“You’re a highly educated man, a renowned CEO respected by so many people, yet you don’t have the maturity or compassion to appreciate a woman who’s already broken. Where is your conscience?”
“Mom, she must have a family! Why should we be the ones to take her in?” Marcel protested again, refusing to back down.
Standing in the middle of the family’s argument, Mila felt increasingly uncomfortable. Guilt quickly crept in, making her feel like a parasite tearing apart the harmony of this prestigious family.
“I’m sorry... I’m sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Sony. If my presence is only going to cause arguments between you, then I should...”
“Mila, wait,” Mr. Sony interrupted gently. He looked at Mila questioningly. “If you don’t mind my asking, where are your family or parents, my child? Perhaps we can help you return to their home if you feel awkward staying with us.”
Mila lowered her head. She twisted the somewhat wrinkled hem of her shirt. “I... I’m an orphan, sir. Both my parents died in a traffic accident when I was only three years old. After that, I was raised in an orphanage until I eventually married Anton.”
At her honest confession, the atmosphere suddenly fell silent. Mrs. Sinta covered her mouth with her palm, her eyes growing increasingly misty. An overwhelming surge of pity pressed against her chest. The man and woman before her realized just how alone Mila was in this world. She had no shoulder to lean on, no home to return to, and now she had just been cast aside by the only person she had considered family.
Without wasting another moment, Mrs. Sinta immediately put an arm around Mila’s shoulders and held her close. “No more arguing. You’re coming home with us, Mila.”
Mila could only surrender to the situation. She glanced at Mrs. Sinta with immeasurable gratitude, though doubt and fear still raged inside her. She knew that stepping into this family’s life meant she had to be ready to face Marcel’s cold attitude.
Realizing that his decision had been completely overruled by his parents, Marcel could only snort harshly. He chose to walk ahead toward the car, taking long strides without making any effort to hide his irritation. His face was twisted into a sullen scowl, concealing the vulnerability and anger colliding in his chest.
Inside Mr. Sony’s luxury car, silence dominated the journey. Mr. Sony focused on the road, while Marcel sat in the front passenger seat, staring blankly out the window. In the back seat, Mrs. Sinta kept holding Mila’s hand, trying to offer warmth and security to the young woman who was still carrying deep trauma.
“We know you’re deeply hurt, Marcel,” Mr. Sony said, breaking the silence on the highway. His eyes occasionally flicked toward Marcel through the rearview mirror. “But allowing yourself to keep drowning in anger and bitterness will only push you farther away from the people who love you. Samudra needs a wise father, not a man who provokes conflict.”
Marcel did not respond. He rested his head against the car window, letting his father’s words pass over him. His mind was not in the car but drifting toward his baby son, Samudra, who had been left at home with the nanny. An endless fear haunted him every time he remembered the fact that Samudra was growing up without the embrace of his biological mother.
Mrs. Sinta turned toward Mila and smiled reassuringly. “Mila, you don’t need to worry. Starting today, think of us as your own family. We welcome you with open arms. You’re both a guest and a part of our household.”
Mila bowed her head deeply, holding back tears of gratitude that threatened to spill over. “Thank you so much, ma’am and sir. I... I truly don’t know how I could ever repay your kindness.”
Not long afterward, the luxury car entered an exclusive residential neighborhood. It stopped directly in front of a towering iron gate that opened automatically. Beyond it stood a magnificent home in a modern-classical style. Grand and elegant, yet somewhat quiet and cold. A spacious garden with neatly manicured green grass greeted their arrival.
Mrs. Sinta helped Mila out of the car and led her up the marble steps to the front door.
“Welcome home, Mila. From now on, this is your home too. Make yourself at home and don’t feel awkward,” Mrs. Sinta said gently.
Marcel, who stepped inside right behind them, immediately removed his black jacket without a word. Before heading up the stairs to his room on the upper floor, he paused for a moment. His eyes fixed on Mila with a sharp, cold, warning stare, as if emphasizing that the boundary between them had been drawn unmistakably. Without saying a word, the CEO walked away, the sound of his shoes echoing along the marble hallway.
Mila stood frozen in the middle of the magnificent living room. The luxury surrounding her only made her feel even smaller. For many people, living in a place like this might be a grand dream. But what Mila needed right now was simply peace of mind and protection. She was fully aware of the vast gulf separating her—a lonely woman who had just been cast aside—from this prestigious family, especially Marcel, who stood at the top of the social hierarchy as the head of a major company.
“Come on, Mila. I’ll show you to your room,” Mrs. Sinta offered warmly, breaking Mila out of her reverie.
They climbed the winding staircase to the second floor and walked along a long hallway with warm wooden floors. Large glass windows lining the hallway offered a view of the swimming pool and the well-maintained backyard.
Mrs. Sinta opened a teakwood door, revealing an enormous bedroom decorated in cream tones with luxurious minimalist furnishings. A king-size bed, an en suite bathroom, and a private balcony completed the room.
“This is your room. I hope you’ll be comfortable here. If you need anything—change of clothes, food, or anything else—don’t hesitate to call Jumi or any of the other household staff,” Mrs. Sinta said as she gently rubbed Mila’s shoulder.
Mila looked around, her eyes shining with emotion. “This... this is far too nice for me, ma’am. Thank you so much. Oh, ma’am... if you don’t mind my asking, where is Baby Samudra? I haven’t seen Mr. Marcel’s baby since I got here.”