Lucas, her personal bodyguard, looked deeply uncomfortable. He slowly rubbed the back of his neck under Glenca's demanding stare.
"You've been gone for a week. I thought Dad had fired you for helping me escape his surveillance so often." Glenca bit into the end of a grilled squid skewer. The sweet-and-spicy seasoning clung to the corner of her lips.
"Mr. Hendra would never fire me, Miss. He gave me a new order instead. Starting today, your security has to be much tighter." Lucas adjusted his black suit jacket.
"Then why did you disappear for seven whole days? Vacation?"
"I was on a major mission. Your brothers were directly involved too."
"What kind of major mission? Don't keep secrets from me, Uncle Lucas. You know I hate being lied to." Glenca narrowed her eyes.
"The young master forbade me from saying anything. You'll find out soon enough, Miss Glenca."
"How soon is soon? Tomorrow? The day after? Next month?"
"Very soon, Miss."
"It must have something to do with our family. As long as you aren't oppressing ordinary people for the sake of business, I'll stay out of it. But if any poor residents are forced out because of this mission, call me when you're ready to fight me in court."
Lucas let out a crisp laugh and slowly shook his head.
"Don't worry, Miss. This mission is completely clean. It has nothing to do with dirty business."
"Good, then." Glenca went back to chewing her food.
"How's the grilled squid? Is it good?"
"Not bad. The seasoning's just right. Where did you buy it?"
"It wasn't from me, Miss."
"Then who was it from? Dad?"
"Greynard."
Glenca nearly choked. Her eyes widened as she stared at the broad-shouldered man in front of her.
"Why did you suddenly bring up that annoying man?"
"Greynard often asks me how you're doing. He also sends lots of snacks through his assistant, including your favorite grilled squid."
Glenca's face flushed. She stared at the paper plate in her hand as if the food were poisonous.
"So this is from Greynard? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"You've already eaten three skewers."
"Uncle Lucas!"
"Greynard also asked me to tell you that you should stop by his house more often. Baby Kenzo misses you, Miss Glenca."
"A baby that young doesn't even know what missing someone means. This is obviously just one of Greynard's tricks to get me to visit, so he'll have an excuse to tease me mercilessly."
"Greynard is a very caring man. You're just too proud to admit it."
"Stop defending that lunatic. I don't feel like arguing."
Glenca turned away. The silence returned. The night wind drifted softly past, carrying a chill with it. The crickets chirped faintly from the direction of the garden. The view before her suddenly blurred. Whenever the aroma of grilled squid filled the air, her chest tightened. The memory came rushing back, uninvited.
Her mother used to sit with her beside the swimming pool. They would spend Saturday nights gazing at the stars and eating grilled squid prepared by the household chef. Whenever Dad had free time, he would join them. A picture of a whole, perfect family.
Glenca swallowed. The spicy taste on her tongue turned bland.
"How is Dad, Uncle?"
Lucas lowered his head slightly.
"You always make sure Dad eats regularly, right? His heart medication... his vitamins... You never forget to remind him?"
"Mr. Hendra has gotten thinner, Miss. It's been three years. You really don't want to come home? He thinks about you every night."
"I know." Glenca stared blankly at a puddle left behind by the rain. "I know Dad often comes to my workplace in secret. He even deliberately lets his lawyers lose when I help poor residents sue his company. I know Dad gives in to me."
"Then why are you still punishing yourself out here? He's very lonely."
"I'm not punishing myself. I'm just keeping my promise. As long as that murderess still rules the Adiwangsa family home, I'll never set foot in there."
Lucas's breathing grew heavy.
"The two of you are so much alike. You're both incredibly stubborn."
"Of course. I'm his biological daughter. His genes couldn't possibly be wrong. There's no way I'm going to lose to Dad."
"You really have no intention of giving him a chance to explain?"
"There's nothing to explain. I saw it with my own eyes, Uncle."
"Human eyes can misinterpret what they see, Miss."
"But the wound in my heart has never been wrong."
Lucas chose to remain silent. Arguing with Glenca was pointless. She had a million answers ready to tear apart any opposing argument. Glenca's expression slowly dimmed. Thinking about home always reopened wounds that had never healed. The night that had shattered her entire world.
Three years earlier, the Adiwangsa family's magnificent residence looked different.
Glenca sat silently in the corner of the dining room. A white dress that ended above her knees hugged her body perfectly. The silk fabric left her back bare, showing off her clear skin, which felt cold that night. Dozens of servants bustled around, serving an extravagant meal.
A senior servant approached her.
"Miss Caca, Mr. Hendra is waiting for you in the living room."
"Dad's already downstairs?"
"Yes, Miss. His important guest has arrived too."
"Who is the guest? One of Dad's business partners?"
"I wouldn't dare answer that, Miss. You can see for yourself."
Glenca slowly straightened her dress. Her steps felt heavy as she walked down the marble-floored hallway. Warm conversation drifted from the living room. Dad's voice. Then she heard a woman's laughter.
Glenca stopped in her tracks. Her eyes flew wide. Her heart pounded violently, pumping hot blood through her body. The woman sitting beside her father was Sintia.
"What are you doing in my house?!"
Glenca's voice thundered through the room, shattering its warmth. She hurried toward the sofa.
Damian rose from his seat. The middle-aged man's face hardened.
"Glenca! Mind your manners in front of Aunt Sintia!"
"Manners? Dad wants me to be polite to this woman? Dream on!" Glenca pointed straight at Sintia's face. "I will never be nice to Mom's murderer, Dad! Never!"
Glenca's breathing turned ragged. The scene at the cliffside café replayed in her mind like a broken tape. Sintia had been arguing with Kirana. Then came the hard shove. Her mother's head struck the rocks.
"Glenca! You've gone too far! I never raised you to be this wild!"
"Why do you always defend her? Why? I saw it with my own eyes, Dad! This woman deliberately pushed Mom until she fell!"
Sintia lowered her head. Her hand, adorned with expensive jewelry, gently touched Hendra's arm.
"Honey... enough. Don't scold Caca. She's still grieving. It's only natural that she hates me."
Glenca clenched both hands into tight fists.
"Shut your filthy mouth! Dad, why are you blind? I swear I'll expose every rotten thing this woman has done! I'm sick of seeing her face in Mom's house!"
"WATCH YOUR MOUTH, GLENCA!"
Smack!
The slap echoed off the walls. Glenca staggered backward. Her cheek burned and went numb. Hendra's hand still hung in the air.
"For the first time in my life... Dad slapped me." Glenca's voice shook violently. "Just to defend this murderer?"
"I didn't mean to—"
"You're not my father anymore. Dad died along with the common sense this woman took from you."
"Stop your nonsense, Glenca! Starting today, you will respect Sintia. I'm marrying her next week!"
Glenca stood frozen. It felt as if all the air around her had been sucked away.
"I oppose it, Dad!"
"My decision is final."
"Even if it kills me, I'll oppose your marriage to this devil!"
"Whether you agree or not, this wedding is happening!"
"Then I curse your marriage! You two will never be happy!"
Hendra's eyes reddened. The veins in his neck bulged as he struggled to contain his explosive anger.
"You're a disobedient daughter, daring to curse your own biological father, Glenca!"
"I'd rather be a disobedient daughter than watch Dad live with Mom's murderer! Do you hear me? I'm a disobedient daughter who will never acknowledge either of you!"
Glenca spun around. She ran up the stairs, tears flooding down her face. Her sobs sounded heartrending.