed closely, holding a flower and calling out to her mother.
Though the sound was distant, Earn could still make out, "Mama, this is for you."
The mother smiled warmly, and the father approached, lifting the child into his arms as if they carried the whole of their happiness.
A sharp pang of envy hit her, and her hand rose automatically, fingers brushing lightly over her own belly. She let herself linger there for a moment, a twist of longing for what she had lost pressing closer than ever.
Susi was sharing stories about her newfound love in the network, her voice animated and full of excitement, when Rati noticed Earn's distant gaze.
They were supposed to be having fun today, but Earn barely said a word. Rati's brow furrowed slightly, a mix of concern and frustration passing over her face. She understood, at least in part, the weight of her friend's grief, but still, she said something she probably shouldn't have.
"You need to get a grip," Rati said bluntly, exasperation written all over her face.
Earn suddenly froze mid-motion as Rati stared straight into her eyes.
"How long are you going to be like this? If you keep sulking, someone might steal your wife—or maybe I would…" Rati laughed, jeering, but it was too much for the others.
Ingfah slammed her hands on the table, surprising everyone.
"You asshole!"
At the same time, Susi shot Rati a sharp look and exclaimed.
"You always speak without thinking, Rati!"
Rati stood her ground, unwilling to back down, and soon the three of them were quarreling about her attitude and everything else, a scenario that was normal for Earn.
They had always been like this, even before she got married. Rati would fight her over nothing, Susi would cover for her, and Ingfah would defend her. The three of them could argue endlessly over the most ridiculous things.
As she recalls those memories, even the time when Rati was flirting with Fahlada, she could not help but burst out laughing, loud and uncontrollable, as if something inside her had finally broken free.
The sound filled the space, cutting through the tension like sunlight through dark clouds. Everyone turned, stunned.
"You haven't changed," Earn said, wiping tears from her eyes after laughing so hard, then pulling Rati into a hug.
The words hit Rati unexpectedly. She had been bracing for a slap, not this kind of forgiveness. Emotion flooded her face, first shock, then a vulnerable helplessness as tears welled in her eyes.
"I… I just hate seeing you like this," she cried, letting herself sob like a child.
Susi shook her head with a smile, and Ingfah crossed her arms.
"You should have said that instead!" Ingfah ribbed her.
Rati held Earn tightly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said before, but from the bottom of my heart, I wish you well and Fahlada," she whispered, her voice trembling.
"It's okay, thank you for that." Earn said softly. Everyone seemed to hold their breath for a moment, eyes glistening. Slowly, she lifted Rati's chin, meeting her gaze with unwavering confidence.
"And just so you know, my wife would never leave me."
——
As they stepped out of the café, Rati stretched her arms over her head.
"Alright, we're heading this way." She jerked her thumb toward the parking lot.
Ingfah suddenly slipped her arm through Rati's, catching her off guard. Rati blinked at the unexpected closeness but didn't pull away.
"Don't get into too much trouble, you two," Ingfah said with a cheeky grin.
Susi rolled her eyes. "Please, we're angels."
"Sure you are," Rati teased before waving. "See you both soon."
With that, Rati and Ingfah peeled off together, laughter trailing behind them.
Susi dangled her keys with a grin and turned to Earn.
"Come on, I'll drive you. You're having dinner with Fahlada anyway, right? Might as well save you a cab."
Earn smiled, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "You sure? I don't want to trouble you."
"You kidding? You'd be doing me a favor," Susi said as they slid into the car. She shot her a playful look as she started the engine.
"Actually, I was thinking… maybe you could swing by the network with me. My boyfriend's there, and I kinda promised I'd drop by. You could check out the place, maybe even say hi to some people."
Earn raised a brow, amused.
"So this is really about you sneaking in boyfriend time?"
"Guilty," Susi laughed, shrugging. "But hey, who knows? Being back around the studio might give you that itch again. What do you think? Ready for the big comeback yet?"
Earn smiled faintly, her fingers brushing across her belly as if answering for her.
"Not yet," she said gently, "There's something I need to do first."
Susi's teasing expression softened, and she just nodded, turning her eyes back to the road.
As the sunlight spilled across Earn's face, a sense of clarity settled over her. She thought of her wife, Fahlada, scrubbed in for surgery at that very moment, completely focused on building something new and meaningful. And with that thought, she felt herself ready to begin again.