LOGINSoft but confident footsteps echoed through the room.Devina, who had been organizing documents for the charity gala, instinctively turned around. Her heartbeat immediately became uneven as she saw the elegant woman walking in with calm, measured steps. Though streaks of silver now threaded through her hair and the passage of time had left its mark on her face, the quiet authority she carried was just as powerful as it had been years ago.Devina's lips tightened.A heaviness settled in her chest as memories she had long buried came rushing back without mercy.She remembered those days vividly, when she would visit the Mahesa family mansion, greeting everyone warmly while doing everything she could to earn Mrs. Lestari's approval for the sake of her relationship with Gian.Then everything fell apart.A storm of suspicion, manipulation, and slander had destroyed it all.Now, after so many years, she found herself standing face-to-face o
That afternoon, the Jakarta sky glowed with shades of gold and amber. The fading sunlight filtered between the city's towering skyscrapers, reflecting softly against the glass windows. The spacious venue where the Mahesa Group Foundation charity gala would be held was still buzzing with activity. Workers moved back and forth assembling portable stages, securing the overhead lighting rigs, and testing the sound system, which crackled before cutting out again. The gala was still a week away, but every detail had to be perfect.Amid the organized chaos, Gian stood with quiet authority. His suit was immaculate, though his shirt sleeves were rolled up. One hand held the event layout while his sharp eyes examined every detail. A slight furrow creased his brow, not just from the demanding schedule but from the enormous pressure to ensure the foundation's prestigious charity gala was flawless.From the opposite side of the hall, Devina walked toward him.Her hair was tied back in a simple pon
The question lingered in the air, colliding with the silence that filled the room.Devina froze. Her eyes widened in disbelief, as though she couldn't quite process what she'd just heard.Outside, the restaurant bustled with life. The clink of glasses, cheerful conversations, and the soft melodies of the live acoustic band blended into the familiar hum that usually soothed the atmosphere. But inside the private dining room, time seemed to stand still. The sounds beyond the door became nothing more than distant echoes, too faint to penetrate the heavy tension hanging between them.The air suddenly felt thin.Devina's fingers, which had been tidying the handbag on her lap, went still. Gian's question echoed inside her mind over and over, pounding against her heart."G-Gian... what do you mean?" she whispered, her voice trembling so faintly it was almost inaudible.Gian leaned forward, his gaze fixed on her with unwavering intensity. He didn't
The room was swallowed by darkness.Only the dim glow from Aurelia's laptop remained, casting a faint light across her face. The ticking wall clock sounded louder than ever, emphasizing the silence that settled over the office after the power went out."Bas?" Aurelia called softly, a hint of panic creeping into her voice."Relax," Baskara replied immediately. His voice was calm and reassuring. "It's probably just a temporary outage. I'll check."He started to get up but stopped himself. In complete darkness, searching for the door or a light switch would only increase the risk of someone getting hurt.Aurelia shifted in her seat, reaching for her phone to turn on the flashlight. Instead, her foot caught the extension cord beneath the desk."Oh my..."She lurched forward.Without thinking, Baskara grabbed her by the shoulder."Lia!"She nearly crashed into the desk, but his strong arm caught her just in time. In th
The atmosphere inside Gian's office in Jakarta was thick with tension.Even the rich aroma of freshly brewed black coffee, brought in moments earlier by his assistant, couldn't cool the oppressive heat filling the room.Gian sat behind his desk, his jaw clenched. His fingers tapped repeatedly against the polished mahogany surface, a clear sign that his patience was hanging by a thread."Wasn't it enough that you took advantage of Devina?" His voice trembled with barely restrained anger. "You made her work herself to the bone when she was young, supporting the family when she should've been enjoying her youth. And now you're back, using Aurelia's parents as an excuse to guilt me into helping you. So this is your latest scheme?"The middle-aged couple sitting across from him slowly shook their heads.Their weary expressions looked carefully rehearsed, as though they were truly struggling to survive.But Gian knew better.Beneath those worn appearances lay a far greater ambition.They wa
Morning arrived in Melbourne with soft sunlight filtering through the thin curtains of Aurelia's dorm room. Still wrapped in her cardigan, her long hair was slightly messy after falling asleep on the couch the night before with a list of vocabulary words she had never managed to finish memorizing.Her laptop vibrated quietly on the small desk.A new email.She hurried over, her heart immediately racing.IELTS Results Available.Her hands trembled as her breathing quickened. For days she had been consumed by anxiety, convinced her final preparations hadn't been enough.Slowly, she clicked the link.Her eyes widened.Overall Band Score: 8.5Her mouth fell open, but no sound came out."Oh my God..." she whispered.She covered her face with both hands, caught somewhere between bursting into excited screams and crying with relief.Every hour she'd spent practicing speakin
“Oh… so standing in line for me actually meant doing it with Kirana?” she said in a slightly playful tone, though the hurt beneath it was clear.Gian had just gotten into the car and was about to sit behind the wheel when he quickly turned his head. His brows lifted as i
The longing had reached its peak. That night, they tangled together on the bed as if trying to make up for days of separation. Sweat and hurried breaths filled the room, mixed with soft whispers between kisses that seemed endless.After a while, their bodies lay quietly beneath the blanket. Aurelia
“It’s me.”Caca shook her head with a shy smile. The little girl sat on the living room carpet, hugging her stuffed bunny tightly. Her small fingers covered her mouth as if she could barely hold back something she was eager to share.Aurelia leaned forward, her eyebrows lifting with curiosity. “So
“What’s wrong with Miss Aurelia?”The voice was soft but trembling with panic. Caca, her hair tied into two small pigtails and her eyes swollen from crying, knelt beside the bed. Her tiny hand clutched Aurelia’s pale, cold fingers.She stared at the young woman’s face with a mixture of hope and fea







