Chapter 3 VERO

POV VERO

"Hey," i whispered, gently pattung the womans cheeck she was already fats asleep and unconscious. Slowl, I liftes her and laid her in the bed. For a moment, I paced back and forth nervously. I Could still remember her screams and hysterical cries the first time we were together. But now, she was so weak and unable to fight back, and addly, i Felt sorey for her.

"Damn it, why am I suddenly losing my nerve like this?" I muttered, glancung at Rania before sitting beside her. This beautiful face of hers intensified my desires. I still could"nt believe that something this pleasureable came with a Price.

"Hold it, hold it..." I told myself. Somehow, I pitied this woman. She was so unfotune to have a worthless and infertile man like Danu. But a deal was a deal. I tolk off my javjet and all my accessories perhaps her bpdy would make me feel a littel warmer. I gently stroked her lovely face and brushad hai aside.

"So beautiful," i whispered leaning in to kiss her lips. With no resistance tje sensation felt surprisingly dull.

Drrrrrt.

I jumped at the sound of my phone vibrating. My ayes widened aa i saw that mom was calling.

"Hello mom?"

"Vero, where are you?

"Um"

"Where are you?"

"What's going on mom?"

You need to get your father he's gravely ill. Your dad's store over there was looted, and he has nothing left. Pick him up," she scoled. I sighed and retorted.

"Mom, why do you still care about that lousy man!" Just let him die there," i snapped

"He's yiyr father, Vero. I don't wants us to neglect hin. He's in big trouble over. There because of debts ans his ex -wife, lets bring him here and then we cab live together as ahappy family," she explained. I sighed and gave a sarcastic smile.

"Oh, a happy family!" I mocked. The man who abandones mom after getting hee pregnant and webt back to his home country without caring about me? I scofed at thought ans turnes look at Rania

"Am I also cruel? For leaving my child in this woman's womb?" I asked myself silently.

"Vero?" Mom called again.

"Yes, Mom. Besides, I don't even have money right now. Just tell them to wait," I replied dismissively.

"Do your best, Vero. Your father deserves compassion," she answered.

"Yeah, yeah," I said lazily. She's right. I am too cruel. I've hated my father my entire life because of this, yet here I am, wanting to do the same. I'm going to impregnate this woman and leave her. Suddenly, guilt filled my heart.

"But she won't be abandoned. She has a complete family. Danu really wants this child," I whispered to myself.

"Ah, whatever," I muttered coldly and carried on with my task. This woman barely felt human to me. Has this coward even touched his wife? It felt as though he was offering her to me on a silver platter.

---

POV RANIA

I woke up to find it was already late morning. My head felt dizzy, and my body was utterly drained. Slowly, I turned to Mas Danu, who was holding me tightly. I could faintly hear him sobbing. His eyes were red, clearly from crying.

"What's wrong?" I asked. He held me even tighter, and I stayed silent.

"I was so worried. You had a fever all night and fainted," he said. I tried to recall last night. I thought I saw that man come into this room.

"Last night, I saw him. That bad man," I said. Danu shook his head and replied.

"There was no one, sweetheart. It was just the two of us." He held me again and kissed my cheek.

"What happened to me last night?" I asked. Mas Danu looked awkward.

"You were sick, and I panicked, so I called a doctor," he said. I pouted, confused as to why I couldn't remember anything. Danu still couldn't hide his sadness.

"I'm fine. Don't be like this. Why do you look so upset?" I whispered, stroking his face. He forced a smile and hugged me again.

"I slept too deeply and missed the sunrise," I murmured in his embrace.

"You'll see it tomorrow morning. Now go shower, and let's have some fun," he said cheerfully. I nodded and got out of bed.

When I reached the bathroom, I noticed a scent on my pajamas. It wasn't my perfume, nor was it Danu's.

"Why does my pajama smell like this?" I muttered, sniffing it. My heart skipped a beat when I looked in the mirror. There were bruises on my neck, like marks from something. My eyes widened.

"Darling!" I called from the bathroom. Danu came in quickly.

"Yes, love? What's wrong?"

"Why is my neck like this?" I asked, pointing at the bruises.

For a moment, Danu seemed stunned. He stepped closer and cupped my face in his hands.

"What's wrong with you? I'm sorry," he said. I frowned.

"Last night, did we...?" I asked hesitantly. Danu nodded.

I gasped, looking at the mirror again. I still couldn't understand why I couldn't remember anything.

"Why can't I remember anything?" I said softly. Slowly, Danu wrapped his arms around my waist.

"You were sick last night, so the doctor gave you a sedative. Maybe that's why you don't remember," he explained.

"Oh, I see," I replied. Danu kissed the nape of my neck and my bruised skin.

"Okay, go shower. I'll wait for you in the hotel lobby."

"Alright."

Fifteen minutes later, I finished showering. After packing up, I got ready to go downstairs to meet Danu in the lobby. But I got distracted by a watch on the nightstand.

"Whose watch is this?" I asked myself.

"I'm pretty sure Danu doesn't like wearing watches," I muttered. I quickly grabbed my things and headed downstairs to meet Danu.

Upon reaching downstairs, I saw Danu waiting for me. I immediately approached him and asked about the watch.

"Whose watch is this? Why is it in our room?" I asked. Danu looked startled and snatched the watch.

"Oh, this? It's mine," he said briefly.

"But haven't you always disliked watches?"

"It's not that I dislike them, love, I just couldn't afford one before. Now that I have extra money, why not have one, right?" he replied. I nodded hesitantly and said,

"Oh, I see. But I prefer if we don't spend unnecessarily like this, especially since you're not even sure where you'll work next."

"Don't worry. I'll do anything to make you happy," he said. I smiled.

"Thank you."

"Come on, let's go get some food outside, whatever you like," Danu said. I nodded and followed him.

---

Danu's POV

"I'm going to rest right away. I'm tired," Rania said as we returned from the beach that evening. She pulled the blanket over herself, preparing to sleep.

"Love, wait a moment. Take your medication as the doctor advised. Here's the supplement for you," I said, holding the pill. She glanced at the bottle in my hand, and I gently placed the pill in her mouth. She opened her mouth slightly and sipped the water I offered.

"Thank you," she said softly. I nodded and helped her lie down. Not long after, she fell asleep.

"I'm sorry, Rania," I whispered, holding her hand. I had to do this for our future. Hopefully, I'll recover, and we can build a peaceful and normal family.

Taking a deep breath, I stood, grabbed the watch, and went to meet Vero in the room he rented next door.

"You left this here on purpose!" I growled, throwing the watch onto his bed. The young man, busy with his phone, shifted slightly and sighed.

"I forgot. Why? Did your wife get suspicious?" he asked nonchalantly, lying back on the sofa.

"Rania's asleep. Go back," I ordered. Without hesitation, he stood and walked out.

"Wait!" I stopped him. He turned, raising an eyebrow.

"Don't leave any traces. I don't know how to explain when she questions the marks on her neck," I said, stressed. He nodded indifferently and left. I sighed and collapsed onto the bed.

I tried my best to calm my aching heart and the growing tightness in my chest. Again and again, I clenched my fists in frustration. I had dared to hurt Rania this much, even hurting myself.

"I'm sorry... please forgive me," I whispered, tears falling.

---

The next morning, I returned to the room before Rania woke up. However, that morning, my father's lawyer came to the hotel.

"Sorry to disturb you, Sir," he said. I couldn't invite him to talk in the room, so I brought him to a café nearby.

"Tomorrow is the inauguration of the new young director. Two names are listed: Harlen, Mr. Saseno's adopted son, and you, Sir. Since Harlen is still in America, we need you to attend the inauguration," he explained. I was taken aback.

"But I haven't received the inheritance because of the condition that woman set," I replied.

"That's true, but it's not a requirement for the office staff and employees. It's just a condition from Madam Saseno. The office urgently needs a new director. Tomorrow is the inauguration, and you must attend, Sir," he insisted. I swallowed hard and said,

"But I don't understand business. I'm just a graduate of Agriculture," I said hesitantly.

"I will provide the documents and the speech materials. You're not required to manage the company starting tomorrow, just attend the inauguration," he reassured. I nodded slowly.

"Alright, I'll come. But my wife... she needs this vacation here. Who will look after her?"

"I'll send bodyguards to protect Madam," he offered. My eyes widened slightly.

"Alright then, I'll go with you tomorrow."

---

That night at the hotel

"I've been looking for you everywhere. Turns out you're here," Rania said, looking polished as she walked in. I turned to her and said,

"Sorry, you were sleeping so soundly I didn't have the heart to wake you," I replied. She nodded, glancing at the lawyer and office assistant.

"Who are they?"

"Let me introduce you, Madam-" Mr. Hendru started, but I cut him off.

"They're business associates from Borneo. We were discussing work," I interrupted.

"Oh, I see. Sorry if I interrupted. I'll head back to the room," she said.

"No need, love. We're just about done. Thank you, gentlemen. We'll take our leave," I said, pulling her away.

"You got another job, love. Congratulations! I was worried about what we'd do next after you resigned," she said. I smiled.

"That's why you shouldn't worry, love. I'll always know what's best for you and our family," I replied. She hugged me emotionally, and I returned the embrace tightly.