Novels by Cacabayu127

Xavier’s POVI watched Amelia still sitting in the chair, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. The awkwardness was palpable, as though the air between us had thickened. I knew what was running through her mind. She was probably trying to rearrange everything she had just confessed—her fear, her confusion, her doubt.I rose and walked slowly toward her. “Amelia,” I called softly.She turned, her eyes still holding a trace of hesitation.“I want you to feel that this house isn’t just mine,” I said gently. “From now on, it’s yours too.”Amelia froze, startled. She didn’t answer, only lowered her gaze as if my words were too heavy to hold. I took a deep breath, then extended my hand toward her. “Come, let me show you.”She stared at my hand for a long while before finally standing on her own, without taking it. I didn’t comment, simply turned and walked ahead sl

Amelia’s POVI felt my cheeks heat. “Maybe it’s because I truly feel trapped, Xavier. This marriage is all something that happened so quickly I never chose it.”“True.” His tone was flat, but his eyes glinted sharply. “But you chose to stay. That makes you different.”I lifted my head. Something in his words cut deep. Staying? Did I really choose that? Or did I just have no other choice?“I don’t know if staying is a choice,” I said, almost whispering.Xavier leaned back, his fingers lightly tapping the table surface. “Sometimes, choices aren’t immediately obvious. But every small step you take is a choice too.”I looked down at the cup in my hand. The faint quivering of the tea seemed to reflect my anxiety.Silence fell between us. Only the ticking of the wall cl

Amelia’s POVI covered my mouth, almost in disbelief.It was the grandmother I had found on the street, lost due to her illness. The grandmother I had taken to the police, hoping her family would find her.I froze.“Grandma,” Xavier greeted her quickly, stepping forward to support her. His tone was softer, more loving. “Why did you come down alone? Didn’t Adrian say it’s better to wait upstairs if you’re tired?”The old woman only smiled faintly. “I feel like someone I’ve been waiting for has finally arrived.”Then his eyes shifted to me. Long. Deep. As if they penetrated all my layers of defense.“You.” His lips trembled. “You were the one who helped me that time, weren’t you?”I held my breath. “Grandma, do you rememb

Amelia’s POVXavier looked at her directly. “Yes, Mom. She’s my wife. She belongs by my side, not here anymore. Don’t misunderstand me, I have no intention of separating Amelia from my family. But I want her to feel safe. The small rented house she lives in now isn’t a suitable place.”I lowered my head. I felt embarrassed, but also relieved. I'd always been accustomed to hiding the simplicity and crampedness of the rented room I called home.My father nodded slowly, either in agreement or mere resignation. I could read many things in his eyes, but he said nothing.Xavier gripped my hand tighter. "Come, Amelia."I nodded, though my heart was still pounding.We left the house without another word. A black car was waiting out front, its door open for us. The driver bowed politely, but I could feel his eyes darting over me with suppre

Amelia’s POVI could still feel the lingering gaze of Xavier as we stood in front of my parents’ gate. My heart was pounding so hard it almost drowned out my own voice.This house held so many warm and painful memories. Now, I was back, not as the daughter I once was, but as the wife of someone I’d only just discovered for certain: Xavier.My hand unconsciously clenched my small bag. I wanted to step back, but a gentle grip on my wrist kept me going. Xavier, his face as calm as a rock, walked beside me as if nothing could shake him.The door opened. My mother stood there, her aging face a look of surprise upon seeing who had arrived with me.“Amelia,” her voice cracked, then her gaze shifted to Xavier. “This is…”I swallowed hard before daring to speak. “Mom, Dad, I’d like to introduce myself.

Amelia’s POVSilence filled the room again. I could hear the ticking of the clock, could feel the cold creeping up from the floor to my body.I looked at Xavier once more. "What if I don't want this relationship, what if I want it all to end?" I asked softly, though my own heart trembled at those words.Xavier lifted his chin slightly, his gaze unwavering."Then I'll let you go. But I swear, before that happens, I'll make sure you're strong enough to walk alone. I won't let you break, Amelia. No matter who I have to fight."Those words closed the empty space in my chest. I fell silent, staring deeply at him, searching for something to reassure me.I saw more than just a cold, secretive man. I saw someone who, for some reason, had truly chosen to stand by my side.I lowered my head, letting my tears fall again. This time it wasn't just from pain, bu

Carissa's POV I wondered if Dylan had ever imagined such a simple life—flowers on the table, small laughs in the living room, light conversations without the shadow of secrets?Until finally, I sat down on the sofa, writing again in my diary. I wrote about Dylan, about how one small sentence from him could change the feeling in my chest. About how I learned to love not from grand promises, but from the small presence he gave me.The writing stopped when I heard the key turn in the lock. My heart pounded. Dylan rarely came home early, but this time was different.He walked in slowly, setting his bag on the table. His face was serious, but there was a sense of determination in his eyes.“What’s wrong?” I asked.He sat beside me, looked down for a moment, and then said, “I can’t promise I can tell you everything now. But I don’t want you to continue to feel like a stranger in my life.”I was stunned. Those words were more profound than anything he had ever said before.“Dylan…” my voic

Carissa's POV A small smile appeared on his lips, a smile I’d rarely seen lately. A smile that made me want to believe that whatever he was hiding, I could bear it with him.We finished our meal in a warmer silence. Afterward, Dylan reached for my hand across the table, his grip tightening. There were no additional words, just a touch that spoke louder than anything else.I let the silence envelop us, feeling that perhaps this was his way of showing love, even in secret, even in fear.His hand remained in mine as he took a deep breath. For a moment, I thought he would return to his usual silence. But then, he loosened his grip, looked down, and then looked up hesitantly.“I was thinking,” he said, his voice heavy. “About my work.”I raised an eyebrow, trying to suppress my surprise. Dylan rarely talked about his work directly. Usually, it was just a brief, necessary answer.I waited without interrupting. “Sometimes…” he paused, his finger tapping lightly on the table surface, “…some

Carissa's POV I paused for a moment in front of the door, feeling the cool air from the slowly rotating fan. My heart felt as if I had just found something I had been searching for.“Welcome,” a woman’s soft voice greeted me. She stood behind the counter, wearing a simple cream-colored apron. Her smile was friendly, her eyes serene.I nodded slowly.“Hello. The flowers are beautiful.”“Please take a look around. If anything catches your eye, let me know.”I walked slowly, down the small aisle between the shelves. My eyes moved from one flower to another. There was something serene about the room. It was as if the world outside had stopped for a moment, replaced by a mix of colors and fragrances.My hand stopped on a white rose. Its petals were tight and soft. I imagined it on the table in the living room. But I felt hesitant, roses were too formal, too full of symbols I might not be ready to embrace.I shifted, and my eyes fell on a sunflower. The yellow was so bright, the stem sturd

Carissa's POVI just smiled faintly, staring at my reflection in the mirror in front of me. My hair was wet, sticking to my skin. The faint circles under my eyes were becoming more visible.“But your hair is nice,” she said again, “thick, easy to manage. It’s just a bit dry at the end. You straighten it often.”I turned my head slightly.“Rarely. I tie it up more often. Sometimes I forget to use vitamins.”“Yeah, that’s normal. Most people do that. We’ll give it vitamins to make it softer. It’s a shame to let your hair dry out if it’s long.”I took a deep breath.“Yes, you can. Thanks.”There was a moment of silence. I felt strange because I usually don't like to talk much during treatments. But there was something about the

Carissa's POVDylan left early today. The shirt he’d ironed the night before still clung to his shoulders, his hair neatly combed, his face focused. I could only watch from the dining table as he sipped his coffee, his steps occasionally hurried as if something were chasing him.“I’ll go now,” he said curtly.I nodded, trying to hide my mixed feelings. “Be careful, okay?”He paused briefly in front of the door, looking at me as if wanting to add something. But then he just smiled faintly, then left. The door closed softly, leaving a long silence.I sat in the chair for a long time, staring at his coffee cup, still faintly steaming. There was a part of me that wanted to chase him, hug him from behind, tell him I could be his home anytime. But there was also a part that chose to remain silent, to let Dylan have his space.Since Raiha

Carissa's POVI woke up later than usual. The bed was still warm beside me, a sign that Dylan hadn't moved long ago. From the kitchen came faint sounds, plates touching, spoons scraping against glasses. I smiled slightly, got up, and walked over.Dylan was pouring hot water into two cups. His back was straight, but his movements were slow, as if he was careful not to make a loud noise.“It’s rare for you to go first,” I said, sitting down in the chair.He glanced over briefly, a faint smile appearing. “Take turns. You looked tired last night.”I chuckled. “I’m not that strong. Talking a lot, laughing a lot, can actually make you tired.”“Seems,” he replied briefly, then placed the cup in front of me. The aroma of tea wafted warmly. I stared at the steam rising, feeling a comfortable, if slightly awkward, sil

Since Madeline's mother's death, Uncle Haris’s house was the only place she could seek refuge. Yet lately, even her uncle had begun to show signs of weariness with her troubles. Madeline knew Haris only took her in out of pity, not because he truly wanted to. That realization made her feel even more like a burden.Her phone vibrated on the small table. She turned her head. Ethan’s name appeared once again on the screen. Her hand reached out, then froze in the air. Her heart pounded as if some trace of feeling still lingered.“No!” she whispered, then grabbed the phone only to switch it off completely. She refused to be trapped again by Ethan’s sweet lies.Silence fell once more. But her mind wouldn’t stop arguing with itself. If I marry Nathaniel, I can make Ethan regret it. He will see me standing beside his own uncle, stronger than ever. No! That’s madness. I can’t possibly bind my life to a man like Nathaniel, not just because of heartbreak.Madeline rose and sat on the edge of t

Madeline swallowed hard, her face pale. A contract marriage?She still couldn’t believe Nathaniel could say something like that.“Impossible!” Madeline finally shouted. She tried to pull her hand away from Nathaniel’s grasp. “I will never marry a man like you!”Nathaniel only looked at her coldly, as if completely unaffected. “A man like me?” he repeated in a low, pressing tone. “Then what? You’d rather go back to the man who betrayed you? Or live with a father who never trusted you?”His words cut deep, leaving Madeline speechless.“I don’t need your pity!” Madeline shot back, her voice trembling. “I can survive on my own!”Nathaniel’s lips curved into a faint smile, as though he had expected her answer. Slowly, he released her hand. “You’re stubborn, Madeline Brooks.” His voice was low, but carried authority. “But think carefully. I never offer something twice.”Madeline lowered her gaze, took a deep breath, then hurriedly stormed out of the room. The door slammed shut behind her

Many workers in the lobby who had been quietly watching Madeline and Sonia's fight turned their heads when Nathaniel showed up. Thomas, her helper, was behind her.They said hello to their boss nicely, but many of the women workers couldn't hide their surprise.The boss, not often in the place, now stood in the middle of the lobby - tall, charming and giving off a scary feel of control.Sonia saw Nathaniel and quickly changed her face. Her grin got bi͏gger, as if nothing was wrong."Sorry, mister. I didn't want to make a fuss I was just telling him since he looked like he didn't get the rules when he came in here' Sonia said nicely but her eyes peeked at Madeline with dislike."Nathaniel didn't react.As soon as he walked in the lobby, his eyes were on just one person Madeline.The guy's eyes were closely watching Madeline, like he was seeing into her thoughts.Aware of the attention, Madeline felt uneasy.Why was this man looking at her like that?A weak grin bent Nathaniel's mouth.

Madeline stared at the man before her.His face seemed known, like she had seen him somewhere.But, her brain was still too mixed up to recall clearly. Her heart, which had been racing from almost being struck by a car, hadn't even gone back to normal."Are you fine, Miss?" The man's worried voice pulled Madeline from her daydream."Oh, yes. I'm fine," he replied quickly.She tried to get up but when she moved her leg pain shot from her knee. Madeline frowned then looked down at the leg."Your knee bleeds," the man said, sounding more worried.It seems, he didn't pull quick enough and the car brushed Madeline's leg.Yet, odd, the hurt from the cut didn’t seem to be felt. Maybe because the hurt in Madeline's heart was bigger.Betrayed by her fiancé.Thrown out by her own father.Expelled from her family's company.Next to all that, the cut on her knee was naught.Madeline lifted her head, looking at the guy watching her state with sadness in his eyes.She grinned a bit, but it seemed f

Everyone froze.Monica looked at Madeline in surprise. "Madeline, dear you are just kidding, aren't you?" She tried to stay cool but the shock was plain on her face."No. I'm for real." Madeline's eyes were keen, her voice was quiet, but there was a shake in her tone. "I don't want to wed Ethan."Silence fell over the room.The visitors' looks were on Madeline, many of them full of surprise, while some had doubt.Ethan, next to her, got tense. His face changed a lot, from fear to caution. It was like he could not trust what he just heard.He seemed like he wanted to say something but, before he could Adhitama, her dad had already taken Madeline's hand tight."Sorry Arya, my family and I are going now," Adhitama said quickly, his voice flat but full of stress.He pulled his girl out of the party room, not waiting for a reply, going by the quiet and wandering looks of the guests.Seeing this, Nathaniel raised an eyebrow.Interesting.His look stayed on Madeline, who was pulled away by h

Two days passed.Madeline hadn't touched her phone.Since that night, she has been in her room. She won't see anybody, ignoring all calls and messages, most of all Ethan's.He kept calling her, but Madeline didn't care.Each time her phone buzzed, she merely looked at it with a chill before shutting her eyes once more.She needed time.To forget Ethan's betrayal.To erase the memory of that night.To wipe away the sense of plainness and guilt each time she looked at her face in a mirror. ͏However, Madeline couldn't hide forever.͏Today, Ethan's clan was taking them to a parents' wedding special.Madeline had no pick but to go with her small face."Do we need to go to the doctor?"The calm sound of Risha, Madeline's mom, ended the quiet in a car.Madeline stared at him for a bit and then shook her head slowly. "I am fine, Mom, there is no need to worry."She peered in the back view mirror, gazing at the face of her dad, Adhitama.But, the guy stayed quiet, his face chill.The past t

Anya brought back her doll and placed it on Jessica's lap. "This is for the baby. When the baby arrives, this doll will be the first gift."Jessica was stunned, then hugged Anya tightly. "You're so sweet, honey. Thank you." Jonas, sitting beside her, watched the scene with warm eyes. He knew this simple moment would linger. It wasn't just about congratulations, but also about a small bridge being built between their past, present, and future.After a while, Kevin finally stood up. "We have to say goodbye. It's time for Anya to rest."Jessica nodded, still holding Anya's small hand. "Thank you for coming. I'm happy to share this news with you."Kevin smiled. "We're happy to hear it."Anya hugged Jessica once more, then whispered innocently, "Auntie, take good care of the baby."Jessica nearly shed tears. "Yes, honey. I promise."As they left, the house fell silent. Jessica stared at the newly closed door and then leaned against Jonas. "It feels so good I can finally say that calmly. S

Laughter occasionally filled the room, making the house feel more alive than usual. Nothing was rushed, nothing too serious. Everything flowed like a calm river, carrying small waves of joy.In a quiet moment, Jessica looked at her father with deep eyes. “Dad, I want my child to really know you. I want them to grow up hearing stories about my childhood, about how you always protected me.”Mr. Randy held her gaze, then slowly nodded. “Of course, sweetheart. I’ll make sure my grandchild knows how amazing their mother is. How much love has already surrounded them, even before they were born.”Jonas felt a warmth he couldn’t put into words. He realized this was one of those memories they would carry forever. A simple beginning, but filled with meaning.When they finally got ready to leave, Mr. Randy hugged his daughter again, tight, as if reluctant to let her go. “Take good care of yourself, Jessica. Remember, you&rsq

They finished their dessert with smiles that never faded. That little restaurant stood witness to how two people celebrated their new beginning not with a grand party, but with glances, handholds, and genuine laughter.As they rose to leave, Jessica squeezed Jonas’s hand once more. “I’ll always remember this day. The first day we truly celebrated our little one’s presence.”Jonas bent down, pressing a soft kiss to the back of her hand. “And this is only the beginning. We still have so many days to celebrate together.”They walked out of the restaurant, side by side. The city lights accompanied their steps, but the warmest glow came from the bond of their joined hands.“Jonas, I want to go to my father’s house to share this good news,” Jessica said.“Alright, let’s go there now.”The drive to Jessica’s father’s house felt different that time. The car mov

Jessica looked at him for a while, then let out a small laugh. “Are you serious? We just got the news, and you’re already thinking about celebrating?”“Yes,” Jonas nodded firmly. “Because today isn’t just an ordinary day. It’s the day we were given news that will change our lives. I don’t want to just let it pass.”The car drove on a little further until it finally stopped in front of a small restaurant tucked at the corner of the street. It wasn’t fancy, but it had a warm atmosphere, with soft golden lights and large windows showing the simple wooden tables inside.Jessica smiled as soon as she saw it. “I love this place. It’s not over the top, but it feels cozy.”Jonas looked at her as he opened the car door. “That’s exactly the point. I want us to celebrate in a simple but meaningful way.”They stepped inside, greeted by the aroma of dishes rich

The first bite went into her mouth, making her wince and smile at the same time. “So sour but so good.”Jonas could only sigh, then kept driving. To his ears, the sound of Jessica chewing and occasionally giggling was music more beautiful than anything.The car crossed a small bridge. From above, a river flowed calmly. Jessica stared at it for a long while, then spoke softly, “I want us to walk by that river someday. Maybe with a child running beside us.”Jonas was silent for a moment, then glanced at her. His eyes softened. “I want that too.”Jessica exhaled slowly, as if imagining something distant yet so real. She unconsciously placed a hand on her stomach, then turned back to the window.The road grew busier. Other vehicles moved around them, yet inside the car, time seemed to run more slowly. Jonas switched on the radio, and soft music filled the cabin. Jessica hummed along lightly, making Jonas smile withou

Jonas stood behind her, his hand resting on her shoulder. He didn’t ask what she meant. He knew Jessica was speaking not only to the plant, but to something greater within herself.They returned inside with lighter hearts. No parties, no celebrations just quiet gratitude. They closed the day leaning against each other, without excessive promises.Jessica turned on the small lamp in the living room, its soft yellow glow spreading around them. The house felt warm not because of the temperature, but because of the togetherness that filled every corner. Jonas sat on the sofa, while Jessica walked briefly into the kitchen, returning with two glasses of warm water.“To close the day,” she said simply, handing one glass to Jonas.Jonas accepted it with a small nod. They sipped slowly, exchanging smiles that needed no explanation.When the glasses were empty, Jessica rose first. She walked toward the bedroom, flicking her hair as if brush