LOGINThe 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 y
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
Roby gripped Larisa’s shoulders tightly, his fingers pressing hard enough to almost hurt. His eyes narrowed sharply, as if trying to see straight through her. The masculine scent lingering on her neck felt like a harsh slap to his pride—sharp, unsettling, and fueling an anger he could barely control.“Answer me, Larisa! Whose perfume is this? This isn’t the scent you usually wear—and it’s definitely not a woman’s fragrance. This is a man’s perfume!”Larisa forced a cynical laugh, even though her chest felt tight. Her heart was pounding so fast it felt like it was rising into her throat. She hadn’t expected Roby to be this perceptive… to notice the trace of another man still clinging to her body.But no matter the pressure, she would never admit it.Roughly, she shoved his hands away, as if disgusted by his touch.“Have you lost your mind? I spent the whole day at the mall, trying dozens of perfume testers because I was bored! Is that wrong now?”Her tone sounded defensive, but she tri
PART 13Roby kissed Larisa’s forehead after their intimacy ended.“Promise me you will never leave me, Roby,” Larisa said softly as she hugged him tightly.“Of course, my love. I will never leave you,” Roby replied gently.“Even if Natasya asks you to?”There was a shadow of fear in Larisa’s eyes.
Chapter 26: Sweat and Trampled PrideThe cold, air-conditioned office had now been replaced by a dusty warehouse filled with piles of goods everywhere. The stifling heat hit instantly as Roby stepped inside, files in hand.Roby stood frozen for a few seconds in front of stacks of cardboard boxes th
PART 15“What? You want to marry my daughter?”Mr. Jordan stared sharply at Roby.After spending several months together, love had finally blossomed between Roby and Natasya. Once he was certain of their feelings for each other, Roby boldly asked Mr. Jordan for permission to marry her.“Father?” Na
The car driven by Roby sped through the still-empty morning streets. In the backseat, Larisa kept shaking Gaby’s tiny, limp body."Hurry, Roby! Gaby is so cold! She won't open her eyes!" Larisa screamed, her voice hoarse."Be patient, Larisa! I’m already speeding! Try to keep calling her name!" Rob







