Revenge of The Discarded Wife

"So, is this your goal, to divorce me, Damian?" shouted Glara as she stood at the threshold of her house, stunned by the scene before her.

Initially, Glara came to retrieve her belongings left in the house, but she was confronted with a bitter reality that further tore at her heart. "For days, I isolated myself and blamed myself for not being a good wife, until you chose to separate. Is this really what you wanted?" Glara poured out her feelings.

"If it is, why?" Damian replied casually, throwing a mocking glance her way.

"How long have you two been having an affair without my knowledge?"

Damian sighed lazily. "That's none of your business!" He ignored Glara's presence, focusing instead on the vendor's staff arranging chairs and the wedding decorations.

"Who is Damian?" Damian's mother asked from inside their house. "Oh, this poor woman, what is she doing here again?" she remarked after scrutinizing Glara from head to toe. "Oh, you're here to pick up your rotten belongings, right? Wait a moment!" The middle-aged woman nodded and hurried into the house, specifically into the room where Glara and Damian used to live.

Glara fell silent, still unable to believe what was happening in her life. A week ago, Glara decided to return to her hometown after working in Japan for 18 months. However, she was greeted with a series of surprises, including Damian filing for divorce, the sudden change in the attitudes of her in-laws and husband, and the shocking revelation of Damian's marriage plans.

Glara remained still, staring at Damian busy arranging the room with wedding decorations. Glara wanted to step inside, but just a few steps into the house, her progress halted as she saw the arrival of Damian's ex-mother-in-law approaching with several suitcases and a young boy.

"Bring this useless child! All he does is cause trouble!" the woman added, pushing Gama toward Glara.

Swiftly, Glara caught her thin son, Gama. Her heart ached seeing the condition of her only child. "Mother..." Gama uttered while hugging Glara tightly.

Glara clenched her fists, gritting her teeth at the behavior of her ex-husband and ex-mother-in-law. Glara didn't mind if Damian chose to separate, but she couldn't accept her only son being treated so poorly. Suppressing her anger, Glara looked at Damian and his ex-mother-in-law, saying, "Just watch! I will retaliate for everything you've done!"

Instead of being afraid, Damian chuckled. "Retaliate? How are you going to do that? You won't have money if you don't go abroad!" Damian mocked. "Your own family has abandoned you, right? If your family still supported you or gave me a position in their company, I wouldn't have divorced you, Glara Latusha Seraphine," Damian added, taunting Glara, who was still holding her son.

"So, all this time, you were just using me?"

"What is there to be proud of in a woman like you? Not pretty, not sexy. I was forced to marry you. Unfortunately, your family decided to throw you away without even a penny from the company."

Glara shook her head, staring at Damian in disbelief. She truly didn't recognize the Damian standing before her now. "Just wait, both you and your mother will regret this!" Glara said as she carried her son and walked away from Damian, who watched her with a cynical smile.

Glara's steps took her to the asphalt road leading to the house she had bought several years ago. Despite the difficulties, Glara tried her best to carry her son and belongings. Until her steps stopped at a bus stop.

"Gama, what have they been doing to you all this time, dear?" Glara whispered. She stroked her only son's head. The next moment, Glara realized that her son was struggling to breathe. She quickly examined Gama's body. His chest seemed to rise and fall slowly.

"Mom..."

"Gama, what's wrong, dear?" Glara asked in panic, but her son didn't answer. Gama fainted in his mother's arms. Glara became even more panicked; she didn't know what to do now. To make matters worse, the bus Glara was waiting for never arrived. Glara was forced to use a passing taxi to take her to the nearest hospital.

Shortly after, they arrived at their destination. Without thinking about her belongings, Glara rushed to the emergency unit. A nurse, seeing her, took charge of Gama and placed him in a ward.

After ensuring that Gama's body was lying properly, a nurse came out and called the attending doctor. Shortly after, the attending doctor came and examined Jason. "Please wait outside, ma'am."

"But I want to stay with my son here, nurse," Lyra objected.

"I understand, let us check the condition of your son first," the nurse added. Reluctantly, Glara followed the nurse's advice, leaving Gama behind.

Glara played with her fingers, anxious and restless about her only son's condition. She even forgot the heartache caused by Damian. After a short wait, the nurse who had assisted her came out of the room.

"With the patient's mother?" she said with a warm smile. Glara nodded, and the nurse invited Glara inside to meet the doctor in charge of Gama.

"How is my son's condition, doctor?" Glara asked straight to the point.

"Since when has your son been suffering from his illness?" the doctor replied with an expression that couldn't be deciphered.

Glara's forehead wrinkled upon hearing the doctor's question. "Illness? What illness does my son have, doctor?"

The doctor was equally surprised by Glara's expression. "You don't know?"

"Don't know what, doctor?" Glara demanded a clear answer from the doctor.

"Your son is suffering from an illness..."

Glara now sat in front of the intensive care unit, where her beloved son's body rested, the same son she gave birth to four years ago. Glara repeatedly checked her phone, opening mobile banking and messages alternately.

"My savings are not enough to cover Gama's medical expenses. Oh God, what should I do? I don't want to lose the most precious treasure in my life. Gama is the only valuable thing I have," Glara lamented alone. She stared straight ahead at the door and leaned her back against the waiting room chair.

For more than an hour, Glara remained silent, staring at her phone and the door in front of her alternately. Until a voice interrupted her. "The patient is deteriorating, quickly contact his family!" Glara stood up and approached the nurse who was about to enter Gama's room.

"Nurse, what's going on?" Glara asked in panic.

The nurse turned and looked at Glara with pity. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but your son's condition is worsening. We need to take action immediately."

Glara took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She steadied herself and her heart to dial the number she had been staring at since earlier. "Hello, I need your help!"

Glara stood in front of the towering building before her, feeling like it had been so long since she set foot in it. Awkwardness and embarrassment crept into Glara's mind. However, Glara had no other choice for the sake of her son's safety.

Before entering the building, Glara took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Her arrival was sweetly welcomed by a line of women behind the reception desk. "Welcome, Miss Glara. The big boss has been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Allow me to escort you."

Glara just smiled and nodded, following the steps of the slender woman in front of her. Until her steps halted right in front of the closed elevator door. Shortly after, the elevator door opened, and the slender woman gestured for Glara to enter. After that, she pressed the highest floor number in the building.

Glara's heart raced even more irregularly, a mix of nervousness and restlessness swirling within her. She was afraid that the person she sought might refuse to lend a helping hand to Glara and her only son.

"Sorry, Miss, I can only escort you this far. After this, you just need to walk ten steps forward. The Big Boss's room is at the far end of this floor," the woman said politely, looking at Glara with respect.

"Thank you," Glara replied, returning her smile.

Glara followed the receptionist's instructions and, at the tenth step, stopped in front of a tall door with a sign that read 'President and Chief Executive Officer.' She closed her eyes for a moment, repeatedly touching the doorknob, but each time, she hesitated.

"Tsk!" Glara clicked her tongue and turned around, intending to leave the room in front of her.

"Why turn back?" a man's voice, one she recognized well, asked.

Glara lifted her ash-gray eyes, looking straight at the old man standing with several bodyguards behind him. "Come in."

Glara stood still, unable to evade or avoid the man. Reluctantly, she followed his steps into the extra-large room.

"So, what does my grandson need?" the man asked as they entered the ash-toned room.

Glara shook her head softly. "Grandfather, forgive me. I didn't heed your advice and got carried away by love. Grandfather, I really don't know where else to turn."

The man chuckled lightly, sitting in his throne-like chair as he gazed at Glara with warmth. "Why so formal? I'm your biological grandfather, the only family you have left, right? Why be hesitant? Sit down."

Glara remained bowed; she was truly embarrassed in front of her own grandfather. "Come on, Glara Latusha Seraphine. You're just like everyone else. Sit down; I already know what happened to you. And well, everything has happened, and nothing can be changed, right?"

Glara stayed put. "Grandfather, aren't you even a bit nostalgic about me? After five years of being away, don't you miss me at all?" the man continued, extending his hand as he walked towards Glara.

Glara shed tears, not expecting her grandfather to welcome her so warmly after what she had done to him years ago. "Grandfather," Glara whispered, hugging her grandfather tightly.

"Forgive me, Glara, forgive me." Glara kept repeating those words in the warm embrace of her grandfather, full of the love and affection from her childhood.

"It's okay, Glara. Everything has happened, and now you know why I always opposed your relationship, right?" Glara nodded within the embrace.

They hugged for quite some time, resolving the longing between parent and child. Now, Glara and Louis – her grandfather – sat side by side on the sofa in his room.

"So, what can I help you with?" he asked after Glara finished sipping the cold drink he had offered.

Glara took a deep breath and said, "Grandfather, Gama. He is-"

"Your son, right?" Grandfather interrupted.

Glara nodded, reluctant to ask how Louis knew about her son's identity. Because Glara was sure of who was sitting in front of her. Louis would know even if ants gave birth. "He suffers from chronic liver failure, and his condition..."

"We'll take Gama to a bigger hospital. I will find a suitable and good donor for Gama. But before that, I have one request that I really hope you won't refuse."

"What is it?" Glara asked, and Louis smiled, looking at Glara with hope.

∞

Glara stared at her son's frail body lying with a series of life-supporting medical equipment. The words and request of her grandfather kept echoing in her mind like a broken tape. Glara could agree to her grandfather's wish, but she wasn't too confident in her ability.

She kept daydreaming until a soft voice echoed in her ears. "Good afternoon, ma'am. The doctor would like to meet with you. Let me take you there." Glara nodded and followed the footsteps of the young nurse in front of her.

Upon arriving in front of a room surrounded by white surroundings, the nurse pushed the door and gestured for Glara to enter. "Hello, Mrs. Glara, please have a seat," greeted the doctor, now standing facing Glara.

Glara shook hands with the doctor and then sat in front of her. "What's wrong, doc?"

"Well, Mrs. Glara, I want to discuss your son's condition. Based on the examination we conducted earlier, we obtained less favorable results."

Surprised, Glara inquired about the doctor's explanation. "Gama's liver functions only at 50 percent. Because the damage has spread for quite some time. Delayed treatment and Gama's imperfect growth have caused this virus to spread faster than usual."

Glara's breath caught, feeling as if she were losing oxygen around her. "But, can Gama still recover, doc?"

The woman in white smiled and said, "There is a possibility of Gama recovering, of course, if... Gama receives prompt further action like a liver transplant operation. But to get that, there is a process to go through. Besides, we also need to find a good and suitable liver condition for a toddler like Gama."

Glara felt weaker; she didn't expect her only son to face such a dire fate. "And, as a consideration, Mrs. Given Gama's young age, he certainly has a much higher risk factor. So, you must find a hospital with more advanced equipment and treatment. Glara just stayed silent, listening to every word the woman said.

Now Glara looked back into Gama's room. She closed her eyes for a moment and then reached for her phone, sending a message to someone.

Not long after, several sturdy men in all-black attire arrived, and one neatly dressed man approached Glara in front of Gama's ward. "Excuse me, miss, we've taken care of Master Gama's transfer paperwork and prepared for his treatment at the new hospital. We'll be moving Master Gama shortly," he reported while handing Glara a folder containing Gama's details.

"Thank you for your assistance," Glara replied, breathing a sigh of relief.

"The big boss instructed Miss to carry out her part promptly," one of Louis's trusted aides added. Glara nodded in response to the words of her grandfather's confidant.

As Glara was about to inquire more about her duties, several nurses entered Gama's room. Glara wasn't too alarmed because she knew Gama would be prepared for transfer to a larger hospital.

"The patient is ready for transfer," said one nurse leading a line of others pushing Gama's stretcher.

Glara nodded and allowed her grandfather's right-hand man to lead the way while she walked beside Gama's stretcher. Along the way, Glara couldn't stop muttering curses at Damian, her ex-husband. She hadn't received any news about Gama's illness during their time apart. And now, Glara was almost too late to provide help to Gama.

Glara couldn't be a liver donor herself because, after a series of examinations, she didn't meet more than 50% of the criteria. Fortunately, she had Grandfather Louis, who could easily find a donor without waiting long.

"Would Miss like to be with Master or use a private vehicle?" Danish –Louis's confidant– asked.

"I'll be with Gama," Glara replied. Danish nodded in response to her words.

The ambulance carrying Gama and Glara began to move, leaving the hospital building with two luxury cars escorting and guarding the ambulance. Throughout the journey, Glara didn't let go of Gama's hand. She kept reciting prayers for her son's chance to survive.

Before long, the ambulance stopped in front of a hospital with a luxurious building. Glara's arrival was greeted by several nurses who were already waiting in front of the hospital lobby. They took over the stretcher brought from the previous hospital, pushing it through several hallways and stopping in front of an elevator labeled 'patients only.' They brought Gama inside and pressed the button for Gama's procedure room.

After the elevator pinged, Gama's frail body was taken to the intensive care room at the far end of that corridor. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but you can wait outside. We will conduct an examination before the surgical procedure," Glara nodded and followed the hospital staff's advice.

Glara sat in front of the procedure room, waiting anxiously for the results of her son's examination. She hoped Gama could be treated soon so that he wouldn't suffer any longer. While waiting for the examination process, Grandfather Louis came to her. "Grandfather," Glara whispered, hugging him tightly.

"Everything will be fine, Gama will recover. Trust your grandfather," Glara nodded in response to her grandfather's words.

"If there are no obstacles, Gama will be operated on tomorrow. And after that, both of you must stay with me," Glara nodded again in response to her grandfather's words. She didn't know what her fate would be if her grandfather didn't agree to help due to her stubbornness five years ago.

At precisely three in the afternoon, the doctor approached Glara and invited her to his office. Glara and Louis approached the doctor's room, not far from Gama's ward.

"So, how is it, Doc?"

The doctor smiled and said, "Gama's condition is indeed worrisome, but we can't take immediate action. Considering Gama's age and body not meeting the criteria."

Glara's shoulders slumped, and she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. "But, ma'am and Mr. Louis, please don't worry. We will still provide intensive care until Gama meets the requirements for the surgical procedure."

"What should we do, Doc?" Glara asked after hearing a glimmer of hope from the doctor.

"We will focus on Gama's nutritional treatment first. After Gama reaches his ideal weight, we will conduct further examinations."

Glara breathed a sigh of relief. "So, during this time, will Gama be conscious?"

"After his condition stabilizes, Gama will regain consciousness, but he cannot be taken home yet. We need to monitor him for the next two weeks. During that time, ensure that Gama consumes nutritious food and avoids contact with many people to prevent the risk of other viruses."

Glara nodded, and she conveyed to the doctor that she had entrusted Gama's recovery to the hospital and hoped her son would recover as he did when Glara first moved here. "After Gama regains consciousness, we will transfer him to another intensive care room more suitable for children to avoid stressing Gama."

"Thank you, Doc." The doctor who handled Gama smiled in response to Glara and Louis's words.

According to the doctor's words, after Gama regained consciousness, he was moved to a special intensive care room for children on the fourth floor of the hospital. "Mom," l Gama whispered when he saw Glara sitting next to his bed.

"Yes, dear, what hurts? What does Gama want? What does Gama want to eat?" Glara asked with a hoarse voice and teary eyes.

Gama shook his head and smiled faintly, almost imperceptibly. Glara turned her face away; she couldn't bear to see Gama's ash-gray eyes that looked painful. "Don't leave again, Mom," he weakly said.

Glara tried to smile and nodded, gripping Gama's small hand tightly and kissing it repeatedly. "Mom won't leave again, dear. I'll be here forever with you. Gama, get well soon, keep fighting." Gama nodded and tried to smile.

Time continued to pass, following the agreement Glara made with Louis. Now, Glara was getting ready to put on her office attire and start her duties. "Today, Mom is going to work for a bit. After everything is done, Mom will come back soon. What does Gama want Mom to bring?" Glara asked as she approached her son's bed, who was playing a game on the tablet given by Louis.

"Anything Mom brings, Gama will eat for sure," he replied with a better voice than before.

Glara smiled, kissed Gama's forehead, and approached a nurse who had just arrived. "I'm leaving Gama in your care; let me know if anything happens. I won't be long."

"Okay, ma'am," she replied, nodding politely. Glara patted the babysitter's shoulder, whose age wasn't much different from hers.

Glara quickly left Gama's room, where several guards and Glara's former right-hand man in the company were waiting. Glara smiled and nodded her head.

Throughout the journey to the parking lot, Glara's assistant explained several ongoing projects. Glara listened attentively, not missing a single word. Upon reaching the parking lot, a guard opened the door for her and ushered Glara inside.

Before long, the car drove through the morning streets. Glara deliberately opened her car window; she wanted to breathe in the morning air in her hometown after working abroad for two years. At exactly 9 a.m., Glara's car arrived at a tall and luxurious building.

The car stopped right in front of the lobby. Glara got out of the car and looked towards the lobby. Inside, a neat line of employees and Louis were waiting for her.

Glara walked in, passing employees who bowed their heads in respect. "Welcome, Glara," Louis greeted when Glara stood right in front of him. "Attention, everyone‼! Starting today, all operations of this company and its branches will be handled by my only granddaughter, Glara Latusha Seraphine."

A thunderous applause closed Louis's announcement; they smiled happily hearing the news Louis conveyed. They felt like they were back to five years ago when Glara led the company. Building and navigating the company's career had made her name well-known throughout the country and even internationally.

"Please return to your work positions," Louis said after closing his announcement. He also invited Glara into his office.

"Today, can you attend the meeting with the Norush Group, right?" Grandfather asked as they entered Glara's room from a few years ago.

"Norush Group? Isn't that the company...?"