Part 68

68

Margareth continued to gaze at the diamond ring still encircling her ring finger. The memory of Carlos kneeling and proposing to her remained vivid in her mind. Unfortunately, that day, Tomas was still hanging in the balance, and Margareth couldn't give Carlos a definite answer regarding their wedding.

If only Margareth had taken that bold step back then, she and Carlos would have been married by now. Instead, it was Chelsea and that man who had woven the bonds of matrimony. You can't imagine the depth of Margareth's regret, even though Kevin and her customers were ready to console her. Carlos remained in her thoughts because he was the only one truly committed to marrying her. Regrettably, Chelsea had cunningly snatched him away, leaving Margareth with no way back to Carlos.

Margareth placed the ring on the nightstand, occasionally glancing at it. Thoughts swirled in her mind, picturing Chelsea and Tomas, who had been a part of her life. She remembered how she had cared for and raised Chelsea, but it was Chelsea herself who had shattered her happiness and her life.

It was far more painful than when she learned that Tomas could no longer support her as he once did. "What should I do with our daughter, my dear?" Margareth asked, as if she were speaking to Tomas, her gaze fixed ahead, envisioning her long-departed husband.

"If only you hadn't played the hero and taken in that cursed child that day, I would be married to Carlos now, and I could guarantee that my life would be much better than it is today. That's why I wondered if that child had been sabotaging my plans all along. It's quite strange, because every time she sees me with a man, my relationships fall apart shortly after. The same happened with Carlos; when I accidentally ran into him while with your daughter, she immediately connected with him on a messaging app. It's highly unlikely that it's all just a coincidence. I'm convinced that the cursed child has been spying on me and sabotaging my serious relationships, including Carlos. So, was it wrong of me to get rid of her? She's the one who destroyed my happiness, so I'll treat her as the one who delayed and ultimately ruined my happiness," she muttered, hugging her knees. "I'll make sure this pain is repaid with an even greater pain. I promise to arrange for all of us to meet again to let out our longing, and also to have that cursed child meet you so you can scold and advise her, just like before. Because I don't like her know-it-all attitude and stealing my beloved," she said to herself before letting out a mocking laugh, having lost Carlos forever.

In Margareth's current mindset, if she couldn't have Carlos, then Chelsea shouldn't either, especially with Vano and Carlos in the picture; they wouldn't let her have him. If something bad were to happen to Chelsea, Margareth would find a smoother way to deal with it than making Chelsea and the unborn child disappear, as that would be very dangerous for her. Margareth chose a different path to avoid disaster.

What kind of path?

Only Margareth knew what path she would take.

If only Vano hadn't prioritized his business, Carlos would have already arrived at the office. He mentioned that Revan's parents wanted to meet him, fulfilling the appointment they had made a few weeks ago, now that Revan's condition had improved in the past few days.

However, Carlos had to momentarily delay his meeting with Revan's father because he needed to address the matter with Vano first. He would talk to him before Vano left for college.

"Last night, Celine came here looking for you. She said you blocked her number, so she couldn't reach you," Carlos explained after both he and Vano were sitting in the family room. This conversation didn't involve Chelsea, as she was still reluctant to get out of bed.

She claimed to be tired and not in the mood to do anything, so Chelsea did everything in her room, from having breakfast to reading books.

Vano nodded. "What's wrong, Dad? Is that bothering you?"

"It's not bothering me, but it's not a good idea, considering how close your relationship with Celine used to be. It's better to resolve this matter properly before distancing yourself from her."

"I've already resolved it, Dad. I even ended the relationship and explained everything clearly, so she wouldn't keep blaming Mom. She started acting this way even when we were just dating, so imagine how she'd behave if she and I were actually in a serious relationship or married. She'd be even more controlling. While I can still suppress these feelings and slowly let them fade, it's better to settle everything now."

"So, you've made up your mind not to be in a relationship with Celine again, is that right?"

"That's about it, Dad. I'm tired of always being suspected of this and that, even though I told her that there's nothing special between Mom and me. But she's adamant, so I can be stubborn too."

"Do you have no desire to mend things and give her one more chance? Has your love truly disappeared?"

"It's not that it's gone, but it's not there either. I can assure you that my heart is currently learning to forget. So, I don't feel like starting over and reliving old wounds. It's better to settle everything now." Vano straightened his back. "Why is Dad suddenly defending her and acting as if he's going to give her a chance to become a daughter-in-law?"

"It's not about giving her a chance, but I just feel sorry for her. Seeing her come all this way and ask for help to talk to you. That's why I want to involve you in this discussion. If the pain you're feeling isn't too great, it's better to give her another chance."

Vano leaned back in his chair, looking at Carlos carefully. "I'll think about it again, and give me some time to do so."

Carlos nodded and allowed Vano to continue his activities. He had briefly intended to leave for college but had to postpone it because he wanted to discuss Celine.

However, before Carlos and Vano could get up from their seats, their housekeeper approached hurriedly with quick steps.

"Why, Bi? Why are you running in from outside?" Carlos asked.

"Is there something important you want to tell both of us out there?" he continued, following Vano's question to the housekeeper.

"In front, there's Celine, Sir. She said she wants to talk to Vano."

Carlos and Vano exchanged glances.

"I'm already late for class, Dad. It might be better if you meet Celine and convey what we discussed earlier."

"That won't work." Carlos stopped Vano. "It's better if we discuss this together, and if you're uncomfortable having me around, I can meet your mom upstairs. But if I'm the one talking to Celine, I might end up asking you to give her another chance. It's better if we meet her and find a solution today."

"But, Dad..." Before Vano could finish his sentence, Carlos raised his hand, silencing Vano and preventing him from objecting.

"Don't be a coward, avoiding it without giving your partner a chance to resolve the issue. I don't like the way you're behaving."

"Fine, I'll meet Celine if that's what you want." Reluctantly, Vano slumped back onto the bed, waiting for Celine's arrival as Carlos had suggested. Ready or not, he would reiterate his decision to end their relationship.

Celine approached with hesitation, entering the family room as if she were a student about to defend her thesis. Her face appeared tense and fearful about meeting her boyfriend because she was convinced that Vano's decision would be final. However, the presence of Carlos gave her some relief, as she believed he could defend her when Vano reiterated that their relationship was over.

"Please, have a seat," Carlos invited, gesturing for Celine to sit beside Vano. He hoped there could be a good resolution for both parties. Seeing Celine, who appeared even more dejected than the previous night, Carlos couldn't help but feel sorry for the girl.

"No need to beat around the bush. I want to remind Dad that I'm sticking to my decision to end things with Celine. I can't make any further decisions right now because of the immense disappointment Celine has caused me, hurting others as well as myself, of course..."

"But, Van, don't you feel sorry for me? So much that you're willing to take such a decision?" Celine interrupted Vano, preventing him from elaborating on how destructive their relationship had been. If that happened, Carlos would undoubtedly support his son's decision.

"I ask you to give me one more chance. I'll make amends, and I'll be the best woman for you. Please..." Celine begged, kneeling before Vano. She was desperate and couldn't find any other way to melt his heart.

Regardless of how low Carlos regarded her, one thing was clear: their relationship and Vano could be saved.

Vano curled one corner of his lips. "Is this how you solve problems, by begging and kneeling before me?"

"Let it be like this, the most important thing is that I can come back to you, Van. And I love you so much, so allow me to prove that I've changed. This love is too great for you, and if by any chance I break my promise, I'll be the one to leave you."

Vano looked towards Carlos without speaking, seeking his father's opinion. The agreement and conditions offered by Celine were quite appealing to Vano because she was willing to leave him if she broke her promises.

"What's your decision, Van? Don't leave this girl hanging," Carlos spoke up after observing the interaction between the two young people for a while.

Vano shrugged. "It's up to her, Dad. If she really wants to prove it, I'll accept her attempt."

"So, you're willing to give me another chance?" Celine's eyes sparkled as she questioned Vano.

"Whether I like it or not, for the sake of peace in my life, I'll give you a chance. But when you break it, don't expect another one."

Celine nodded quickly, agreeing with Carlos's wishes, even though Vano remained silent, keeping his lips tightly sealed. The decision Carlos made was swift, but he would follow what his father said. Vano believed that everything that came out of Carlos's mouth was for his own good.

With one issue resolved, Carlos asked Chelsea for permission to leave for work. He also reminded his wife to be ready around 2:00 PM as he planned to take her for a routine pregnancy checkup. Chelsea was still reluctant to leave her room, but for the sake of their baby, she would comply with her husband's request.

After dealing with all the matters at home, Carlos headed to the office, where Revan's father had been waiting for him since morning.

"I apologize for being a bit late; there were some issues I had to resolve at home before coming here."

"No problem, Sir. In fact, I feel bad that you had to make time to meet me here."

Carlos raised the corners of his lips. "No problem at all. If there's a meeting like this, the actual issue is with your son, Revan."

"What's wrong with Revan that made you schedule a meeting with me like this? Even though, until now..." The middle-aged man trailed off when Carlos pulled something out of his desk drawer.

"This is a report from the university stating that Revan caused a disturbance on campus by degrading one of the female students as an escort, and I can assure you that the young lady is not as your son described."

"Chelsea?" The man lifted his face to look at Carlos and the paper Carlos had given him.

"That's right. Do you know her?"

"Of course, I know her, quite well actually. She was in a relationship with my son, Revan."

"It was precisely because of that special relationship that your son had a negative view of Chelsea, just because she wanted to end their relationship."

"So Chelsea and Revan have broken up, and that's why my son resorted to such drastic measures to end his life. Because I know how much Revan loved that girl."

"I greatly admire the deep love that Revan had for Chelsea, but from now on, please convey to Revan and make him understand that Chelsea is now married, and the man accused of buying Chelsea is me, her husband."

The middle-aged man's eyes widened in disbelief at Carlos's words.

"Whether you believe it or not, what's certain is that she is now my wife. Please help Revan understand, so I won't have to take any disciplinary actions against him for his behavior on campus."

The man nodded quickly, agreeing to Carlos's instructions. For his own safety, he couldn't contradict a statement from someone like Carlos Wijaya, all in the name of defending his son's love. There were plenty of other girls his son could consider for a future relationship, especially since Revan was still quite young for a serious relationship.

Last night, Carlos came home a bit late due to some extra work at the office. Chelsea was angry and sulking, refusing to speak to Carlos. She mentioned that she wanted some time alone for a while. However, when she woke up, Chelsea was already snuggled up to Carlos, hugging him tightly.

"I'm sorry for getting angry with you last night, Daddy," she whined, shaking Carlos's body to wake him from his slumber. Carlos, still groggy, was very tired from working late the previous night.

Chelsea also didn't want to talk to him, so Carlos couldn't bring himself to close his eyes. Trouble sleeping when you're feeling troubled, as the saying goes for young people these days. Even so, Carlos continued to rub Chelsea's back as she complained of an itchy and stuffy back, part of their pre-sleep ritual.

"It's okay, sweetheart. Daddy understands that you were feeling lonely, so it's completely fine, and Daddy appreciates your natural response," Carlos sat up and cradled Chelsea's head on his lap. "Why did you hug Daddy early in the morning, missing me, huh?" Carlos teased, playfully poking Chelsea's nose.