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Semua Bab No More Pleading for You: Bab 1 - Bab 10

10 Bab

Chapter 1

"Are you honestly ready to leave your husband and daughter behind?" the HR manager from the design academy teased.I stared at my phone screen, my thoughts a storm of confusion.Suddenly, Layla Sinclair's voice pierced the silence. "I want to call Shirley 'Mama,'" she said.She looked up at me, not a flicker of doubt in her eyes."She feels more like a mom than you do. She even buys me ice cream."I tried to speak, but no words came out.Layla wanted to call Shirley "Mama", as if to wipe away my place in her life completely.A sharp, burning pain suddenly seized my heart.A decade of careful nurturing seemed to mean less than a single pint of ice cream.Because of Layla's sensitive stomach, I'd always kept her away from cold treats. But somehow, she had forgotten.That night, I was the one carrying her to the emergency room as anxiety gripped me with every step.Meanwhile, Eric Sinclair and Shirley Huxley—the very ones to blame—were out partying at a nightclub.Once Layla g

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Chapter 2

I finally booked my plane ticket. In ten days, I would leave for Parisoir.The Parisoir School of Fashion Design was where I once chose to put love before all else.My father had been the driver for Eric's father. He gave his life, taking a bullet meant for Eric.During that time, my mother sank into depression and made the heartbreaking decision to end her life.All of this happened when I was only 15.One day, while I was curled up in the corner of an unfamiliar villa, Eric suddenly extended his hand to me.He became my closest companion, driving away my darkest fears and standing up to the kids who tormented me.At my father's gravesite, he promised to look after me forever, and I believed him.Then one day, Shirley arrived.From that moment, he began to pull away, shutting me out.He even asked me to be Shirley's bridesmaid. He was going to marry her.At the time, Greta believed Eric wasn't keeping his promises to me, and they ended up in a heated argument.After Shirle

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Chapter 3

At the charity gala, Eric proudly flaunted a 15-carat diamond ring—a bold symbol of his devotion."Ms. Shirley Huxley is my one true love," he announced.The media swarmed the story, and Shirley quickly became the center of attention.Layla sat holding a tablet, watching the interview videos on repeat."Mom, how many carats is your wedding ring?" she asked.I looked down at my bare fingers, a bitter smile tugging at my lips."Half a carat," I said.She snorted. "How pathetic."That ring was the very one Eric had carefully slipped onto my finger on our wedding day.Though I knew it was initially a birthday gift meant for Shirley, I still cried tears of joy when he placed it on me.After we got married, I felt a sense of contentment and happiness. Even though Eric never kissed me, we appeared like any other married couple. He remembered my birthday and looked after me when I was ill.Because I feared the pain, he accepted my decision not to have a second child.In those day

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Chapter 4

The moment I reached the airport, Eric's call came through."Is it time for my birthday trip?" he asked.After a moment's silence, a bitter smile tugged at my lips. "Yup."Unsurprisingly, he didn't try to stop me. It seemed he hadn't even noticed I'd left.I had quietly saved money from my side work in fashion design to book this trip.It was meant as a birthday gift for Eric and to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary. Though the destination wasn't finalized, my heart was set on the peaceful banks of the Solane River.From the other end of the line, Layla's joyful voice burst out, "We're finally going on a holiday!"For a brief moment, I escaped into a wistful daydream.As I held Layla close, I leaned against Eric as we shared a quiet, romantic coffee by the Solane.Maybe this long-awaited trip could be the graceful end to our story.Just then, Eric's voice snapped me back to reality. "Anna, the houseplants need your care. If they die, Shirley will be upset. Layla and I w

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Chapter 5

Through a colleague's introduction, I applied for a master's program in fashion design.After ten years away from both work and study, I felt adrift and unsure of myself.During the day, I focused on my master's coursework, cramming to fill gaps in my theoretical knowledge.In the evenings, I interned at Parisoir School of Fashion Design, gaining hands-on experience late into the night.However, these late nights were unlike before.There was no child to coax to sleep, no chores left unfinished, and no sharp words to bear. There were no dinners left waiting cold on the table.There were no more empty promises from a husband who never came home.Though I was tired and worn out, I felt a quiet sense of happiness.My mentor's patience and the encouragement of my colleagues became my source of inspiration. Seeing their passion and skill stirred something deep within me. I couldn't shake the regret for how naive I had once been.In the end, I discovered that loving myself was the

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Chapter 6

After the initial success of the Fashion Week project, I was offered a permanent position. The contract spanned ten years, and I didn't hesitate to sign it.In Eric's eyes, the dreams I had abandoned and the sacrifices I made for what I believed was love were simply acts of self-devaluation.When I once proposed returning to work, he told me, "You're not capable of balancing both family and career."He wasn't entirely wrong.After all, I realized I was best suited to prioritizing my career over family. I excelled in my studies, surprising even my mentor with my outstanding results.My coursemates looked at me with envy.I was no longer living in Eric's shadow, endlessly coveting what others had.Now, I stood confidently in my own light, admired by those around me.While my new life prospered, Eric remained confined to the shadows."This is your last chance. If you don't come back, I'll sign the divorce papers for real," he warned.But what I wanted was for him to sign the pap

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Chapter 7

Eric still refused to sign the divorce papers.Left with no other option, I had my lawyer reach out to him again and again.At last, I told him, "Fine. Don't bother signing the agreement. We'll settle this in court.""Can I see you one last time, Anna?" Eric asked, his voice tinged with desperation."I'll sign the papers," he added.I agreed.…When Eric flew to Parisoir, I was busy delivering a fashion design presentation.I took the opportunity to introduce daring concepts that challenged conventional norms.As I had won the favor of the younger audience, I was entrusted with leading the project team.From the podium, I spoke with confidence. My colleagues below nodded in approval, their eyes shining with admiration.Outside the window, Eric stood holding a bouquet of red roses, his expression one of surprise.When the presentation concluded, he approached and offered me the roses."Anna, I never realized how remarkable you are," he admitted.But I had always been remar

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Chapter 8

I was taken aback by the pain, despair, and regret reflected in Eric's eyes.In a fit of fury, Shirley ripped the divorce papers to shreds.Through her tears, she spoke of the grievances she'd held onto for over a decade, desperate to awaken even a flicker of pity in Eric's heart."Anna, you bitch!" she suddenly screamed. "You destroyed the only child Eric and I had. You stole everything that belonged to me!"Without warning, a loud smack rang out.Shirley went still, her sobs silenced in an instant. She pressed her hand to her cheek, her eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at Eric.Eric's face hardened. Through gritted teeth, he hissed, "Shut up, you bitch."Shirley's complexion turned ashen in an instant.Without hesitation, Eric pulled out a stack of photos and medical reports. Dated ten years back, the photos revealed Shirley sharing a passionate kiss with another man.The recent medical reports highlighted "pubic symphysis diastasis", a physiological change that occurr

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Chapter 9

After that difficult confrontation, Eric left me alone for a long time. He even sent over the signed divorce papers.I felt a rush of relief and happiness.To mark my new beginning, I decided to throw a celebration.On my social media, I shared a new update. "I'm giving myself a pair of wings. Freedom begins tomorrow."Just then, I noticed a new follower had appeared on my account.One day, I received a notification that a post from three years ago had been liked. It was the photo of the wedding ring I had once shattered.Layla was the first to send her congratulations."Mom, you look beautiful!"Even though Layla had once spoken to me with harsh, hurtful words, I never blocked her. I still reached out from time to time.No matter what, a mother's bond with her child couldn't be broken.Because Layla was still so young and naive, I found it impossible to blame her.As for Shirley, I made Eric promise to keep everything quiet.A child like Layla didn't need to be burdened wi

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Chapter 10

The next day, Eric dropped a bombshell online.He exposed Shirley's scheme, revealing how she had manipulated public opinion after the auction to deceive everyone.He also confessed to the hardships he had made me endure.Tears streamed down his face as he repeatedly apologized on camera.However, I stayed unmoved. Like a shattered mirror, some things were simply beyond repair. No one could fix those deep, irreparable cracks.After the exhibition, Eric confided in me about the pain he carried inside."Anna, I once thought you couldn't live without me. But in truth, it was I who couldn't live without you."In the past, you often asked if I loved you. But in the stillness of the night, I found myself whispering 'I love you' again and again… only to realize there was just one pillow on the bed."He had finally come to understand what love truly meant.Unfortunately, the one who taught him that had already stopped loving him.With sincerity in his eyes, he asked me to join him on

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