Chapter 3

Alex was startled by the sudden arrival of his mother, who walked right into his study. Without much preamble, Dina tossed a photograph onto the desk in front of her son.

"That's a photo of your prospective second wife. Beautiful, isn't she? Even prettier than Sophie," Dina said with a sweet smile.

Alex stared at the photo lying on the desk. He had to admit that the girl in the picture was indeed very attractive.

"Her name is Leanra Pramono. She's twenty-five years old," Dina continued, pulling up a chair to sit opposite Alex's desk.

Alex let out a rough sigh.

"You know I already have Sophie, Ma. I don't want to betray her," he said, trying to reason with her.

Dina glared at her son in irritation.

"Mama knows you already have Sophie. But how long are you two going to keep living like this? Mama wants to hold a biological grandchild from you, Alex! You need an heir, too!" she snapped.

"How many times do I have to tell you, Ma? I won't do it! Is the woman you're introducing even a respectable person? Why would she want to marry a man who already has a wife?" Alex retorted, his voice rising.

"Watch your tone, Alex! She is a good woman. She comes from a respectable family—unlike Sophie, whose background we don't even know!" Dina replied sarcastically.

"What is that supposed to mean? Sophie is a good woman. I've known her for a long time. If the woman you're introducing isn't cheap, then why would she agree to be a second wife?" Alex countered with a cynical smile.

"Do you think Mama would choose just any woman? Once again, Mama is telling you, she is a good woman. Very different from your two-faced wife," Dina scoffed, glancing toward the slightly ajar bedroom door.

Through the crack in the door, Sophie stood quietly, eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Enough, Ma!" Alex snapped.

Dina stared at her son in absolute disbelief.

"You're shouting at Mama?"

Instant guilt washed over Alex. He hadn't realized his emotions had boiled over in front of the woman who gave birth to him.

"Ma... I'm sorry," he murmured softly.

"It turns out Mama's upbringing of you and Mark has been a failure. Both of you have been so blinded by your partners that you've forgotten to think about the feelings of the women who carried and raised you. What is wrong with Mama asking for a grandchild of our own blood and flesh? You and your brother have truly disappointed Mama," Dina said, her eyes beginning to brim with tears.

Alex reached out to hold his mother's hand.

"Ma... please try to consider Sophie's feelings, too. Don't hurt her," he pleaded gently.

However, Dina aggressively jerked her hand away from his grasp.

"If you can't give me a grandchild, don't expect Mama to ever consider you my son again, Alex," Dina declared before turning on her heel and walking out.

Dina's steps paused for a fraction of a second when she saw Sophie stepping out of the bedroom. Sophie bowed her head respectfully.

Yet Dina completely ignored her and continued walking out of the house.

Alex could only watch his mother's retreating figure. His chest was heavy with guilt. He didn't want to bring misfortune upon himself through filial disobedience, but he couldn't bear to break the heart of the woman he loved.

"Honey..." Sophie called out softly as she approached Alex.

"Yes? What is it?" Alex asked, looking away.

Sophie stepped up beside him and gently took his hand.

"You should just follow Mama's wishes. Marry the woman she chose until she gives you a child. After that, you can divorce her."

"What did you just say, Sophie? Take that back!" Alex demanded, standing up abruptly.

Sophie shook her head slowly. She stroked Alex's hand softly, then pulled him back down to sit beside her on the sofa.

"I won't take it back. Just follow all of Mama's wishes. That's my request, Alex. Please."

Alex shook his head again.

"No! I won't do it, Sophie."

Sophie offered a thin, gentle smile.

"I don't want to be the reason Mama hates you and disowns you as her son. I would carry such a heavy sin if I caused a rift in your relationship. Besides, I've already endured enough of her insults all this time. Maybe once that child is born, Mama will stop insulting me and finally accept me."

"But, Honey, we can still find another way. I love you so much. I could never split my heart between two women," Alex protested.

"Please, try to understand, Alex. Marry her according to Mama's wishes. At least until the child is born. After that, you two can divorce," Sophie said, attempting to reassure him once more.

Alex gazed deeply into Sophie's eyes.

"Are you truly sure you are willing to share your husband?" he asked.

Sophie nodded softly. A small smile graced her lips before she leaned in to press a light kiss to Alex's lips.

In her mind, that marriage would only last until the woman gave birth. Once that happened, Alex would divorce her, and she would have her husband back entirely to herself. That was the comforting certainty she held onto.

---

Meanwhile, Lea sat brooding in her bedroom. Regret consumed her mind for agreeing to the arranged marriage her mother had offered. She should never have let her emotions get the better of her and drive her to make a decision that had now become her biggest regret.

All sorts of terrifying scenarios haunted her imagination.

What if the man they matched her with turned out to be a bald old man? Or some grandfather still desperate for affection?

Just imagining it sent shivers down her spine.

"Huaaa...!"

Lea shrieked at the top of her lungs.

Her cries prompted Naila, who was in her own room, to rush frantically toward her younger sister's bedroom.

Yet, the moment she saw the state Lea was in, Naila rolled her eyes in sheer annoyance.

Her sister was perfectly fine.

The girl was currently biting down on the corner of her blanket while weeping hysterically. From Naila's perspective, Lea's behavior right now genuinely looked like someone who had lost her mind.

"What is wrong with you?" Naila asked, sitting down beside Lea.

Lea lifted her tear-streaked face.

"Kak, what if the man they're setting me up with is bald? Or some creepy old man? I don't want this, Kak!" she whimpered, gripping her sister's arm tightly.

"Well, that's your own funeral," Naila replied without a shred of pity.

That remark only made Lea cry louder.

"Huaaa! I don't care, I refuse! I have to call off this engagement!"

Lea scrambled off the bed, intending to storm out of her room.

However, before she could take another step, Dona and Adi had already arrived, alarmed by Lea echoing cries that had reverberated through the entire house.

"What is going on here? Why are you crying, Lea?" Adi asked, bewildered.

"Father! Mother! Call off this arranged marriage. I refuse to be set up!" Lea wailed, pleading desperately.

"It's too late. Your mother, your father, and the groom's family have already agreed. Two weeks from now, you will be married. Besides, isn't this what you asked for? So stop making a fool of us," Dona stated firmly.

Lea immediately grabbed both of her father's hands.

"Father... please convince Mother to cancel this marriage," she begged, full of hope.

Adi offered a faint smile. He gently kissed his daughter's forehead.

"We can't, Honey. You have to accept the consequences of your own words."

With that, Adi turned and walked out of the room.

Naila could only look at her sister with pity. She was powerless to help, either. After all, this whole mess started because of Lea's own reckless outburst.

As soon as their parents left, Lea resumed crying her eyes out. She hugged Naila so fier

cely that her older sister struggled to deal with her panicking sibling.