That morning, every seat at the dining table was filled. It was practically a duty for the Kencana family to never miss a meal together.
But Binar wasn't looking forward to it. She just wanted to finish her food as quickly as possible.
Her mother and stepfather were joking around with Azalia and Naura, her stepsisters. Meanwhile, Elio, Murni's younger half-brother from her second marriage, quietly ate his meal. The middle-schooler was rather quiet by nature, though he still joined in the occasional joke with Murni and Bimo.
Binar? She was no different from a price tag-less decoration. What did anyone expect? Her presence was merely a formality, something no one truly acknowledged.
"You're done eating already, Binar? Mama went to all the trouble of cooking for us," Naura said.
Compared to Azalia, at least Naura wasn't two-faced. She openly displayed her competitive attitude toward Binar.
"Just let her be, Nau. That girl doesn't know how to be grateful. She's nothing like you and your siblings."
"I raised my children strictly so they'd grow up to be useful people, Mur!" Bimo shot back.
Binar lowered her head and stared at her empty plate. Her stepfather's words were so sharp, as if he were saying Binar was useless. The old man clearly needed a punch in the face.
As if he were useful himself. He was a complete zero. If it weren't for her mother's efforts, Bimo would still be doing odd jobs. Only now could he afford to wear a suit and an expensive Malay-style baju kurung.
"Sure, Uncle. Useful for stealing other people's attention," Binar replied casually.
"Binar!" Murni shouted harshly.
The dining table was supposedly a safe place where everyone could eat their fill, but now it was nothing more than a cradle of sorrow. It was suffocating for Binar, who had no one to turn to.
"Bimo, forgive Binar. She's always been difficult to teach. And you, Binar, learn from Nau and Aza so you can become a girl who obeys her parents."
Binar burst out laughing. Murni's words sounded like the funniest joke in the world.
"Don't test Mama's patience, Binar. You should be grateful you still have a mother willing to take you in. What about your Dad? He just abandoned his responsibilities."
Binar stared at Murni in disbelief. How could she possibly say something like that? Come on. Providing for your child and giving her a place to live was a parent's responsibility, wasn't it? So why was her mother bringing up something she had no business holding over her?
Binar was disgusted. She rose from her chair with a rough scrape, sending it sliding backward.
"Mama isn't finished talking, Binar. Hey, you! You have no manners!"
Choosing to ignore them, Binar left them all behind. She headed for the pharmacy, which was currently her safest refuge.
Binar suddenly remembered Doctor Davin. Her invitation to get married hadn't been a joke, nor had it been without reason.
With a family this incredibly toxic, Binar desperately needed some poisonous words from Dr. Davin's lips so she could fire back at her own family's cruel remarks.
Instead of going to the pharmacy, Binar went to the hospital where she had her consultations—and where Dr. Davin worked.
Speak of the devil. Binar stopped her electric scooter when she saw Dr. Davin getting out of his car.
"He's handsome and rich, too! This is definitely my type." Binar nodded repeatedly, already making plans.
"Doctor, wait." Binar half-ran after Dr. Davin's long strides.
The man turned around, his impassive face shifting into clear displeasure. "You again? So you really do want to be operated on."
"No way. I came to see Dr. Davin."
"What do you want? I don't have time to entertain that absurd invitation of yours," Davin said curtly, glancing at his watch.
"No, nothing. Ooooh... Dr. Davin, were you hoping I'd come? Waiting for me to ask you to get married again? But seriously, Doc, I really do want to marry you." Binar raised two fingers to show she was serious about what she was saying.
Dr. Davin knit his brows together, his face so blank that it showed almost no emotion at all. "But I'm the one who doesn't want to marry you." "Why?" Binar asked eagerly, not offended by Davin's blunt rejection.
"Because I can't possibly marry a girl I've only known for two days."
Binar tapped her chin, considering Davin's answer. Then she snapped her fingers, producing a sharp pop. "That's such a cliché excuse, Doctor."
Dr. Davin had no more time to entertain the girl, especially with his surgery scheduled to begin in just a few minutes. Without another word, he left Binar standing there.
"Hey, he left me behind! I think he's totally my type. He's busy with his own affairs, so he won't try to control my life. All I need are some sharp words—and, of course, his money too!"
Call her a gold digger! She was just being realistic about life, especially since she was an outpatient.
To be continued.