Chapter 7

Returning with Success

A man who could foresee the future approached David and told him that someone from his past would one day return and make him regret it.

"Who are you? Why do you say someone from my past will return—who do you mean?"

"That woman will come back to demand justice for the wrongs done in your life," replied the mysterious man before striding away swiftly, leaving David behind.

"Who do you mean? Don’t go, Sir! Who have I treated unjustly?" Before he could chase after the old man, Bella suddenly called out to him.

"David, let’s go home! Come quickly to the grave of your lawful wife so she doesn’t become a ghost. Why are you here? Her grave is this way," asked Bella, walking up to David.

"Oh yes… Olivia’s grave is over there. I just happened to pass by someone earlier," David replied.

David and Bella visited Olivia’s grave—this was the first time, as David had often dreamt of her in the year since her death. They brought flowers and placed them atop her grave.

"Don’t disturb my rest, Olivia. You betrayed me and you’re the one who died. I’ve nothing to do with you," said David at the grave of his lawful wife.

"Did she sign the divorce papers you gave her back then?"

"She did sign them, but it seemed she was forced to. Only, she died in an accident—not because of me. But why does she always appear in my dreams, asking for my help?"

"Perhaps because she didn’t want you to divorce her. Olivia, you’ve died—don’t trouble us. We promise to send you flowers every week," said Bella, feigning kindness though she was the one who had caused Olivia’s misfortune.

"Let’s go home. It’s enough to have seen this woman’s grave." David invited Bella to leave after gazing upon his wife’s resting place, which to him looked ugly.

Meanwhile, Olivia was now on the operating table, undergoing facial surgery to become beautiful again as she once had been. The doctor had already been operating for more than four hours, as her facial wounds were old and required more time. It was almost five hours before the surgeon finally completed the operation.

Oscar waited for Olivia outside the operating theatre. When the doctor emerged, he immediately asked about his elder sister’s condition.

"Doctor, how is my elder sister?" asked Oscar.

"She’s in good condition. We’ve successfully operated on her face. But for recovery, she’ll need to stay in hospital for an undetermined number of days. Once she’s healed, she may go home," the doctor replied.

"I’m glad—you can finally be beautiful again, Olivia. When can I see her?"

"She’ll be moved to another room, but you can visit once the effects of the anaesthetic wear off," the doctor said, heading back to his office and beckoning Oscar to follow for further information.

The doctor advised Oscar to let Olivia remain in hospital, as her facial burns had been untreated for a long time. Oscar asked the doctor to do his best for his sister.

Olivia stayed in hospital for three months, then had weekly check-ups with a specialist to speed her recovery. She fought to regain her beauty for an entire year.

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Now, after a year, her face had fully healed. She was once more beautiful and as alluring as before. Wearing a red dress and her long black hair flowing, she left the house to buy some clothes with Oscar.

"Are you satisfied with having your face back as it was? You can shop for clothes and anything else to enhance your beauty," said Oscar.

"I never imagined that over these past two years I’d fight so hard to get my ideal body and a beautiful face through surgery. I’m satisfied, but I never graduated with a degree. They mocked me for being uneducated," Olivia replied.

"Very well! Go back to university and pursue your dreams. I’m a young billionaire—I’ll always help you. You’re Grandfather’s granddaughter; he’ll always be there for you too," Oscar promised, vowing to support her.

"I want to study at New York University, just like Bella and David, since they both graduated from there. Can I get in?"

"Grandfather knows one of the families who own the university. You could be admitted if you pass the test. For now, you must study, and I’ll find you a private tutor who teaches students there." Oscar himself was also an NYU alumnus.

"I’ll work day and night. Then I’ll return with success."

From that moment, Olivia studied diligently under the guidance of a tutor to gain entry to New York University. She wanted to become a designer and own her own company.

Olivia had once been very intelligent, but after becoming pregnant with David, she never continued her studies. Fortunately, she passed the university’s entrance test. Over four years, she returned to studying and gradually learned business with Oscar’s help.

Four years later, she graduated and worked in her grandfather’s renowned fashion company in New York.

"How is our head designer now? Have you prepared the clothing designs for this season?" asked Oscar, who was currently the CEO.

"I’ve prepared them, and I’m glad too—thanks to your help, I graduated from a prestigious university in this city. Thank you, you’re a good younger brother." Olivia patted Oscar.

"Uh… ukhh… I… Olivia, I’m…" Oscar coughed up blood but concealed it from Olivia.

"What’s wrong? Your face is pale. Let’s go to the hospital. Stop working—you’re too busy, Oscar," Olivia said in concern.

"I’ve just not been sleeping enough. It’s been six years you’ve been in America. Don’t you want to return to Indonesia?"

"I will return, now that I’m successful and beautiful."

"All right! There’s a big project in Indonesia, and I want you to take responsibility for it. We’re invited to be judges for a fashion competition there, as our company was ranked among the world’s top 50 last year."

"Really? In that case, I’ll go back to Indonesia."

After that conversation, Oscar and Olivia prepared to move back to Indonesia. Daniel also joined them—now ten years old and looking remarkably like David, the child David had once rejected and cast out with Olivia.

Two weeks later, Olivia and Oscar were aboard a plane bound for Indonesia.

"I will return with success. Just wait, those who once scorned me."

Olivia was on her way back, while that night David was asleep and dreaming.

[David, help me! I’m innocent. Please, stop this car!] Olivia was struck by a large lorry speeding towards her and she—

"Ah… no… Olivia, get out of the way!" shouted David, jolting awake from his sleep.

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