Chapter 3

Arya looked confused.

“It’s still working hours. Could it be that Sahra has already quit now that she got her payment last night?” he wondered.

A restlessness stirred inside him.

He immediately called for a cup of coffee. Moments later, it arrived — but the one who brought it was not Sahra. It was another cleaner.

Anger began to rise in him — until his phone pinged with a bank notification: a large withdrawal had been made from his account.

It hit him. He had given his bank card to Sahra.

“So she used it… Good. That means you’ve accepted your place as mine, Sahra,” he thought, a slow smile spreading.

Meanwhile, Sahra had just finished sending the money. She called her mother.

Her mother answered quickly, relieved to finally hear from her daughter.

“Hello, my child.”

“Mother… I’ve sent the money,” Sahra said.

Her mother was stunned. She knew how expensive the surgery would be — and where could Sahra possibly have gotten such a sum?

“Where did you get so much money, Nak?”

“Don’t worry about that, Mother.”

“How can I not worry? I need to know!” her mother insisted, her voice rising. Sahra’s eyes filled with tears.

“I borrowed it from the company I work for,” she lied. “It’s a big company, and the pay is good. Father’s surgery will be covered. Please don’t worry anymore. I’ll work hard to take care of everything.”

“But Nak… the surgery is only the beginning. He’ll need regular dialysis after that. It costs so much…”

“Leave it to me, Mother. Just take Father to the hospital. I’ll come after work,” Sahra said, and ended the call.

Tears streamed down her face. Her heart ached with every beat. She had given away her purity — to a man she barely knew, her married boss — all for her father’s life.

“Forgive me, Mother… I had no choice. If it saves Father, I’ll do anything,” she whispered, then hurried away.

She walked back toward the office, her mind heavy. The surgery was paid for — but what about the dialysis?

Part of her wanted to go back to Arya, to ask for more help. But she was ashamed — she had already emptied his account.

Lost and weary, she returned to the cleaning room and sank into a chair.

Her coworker Novi approached, annoyed.

“Where have you been? You said you’d be right back!”

“I’m sorry,” Sahra murmured.

“Next time just say you’ll be longer. Don’t lie. You’re new here — don’t start causing trouble,” Novi snapped.

Sahra said nothing. She knew she was in no position to argue.

Novi then told her to clean the glass windows — she had been busy with the restrooms.

Sahra obeyed. Outside, Arya watched her. He had feared she would vanish after taking his money. But there she was — working, though her spirit seemed broken.

“She spent my money… yet she looks as though she still carries the world on her shoulders,” he thought, watching her. “She’s truly captivating. Last night… she was so perfect. But if I asked her again… I doubt she’d ever say yes.”

Suddenly Sahra swayed, dizzy. Arya saw it and panicked. He sent word: the new cleaner was to come to his office at once.

When Novi told her, Sahra’s heart raced.

“What does he want?”

“Who knows. Probably because you left without permission,” Novi said casually.

Sahra wasn’t so sure. But she knew she couldn’t refuse. Trembling, she walked to his office and knocked.

“Come in,” Arya called.

She stepped inside, keeping her head bowed, too afraid to meet his eyes.

“You wanted to see me, Sir?”