23: Bettina

Henry's expression turned grim as they exchanged anxious glances. They couldn't risk letting anyone discover their clandestine affair. Khana's mind raced, a surge of panic overwhelming her.

As the doorbell rang again, their options dwindled. Khana's mind whirled with fear and uncertainty. If it was Richard, how would they explain their presence here together?

"We have to do something," Khana urged, voice trembling. "What if it's Richard?"

Khana’s heart raced as the doorbell echoed through the house. She and Henry stood frozen, their tense conversation interrupted by the unexpected sound. With a sinking feeling, Khana’s mind raced through possibilities. 

She swallowed hard, her throat dry. Then, headed to the window to check whoever the person was waiting outside. However, she can't figure out who it was. Thus, she had no choice but to open the door.

"If it's Richard he should have entered the house without even knocking, or else he left his spare key here," Khana mumbled. "Stay here,” she instructed Henry, her voice barely more than a whisper. “I’ll handle this.”

Henry nodded, his face pale. Khana took a deep breath, feeling her pulse quicken with each step she took toward the door. She opened it cautiously, her mind racing with possibilities of who might be on the other side. To her surprise, she found Bettina standing there. The guest was wearing a wide smile on her face.

“Good morning, Khana,” Bettina greeted cheerfully.

Khana’s frown deepened. She hadn’t expected Bettina, especially not after what had happened with the letter. She struggled to keep her composure. 

"What are you doing here?" Khana asked.

"Richard wants me to check on you since he kept texting and calling your phone, but no one answered," Bettina replied.

Khana's phone was in silent mode, and she was busy last night. Thus, had no time to check on her phone.

"I have fallen asleep," Khana replied. Before she could ask Bettina to leave, her visitor brushed past her and headed straight for the living room.

Khana cursed under her breath, realizing the trouble that was about to ensue. Bettina would inevitably cross paths with Henry, and nothing good could come of that. 

She hurried after her, her heart pounding in her chest.

When Khana entered the living room, she saw Bettina standing with her hands on her hips, glaring at Henry. 

Henry looked equally uncomfortable, his eyes darting to Khana for support.

“So, this is what you meant when you said you were busy? What’s going on here, Khana?” Bettina demanded. 

“It wasn't that long when my cousin went on a business trip. Now I find you here with another man?” Bettina added. She was furious thinking Khana cheated on her cousin.

Khana crossed her arms defensively, her eyebrow arching. She uttered, “I don't care how dirty your mind is. Nothing is going on here. I called Henry this morning to have a proper closure. I think I should be the one demanding explanations here.”

Bettina laughed, but it was a hollow sound. Then, followed by a sarcastic remark, “Explanations for what?”

“Why did you alter that letter?” Khana asked, her voice sharp.

Bettina’s confident demeanor faltered. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. What letter?”

"The one I sent you outside your university," says Henry. I'm sure you can recall that guy waiting outside for Khana," he added.

Henry, sensing the tension, stepped forward. He uttered, “Bettina, we know you did something to that letter. Just tell us why.”

Bettina cleared her throat, her eyes darting around the room as she tried to come up with an excuse. “I-I didn’t mean any harm. I just thought… I wanted to help Richard. I wanted to see him happy, married to the love of his life.”

Bettina pointed her finger at Henry and then mocked him. She said, "If it weren't for that old lady who adopted you, having a decent life would be impossible for you. What life are you giving to my friend?"

Henry was surprised to hear why she sabotaged their plan to elope back then. After hearing it, he didn't bear a grudge and soon realized he would have ruined Khana's future if they happened to successfully elope. She wouldn't be a heiress since her parents would forsake her.

Henry sank into despair. 

Khana expressed her disappointment to Bettina. Khana’s voice was cold, her anger simmering just beneath the surface, “And you thought manipulating a letter was the way to do that?” 

Bettina’s face turned red, her confidence slipping away. “I just… I just want what's best for you. You are my friend, and I care deeply for your future. I didn’t want to see you hurt.”

“You have no right to interfere in our relationship,” Khana said, her voice shaking with emotion. “You’ve caused more harm than good. You didn’t trust me to make my own decisions."

Bettina’s eyes filled with tears. “I was only trying to protect you. Can’t you understand that?”

Khana shook her head. “No, Bettina. You were trying to control the situation. You didn’t care about what I wanted or what was best for me. You only cared about what you thought was best for Richard.”

"Whom I am going to live for the rest of my life is up to me," Khana firmly added.

Henry stepped in, his voice calm but firm. “Bettina, it’s time to own up to your mistakes. Khana deserves an apology, and so does Richard. This isn’t something you can just brush off.”

Bettina’s shoulders slumped, and she looked down at the floor. “I’m sorry, Khana. I didn’t realize how much damage I was causing. I thought I was helping."

Bettina sighed and rolled her eyes, "... But why is it such a big deal? It happened ages ago, yet you can't still get over it. We were both immature at that time. Can't you just let it go?”

Khana’s anger softened slightly, but she remained resolute. “You weren't sorry at all. No matter how long has it been, you need to understand why what you did was wrong. Manipulating people’s lives isn’t helping. It’s selfish and cruel.”

"Fine, I was wrong. It wouldn't change a thing in the present. Tell me, do you want to ruin your present and future? It's not worth discussing anymore... unless you regret it too much because you still have feelings for this guy?" Bettina asked, raising her eyebrow.

Khana, on the other hand, was nervous and conflicted. She wanted to tell Bettina how much she loved him, but there was something in her head, telling her it was not the time yet to confess what she truly felt.

"So, you still love this fella'?" Bettina asked again since Khana had lost her voice. "Why is it so hard to say yes or no?" She added.

"One more thing, I remember you had amnesia, right? Seeing how you acted right now, You must have regained your memory. You even recall your memory from ages ago," says Bettina sarcastically.

"Or, you just pretended to have amnesia thinking you could use it to stop the wedding..." Bettina kept cornering Khana with her interrogative questions.