Episode 17

"Good evening!"

With her graceful steps, Vale pushed Riu's wheelchair. She entered the room, glancing around in every corner. Jason, Kelvin, and... her gaze stopped at Sander's face, who was also squinting in her direction.

"So, he's the nephew Riu meant. Kelvin... I wonder what I've meant to you all this time. Four years together, but I never knew anything about your family. I was truly foolish, wasting all that time loving someone who might have never considered me," Vale thought.

The disappointment seemed to resurface after finding out that Kelvin's cousin was Sander. She was so blind to the family lineage of her former lover, even though their relationship had been more than just a brief affair.

Meanwhile, Sander could only suppress the lump in his throat. He never imagined that Vale was the aunt he had never met. The more he realized this, the more he understood that his disabled uncle was not as weak as he seemed.

"After being shocked by his actions of imprisoning Mama and Papa, now I'm shocked again by the woman who became his wife. Uncle... I wonder what other surprises you're keeping," Sander thought with a bitter feeling.

"Riu, Vale, please!" Jason said after responding to Vale's greeting.

"Thank you, Pa." Vale and Riu answered at the same time, taking their place near Jason. Vale sat on the couch while Riu remained in her wheelchair.

"Sander, they say you wanted to meet your aunt. Here she is, Valerie Anjenetta Rusli. You can call her Aunt Vale." Riu glanced at Sander briefly, then shifted her gaze to her wife. "Dear, let me introduce her, this is Sander Hans, my nephew. The only son of Kak Camelia," she continued.

With a slight awkwardness, Vale smiled and greeted Sander as if they were meeting for the first time. Sander did the same, although he felt extremely disappointed in his heart.

"I think we've had enough small talk. Let's discuss what needs to be discussed!" Kelvin interrupted. He was tired of witnessing the ridiculous interactions between his ex, uncle, and cousin.

"Well, just say what you want to say to me. I will listen carefully," Riu calmly responded. In fact, her hand casually held Vale's fingers, as if wanting to show how intimate their relationship was.

"Maybe my parents were wrong, and it's understandable if Uncle is angry. But... no matter how angry Uncle is, at least think about Grandpa. He's old and has a history of heart disease. He wants to retire and enjoy his old age peacefully. But with this problem, can he? Seeing his child and son-in-law imprisoned. Seeing the family's shame become a spectacle. Won't that have an impact on his health?" Kelvin spoke at length with his pretentious wisdom.

"Father, does this problem bother you?" Riu looked at Jason with a smile.

Before Jason could answer, Kelvin interrupted again, "Uncle, do you still need to ask that? Is there even a parent who can bear to see their child in jail?"

"The problem is, if you don't want to see your child in jail, perhaps... someday you will see your child dead." Riu remained calm. She was not at all provoked by Kelvin's words, as she could already predict which side her father will take from the beginning.

"So, you're planning to kill them, Uncle?"

"I don't know if you're truly stupid or pretending to be. You went to the police station, didn't you? You know why your parents are in jail? While your uncle hasn't even been involved in the business yet, your parents have caused enough trouble to leave me disabled. Imagine if your father really trusted his assets to them, wouldn't they have killed him right then and there?" Riu answered, causing Kelvin to instantly become enraged.

His intention was to corner Riu, but it ended up turning against him.

"One more thing. You must already know that my mother and I are only half-siblings, right? Do you understand that Grandma Miranda is not my mother? Now let me ask you, did your mother ever say that all the family's assets originated from my mother?" Riu continued.

"I understand that. But, Uncle, without management, won't the assets stagnate? Won't they stay in the same place? Or worse, go bankrupt?" Kelvin replied, feeling a chance to divert the topic.

"No need to hide behind the word 'management' because your grandmother and your parents are not the ones most entitled to manage it. And besides... how many profits have been taken while running Mama's assets?" Although his voice remained calm, his gaze was deadly.

"Uncle\, when your mother passed away\, Grandpa was still her legal husband. And Grandma was Grandpa's first wife. According to you___"

"Kelvin, that's enough!" Jason interrupted.

"But___"

"You don't understand the issue, don't talk about it. Let's just eat now." Jason cut off Kelvin's words again, accompanied by a sharp gaze as a signal for Kelvin to be silent.

"Why stop, Dad? Wouldn't it be better if everything was discussed openly?" Riu asked, looking at her father.

Jason took a deep breath. "It's dinner time now. We'll continue later, Riu."

There was no more objection, not even from Sander. He was only in turmoil within himself. For over a quarter of a century, he had been born, but only now did he know the fact. His assumptions all this time were that Riu and her mother were siblings.

______

There was still plenty of food left. Both Jason and his grandchildren only took a little, just enough for formality. As a result, the server ended up winning a lot, because they were the ones who ultimately finished it all.

"Riu... come with Papa for a moment," Jason said after dinner had ended.

Although she was a bit reluctant to leave Vale with Kelvin, Riu complied. She thought it was necessary for her and her father to talk privately.

Shortly after Jason and Riu left the dining table, Kelvin started holding his head up, staring at Vale with mixed feelings; anger, disappointment, hatred, but also... longing.

"Are you satisfied, Vale?" Like a whisper, but with emphasis.

"I'm not getting involved in this matter."

"You married my uncle!" Kelvin retorted.

"So, what's wrong with that?"

Kelvin closed his eyes for a moment, calming his racing breath.

"Don't think I don't understand. You married him just to get back at me, right? And he married you only for the assets. Congratulations, you succeeded!"

"Your thoughts are too shallow, Vin."

Kelvin took a deep breath. "Vale, we've been together for four years, there are many memories between us. Aren't you satisfied with how I've paid you back so far? I admit I was wrong back then, but believe me... my love for you is still as strong as ever. I really hope we can relive the memories we once had."

Vale only gave a bitter smile. No words came out of her lips, until a voice interrupted between them.

"You don't deserve to say that, Kelvin!"

Kelvin turned around. Then his eyes narrowed as he looked at the man walking towards him.

To be continued...

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