Amber paced back and forth inside the guest room she had occupied for the past six years. When she came to the house and knelt to beg her husband for forgiveness, Amber had thought Bram and Max would welcome her warmly, just as they had before their falling-out. Instead, Amber had to suffer the bitter disappointment of being rejected by both of them. Although she had been allowed to stay in the luxurious house, Amber was never given the chance to grow close to them. She was like a stranger in that mansion.
Ever since returning to Bram's residence, Amber had been given no opening to approach or become close to the two men. She even had to eat alone in the dining room. Sometimes Amber wanted to give up, but she no longer wanted to wander from place to place.
"Argh! WHO THE HELL DO THEY THINK THEY ARE?! HOW DARE THEY INSULT ME! I AM AMBER ROSALINA!"
Amber screamed inside the room. The poor woman had to bitterly accept the consequences she deserved. There was no more warm family. No more loving family. No more family filled with laughter and joy. All that remained was Amber's tormented heart inside the luxurious house.
Even so, Amber's resolve never wavered. She was full of wicked plans to make Bram and Max love her again. "I must not fail. Max has to marry Renata. That way, I can win them over again," she said with a sly smile.
In another room, Max and Bram sat facing each other—more precisely, in Max's bedroom. The man who was nearly sixty had entered his son's room.
"What is it now, Dad?" Max asked flatly. "I want to rest."
Bram let out a quiet sigh. "It's about Novela," he said softly.
Max's eyes sharpened when he heard the name he never wanted to hear again. "Enough, Dad. Don't mention her name again. I—"
"Listen, Max," Bram interrupted quickly. "You only received those recordings and photos, but you forgot to examine them carefully." Bram took a phone from his suit pocket and showed him something that made his son's brow furrow.
"What is that, Dad?" Max asked.
Bram looked at Max with pity. He didn't want to tell him anything about it. "Keep that phone somewhere safe. Three or four years from now, you have to open it. When that day comes, I hope you'll be able to accept the bitter truth," he said quietly. Then, without waiting for Max's response, Bram left the room with firm steps.
Max stared at the black phone in his hand. He was curious about what was inside, but he still didn't dare open it. Max remembered what his father had just said. "Why do I have to wait three or four years? What's really going on? Why did Dad give me his phone?" Of course, Max couldn't help asking, curious about the contents.
Because he didn't want to disappoint his father, Max walked over to a small drawer, placed the phone inside, and locked it tightly. Max didn't know exactly what was on the phone, but he did know one thing: it had to be very important.
At five in the afternoon, while Max and Bram were in the living room working on their respective tasks, the doorbell outside rang three times.
Bram rose from his seat, walked to the door, and opened it. His brow furrowed when he saw who had arrived. "Why did you come here?" he asked without bothering with pleasantries.
"I want to see Max. There's something important I need to discuss with him," the figure replied.
A moment later, another voice chimed in from behind him. "Oh my gosh, you're here already? Come on in." It was Amber, welcoming Renata. But before they could enter, Bram's voice made Amber and Renata stop in their tracks.
"Who gave you the right to bring her into my house, Amber? Have you completely lost your shame?" Bram stared coldly at Amber.
"She's my guest, Bram."
"And this isn't your house, Mom. Have some self-awareness." Max chimed in mockingly.