3. Crazy Couple

For a few seconds, Ajeng just stood there silently, processing Evan's words, which sounded like dialogue from a drama.

"Are you deaf?"

Evan's shout snapped Ajeng out of her trance. She took a step back when she saw the hatred and anger in Evan's eyes.

"Sign this prenuptial agreement quickly and let's get married. I don't want to delay my wife's treatment any longer."

"Are you crazy? You two are a crazy couple. Why did you agree to Ella's request?" Ajeng snapped.

"You think I want to marry you? If it weren't for Ella threatening to let our baby die because her illness wasn't treated, I wouldn't have agreed to marry you."

Ajeng knew Evan loved Ella deeply. He was so loyal that he didn't look for other women even though Ella claimed he hadn't been satisfied in bed for months. Still, his words hurt her.

It was as if Ajeng had deliberately offered herself and forced Ella to make Evan marry her. If only she could pay off the debt, she would. The problem was, her parents' business was slowly dying because it was often closed, and their money was spent on her father's heart treatment.

"Sign it quickly. Don't waste time! I have a lot of work to do, unlike you," Evan ordered curtly.

Gritting her teeth, Ajeng approached Evan and snatched a sheet of A4 paper covered in computer-generated text.

Her brow furrowed as she read the prenuptial agreement. She would be provided with 50 million rupiah per month, given a house and a car, and must serve Evan and care for their baby after birth.

"You two are a crazy couple! I'm not a prostitute!" Ajeng snapped angrily. She didn't mind taking care of the baby. But the rest made her feel like a call girl. Or more accurately, a mistress.

Evan shrugged. "That was Ella's request. Actually, she asked for you to be given 100 million rupiah per month. But I changed it."

Ajeng stared at Evan with a frown. She went back to reading the agreement. Their marriage would end after Ella recovered.

"I'll take Ella to Singapore for treatment after we get married. I'm sure she can still be cured. After that, you'll be free."

Yes, that was the best solution. They just had to obey Ella, then focus on the woman's recovery. No need for drama.

"I will pay Ella back in installments," she said.

"No need. You won't be able to."

Again, Ajeng felt her heart sting. Being poor meant she would definitely be looked down on by rich people like Evan. Ella, whom she thought was a sincere friend, had actually trapped her.

"If there are no further questions, please sign it. After that, find a relative who can be your marriage guardian. Your father is in Singapore, right?"

"What if I don't want to marry you?" Ajeng asked, trying her luck.

Evan stopped moving his hand over the document and stared at it with one eyebrow raised. He looked down on Ajeng.

"Pay the 22 billion rupiah within a month. It's a waste of time because Ella refused to undergo chemotherapy because of you." Evan snorted and slammed his pen down roughly. "You people are really troublesome."

Reluctantly, Ajeng signed the prenuptial agreement on the stamp. Who could pay such a huge debt within a month? Rich people always did as they pleased.

"Now, get out of here. I don't want to be disturbed."

Evan was really annoying. He used to be different, even though he was still cold. Now, Evan treated Ajeng like dirt.

Annoyed, she slammed the agreement and left the room, slamming the door behind her. Men everywhere were the same. Whether poor or rich, they liked to do whatever they wanted.

Now, she had to contact her mother to find a marriage guardian. It was impossible to ask her father to return to this country just to be her marriage guardian. Perhaps he was undergoing a series of tests right now.

"My luck is really bad!"

***

[Forgive me, Ajeng. Because of me, you are in this difficult situation.]

"What are you talking about, Dad? The important thing is that you can get a new heart. When will the operation start?"

Ajeng tried her best to hold back her tears. Her eyes blinked repeatedly. Even though her father knew she was holding back her tears, they both pretended not to notice.

[Tonight. Pray that my operation go smoothly so I can earn money again. Who knows, maybe we can pay off our debt to Ella.]

This time, Ajeng could no longer hold back her tears. She smiled as she wiped her face, while her father was already crying. They ended up crying together. Ajeng could even hear her mother crying too.

The face that used to be so handsome, typical of someone from a colonizing country, now looked fragile and old.

[Forgive me, my child. If only I hadn't been given this illness, you wouldn't be in this position now.]

Ajeng tried to smile. Her voice was hoarse. "It's okay, Dad. This is my destiny. Maybe after Ella recovers, I will just go back to our hometown. The money from Evan can be used as additional capital."

Again, her father cried. Ajeng could only turn her face away from the cell phone camera so she wouldn't have to show her increasingly loud sobs.

If her ex-mother-in-law knew, she would surely laugh out loud at her fate. Already divorced because she was barren, now she had to become a mistress to satisfy the lust of her best friend's husband.

But seeing Evan's attitude earlier, Ajeng suddenly felt a glimmer of hope. Evan loved Ella very much. There was no way he would betray his wife by touching Ajeng.

Yes, she was very sure of that. They just needed to get married in front of Ella. After that, her best friend wouldn't need to know about Ajeng and Evan's married life.

Ah, why did Ajeng have to think so hard? No one would know about their marriage anyway. Only Ella, Aunt Dahlia, and Uncle Albert would know. And Ajeng's only uncle.

[Let your mom call Uncle Dennis. He happens to be in the city near where you live.]

Ajeng nodded. "Get well soon, Dad. I love you."

After the video call ended, Ajeng sighed deeply. For some reason, she felt nervous. It should have been normal, since it was just a secret marriage. Even the kebaya she would wear was bought on impulse at a boutique.

Her phone rang again. It was a call from Ella. Ajeng sighed deeply. Reluctantly, she answered the call.

[Finally, you're going to marry Evan. Now I've won. No one will take Evan away from me anymore.]

"Huh? What do you mean, El?"