"Aziz? The stern man I've heard about from the neighbors' gossip? A 38-year-old widower with two teenage kids? Oh, it doesn't make any sense if it's really him." Alena couldn't wrap her head around her mother's order just now. She hoped it was just a dream, but unfortunately, it was about to become a reality soon. How could her peaceful life as a college student suddenly turn 180 degrees into a forced marriage with a widower?
"What? I have to marry him?!"
Alena almost dropped her phone. The voice on the other end was too shocking to process. The bustling streets of Medan that afternoon, filled with vehicles going back and forth, seemed to vanish from her view. All that remained was the ringing in her ears, echoing along with her mother's booming voice on the phone.
"You heard me, didn't you? It's already decided, Na. Aziz is a good man. Our family owes his family a great deal!" Her mother's tone was firm, leaving little room for protest. The bright afternoon suddenly turned gloomy for Alena.
The 21-year-old woman blinked, staring at her flat shoes, as if hoping for answers to appear from them. "But... but, Mom. I'm still in college. How can I get married? Besides, I don't even know him!" she said in desperation. The noisy traffic around her suddenly became a mere backdrop to the fear surging in her heart.
Her mother sighed, as if trying to calm down a stubborn child. "Listen, Na. We're not wealthy people. If it weren't for Aziz's family, you wouldn't even have been able to go to school until now. This is the best option for all of us."
Alena wiped her face, feeling cold sweat starting to form.
Om Aziz? The strict man I've heard whispered about by the neighbors? A 38-year-old widower with two teenage kids? This doesn't make any sense!
How could her peaceful life as a college student suddenly turn upside down into a forced marriage story with a widower?
"Mom... Isn't Om Aziz strict? I've heard people talk about him," Alena's voice began to tremble, her fear growing more real.
There was a faint chuckle on the other end-not a pleasant laugh, but one tinged with bitterness. "People love to gossip, and you know that. They always find faults. Aziz is strict? Maybe he's firm, but that's normal for someone leading a lot of people. Don't believe everything you hear."
Alena let out a long sigh, trying to gather her thoughts. "But, Mom... I'm not ready. There's so much I still want to achieve. I'm only in my sixth semester. What about my future?"
"Na, listen to me. Life doesn't always go as we want. Do you think we're in a position to choose right now?" Her mother's words pressed harder on Alena's feelings. "Aziz's family has helped us for years. And Aziz... he's handsome, wealthy, and ready to build a family again. You'll be comfortable with him."
"Mom, this isn't just about comfort! I don't love him. And being handsome and rich doesn't guarantee happiness. I don't even know him!" Alena tried to resist, her voice growing hoarse.
"Do you think love is everything? Not all marriages start with love, Na. Sometimes, love comes later, after you get to know someone better," her mother replied, this time with a softer tone, trying to instill understanding.
Alena sat down on a small park bench near the street, gazing at the sky that was starting to turn red. It felt like the weight of the world was crashing down on her shoulders all at once. A marriage without love? That wasn't what she had imagined. But on the other hand, what choice did she have?
While her mind was still in turmoil, her phone vibrated. A message appeared, adding to the complications of her day.
[Tomorrow afternoon, you two have to meet. Aziz wants to talk in person.]
Alena froze, staring at the phone screen she was holding. Her heart seemed to stop. Tomorrow? That soon? Her chest tightened. A direct meeting with Om Aziz? A man she only knew as a shadowy figure. A man feared by many, with two kids rumored to be difficult to manage. How could this meeting possibly go well?
Shortly after, another message followed.
[Don't be late, Na. Aziz doesn't like to wait.]
Alena bit her lower lip. Her entire body shivered. It felt like an even bigger burden was approaching, one she couldn't refuse. Is this really happening? I have to marry a man I've never even met?
She wiped her forehead, feeling her blood pulsating more rapidly. Tomorrow, she would meet the man who would become her husband. A husband she never wanted. And worse, she didn't know what Aziz was really like behind all the stories circulating about him.
Alena stared into the distance, but her mind was filled with worry. What would she say to Aziz? What should she do?
Tomorrow, everything would change. Alena knew there was no turning back. She could only hope for the best, even though her heart trembled with doubt.
That night, as Alena tried to sleep, the thought of tomorrow's meeting continued to haunt her. Her mother's words echoed in her mind-about debts, about a lack of choice. But the most haunting was one question that wouldn't leave her thoughts: Why does Aziz want to marry me?
Tomorrow, the answer would come. But was Alena ready to hear it?
The will read by the lawyer makes Vienna's life a nightmare. She never imagined that she would marry Ray - a cousin who was allegedly the son of her father's murderer. She wanted to run away from the harsh reality, but when she saw her mother her guts shrank and she ended up accepting the reality in front of her eyes. The girl vowed to avenge her father's death even at the expense of herself. Vienna's plan is certainly not easy considering that her cousin is also tough and has always been cold and cruel to her. Moreover, the man also has the support of a lover who is a partner of their family company. Who would have thought that love never chooses who it falls on. Vienna realizes that inside the hatred and resentment she nurtures, there are beautiful feelings for the man who has the title of her husband now. What will Vienna do this time? Will she continue her grudge or give up on Ray in the name of love?
"When are you coming home, baby?" "Do I have to answer that question?" If I could choose my destiny, I'd like to live a simple life as long as I could see my husband every day. However, regrets always come too late. Mas Ares will never be able to come home because...
The first marriage ended because the husband could not provide mental support. The second household was also forced to run aground due to a gambling case. Even after the third time as a wife, Namira could not feel happy. Moreover, the sad memories of that first night made her traumatized to reopen herself. So, how will she live her life again?
Amanda's return to the country was greeted by sad news. She lost her beloved sister. The grave was still wet, but her papa urged her to get married. Not with the man she loved. However, with a widower who was none other than her late sister's husband. She wanted to ask for his blessing to marry her lover, but the situation made things complicated. Amanda never expected to be presented with such a surprising request. Marry a former brother-in-law and become a birth mother to a month-old baby girl? It was both ridiculous and sad considering their ages. But how could she refuse? "Everywhere there is a sugar baby or sugar daddy, while I'm a sugar mommy. Radit is too young to be my husband. This is crazy!"
"I'm willing to be a daddy to your son, but don't ever expect me to treat you like a wife." To realize her son's dream of having a daddy, Lily is willing to enter into a contract marriage with Keenan, who also happens to be desperate to find a wife to inherit his family's company. An agreement was made where the relationship between the two would appear harmonious only in front of the child. However, they cannot resist the fate that has fostered unusual feelings. Unfortunately, the appearance of a past figure is also inevitable. Making it hard for both of them to go further. Will Lily and Keenan stay together? Or will each of them choose to give up when there is no more reason to survive?
After being diagnosed by a doctor that she got MRKH syndrome, the content of which is not getting pregnant and bearing a baby, Serena Queen Adhisty is going to be frustrated. She decided to go away from Barra, her boyfriend. And eleven years later destiny made Serena and Barra meet in the same company. She was shocked and did not know that her ex-boyfriend was the general manager there. Serena wants to move from the company. Unfortunately, she is trapped by Barra.
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
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!"
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?"
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"