Jenny, Hendrik's secretary, hurried home. Her heart was filled with frustration after what she had just witnessed.
Her face was drawn in a frown as she muttered to herself while keeping her eyes on the road.
"Damn… Hendrik is getting married again? This can't be happening. What about Katrina's feelings?" she thought.
Her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly. "I have to tell Katrina!" Her breath caught as the image of Hendrik being affectionate with another woman haunted her mind. She pressed the gas pedal harder, rushing toward her sister's house.
The journey was quite long from the office. The elite neighborhood in South Jakarta was heavily guarded; every visitor had to report in, and CCTV cameras were everywhere. The slight traffic made her even more anxious.
She tried to compose her thoughts carefully, preparing herself to deliver the upsetting news without overwhelming her sister.
When she arrived, the security guard smiled, not needing her ID because he already knew her.
Her heart raced as she stepped out of the car. She paused for a moment to take a deep breath.
The mansion looked beautiful, but there was a hollow feeling inside, as if it concealed bitterness. The walls were lined with paintings, marble floors gleamed, footsteps echoed, and the faint scent of fresh flowers felt strangely cold.
"Wealth doesn't guarantee happiness," Jenny thought. It's better to live simply but peacefully.
Jenny walked inside. The crystal chandelier reflected warm light across every corner. The expensive furniture emphasized luxury, but every item felt cold and rigid.
She swallowed hard, her heart pounding, feeling the weight pressing on her chest.
In the wheelchair sat her sister—beautiful but pale, hair almost gone—eating her meal. Katrina's body was fragile, her eyes tired, her hands weakly holding a spoon.
She couldn't stand, always relying on the wheelchair.
"Sis… how are you?" Jenny's voice trembled, almost faltering.
Katrina looked up and gave a faint smile, still seated in her wheelchair. Her eyes, normally lively, now appeared dull.
"Hey… Jen. Where have you been? You rarely come by," she said softly but weakly.
"I've been busy at the office, Sis," Jenny replied, lowering her gaze to her own plate. Her hands shook holding the spoon, and her breath was uneven. She tried to hold back tears from falling.
Katrina gestured, "Come… sit next to me. Have you eaten?"
"Not yet, Sis…"
"Come… have a meal with me," she encouraged gently.
Jenny took a portion of rice with side dishes and sat next to her sister, adjusting her position to remain comfortable for Katrina in her wheelchair. She watched her sister, who looked sad and listless.
Katrina's eyes glistened with tears, her lips quivering. Her hands were too weak to feed herself properly. Jenny's heart ached seeing her sister, long suffering from bone cancer, after multiple rounds of chemotherapy that had brought no improvement.
While eating slowly, Jenny observed every small movement of her sister. Every breath sounded heavy; every faint smile seemed like such an effort. Jenny felt a pain that was not only physical but emotional as well. She wanted to cry but restrained herself, not wanting to add to her sister's sadness.
She finally opened the conversation, "Sis… how are you feeling?"
Katrina remained silent, gazing at Jenny with eyes beginning to glisten. Tears slowly rolled down her cheeks. With a sob, she whispered,
"I'm… not doing well, Jen. The doctor… said I only have six months left."
Deg!
Jenny froze. Her breath caught, the spoon in her hand seemed to freeze mid-air. She grasped her sister's frail hand, trying to calm herself, holding back the tears threatening to fall.
Her heart shattered; her chest felt tight, every second stretching painfully.
Jenny's appetite vanished instantly.
She looked at her sister and spoke softly,
"Sis… you will get better, okay? Nothing is impossible. Keep hoping and praying to God."
Her sister nodded, then said something that shocked Jenny and made her uneasy,
"Jen… I actually wanted to tell you something a long time ago."
Jenny furrowed her brows, her body tensing. What was her sister about to say?
Katrina continued, her voice gentle but resolute, still seated in her wheelchair,
"If I pass away… I want you to take my place as Hendrik's wife!"
What?!
Jenny froze. Her breath caught, the spoon in her hand stiffened. Her tongue seemed to tie itself in knots; her heart raced wildly.
However, her sister didn't know that Mas Hendrik already had someone else in his heart.
Jenny couldn't speak; her thoughts were tangled.
Inside, a whirlwind of emotions surged: fear, guilt, but also a cunning side.
This… this is what I've been waiting for… I've always liked Hendrik, but he prefers my sister. But now… this is my chance to reclaim him!
Another dark thought emerged:
As for Lanny… I can block her. Just wait and see. A sly, meaningful smile curved Jenny's lips.
Jenny drew a deep breath, trying to appear calm, her heartbeat still racing. She imagined all the scenarios—how she could make Hendrik see her not just as a secretary, but as a woman worthy of his heart and able to care for both her sister and him.
"This… this can work," she muttered quietly. Her voice barely audible, but full of determination. The sinister smile widened, heavy with intent.
Jenny opened her mouth to reveal the office secret she had intended to tell, but suddenly a voice behind her froze the air
"I'm home."
Hendrik had returned from the office.
Jenny's mouth went dry, her tongue tied. Her breath caught, her hands trembling. Katrina remained in her wheelchair, eyes glistening as she looked at her husband.
Hendrik looked surprised to see Jenny. His voice was warm yet questioning,
"Eh… Jen. You're here?"
"Yes, .. I just came to see Katrina," Jenny replied, giving a faint smile.
Hendrik then excused himself after kissing his wife on the forehead. Jenny watched them, her emotions tangled—jealous, admiring, yet slightly relieved. Mas Hendrik still loves Katrina, even though she's so sick… she thought.
Finally, Jenny mustered the courage to say she was leaving. Before going, her sister looked at her with curious eyes,
"Jen… what did you want to tell me earlier?"
"No need… maybe later, Sis," Jenny evaded, holding her breath and forcing a faint smile.
She then said goodbye to Hendrik
" I'll go first!"
"Oh… take care, Jen!" he replied warmly.
Jenny stepped outside, irritated that her presence had been overshadowed by Hendrik.
Outside, Jenny started her car, but her hands still trembled. She glanced back at her sister's house, holding back a surge of mixed emotions.
She was angry and frustrated—not only because Mas Hendrik appeared so affectionate with Katrina, but also because she still had a secret that could change everything.
Why does it have to be this way? she thought. I've been waiting so long… but this chance seems so difficult to seize.
Inside, jealousy and cunning began to rise. I actually like Hendrik… but he prefers my sister. This is my chance to reclaim him!
A faint, sharp smile curved her lips; her eyes glinted. Another wicked thought appeared:
As for Lanny… I can block her. Just wait. No one can stop me.
Jenny drew a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but her heart still raced. She pictured every scenario—how she could make pHendrik see her as not just a secretary, but as a woman worthy of his heart, capable of caring for both her sister and him.
"This… this can work," she muttered under her breath. Her voice was almost inaudible, but full of resolve. The sly smile widened, heavy with meaning.
Her car drove forward, yet her mind remained tethered to the house, her frail sister in the wheelchair, Hendrik's evident love for his wife, and the secret she had yet to reveal. She knew one thing: the game had just begun, and Lanny would soon learn that Jenny would not sit idle.