Altezza finally managed to leave Jovanka's room. Last night, he had intended to leave the woman, but she had already woken up and asked him to stay and accompany her through the night. While he had promised Evans that he would help Jovanka's recovery. And this morning, with the excuse of wanting to change clothes, she finally allowed him to leave after making Altezza promise to return.
Altezza parked his car and entered the house through the side door. The atmosphere in the house was eerily quiet. Even his mother, who usually bustled around, was nowhere to be seen. Bik Minah, who was usually busy with cooking ingredients, was also absent. Perhaps the mothers had all gone to the market together in a group, he thought simplistically.
He then entered his wife's room. In his heart, he felt guilty for neglecting her last night. He had to apologize and explain everything. He knew Adaline would understand. She was a woman full of understanding.
He opened the door slowly and was stunned. Surprised by the sight of their room. His wife's bed was neatly made, and the curtains were drawn open, letting sunlight flood in. It was an unusual sight because as far as Altezza knew, Adaline usually went back to sleep after dawn because her sleep was often disturbed due to her frequent trips to the restroom.
Altezza thought, perhaps this time his wife had gone shopping at the market with the other mothers. With that thought in mind, Altezza entered the bathroom and freshened up.
Altezza emerged from the room feeling refreshed, and at the same time, he heard voices chatting. He suspected the mothers had returned from their shopping trip. And sure enough, he could see the arrival of the three women who were almost the same age simultaneously. But strangely, they didn't bring any groceries. And he also didn't see Adaline among them.
His mother looked at him with a gaze full of anger. Meanwhile, Violet and Emma regarded him with sad looks. Without a word, Emma and Violet chose to enter their rooms. While his mother stood motionless, staring at him.
"Mamma..." Altezza was about to start the conversation. He wanted to apologize to his mother for his rude behavior last night.
"Do you want breakfast? Just ask the servant. I'm tired," his mother replied coldly.
"I want to apologize," he said softly. His mother's steps, about to climb the stairs, stopped. "Last night, I lost my temper. I'm sorry for shouting at you." His mother didn't respond and chose to climb the stairs. "Mamma... where's Adaline?" he asked again. Once again, Mrs. Delila fell silent.
"Who's Adaline?" she asked flatly.
"Mamma, don't joke. Of course, Adaline is my wife."
"Oh, your wife's name is Adaline. I thought your wife's name was Jovanka," she replied sarcastically.
Altezza didn't want to argue with his mother. He still hoped his mother would give him an answer about Adaline's whereabouts. But instead of telling him about his wife, his mother continued to walk away, leaving him behind.
Altezza tried to win back his mother's favor, but she remained indifferent. Right at the top of the stairs, his mother stopped, a moment Altezza thought was deliberately done to provide an answer. Unfortunately, Altezza's assumption was wrong because it turned out his mother stopped because she saw Altezza's father emerging from his room.
"Why did you come back?" Benjamin asked his wife. Hearing the question, Altezza frowned.
"I needed to change clothes. I'll be leaving again soon," his mother replied and went into the room.
"Mamma?" Altezza tried to stop his mother. But she chose to ignore him.
"Your mother is tired, she wants to rest," his father held Altezza back from following his mother into the room. "Why did you come back?" The same question that had been asked to his mother.
"Padre?"
"Shouldn't you be heading to the office?" His father asked again.
"I requested a few days off from the office," he replied.
"Why? You never even ask for leave, even when your wife is sick. Does this have something to do with that woman?" His father asked again, this time with a harsh tone.
"Padre, she's depressed. Last night, she attempted suicide again. The doctor said she needs to be treated, and she needs me to recover," Altezza spoke frankly. But instead of feeling pity, his father looked at him coldly. "Padre?" Altezza waited for his father's comment.
"Padre has no comments," the man replied coldly. "Your mother's words last night already represent my opinion," his father continued flatly. "But Al, there's one thing I want to know."
Altezza tensed up, looking at his father with a pounding heart. "Do you love Adaline?" his father inquired.
Altezza furrowed his brow, looking at his father in confusion. "Why are you asking that?"
Benjamin shrugged. "Just my curiosity as a man," he replied flatly. "Answer me, Al. Do you love Adaline?"
"I..."
"Well, if you're still unsure, I won't say much. But act like a husband, Al. However she's the woman you chose to be your wife. Respect and honor her. Resolve what needs to be resolved. I won't oppose any decision you make in the future," his father replied, then walked away, leaving his son behind. Altezza fell silent, trying to digest the meaning of his father's words.
Altezza followed his father downstairs. The man walked to the dining table, sat down, and turned on his tablet while the household assistants prepared breakfast.
"Good morning, everyone," a greeting came from the front door. Altezza saw Gian arriving in his work attire. He approached Sir Benjamin and gave him a brief hug.
Shortly after, Delila, Emma, and Violet also emerged from their rooms, looking fresher and having changed into new clothes. They entered the dining room together, and still, Altezza didn't see Adaline.
It seemed like the question about his wife's whereabouts slipped out of his mouth unintentionally. Because everyone seemed to look in his direction. But none of them gave him an answer.
They started breakfast in silence, finishing the ritual quickly. Unlike usual, which was always filled with light conversation.
"Do we need to take breakfast from here?" Delila was the first to break the silence.
"No need. Adaline didn't ask for it either," Violet replied.
Delila nodded, and the three middle-aged women simultaneously stood up from their seats. Gian also rose from his seat, while his father was still engrossed with his tablet.
"Can someone tell me where Adaline is?" His question froze the movement of the three middle-aged women.
Gian looked at his cousin incredulously, his mouth wide open. "Do you know something, Gian?" He asked his youngest cousin.
"Are you out of your mind?!" Gian retorted harshly. Altezza frowned, looking at Gian displeased. "You don't know that your wife is hospitalized?" he countered with an accusing tone.
"Hospital?" Altezza was stunned and immediately stood up from his seat.
"Enough, Gian. He's too busy taking care of his ex-wife that he forgot his legitimate wife," Mrs. Delila replied, now pushing Gian's body towards the outside of the house.
"Mamma. Can you please explain?"
"I don't have time," his mother replied without intending to turn even the slightest bit.
Altezza looked at his father, asking for an explanation, but his father was as cold as his mother.
"Padre?" Sir Benjamin raised his head from the tablet and looked at his only son.
"Your wife was taken to the hospital shortly after you left to see your ex-wife," his father replied coldly, and Altezza felt his body go limp instantly.
"Which hospital?"
"The same hospital where your ex-wife is being treated," his father replied again, then stood up and left him.
Meanwhile, at the hospital.
Adaline's POV
Someone entered. I tried to sharpen my hearing. But who? Haven't everyone left? I asked everyone to leave earlier.
I opened my eyes and saw the figure in front of me. He walked holding the IV pole. And he was wearing the same clothes as mine.
"Quite surprised to see you here," he said with a mocking smile on his face. The woman was no longer pretending to be friendly as before.
I press the button on the side of the bed, adjusting my position to half-sitting so I can clearly see her face.
"Are you feeling better?" I ask, genuinely curious. I glance at the bandage wrapped around her wrist, and reflexively wince in sympathy. The cut must have been painful. Judging by my reaction, she sneers mockingly.
"No need to pretend to care about me, Adaline," she replies sharply.
I simply smile. If she can respond like that, it means she's alright. At least I don't have to feel guilty.
"Now, what about you? Are you still holding onto your beliefs and refusing to let Altezza choose?" she asks again, trying to remind me of our previous conversation.
I'm not ready to answer her question yet because I have one for her too. "Can I ask you something?"
"Just ask," she replies curtly.
"Do you love Altezza so much that you're afraid of losing him?"
Yes, I thought that might be the reason why this woman in front of me has challenged death not just once, but twice, because she loves Altezza so deeply and doesn't want to lose him.
But it seems my guess is wrong. Because instead, the woman sneers and looks at me with disdain.
"Love is just nonsense, Adaline," she says plainly. "As an adult woman, you should know that."
I try not to appear surprised. Okay, Jovanka doesn't really love Altezza. She's just obsessed and wants to have Altezza for herself. Now I just need Altezza's answer before I make any further decisions about our relationship.
"So, are you still not going to let Altezza choose?" She also seems curious about my answer, repeating the same question.