Novel-novel oleh ALFAREZ

PART 50Roby stood frozen.His jaw tightened as he saw Ferdinan embrace Natasya so intimately—as if it were the most natural thing in the world.The man didn’t even respect him as Natasya’s husband.As if… he was nothing anymore.“Natasya, I was worried when you didn’t pick up my call earlier,” Ferdinan said softly, his hand still resting on her shoulder.Natasya didn’t pull away immediately.“I was with Erik,” she replied calmly.“Ah, I see.” Ferdinan smiled, then turned his gaze toward Erik, who stood a few steps away.“Erik!”The boy immediately turned, his face lighting up.“Uncle Fer!”Roby clenched his fists.Uncle Fer?Since when did his son call that man by such a familiar name?Erik jogged over to Ferdinan.“I didn’t expect to see you here, Uncle Fer.”“We had a promise, remember?” Ferdinan replied, gently patting Erik’s head.Erik tapped his forehead.“Oh my God, I forgot. Sorry, Uncle Fer.”“How was your competition?” Ferdinan asked.“Uncle! I won the poetry contest!”“Real

Natasya stared at her phone screen for a moment.Then she picked it up and slid the green button.“Hello, Natasya.”Ferdinan’s deep voice came from the other end—soft, yet clear enough to trigger Roby’s adrenaline as he sat across from her.“Yes, Ferdinan?” Natasya replied calmly.“Where are you right now? Does what you said a few days ago still stand?”Natasya smiled.A beautiful smile—at least in Roby’s eyes.He cursed inwardly.How could he have been so foolish to betray such a perfect woman—his own wife?But it’s never too late, right?As long as he keeps trying, maybe Natasya will eventually soften.Especially with Erik between them.“I’m with Erik and his father,” Natasya answered briefly, offering no further explanation.Hearing that, Roby’s previously tense shoulders straightened instantly.A faint, victorious smile curled on his lips. He deliberately adjusted his sitting position, as if asserting his presence through the very air in the room.Roby knew well that Ferdinan had

The atmosphere inside the car fell into silence.The soft hum of the engine filled the unspoken tension between the three of them.Roby glanced back, looking at Erik who was sitting in the back seat beside Natasya.Natasya remained as she always was—calm and unreadable.That only made Roby feel more guilty toward his son.“Erik… I’m sorry about earlier. Larisa… she might just feel like she’s being pushed aside now that your mom is back home.”Natasya raised an eyebrow slightly.Was he serious?What a shameless man.Erik shook his head gently.“It’s okay, Dad. I still appreciate Larisa, because last year she was the one who accompanied me on Father’s Day. But this year, Mom is back… so of course I want to be with her. I can’t replace Mom’s position with Larisa.”The answer was simple, yet there was a clear distance in it&m

A thief would never want to be stolen from. They become overly cautious, overly suspicious—afraid that what they took might one day be taken back.Perhaps that was exactly what was happening to Larisa this morning.She already knew that today Roby had an event to attend with Natasya at Erik’s school. But for some reason, she suddenly refused to let him go.“I told you not to go to that school, Roby!” Larisa’s voice rang sharply, turning Roby’s once peaceful morning into a living hell.The atmosphere in the guest house had already grown tense, even before the sun fully rose.Roby, who was in the middle of putting on his shirt, turned to her with an annoyed expression.“It’s my son Erik’s event, Larisa. Stay out of it!”“Your son Erik? Or your excuse to get close to Natasya again?” Larisa crossed her arms, her gaze filled with suspicion.“Larisa, weren’t you the one who went to Erik’s school last year? You should understand. So why are you acting like this now?”“Natasya should know tha

After taking control of her company again, Natasya had been extremely busy.Even so, she always kept a close eye on Erik’s development—her only son.Like today, she had just been informed that Erik got excellent grades at school.Forgive Mommy, sweetheart. Mommy hasn’t been the best mother to you. But I promise, we will keep being happy forever.As soon as her car stopped at the carport, Natasya stepped out and walked straight into the house.A smile curved on her lips as she imagined congratulating Erik for his achievement.But the moment she opened the door, that feeling instantly changed.“Erik?”Natasya froze in her tracks.Her son was sitting on the sofa, his head lowered. There was no sound of the television, no toys scattered around like usual. The house felt eerily quiet… and empty.In his hands, he held a piece of paper.Didn’t he get good grades? Then why does he look so down?Is something wrong?“Sweetheart?” Natasya walked closer, her brows knitting together.She approache

Natasya took a slow sip of her coffee. The tension following the earlier attack had begun to fade, but the way Ferdinan looked at her created a different kind of tremor within her."I still can't believe that the high-profile client I was supposed to meet today is the same man who just saved my life," she remarked.Ferdinan offered a thin smile, his eyes fixed on Natasya with an unreadable glint."Perhaps the universe intended for us to meet in a somewhat dramatic fashion, Natasya.""But from the way you defended me earlier... you seemed like someone who has been highly trained."Ferdinan arched an eyebrow, looking amused by her observation."Do you... seriously not recognize me, Natasya?"Confusion clouded Natasya’s face."What do you mean?"Ferdinan raised his glass and took a small sip of the dark liquid before answering."Our parents used to be close friends. Have you truly forgotten that?"Natasy