After telling Sofia something that shocked her, Naro headed to the office. Just as his father had said yesterday, there was apparently something work-related they needed to discuss. But before going upstairs, Naro took a moment to call Naiva from his car in the parking lot.
Meanwhile, Edwin, who had been planning everything since yesterday, had just gotten into his car to leave for the office. His face was positively beaming, as if something had put the aging man in a good mood so early in the morning.
“Is Dad really going to do it today?” Meira, who had accompanied him to the car, finally couldn’t hold back her question.
“That’s right. Haven’t we been waiting for this moment for a long time?”
“Yes. You’re right, Dad. But…” Doubt was written across the woman’s face.
“Don’t worry. I’ve prepared everything. We have to succeed this time,” Edwin concluded, looking completely confident.
“Be careful. Try not to make it too obvious. Dad is really under scrutiny right now.”
“Okay, relax. I’m heading out,” Edwin said before Reno, his driver and right-hand man in all sorts of matters, drove away.
When they arrived at the office, the two of them immediately took the elevator to the floor where their offices were located. Naro arrived at the same time. The three of them met inside the elevator.
“Oh, you’re here already?” Edwin greeted him casually, making sure to flash his usual modest, seemingly friendly smile.
“Yes. Just got here.” Naro tried to be respectful, even though he was still furious about the marriage.
“How’s Sofia? Is she comfortable?”
“Yes. Of course. And thank you for sending someone to keep Sofia company, too.”
Edwin smiled briefly. “No need to be so formal. We only want what’s best for the two of you. Besides, Sofia must need help from someone else while she’s still using a wheelchair. Right?”
The small talk continued. But Naro only answered when necessary. Ever since Edwin and Meira had arranged for Sofia to live under the same roof as him, he had completely lost respect for both of them.
The relationship between this parent and child had never been smooth in the first place. Naro had lived separately from Edwin and Meira since high school. He felt that both of his parents were too strict and interfered too much—even in matters concerning his friendships.
“Okay, we’ll meet again at nine in the usual conference room,” Edwin said, bringing Naro back to reality as the elevator slowly opened after reaching their floor.
“Okay,” Naro replied shortly, dipping his head slightly.
At the appointed time, Edwin and Naro were already in the conference room. Reno was there with them as well. The three of them sat across from one another, with Edwin occupying the seat at the head of the table.
“All right. Since you’re here, I won’t waste any time with small talk.” Edwin began the conversation, then showed him screenshots of the accident news from the other day. “I did silence them, and the news can’t be found anymore. But word spreads far too quickly, and it reached the board of directors, sparking all kinds of rumors.”
Naro was slightly startled and raised his head, staring seriously at Edwin. For a few moments, they held each other’s gaze.
“Some of them have asked that you step aside for a while, until these rumors die down.”
“Step aside? What do you mean, Dad? Do I have to leave the company?”
“No, it’s not like that. For the time being, you’re taking time off from headquarters. As it happens, one of our resorts also needs some structural repairs. Try handling that until it gets back on its feet. After that, I’ll discuss it with them again and bring you back here.”
“But, Dad, some of my work here still needs to be handled too.”
“It’s okay. I’ll hand it over to someone else. This is really urgent, Naro. The board of directors is worried this will affect the company.” Edwin tried to make Naro understand. His eyes briefly glanced at Reno, who was sitting on the left side of the table.
“Mr. Naro, it’s true. The business climate around here isn’t exactly good right now. It would be best to follow this advice. It’ll only be temporary. Once things have calmed down, you can come back,” Reno added. Although he was technically only Edwin’s secretary, Reno had done a great deal to introduce business partners to Adiputra Group.
Naro let out a harsh sigh and threw his back against the chair. His head felt like it was about to explode.
“What new joke is this?” he thought in frustration.
“Dad knows you must have objections. But, Naro—”
“What about Sofia?” Naro cut him off. He sat up straight again and glared fiercely at Edwin. “What about her treatment? Her legs still haven’t recovered. And you’re the one who said I had to take responsibility. If she’s taken somewhere remote like that, her treatment will definitely be affected. Come on, Dad. This transfer makes no sense. Or… what if I explain everything directly to the board of directors? They’ll understand for sure,” Naro protested.
“No, Naro. They’re the ones who told me to do this. This time, you can’t be selfish. Think about the company. Hundreds of our employees will suffer the consequences if you keep being stubborn.”
Naro clenched his fists tightly. He knew the accident had been entirely his fault. But wasn’t the marriage punishment enough?
The young man rose roughly and stormed out of the room, ignoring Edwin, who still wanted to talk to him at length.
“This is insane! Why does this bad luck never seem to end after the accident?!”
Naro ranted inwardly. He paced around his office with his hands on his hips. He ran a hand through his hair, then yanked it roughly.
“All of this is because of Sofia. If only she didn’t have a stepmother like Sarah, this marriage—and this transfer—would never have happened,” he muttered as he loosened the tie wrapped around his shirt collar.
Sofia had just finished her evening shower and was sitting beside the large glass window. The housekeeper her mother-in-law had sent had helped Sofia clean herself up. Now, the woman in her fifties had gone home and would return the next morning.
She was enjoying the view from the floor where she lived when suddenly, someone opened the door. It was Naro. He entered with a disheveled face and clothes that were no longer as neat as they had been that morning.
Sofia turned toward him. She wanted to say hello, but held back when she saw that Naro’s expression was no better than before.
Naro felt the same way. He was extremely reluctant to face Sofia. Every time he saw that face, the anger in his heart resurfaced.
“Earlier… Mama Meira called. She apologized for not being able to visit yet.” Contrary to what she had expected, Sofia suddenly found herself speaking.
Naro only glanced at her before continuing to the kitchen. He took some cold bottled water and gulped it down. It moistened and cooled his throat, which for some reason felt parched despite how many times he had already drunk. Once he felt better, he headed to the bedroom, passing Sofia, who had been watching him ever since he walked in.
“Um… it seems like your father also—”
“Stop talking to me about things that don’t matter!” Naro cut her off harshly without stopping.
“But it looks like an important document.”
The man stopped and turned around with a rough sigh. His irritated gaze fixed on Sofia.
“T-that. I put it over there.” Sofia pointed to the desk, not far from where she was sitting.
Without another word, Naro took the brown envelope she had indicated. He carried it to the sofa in the living room and opened it there. Not long afterward…
“Oh, shit!” Naro shouted, slamming the contents of the envelope onto the glass table. The anger that had briefly subsided surged back to the top of his head. Edwin hadn’t been joking about his transfer. The old man had even arranged Sofia’s treatment schedule.
Not knowing who to vent his anger on, Naro stood and walked over to Sofia.
“Here!” Naro harshly threw several sheets of paper into his wife’s lap.
“What is this?” Sofia picked them up and read them haphazardly.
“Are you stupid or an idiot, huh?!”
“Yeah, I know. It’s the doctor’s appointment schedule. But—”
Sofia fell silent. Her eyes began taking in the lines of text on the papers one by one, and she furrowed her brow, still unable to understand.
“My work is being transferred there. And you’re coming with me. That’s why Dad arranged your appointments with the doctor and therapist,” Naro explained tersely, his anger still burning.
“What?!” Sofia was completely stunned. She was already worried about her father and three younger siblings while living here. What would happen if she had to move somewhere even farther away?
“No! I don’t want to. How am I supposed to be separated from my father and my siblings?” Sofia protested.
“Do you think you’re in a position to choose whether you agree or not?”
“But you can refuse this decision. He’s your father. Try to do something.” Sofia was frantic. She truly didn’t want to go far away from her family.
“I already did! So don’t try to lecture me about anything. Besides, all of this is happening because of you too!” Naro snapped, pointing angrily at Sofia.
“Why me?” Sofia was upset too and refused to be blamed.
“If the accident hadn’t happened, this damn marriage wouldn’t exist either. My job here would be perfectly fine. Do you understand?!”
“You selfish man! You’re the one who should understand. Everything happened because of your negligence. Look at my legs! Do you think I’m happy with the way I am now? Do you think I willingly married you?” Sofia shot back, returning Naro’s sharp glare.
The woman was truly furious. She could no longer hold back all this bitterness and abuse. Her breathing quickened, making her shoulders rise and fall. Naro needed to know that she had gained absolutely nothing from their current status. Even though she had married a handsome, incredibly wealthy man, he still couldn’t buy her happiness—or give her life back.
“You’re no more miserable than I am, Young Master. So don’t throw accusations at me for a mistake you made. That doesn’t reflect the behavior of a real man at all,” Sofia continued, her voice laden with emphasis. Her chest felt tight with suppressed sobs. Her life could hardly be called one filled with joy, but she had never been insulted like this before. Naro had truly gone too far.
The next second, she moved the control lever, sending her wheelchair toward the bedroom. She left Naro behind with feelings he couldn’t even name—anger, along with regret.