Part 65

65

Therefore, when Carlos and Chelsea came out, their hair was both wet and Chelsea was in Carlos' arms. Margareth tried to keep a smile on her lips.

"Thank you Carlos, you look after Chelsea like your own daughter, it's not even awkward to take a shower with Chelsea." Margareth quipped, approaching Carlos who had just put Chelsea on the bed.

"Mum thought wrongly, Daddy showered earlier than me. Just now Daddy just…”

"No need to argue anymore. Mother has been here for almost half an hour and I very clearly heard that you and your father were taking a shower together. "Are you guys that close that you're not at all embarrassed about having your body touched by a man?" Margareth urged Chelsea to admit that there was a special relationship between them.

Chelsea shook her head. "It's not like you thought, Daddy just bathed me. I was wearing clothes earlier."

"Ah, I see..." Margareth went to the bathroom. He brought Chelsea and Carlos' dirty clothes. "Look, both of your clothes are dry. So it's impossible if you shower wearing clothes. Come on, darling, honestly, you both took a shower together, right? "What are you doing in there? Don't think, Mom, you two can lie to these children."

“Mom…”

"Chelsea is my wife so there's nothing wrong with us taking a bath together or something."

“W- what, Carlos?” Margareth asked, wanting to hear Carlos' confession once again. He shouldn't have been surprised to hear this anymore because Celine had already told him the whole story, but for some reason it still made him unable to say anything, because it turned out to be very painful when the words came straight out of Carlos' mouth.

“No ma'am. Daddy was just joking and I can confirm that it was all just a misunderstanding." Chelsea still dismissed Carlos' confession, making Carlos and Margareth both wonder why the girl still wanted to hide their marriage relationship.

“Yes, if that's the case. Mom believes in you.” Margareth pulled the corners of her lips. “Then you, Carlos. Please go to the office, I can replace you looking after Chelsea here. Besides, he's nothing to you, so I'm the one who has the right to look after Chelsea."

"No. "You're the one who goes, I'll look after Chelsea," said Carlos, ignoring Margaret and continuing to look after Chelsea as a husband should look after his wife. Chelsea repeatedly averted her gaze when she met Margareth's gaze.

The girl was really afraid that Margaret would find out that she and Carlos were in a relationship. However, seeing Margareth look relaxed, he was quite relieved, even if only a little.

"Man, I'm surprised why you pay so much attention to Chelsea when our relationship is currently strained. You should hate him because Chelsea is part of me."

Carlos turned his head towards Margareth who was sitting on the sofa. "It's none of your business, as I said at the time, if our relationship ends, please leave and don't take Chelsea with you because I love her."

"Love or love him?" Margareth asked once again, trying to lift the veil that Chelsea and Carlos had been hiding.

“Mom! "Come on, don't make a fuss, this is a hospital," complained Chelsea.

“How can you not make a fuss while your lover and child are alone in the hospital room. In the bathroom too, showering together and of course your body has been touched by the man. Which mother would be willing for her daughter to be enjoyed by a man, even if that man is her own lover. Now try asking you. Is it appropriate for Mother to be angry with both of you?" Margareth asked carefully, she was trying to suppress her anger and ego so as not to explode right now.

Chelsea closed her eyes, finding no answer that could cover up their lies. As a result, he looked at Carlos asking permission to say that they were married. Carlos of course nodded in agreement with Chelsea's wishes. After all, he had already conveyed this to Margaret, but Chelsea denied this again. So now Chelsea is the only one who admits to Margaret that they are married.

"Mother is right. Daddy and I were taking a shower together and I also admit that Daddy had touched me even more than that. I do everything because of my responsibility as a wife, to serve my husband, so it's only natural that Daddy looks after and protects me more than a foster parent."

"So it's true that you two are married?" asked Margaret.

Chelsea nodded her head. "Sorry ma'am. I couldn't love Vano and instead fell in love with Daddy, we were married a long time ago. Just a few days after we lived with Daddy. I couldn't refuse the attention and affection he gave, this love grew suddenly and I surrendered myself completely to Daddy. Here it's not Daddy who seduces, but I who insist on getting Daddy's love. Giving me my body even though Daddy still doesn't have any feelings for me. So I apologize to you for stealing your lover and for my relationship with Daddy, as long as you know it wasn't you who brought me and Daddy together, but I was the one who found Daddy on a chat application when Daddy was looking for a sugar baby. So there's nothing wrong with me being a sugar baby for my future father. And here he is, Carlos Wijaya, my husband, Mom. "Sorry I took it from you," said Chelsea, holding Carlos' hand tightly.

This was the day he had been waiting for to see Margareth angry with him. The middle-aged woman's face looked bright red, her jaw tightened as if she wanted to remove Chelsea's life from her body.

Not afraid at all because Chelsea was sure that Margaret would never be able to touch her while Carlos was by her side. However, all of that was just Chelsea's presumption because when Margareth approached, the woman reached out her hand.

"Congratulations on your marriage, I hope you will always find happiness. And it doesn't feel like you're going to the hospital because you have a fever, right? "But because you're pregnant," guessed Margareth, further finding out where Chelsea's household was going.

Chelsea nodded her head, confirming what Margareth said.

"My condition was a bit weak, so I had to be hospitalized for a few days to ensure the strength of the fetus in my womb. That's roughly what the doctor said when examining me yesterday."

"Ah, that means I'll be a grandmother soon," Margareth smiled gently. "So, everything is clear now, and there's no reason for your husband to kick me out of the house. As a mother-in-law, I should be treated well by my son-in-law, right?" She seemed to be hinting at Carlos, who was sitting next to Chelsea. "Congratulations on your marriage, both of you. May you have a happy family, and may your child be born safely and healthy. I'll take my leave now, I didn't sleep all night, worried about your condition. But now that I know you're here with your husband, I don't have to worry anymore. And I apologize to you, my dear daughter-in-law, I will continue to stay in your house until I find a new partner. I hope you don't mind."

Carlos simply nodded, not intending to respond to Margareth's remarks, which sounded more like sarcasm. There was a hidden message in Margareth's gaze that set off alarm bells in his mind. He was convinced that Margareth's words were not the whole truth but just a drama to conceal her heartache.

Margareth's reaction to Chelsea and Carlos' marriage was not unusual. In fact, she seemed to pay more attention to Chelsea, even carefully considering the food Chelsea would consume when she returned from the hospital.

Chelsea went about her daily activities, although Carlos didn't allow her to attend classes. Meanwhile, Carlos requested that Chelsea take a two-semester leave to focus on her pregnancy.

Carlos also prepared everything for their wedding reception so that people would know they had been married for a while. They only needed to have a reception to invite many people and avoid any rumors. Since Chelsea's condition was good, she was enthusiastic about preparing for the reception with Carlos. She was looking forward to sitting beside her husband on the wedding day, a dream she had long cherished. She had almost forgotten that her revenge against Margareth had left a deep mark on her mother's heart. However, Margareth was skilled at drama and concealing her wounds.

Carlos wondered what was on Margareth's mind now, but he was certain that she would attempt to make peace with the situation. And if she couldn't, there would likely be some form of shock therapy for Chelsea and Carlos due to their actions and betrayal.

"There's a guest at the door, sir," the household assistant said as he approached Carlos and Chelsea, who were watching TV in the living room.

"A guest at this time of night? Who is it, Bi?" Carlos asked before allowing the household assistant to bring the guest inside.

"It's Celine, Vano's girlfriend," Carlos nodded. "Hasn't Vano come back from the office yet?" he asked first because he hadn't seen Vano at home since earlier in the evening. His son had mentioned some trouble at the company this morning, so he had to go and make sure there were no more issues with the subsidiary entrusted to him.

"No, sir. Vano came home briefly this afternoon and said he'd be working late at the office today."

"But why is Celine here to meet him when Vano isn't at home?" Carlos continued.

The household assistant shook his head.

“Itu artinya Celine ada keperluan bersamaku, silahkan bawa dia masuk aku akan menemuinya bersama Chelsea.”

The middle-aged woman nodded, obeying Carlos' command. She hurried back outside and ushered Celine in, asking her to wait in the living room. Carlos and Chelsea walked together to greet Celine, who was now waiting for them. The girl appeared downcast, unable to lift her head. Something must have happened for Celine to lose her usual cheerfulness and spirit.

"This is the first time you've dared to meet me here. Usually, you play hide and seek, and I find out through security or CCTV. What made you come here when Vano isn't at home, but I am?" Carlos asked as he guided Chelsea to sit down. He wanted to ensure his wife was comfortable in her activities.

It might seem excessive to others, but to Carlos, it was a husband's duty to care for his pregnant wife.

"I'm sorry, Uncle. I came here without permission. But I didn't have any other way to save my relationship with Vano."

"Your relationship with Vano? What's going on with your relationship with Vano? Didn't I give my blessing a few days ago? What kind of problem are you facing now?" Carlos asked as if he were unaware of the issues between Celine and Vano.

Vano had already told Carlos what had happened in their relationship, and he had mentioned that there was no intention to formalize his relationship with Celine because she always blamed Chelsea for all their problems. However, the changes Vano had made were a result of Celine's behavior.

"Vano doesn't want to continue our relationship, Uncle, and he said he doesn't need your blessing anymore. It's all because I was jealous of Chelsea... um... Aunt Chelsea. I apologize in advance; I didn't mean to disrespect Aunt's position, but I was really jealous of their closeness. I tried to make peace with the situation and considered their relationship as a stepmother and stepson thing, but I was foolish and told Vano that I was jealous of Aunt Chelsea."

Carlos nodded, holding Chelsea's hand. "It's okay to feel jealous. But you should have looked at it from a different perspective. Don't be hasty and make baseless accusations, especially when Chelsea is my wife.

No matter how close Vano's relationship with Chelsea is, there's no way for them to have a relationship, even if Chelsea and I were to separate or something. It's forbidden for Vano to approach Chelsea because he's my biological son.

Your jealousy was blind, and I don't blame you for that because it's a human trait in women. But perhaps Vano felt frustrated and tired of explaining to you that his relationship with Chelsea was perfectly appropriate and didn't cross any boundaries. At first, they created a drama in front of me about being close, but if you knew, ever since Chelsea set foot here, it's me, not Vano, who approached Chelsea and tried to melt her heart. Initially, I paid Chelsea to seduce Vano and keep him away from you. Unfortunately, she directed her attention towards me instead of doing the task as I requested," Carlos explained in detail the beginning of his encounter with Chelsea and how she had come into his life, leading to their marriage and the upcoming birth of their child.

Carlos shared this information to open Celine's eyes wide and make her aware of everything without hiding anything. Although Vano had never mentioned this, Celine was stunned by Carlos's explanation because she had never known the details of their relationships in that house. Until now, Celine had been afraid to visit, let alone meet Carlos like she did today.

"Now that everything is clear, and you understand the explanation I've given, I'll try to talk to Vano to reconsider his decision. My advice to you, if Vano gives you another chance to continue your relationship, is not to be too selfish and hasty in jumping to conclusions. First, ask Vano if it's true or not. It's even better if you ask me and Chelsea directly. Yes, even though I heard from Vano and Chelsea that they both explained to you directly what's behind their relationship all this time, unfortunately, you still didn't believe it. Now that you've heard it directly from me, it means you have no more ammunition to pressure Vano. Just one message: when Vano gives you another chance, whatever chance it may be, please respect it and promise yourself to try to be a better partner for Vano. In my opinion, it's a shame that all my son's efforts so far have been in vain just because of your selfishness and stubbornness."

Without taking sides between Vano and Celine, Carlos offered advice to Celine and Vano. However, he had no intention of repairing his relationship with Celine. Vano felt more comfortable living without Celine's shadow by his side.