Not long after, Lanny finally regained consciousness. A nurse approached Hendrik.
"Sir, your wife is awake. You may visit her."
Hendrik nodded, offering a faint smile.
Wife? Since when is she my wife? he thought.
But he didn't mind. It was normal for others to assume Lanny was his wife.
He walked toward the ward. The hospital corridor was filled with the beeping of monitors, the hurried footsteps of nurses, and the distinct smell of antiseptic. The atmosphere made Hendrik tense, but he tried to calm himself.
As expected, Lanny was awake. Her face was still pale as she looked at Hendrik entering.
"Hendrik…" she called weakly, holding her aching head.
Hendrik quickly took her hand and gently stroked her hair.
"How are you? Feeling better?"
"Yes… I'm better, Hendrik…" she replied softly.
Suddenly, she remembered something. Her expression turned panicked.
"Oh… how is my father?" she asked anxiously.
"No news yet. He's still in the ward, Lanny," Hendrik replied quickly.
Barely conscious, Lanny immediately jumped up and ran out.
"Lanny! Where are you going?" Hendrik shouted in surprise
But Lanny didn't answer. She kept ru.
nning down the hospital corridor, filled with the sounds of footsteps and nurses pushing trolleys.
Soon, Hendrik caught up and reached the room where Mr. Sumarno was being treated.
Lanny had arrived first, her face full of panic.
"Nurse! How is my father?"
The nurse looked at her, then tried to calm her by placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Ma'am… I'm sorry. He is still unconscious. The doctors are performing further examinations."
This answer made Lanny even more anxious. Hendrik could feel his own heartbeat quicken. He hugged Lanny, holding her trembling body, trying to transfer calm to her.
He then guided her to sit in the waiting area, among other patients' families. Lanny's sobs broke out, echoing in the cold room. Hendrik's heart was torn between Katrina and Lanny.
On the way to the office, Hendrik's thoughts branched off in multiple directions. His heart was heavy, torn between feelings of guilt toward Katrina and his responsibility to calm Lanny. He remembered the video Jenny had sent, a recording of him and Lanny from a few days ago.
"So Jenny knows everything…" Hendrik murmured quietly, his voice hollow in the elevator. Each floor passed seemed to weigh heavier on his chest.
He closed his eyes briefly, and memories of the past surfaced: Maria.
Once, Maria Olga had been Hendrik's world. They laughed together, planned a future, shared secrets and dreams. But everything fell apart when Maria chose to leave.
Hendrik felt betrayed, his heart broken, and he vowed never to let her hurt him again.
An hour later, Hendrik arrived at his magnificent office in the high-rise building on Jalan Thamrin. The elevator doors opened, and his steps froze as he saw a woman standing in his office.
She was beautiful, slim, smiling sweetly. Hendrik stared at her sharply.
"Maria!… what are you doing back here? I'm already married to Katrina," Hendrik said in a raised voice, his heart pounding.
Maria remained calm, her smile almost the same as before.
"Relax, Mas. I don't intend to interfere in your personal life. I'm here just to discuss business with you."
Hendrik responded briefly and firmly, though his eyes remained wary.
"What kind of business? I'll consider it. If it's suitable, we'll do business. If not, leave now!"
Maria took out a check worth 2 billion rupiah from her bag.
"Consider this as an apology, and also a way to make amends for the mistakes I've made," she said softly.
Hendrik looked at the check suspiciously.
"What do you mean… giving me 2 billion rupiah?!" he snapped, refusing the check and asserting,
"I don't need your money! Leave now, or I'll call security!"
Maria remained calm. "Mas… I can give you even more if you're willing to do business with me."
She handed him a business card along with some brochures, then stood up.
"I'll take my leave… thank you!"
Maria left with a bright smile. Hendrik watched her, still stunned. He felt a mix of emotions—anger, nostalgia, and curiosity. He knew this time he would seriously consider her offer.
After Maria left, Hendrik sat in his chair, frowning, still feeling irritated. He looked at the brochures she had left on the desk. Some of them caught his attention, making his mind whirl.
He picked up a cup of coffee, still warm, and took a slow sip, murmuring,
"How did she know… I was actually looking for these things?"
His heart was troubled. He didn't want Maria back in his life. To him, the past was bitter—a bitterness he wanted to forget.
Hendrik closed his eyes for a moment. Memories of the past resurfaced, sweet times with Maria, the beautiful woman who had been unfaithful. Her smiles, her laughter… all now felt like wounds that hadn't healed.
He opened his eyes, staring at the brochures again. Curiosity, anger, and a slight temptation stirred within him. Hendrik knew one thing: the next decision could change everything.
His heart whispered quietly, yet firmly,
"I can't let the past control my life… but my business… I must consider it."
With that, Hendrik straightened up, looking at the quiet office, while the dilemma and curiosity hung in the air like an unresolved question.