Chapter 6 Chapter 6

After the medical examination, Rachel suggested that I take a blood test as well—to check whether I had contracted the disease that was now eating away at Megan’s and Ardiaz’s bodies.

We waited for more than an hour, and thankfully the results were very reassuring. It turned out that even though Fagan loved his former fiancée deeply, he had still been able to keep the boundaries he was not supposed to cross.

He was clean. He had not contracted that disease.

Unlike Ardiaz. He truly was a playboy. He didn’t just carry on an illicit relationship with his future sister-in-law, he also had sexual relations outside of marriage.

If I remember correctly, the first time I met Ardiaz was at his sister Adiba’s wedding. At that time, we were asked to be bridesmaids. I was still in school, while Ardiaz had just started college.

Ardiaz was very humble and friendly—completely different from Fagan, who was cold and spoke very little.

At the beginning, I felt uncomfortable with Ardiaz’s overly familiar attitude. I tried to avoid him and keep my distance from Fagan’s younger brother.

Not many people know that I am actually similar to Fagan. I don’t like being around crowds. It feels very uncomfortable to see people smiling with such obvious pretension.

However, whenever there was a family gathering, Grandma always asked me to be cheerful and obedient—so that Papa would believe I wasn’t like Mama, and would allow me to continue living with Grandma.

Becoming friends with Ardiaz was one of Grandma’s ideas to make me look cheerful and friendly.

“Be friends with Ardiaz to cover up your shortcomings,” Grandma once said.

“You still remember your father’s threat, right? So obey Grandma’s wishes. Be friends with Ardiaz. Imitate his friendly and cheerful attitude.”

As Grandma instructed, I began to grow close to Ardiaz, observing and imitating the way he smiled and laughed—all to hide the flaws that made Papa hate me.

Not because I was afraid of Papa’s threats, but for Grandma. The only person I loved the most.

Everything I did was for my mother’s mother. For Grandma.

Even marrying Mas Fagan was also for Grandma.

“Zura!” A tap on the back of my hand pulled me out of my thoughts. “Don’t daydream,” Rachel said briefly before focusing back on the road.

“Hemm…” I murmured.

“So where are we going now?” Rachel asked.

“Take me to my friend’s house.”

“Who?”

I looked at my phone screen. A notification had come in from my best friend. “Zeline.”

Rachel glanced at me again. “She’s your school friend, right?”

“Yes.”

Zeline Daguise, my friend from when I was still in school. We were very close. Not only with Zeline, but also with her parents and her older sibling.

Two days ago, Zeline contacted me. She had just returned from out of town to enjoy her college break. Originally, I planned to meet her tomorrow while also visiting Grandma.

“Is Zeline’s house in the same city as your grandma’s?” she asked.

“Yes. From here, it’s only about an hour and a half away. If you’re tired, I can just take an online taxi.”

“I’m not tired, Mbak,” Rachel replied. She smiled widely, but the smile felt hollow—not as sweet as usual. “Let me take you there.”

“But it’s already night. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“It’s fine. I already told Mom earlier. I said I was staying over at my college friend’s apartment,” Rachel answered, smiling again.

I let out a long breath. Suddenly my chest felt tight—tight with regret. If only I weren’t married. Like Rachel, I would probably be busy with my college friends, getting to know new people, working on assignments together.

Sometimes, listening to Rachel’s stories made me feel envious.

After two hours of traveling, we finally arrived at Zeline’s house. As usual, her parents welcomed me warmly.

They were confused when they saw me wearing a mask and fully covered clothing. “I’m sick—flu and fever,” I said, and they immediately believed me.

Zeline hurriedly took Rachel and me into her bedroom.

Inside the room.

“Oh my God… your face?” Zeline asked in shock as soon as I took off my mask. “Who slapped you?”

“Oh God, Zura…” she screamed even louder when I removed the hoodie jacket I was wearing.

“Don’t tell me your husband did this?” Zeline looked back and forth between me and Rachel.

Rachel looked nervous. “Sorry, I’m going to the bathroom for a moment,” she said quickly before rushing inside. Perhaps she felt ashamed, because the one who had hit me was her own relative.

“Zeline, please don’t let anyone know that I came here. I don’t want Grandma to find out about my condition,” I pleaded, holding her hand.

“So it’s true—your husband did this?” Zeline looked at me with pity. A look I hated the most.

I took a deep breath before finally nodding.

“Yes. He did.”

“That bastard of a man!” she cursed angrily. “Has he forgotten that you’re the one who saved his family’s reputation?”

“You have to report him to the police,” Zeline said again.

“If I report him, everyone will find out. And what I’m afraid of is that Grandma will go into shock,” I answered heavily.

“Then what? You’re just going to stay silent and accept being treated so cruelly?” Zaskia gently pushed my head. “Don’t be stupid!”

“I’m not that stupid. If I were willing to accept being abused, I wouldn’t be here now.”

“Then?”

“Can I come with you?” I asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Come with you to study out of town.”

“Of course. Come with me. You can work while studying. You’re smart—you can definitely get a scholarship.”

“Zeline’s right. You should go with her,” Rachel said as she came out of the bathroom.

“But not now. I need time to calm myself down.”

Zeline narrowed her eyes. “Don’t tell me you love that bastard? Are you still hoping he’ll come looking for you?”

I exhaled roughly; the tightness in my chest grew worse. Love? Yes… I admit it, I loved him. What woman wouldn’t fall in love when she was treated sweetly and attentively every day by a handsome man like Fagan?

“No. I don’t love him,” I lied. “I’m just thinking about Grandma. I don’t want my leaving to shock her. So I’ll think of a way to tell her.”

It wasn’t entirely a lie. Grandma’s heart condition, which hadn’t fully recovered, was my consideration.

“I understand. For now, just stay here. Tomorrow Mom and Dad will be out of town for a week,” Zeline said.

“Calm your mind first, then decide.”

“Hemm…” I nodded. “Thank you.”

Zeline hugged me. “You’re not alone. You have me,” she whispered, instantly warming my heart.

Alright. Let’s see what you’re going to do, Fagan.

After all of this, will you apologize? Will you admit your mistake to my family?

Your attitude will determine my decision.