I don't know whether to feel sad or happy. When she found out that her father had been hospitalized and started preparing everything before the surgery. It was something Casandra had always dreamed of. To be able to bring her first love to the hospital, to regain his health as before.
And today, everything became a reality after she agreed to marry her mother's employer. Becoming the second wife and giving birth to a baby from her own womb. It was extremely challenging, and Casandra never expected her destiny to be written like this. She had her own dreams, but she had to let them go for the sake of her father.
Although it was difficult and she had initially resented her mother's decision, now Casandra would try to accept it all. Because her father's recovery was her ultimate dream, and it was about to come true. Not only that, Casandra was also very happy to see her three younger siblings able to live in a decent house. Although it was simple, there was no water dripping when it rained. No roofs clashing in strong winds. No chilling cold air penetrating through the cracks in the walls.
That wasn't all. After this weekend, Casandra's three siblings would be able to attend public school. Her second sibling could continue his education after it was temporarily halted due to financial reasons. It was truly the most beautiful blessing amidst the sorrow of being Alexander's second wife.
"All the promises have been fulfilled, right?" Meri greeted Casandra, who was sitting on the sofa. Alexander had assigned her to take care of Meri while he went to the administrative department to settle all the hospital expenses before they went home.
"If that's the case, you should also fulfill the promise of giving Mama many grandchildren."
"Many, ma'am?" Casandra asked, puzzled by the word 'many' because as far as she knew, one child a year was the norm.
If it was many, that meant it would require a lot of time to fulfill it all.
Meri nodded, holding Casandra's hand and patting her back. "Yes, a lot indeed. Because Alexander is an only child. And one more thing, don't call me 'ma'am' anymore. You should get used to calling me Mama. Whether you agree or not, you have to do it. Understand, dear?"
"B-but... ma'am..."
"Don't 'ma'am' me, Cas!"
Casandra sighed. Her head shook quickly. "N-no, it's not that. But... I don't understand why I have to give birth to many children when in the agreement between Miss Cesilia and Mr. Alexander, I only need to give birth to one baby, and that's it."
"But Mama doesn't want that. Mama wants you to be the mother of all Mama's grandchildren. Mama's daughter-in-law forever. Can you do that, Cas?"
"B-but, ma'am - Mama..."
Meri squeezed Casandra's hand. "No more 'buts,' Cas. Don't you have any pity for this old woman? Having a daughter-in-law like Cesilia. Speaking disrespectfully and only caring about herself. Like last night, I'm sure you heard everything. How Cesilia spoke to Alexander."
Casandra didn't show any expression or response. She just remained silent and bowed her head. Swearing by anything, Casandra didn't want to go any further than this. Let alone have many children and be Alexander's wife forever, even being a paid wife and giving birth to just one baby was something Casandra still wasn't ready to do.
"Enough, don't think about it too much. Now just live as you should. And Mama believes that one day, you and Alexander can become a complete married couple. With love as the bond between the two of you."
Casandra continued to stay silent. She didn't want to deviate from the path that Alexander and Cesilia had set. She didn't want to cross any boundaries, even though Meri asked for more from her. Because honestly, Casandra didn't want to snatch someone else's happiness. Especially not by becoming a third person in a marriage. Well... because she wasn't a husband-snatcher.
***
After waiting for quite some time, Alexander finally arrived. Only then did Casandra get up and guide Meri to walk. They walked through the hospital corridors and went down in the elevator. Casandra skillfully took care of her mother-in-law until she sat comfortably in the car. And all of this did not escape Alexander's gaze.
The man remained calm as he observed how Casandra took care of her mother. It was evident that her mother felt comfortable being around Casandra. Unlike Cesilia, who never bothered to take care of her mother and always made excuses about being busy with photo shoots and other things. Cesilia even emphasized that she didn't get married to become a house assistant or anything similar.
"I'm going to the office." Alexander placed Meri's belongings near the bed. "If there's anything, please contact me quickly."
"You're going to the office? When your mother is still in the recovery period? What kind of child are you?"
Alexander's steps halted. He turned to Meri before shifting his gaze to Casandra. He felt like asking Casandra to take care of Meri, but the words didn't seem to form properly due to his immense ego and pride.
Instead of saying, "Cas, please take care of Mama, I have some important meetings at the office," it turned out...
"I'll only be gone for a short while. There's an important meeting I have to attend, but Mama, don't worry. As soon as the meeting is over, I'll come home immediately."
"An irresponsible child." Meri muttered. "It's true what people say. One mother can take care of ten children, but ten children might not be able to take care of one mother. I never expected to experience all of this."
Alexander winced. He didn't know why, but suddenly his steps felt heavy. It was as if there were over a hundred kilograms of burden weighing him down after hearing his mother's complaints.
"Mom, don't say that. I'm only going away for a short while, and it's not for leisure. It's for work, and you have someone to take care of you. Casandra is here, right?"
"Casandra is Lastri's daughter, there's no way she would take care of Mama. She just finished helping her mother work here, and you're not paying her, are you?" Meri taunted, leaving Casandra stunned by her words.
Even Casandra, who wanted to tidy the blanket at Meri's feet, refrained from doing so and chose to stand with her head bowed. Her eyes focused on her hands, which were clasped together. She didn't know what to do because Casandra was aware that her marriage to Alexander was never taken seriously.
Alexander took a deep breath. "But now she's Mama's daughter-in-law. So it's only right that she takes care of and looks after her mother-in-law."
"She's not Mama's daughter-in-law if Mama's child doesn't acknowledge her as a wife." Meri sneered. Her eyes wandered, provoking Alexander to utter a sacred phrase.
"Why isn't she Mama's daughter-in-law?"
Alexander was exasperated now.
"You don't even consider her as such. There's no way Mama would acknowledge her as my wife!"
Now it was Casandra who gaped at Meri's words. She felt like there was a problem with her hearing because earlier at the hospital, Meri asked for many children. But now?
"If Mama doesn't acknowledge her, then why, Mom?"
"Because she and I are already married. That means Casandra is my wife, Mama's daughter-in-law!" Alexander spoke firmly and clearly, emphasizing each word.
"Now, that's enough to confirm that Casandra is indeed Mama's daughter-in-law. But now... go to work. Be diligent and hardworking. But don't tire yourself out because tonight you have to make a grandchild for Mama. Okay?!" Meri innocently raised her thumb to Alexander.
Both Alexander and Casandra were left dumbfounded by Meri's words.
"Grandchild? Children?" Casandra thought to herself. Those two words had been swirling in her head, causing her to lose focus on whatever she touched. When she tried to cook, Casandra only ended up staring at the ingredients in the fridge. She never went through with the execution because Meri forbade her from working, fearing that Casandra would tire herself out and fail to fulfill her duties as a wife. Even when it came to tidying up, Casandra would only dust the same spot, as her mind wandered elsewhere. She imagined Alexander sleeping next to her. A handsome man with thick hair, sharp eyes, tall stature, and a slight muscular build. It would be so comfortable to be in his embrace. However..."I'm not willing to marry him. Let alone have children!" Casandra shook her head, the words Alexander had uttered echoing in her ears. They emphasized that there would be no possibility for them to be together, let alone have a child. "Ck, Cas, be a bit more self-aware, can't you?" she whisper
"Alexander, how is it?" Meri hugged Casandra's shoulder as Alexander stood in front of them. Meri's smile widened, showcasing how proud she was of her daughter-in-law, who may not come from a wealthy family and has a significant age gap with Alexander, but Casandra's kind and polite personality and her way of speaking convinced Meri. It wasn't much, but Meri hoped that Casandra and Alexander would become a complete family with many successors. As for Cesilia... well, Meri didn't consider Cesilia much of a daughter-in-law, as the woman never considered Alexander her husband."How is what?" Alexander loosened his tie, which had felt suffocating around his neck as soon as he saw Casandra. "I'm tired, Mom. Don't make it weird.""Who's making it weird? Mama was just asking, how is Casandra? Is she beautiful?" Meri let go of Casandra and blocked Alexander's path as he tried to go upstairs.Before going to dinner with Robert, of course, Alexander would take a short rest and change his clothe
Upon arriving at the event venue, Alexander was immediately greeted by a middle-aged man who had just formed a partnership with him."Let's go inside," said the man, Tomas, as he often referred to himself. "Oh, wait, who is this girl? I already know this one, he's Robert. But who is this beautiful girl?"Alexander and Casandra exchanged glances."This is my girlfriend, sir!" Robert said before Alexander could respond. "Allow me to introduce her, sir. Her name is Casandra. Cas, this is Mr. Tomas."Casandra nodded, clasping her hands in front of her chest."Casandra, sir," she replied politely."Tomas, just call me Mr. Tomas," Tomas replied. "You are very beautiful and sweet. If only you weren't Robert's girlfriend, I would have matched you with my son Maxime."The man chuckled slightly. "Don't take my words to heart, Bert," he said, patting Robert's shoulder. "Alright, you two go straight to the backyard, where young couples relax. I'll take Alexander upstairs; there's something import
"Wait here, Miss. I'll go to the car first. Usually, there are spare clothes for Alexander in the car," Robert said as he was about to leave, but he stopped when Casandra grabbed the edge of his jacket."No need.""Huh, why not? You're wet. Soaked, in fact.""Don't worry about me. Everything will be fine.""But, Miss!"Robert clenched his fists, frustrated by Casandra's refusal. If he continued to let her stand by the edge of the swimming pool, soaking wet, there were only two possible outcomes: catching a cold or getting a fever."No need to give me extra attention. I don't deserve it.""Ugh, Miss, this is so strange. I'm treating you like a living being, not giving you special attention. If you were a chair or a table, I would just leave you alone. Whether it's raining or hot, wet or diving into a whale pond, I wouldn't care at all."Casandra took a deep breath. "Please help me to the car. I'll just sit there."Robert shook his head. "No. If you sit there in this wet condition, then
Alexander sat in the corner of the living room, observing the interaction between Casandra and her mother. The two of them looked more like mother and daughter rather than mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. They appeared familiar and engaged in a warm conversation, unlike when Meri spoke with Cesilia. The two of them seemed more like enemies than in-laws."Now, tell Mama what happened that made you come back home all soaked like this," Meri spoke to Casandra, but her gaze was directed at Alexander."I was just looking around the backyard. Accidentally, I fell into the swimming pool because I was too focused on the decorations there. I didn't realize my feet touched the pool water, and I fell," Casandra explained."Is that true?" Casandra nodded."Then where was Alexander when you fell?" Meri asked, her gaze sharpening. She clasped her hands together, trying to suppress the mix of nervousness and fear."Alexander..." Casandra paused. She squeezed her hands, trying to dispel the anxiety
Don't expect Casandra to wake up in Alexander's embrace. Smiling to herself, she felt pleased that she had finally conquered her husband's hardened heart. But remember, that scenario doesn't exist here because Alexander is not a man with a gentle and loving heart.He is stubborn, selfish, and devoid of compassion ever since Cesilia ignored him. That's why when Casandra woke up due to the sound of knocking and excitement outside the room, the first thing she saw was the folded laptop, an inactive computer, and a pile of papers, just as they were before she closed her eyes.Swearing to anything, her waist felt sore from sleeping in a sitting position. Her body also felt achy, experiencing chills and feverishness from not using a blanket. She was drenched last night.She should be sleeping under a blanket, not in the cold AC room."Alexander, Lex, Casandra! Wake up, Mama wants to talk. Mama wants to hear the story from both of you. Come on, wake up, and let's have breakfast!"That's roug
As Alexander busily paces back and forth, Casandra sits cross-legged on the bed, observing him. She is unsure of what to do. She doesn't even consider speaking to Alexander since they never exchange words, except for important matters. Casandra doesn't want to hurt herself by engaging in a conversation with Alexander, as he would only belittle her.Instead of getting hurt, it's better to stay silent, right?"Now you call Mama!" Alexander approaches Casandra. "Tell her I'm done."Casandra's face lifts up. "But, Sir...""But what? Don't you want to? Whether you like it or not, you have to, so I can get out of here! As you know, my life is filled with work, unlike you, a village girl with nothing, let alone a future.""Yes, Sir, yes. I know I'm just a village girl with no future and a high unemployment rate. But that's not the issue. If I call Mrs. Meri here, I'll be questioned again, Sir. Do you want to be scolded again? I'm tired, Sir. You get scolded by Mrs. Meri, but I'm the one blam
"I wonder why Maxime called Cecilia, causing her to be unable to refuse answering the incoming call from Alexander. Countless times he tried to reach her, from voice calls to text messages, and now a video call. He was extremely worried about his wife's condition as she hadn't provided any definite updates."Hi, honey," greeted Cecilia, waving her hand in front of the camera. Her eyes looked puffy due to lack of sleep, and she hadn't cleaned herself up since arriving in Bali.Alexander raised an eyebrow as he observed Cecilia, whose hair was disheveled, her face swollen, and her eyes showing signs of exhaustion. She didn't look like her usual self."Did you just wake up?"Cecilia nodded."Yes, I'm exhausted. I haven't slept at all. And when I finally woke up, this is how late it is," Cecilia chuckled slightly, hiding Maxime's presence as he still held her slim waist."Oh, I thought something happened to you. I haven't heard from you at all since yesterday. I miss you," Alexander said,