Since she was little, Arini felt different. Her parents, although kind and loving, always felt like strangers to her. She never felt like she was truly part of the family. And now, with the evidence of the DNA test results she found a few weeks ago, all her past questions were answered. She was not their biological child.
When a woman named Arini opened her eyes that morning, the white ceiling of the hospital room was her first sight. The distinctive smell of antiseptic stung her nose, making her head dizzy even more. She was still trying to understand the situation. In the corner of the room, a nurse was writing something down on her clipboard.
"Mrs. Arini, how are you feeling?" the nurse asked gently.
Arini just nodded slowly. Her body felt weak. She knew that everything was over. Everything she had ever believed in, everything she thought was true, had fallen apart.
Since she was little, Arini felt different. Her parents, although kind and loving, always felt like strangers to her. She never felt like she was truly part of the family. And now, with the evidence of the DNA test results she found a few weeks ago, all her past questions were answered. She was not their biological child.
Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. Feelings of disappointment and hurt flooded her heart. She felt abandoned and unwanted. She thought hard, but there was no one she could ask for help. It all felt like an endless nightmare.
With the remaining strength, Arini lifted her body from the bed. The nurse quickly helped her stand.
"Thank you," Arini whispered softly.
The nurse smiled slightly, handing me a piece of paper with someone's address and phone number on it. "The doctor suggested you see a counselor. It might help."
Arini just stared at the paper expressionlessly. What could a counselor do? Restore a lost identity? Erase the pain of feeling unwanted?
After leaving the hospital, Arini decided to walk aimlessly. Her feet took her to a small park on the outskirts of town. A place she used to visit often when she felt chaotic. This place always gave her peace. There, under a large shady tree, she sat and looked into the distance.
Among the crowd of people passing by, Arini's gaze fell on a familiar figure. Her heart was beating fast. A man about 180 cm tall, wearing a white shirt and black pants. The man walked closer, and his firm face became clearer. His neatly arranged black hair, sharp eyes that radiated confidence, and a faint smile.
Arini gasped. It was Bimo, the man she had hurt in the past. A man whose relationship with Arini had ended so badly. They had both been involved in a small business together, but because of Arini's misunderstanding and selfishness, the business fell apart, and Bimo lost a lot. At that time, Bimo promised never to forgive her.
"How are you, Arini?" he greeted coldly.
Arini was silent. Various feelings were mixed in her heart-shock, fear, and maybe a little guilt.
"Bimo... I..." Arini tried to speak, but her voice was choked.
"You look different," Bimo said, squinting. "What's wrong? Why are you here?"
Arini swallowed. She wanted to get out of there immediately, but her legs felt heavy. "I... just want to be alone," she finally answered.
Bimo nodded. "Me too," he said as he sat down next to Arini, keeping his distance. They were both silent, lost in their own thoughts. Bimo stared ahead, at the trees swaying gently in the wind.
"I heard about your family," Bimo said finally, his voice low but firm.
Arini turned her head in surprise. "How did you know?"
Bimo shrugged. "News like that spreads fast, especially among people we know."
Arini felt her chest tighten. She didn't want to remember any of that. "I don't need sympathy from anyone, especially from you," she said defensively.
Bimo smiled thinly, a little cynically. "I'm not here to give you sympathy, Arini. I'm here for something else."
"What?" asked Arini in a suspicious tone.
"I need an assistant," Bimo answered briefly.
"Assistant?" Arini laughed wryly. "You're kidding, right? You think I'll work for you after everything that happened?"
Bimo stared at Arini with sharp eyes. "I'm not kidding. You need a job, and I need someone I can trust, even a little. And you're the best choice I have right now."
The atmosphere in the auction room was electric, thick with tension and anticipation. Spotlights illuminated the faces of the bidders, but all Isabella Blake could focus on was one man-Marcus Hale. She had been kidnapped and sold like a piece of property, and now, the highest bid echoed ominously in her ears. "Seventy million dollars!" shouted a man in a black suit, and Isabella felt a chill run down her spine at the staggering figure. She never imagined her life would end up like this, trapped in a brutal auction for her own freedom.
Aruna is a new secretary at a leading technology company in Jakarta, TechSage Corp. It was only a few weeks ago that she accepted this job, an opportunity that she believed would open many doors in her career. However, today felt different. There was anxiety that had been hanging over her since she woke up this morning, as if a bad feeling was waiting for her.
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
“Drive this woman out!” "Throw this woman into the sea!” When he doesn’t know Debbie Nelson’s true identity, Carlos Hilton cold-shoulders her. “Mr. Hilton, she is your wife,” Carlos’ secretary reminded him. Hearing that, Carlos gives him a cold stare and complained, “why didn’t you tell me earlier?” From then on, Carlos spoils her rotten. Little did everyone expect that they would get a divorce.
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!