Chapter 7 — A New Life
That morning, Alya stood in front of the small mirror in her bedroom. This time, she wore simple clothes to go to work. There was no expensive dress, no jewelry, and no prestigious name attached to her anymore. She was starting over as an ordinary woman trying to begin her life from scratch.
She tied her hair back, then stared at her reflection. “Starting today...”
Alya took a breath. “I have to be strong.”
Her hand returned to her stomach. A small smile appeared on her face. “I have a reason to hold on.”
The bakery turned out to be fairly busy.
As soon as Alya arrived, the owner handed her an apron.
“Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Everyone has to learn from the beginning.”
Alya nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
Her first day wasn’t easy. She arranged the bread incorrectly several times. Her hands also got covered in flour until her face was dotted with white stains. Strangely enough, Alya laughed. It had been so long since she’d laughed like that. It wasn’t laughter meant to hide her sadness. It was genuine laughter that came from her heart.
Even a young customer who came with his mother smiled at her.
“You’re pretty.”
Alya was startled, then smiled. “Thank you.”
The little boy pointed at a flower-shaped bun. “I want that one.”
Alya picked it up and handed it to him. “Here you go.”
The boy beamed. “Thank you.”
After they left, Alya watched the little boy’s back. For some reason, her chest felt warm. She rubbed her stomach again. “Someday...”
Alya smiled. “I want to see a smile like that every day.”
At the same time, in Jakarta.
Adrian Mahendra returned to his office.
As soon as he entered, a stack of documents was already waiting for him.
But his mind wasn’t there.
His assistant placed several files on the desk.
“Sir, there’s an update.”
Adrian immediately looked up.
“About Alya?”
His assistant hesitated for a moment.
“Not yet, sir.”
Adrian’s expression turned cold again.
“Then what is it?”
“This is a report from the lawyer.”
Adrian opened the file.
Alya’s divorce papers.
The lawyer said the process could proceed according to Alya’s request.
Adrian read the last page.
Then he closed the file.
“Cancel it.”
His assistant was stunned.
“Sir?”
“I’m not divorcing her.”
“But Mrs. Alya has already filed—”
“I said cancel it.”
Adrian’s voice was firm.
His assistant didn’t dare argue.
“Yes, sir.”
After the man left, Adrian leaned back in his chair.
His eyes closed.
Even he didn’t understand why he was refusing the divorce.
Hadn’t he never loved Alya from the beginning?
Hadn’t he always said their marriage was nothing more than an agreement?
Then why now...
why couldn’t he bear to let that woman truly become a stranger?
That afternoon.
Alya was straightening the shelves when a man entered the bakery.
He wore a simple shirt and carried several documents.
“Excuse me.”
Alya turned around.
“Yes?”
The man smiled.
“I’m looking for the owner. I have some business regarding a supplier.”
“Oh, she’s in the back.”
Alya pointed toward the kitchen.
The man nodded.
“Thank you.”
He walked past her.
But before leaving, the man looked at Alya for a few seconds longer than necessary.
Alya didn’t notice.
She returned to arranging the bread.
That night, Alya walked home with Sari.
“How was your first day?”
Alya smiled.
“Tiring.”
Sari laughed.
“But?”
“I’m happy.”
The answer made Sari smile too.
“Good.”
They walked slowly toward home.
But when they reached the gate, Alya suddenly stopped.
“What’s wrong?” Sari asked.
Alya stared at the end of the street.
A black car had just driven past.
Her heart began to race.
For a moment, she thought it was Adrian’s car.
But the car continued down the road and disappeared around the corner.
Alya let out a relieved breath.
“Maybe I’m just too afraid.”
She went inside the house.
Without knowing that a few minutes later, the same black car stopped at the end of the street.
A man got out.
He looked toward Sari’s house.
Then he pulled out his phone.
“Sir, I found an address that may be connected to Mrs. Alya.”
A voice came from the other end.
“Make sure first.”
“Yes, sir.”
The man looked at the house again.
But he didn’t know...
that Alya was standing right behind the window.
And for a few seconds, their eyes nearly met.
Alya quickly drew the curtains shut.
Her heart pounded.
She didn’t know who the man was.
But her instincts told her something.
Her past was beginning to draw near.
And this time, Alya had to be more careful. Because if Adrian found out she was there, the new life she had worked so hard to build could be shattered all over again.