The café was quiet, tucked behind a narrow alley far from the city noise. Fini sat at the corner table, fingers nervously twirling the edge of her sleeve. A woman in her early 50s approached, elegant despite her simple clothing. Her eyes were the same deep brown as Ezra's.
"Fini Aulianna?" she asked gently.
Fini stood. "You're… Ezra's mother?"
The woman nodded. "Lamara Hadira. Thank you for coming."
They sat down. The air felt thick.
"I know Ezra meant something to you," Lamara began. "Which is why I wanted you to know the truth."
Fini leaned forward.
"Ezra didn't leave willingly. He was threatened. Calvin's father… knew about your relationship. He warned Ezra to disappear, or something would happen to me. My health. Our family."
Fini's chest tightened. "You mean… Calvin's father forced him to leave me?"
Lamara nodded. "And Ezra kept quiet because he knew you'd come looking."
Tears welled in Fini's eyes. She clenched her jaw.
"And now?"
"I haven't heard from him in weeks," Lamara whispered. "But I think… he was planning to come back."
---
Back at the mansion, things were brewing.
The morning news exploded with scandal:
> "BREAKING: Passionate Video of Billionaire Calvin Sahputra and Ex-Fiancée Arora Arianna Resurfaces Online"
The footage was old, from years ago—but it was intimate. A beach. Laughter. A kiss. Then another—deeper. Intense.
Social media went wild. Reporters swarmed the gates. The staff panicked.
In the grand dining hall, Fini sat alone, watching the video on her phone. Calvin stepped in, his face pale.
"I didn't know she had that," he said.
"You looked happy," Fini murmured.
"It was before you," Calvin insisted. "Before I even knew what love could be."
But before she could respond, the butler entered.
"Sir… madam… you're expected at the gala tonight."
Fini nodded slowly.
---
That night, the gala shimmered with glamour and high society. Cameras flashed. Champagne flowed. But tension crackled in the air.
Calvin and Fini entered together—his hand firmly around her waist. He hadn't left her side all day.
During the evening, Calvin took the mic for a toast.
"I've made mistakes," he said, voice steady. "I've hurt people. But standing here, with my wife… I realize what matters."
He turned to Fini.
"You didn't choose me. You were forced into this. But every day, I pray you'll choose to stay. Because for the first time… I'm in love. With you."
Fini's eyes widened.
A pause.
Then—
A loud gasp erupted from the crowd.
Fini staggered, clutching her stomach.
Blood.
On her gown.
Screams followed.
Calvin caught her as she collapsed.
---
At the hospital, the doctor spoke quietly.
"She's stable. But…"
Calvin leaned forward, bracing.
"She's pregnant."
Silence.
"Is it… mine?" Calvin asked, voice shaking.
The doctor hesitated.
"…we can't confirm without a test."
---
Later, in the hospital hallway, Arora appeared.
"Poor thing," she cooed. "All that stress."
Calvin looked at her, emotionless.
"She'll be fine."
But before he could turn away, Arora stepped closer and kissed him.
Hard. Desperate.
And in that moment—
click
A camera flash.
From the shadows.
---
Back in Fini's room, she awoke groggy.
Her hand rested gently on her belly.
But her heart was heavier than ever.
Ezra had been pushed away. Calvin was drowning in his past. And now… a child. Maybe his. Maybe not.
She whispered to the empty room:
> "Whose life… am I living?"
---
End of Chapter 10