She stood in the doorway. Her arms crossed over her chest. Glancing toward me in disappointment.

Even so, she remained a mother who was willing to take me to live with her even though she didn't love me.

The reason she treated me like this was because I always refused to help her take down Eliana in secret.

I refused to cooperate with my mother to frame Eliana, to drive Eliana out of Johan's house.

In return, she let me live being tortured by Eliana, to see how long I could endure without yielding to her desires.

"Get up! Go home!" Grandma grabbed a handful of my hair. "Dirty plates are piling up everywhere!" I struggled hard to hold her hand back.

Pain.

Aching.

"You're just like your mother. Shameless. A bastard mistress's child."

My mother didn't react, even after she was insulted right along with me.

She remained indifferent.

She didn't care.

Never minding the insults as long as she lived in wealth.

As usual, it was impossible for her to defend me. Never.

She only watched as I wiped away my tears with trembling hands.

"Oh my god, what is going on here?!" A nurse burst in. "Take your hands off our patient!"

Eliana's grandmother didn't care.

"If you defend her, I won't pay a single penny of the hospital bill!" she threatened the nurse.

I glanced to the side, looking back toward the nightstand. My eyes weakened, then widened. I was done being weak. The one who just stayed silent while being oppressed.

I didn't want it anymore.

I smiled. A smile filled with pride.

Proud because I could finally be free.

Free...

And it wasn't a dream.

That ATM card was real.

The 2 million were right there.

My initial salary, they called it.

If I didn't die and managed to survive, I'd get paid again, wouldn't I?

I was free from Eliana, who could always catch me whenever I tried to run away.

Because if I worked for Amon Nicholas Sergio, Eliana certainly wouldn't be able to touch me.

I could definitely escape from that hell.

No longer needing to have my heart break when Mother pretended to care about Eliana.

"W-what?" Eliana's grandmother startled, her eyes widening as she saw my smile. "How dare you mock me now?!" Grandma screeched. "How can you smile like a fool?" She stepped back a few paces.

Her hand let go of my hair. Staring at me as if I were insane.

"Hawisa..." my mother's voice sounded soft, yet full of mockery. "Don't rebel anymore!" she said, still standing by the door.

I still kept wondering to this very day.

Was she really my biological mother?

"Ever since Eliana married Nolan, why has your attitude changed?"

I never changed, Mom.

It was just that you never looked my way. Refused to feel the pain of being me simply because I refused to do evil alongside you.

"Teach this daughter of yours some manners, you useless woman!" Grandma snorted.

Then Eliana appeared.

Stepping into the room.

The epitome of graceful perfection.

Rich, beautiful, cherished.

Her only flaw was that her mother was already gone.

I remembered, she didn't even cry when her mother passed away.

With affection piled so high for her, losing one person didn't matter all that much to her.

Her father, her grandmother, Nolan, the guys at school, her classmates, all her relatives.

Give just one person to me, Eliana.

Just one person who cares about me. Just one.

You have everything, at least don't hate me just because your father married my mother and you needed a maid you could boss around.

"I-I'm going to leave the house," I said.

"What?" Eliana's voice sounded surprised.

"I... won't live in your house anymore," I lifted my head.

End your suffering, Wisa.

Now go.

Eliana's eyes, which had been glaring, suddenly shifted into a look of contempt.

Her arms folded over her chest.

Her chin lifted up.

She stood right in front of me.

Our gazes locked.

"You think you can get away from me?" she said. Her voice was quiet, yet full of disdain.

My smile grew wider. "

I can," I answered, defying her.

Slap!

My head involuntarily tilted sideways as a hard blow struck my face.

Eliana's grandmother was the one who hit me.

"Ungrateful brat," she sneered.

"I..." My voice was soft, choked back. I raised my head. Enough is enough, Wisa. "I don't want to take your money anymore. Not a single cent!" My voice rose, my eyes turning red. "I told you I was leaving, why did you slap me instead?" My sobs broke loose.

Slap!

I was slapped again.

Yet I felt a sense of satisfaction for managing to scream right in front of them.

Extremely satisfying.

This time the one who slapped me was Johan, Eliana's father.

I had no idea when he had entered this hospital room of mine.

Silence.

Hush.

Not a sound could be heard.

Only ragged breaths.

The breath of fury.

Mother, look!

Your daughter is being slapped, right in front of your eyes.

Yet why do you always stay silent?

My tears kept falling even though no sound of crying escaped me.

Mother, for the very last time.

Before I leave that house.

Before we part ways.

Please, defend this daughter of yours, Mother!

"Wisa, that's enough! Stop fighting back, pack your things, let's go home."

Mother's voice.

That was my mother's voice.

Why? Why won't she defend me?

Am I her daughter or not?

"I'm the one who pays for your school, your clothes, your food!" Johan snapped. "You're just a burden left behind by that dead father of yours. Pay... pay off your debt if you want to leave!"

"I'll pay it," I cut in fast. My voice grew louder... harder. "I'll pay for everything... everything... quickly calculate how much my total debt is? Count my labor working at your house too... count it all," I screamed.

My eyes glared at Johan.

My jaw tightened.

My tears kept flowing until even Johan's face wasn't very clear anymore.

"How arrogant!" Grandma grabbed my hair again. I pushed her away. Hard.

She almost fell if Eliana hadn't caught her right away.

I stood up.

"Where do you think you're going?" Johan gripped my arm. I shook it off quickly.

"Wisa," Mother stood straight. Her arms hung stiffly at her sides. She looked at me with pure disappointment.

I'm far more disappointed in you, Mother.

I am your daughter.

I am your child.

Born from your womb.

Yet you just let me get ganged up on by this family of yours?

I walked toward the nightstand, picking up the black ATM card.

My chest heaved up and down.

My teeth gritted visibly.

"I'll pay," I tossed the ATM card at Johan. The card struck Johan's chest before finally dropping to the floor.

"2 Million!" I screamed. "Every single plate I washed, every floor I mopped, every insult-remember those too!" I wiped my tears away quickly with my palm, but the tears still poured heavily.

"We're even." My voice dropped low.

"Even!" Then loud... piercing. "Even... even... even... Eveeeen!" I screamed at the top of my lungs until my throat hurt. All the veins in my neck bulged out.

I collapsed down onto the floor.

Crying hysterically with my head bowed.

"What do you mean, Wisa? Stop talking nonsense-"

"Oh," That voice...

Slowly, my head turned toward the door.

Amon was there.

My boss.

Mother's eyes widened to their limits.

Eliana's body instantly froze, tensing up.

I didn't have the strength to stand up and welcome you, Amon.

Too weak.

Please don't make me work just yet, Sir.

"My employee has woken up, huh?"

The sound of Amon's shoes tapping against the floor.

Echoing in the silence.

"Who are you?" Johan's voice rang out.

"Dad, don't get close," Eliana's voice trembled.

"Don't get close, Dad..."

"Ughh,"

My eyes widened.

My crying instantly stopped.

Johan's body flew into the air.

"Make way!"

A man behind Amon punched Johan in the stomach and drove the sole of his boot straight into Johan's chest, sending Johan flying backward, vomiting blood.

Eliana's grandmother was startled. Her body trembled, clutching Eliana's arm.

Eliana instinctively lowered her head.

Mother stared closely at Amon, then shifted her gaze toward me a second later.

I lowered my head.

My legs trembled.

I wanted to stand, but I was already too terrified.

"Why is my employee treated like a dog? Is the money I gave her still not enough?" he asked the middle-aged man beside him.

He didn't wait for an answer. His eyes remained locked on me, as if I completely belonged to him.

"Miss Hawisa, you are such a mess!"

"Darling," My mother ran toward her husband.

Eliana and her grandmother were still standing frozen.

Behind Amon.

"Andi has already given her the signing bonus, sir," answered Amon's assistant, standing in front of the door.

"Miss Hawisa has already received the 2 million." He walked toward Amon, passing my mother, who instinctively opened her mouth and covered it with her hand.

She and Johan were already standing.

"2 million?" My mother's voice reached my ears.

Yeah...

2 Million, Mom.

Your daughter has worked even if it had to cost her life.

Not for the money...

But for the freedom I could never get.

"My apologies if the amount still feels lacking for you, Miss Wisa. We will prepare additional funds,"

"Oh, no," My head spontaneously shook. I hurried to wipe away my tears. I wasn't scared anymore. My legs could stand now. "The money is enough," I replied while rubbing my itchy nose.

I stood with my head bowed in front of Amon.

"Who are you people? How dare you meddle in our family's business!" My stepfather, Johan.

Even after getting hit, he still hasn't given up.

"Dad!" Eliana snapped at him.

Johan instantly froze.

I smiled with a wistful gaze directed at the floor by my feet.

Instantly, pain pierced my heart.

I regretted ever snapping at my father the way Eliana just did.

If I knew he would leave me all alone in this painful world... I definitely would have always been an obedient child.

Dad... please help your daughter.

I wiped my wet cheeks again.

Still keeping my head bowed.

Amon didn't react at all.

Two of Sergio's employees blocked Johan as he stepped forward to approach us.

"So, he's your father?" Amon's assistant asked Eliana with a cold voice.

I remembered, Eliana also worked at Sergio.

The director's beloved secretary. That was what I heard.

But Amon was the CEO, the heir as well, the owner of Sergio too.

Amon's position was way higher than Eliana's superior.

"My apologies, sir," For the first time, I heard Eliana apologize. Bowing helplessly.

I glanced in her direction.

"Forgive us, we'll leave," She pulled her grandmother's hand, moving her head from Johan toward the front door.

Before stepping away, Johan glanced at me full of hatred.

Full of vengeance.

But what can you do, Johan?

You can't fight my boss.

I smiled wide until my teeth showed.

I wasn't weak Wisa anymore.

Refusing to stay weak.

I had to survive by Amon's side.

I refuse to die.

I will prove that I can live without any of your help.

Eliana finally took her family away from this hospital patient room.

"Wisa," My mother tried to approach me.

I averted my gaze.

Her steps instantly halted when Amon's employee blocked her.

"She's my daughter," she said.

Now you're acknowledging me?

After hearing about the 2 Million?

What am I... what am I in your eyes?

I wiped my tears again.

My chest felt tight.

My breath hitched.

Dad... why can't Mom change?

Why is it that only money is on her mind?

"Please leave, Miss," Amon's assistant ordered.

"Wisa," My mother called me.

But I stayed silent.

I didn't answer her.

"Miss," Amon's assistant spoke up again. "The way out is over there,"

My mother clicked her tongue in annoyance. Glancing at me with an angry look.

But finally, she stepped away and left the room.

I let out a breath of relief from my mouth.

My nose was stuffy.

Hard to breathe.

"Lift your head, Miss Hawisa," Amon's voice was flat, commanding.

I was stunned.

Stepped back a few paces.

Lifting my head afterward.

My lips trembled.

I wiped the tears that made my cheeks itch.

My eyes and Amon's eyes met.

Amon instantly averted his gaze.

"Ready to work?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm ready, sir,"

He moved to face the room's exit door.

All of his employees followed behind except for just one person who stayed behind.

Silent.

Only the sound of shoes tapping on the floor as they left.

"Miss Hawisa," The remaining employee stepped closer to me.

His hand handed a small bag to me.

"Yes," I answered while reaching for the bag.

"Change your clothes, I'll wait outside," he said.

I nodded my head.

"Okay," my eyes dropped, looking at the small bag in both of my hands.

"Starting now, I am your assistant,"

"What?" My forehead instantly furrowed. My eyes widened. My head lifted, looking toward him.

"I will help with your affairs," he answered, then stepped toward the door.

Even my position now surpassed my expectations.

A servant suddenly turned into an employee who had an assistant.

Dad...

They said if I work with Amon, I will die.

If I die... we can meet, right?

Me and you can be together again, right?

I wiped my last tear, then walked toward the bathroom.

Cleaning all the mess on my body.

Cold.

Nauseous.

My clothes are completely soaked.

One-sided dizziness.

My ATM card?

My steps halted.

That card was still on the floor.

Still there...

Yeah...

I still had 2 Million.

Now I am rich.

But what if I still wasn't free?

I had to work first.

If I die I can meet my father.

If I'm still alive... I'll travel the world.

***

The next day.

I yawned.

The sea breeze hit my body.

I stood in front of a luxurious villa.

Not just me.

There were four other employees.

All men and only I was a woman.

Last night, my assistant took me to a hotel. He said my living place had been prepared, he would escort me after I finished today's task.

The task was quite dangerous.

If I fail, I could get fired.

But I didn't know what my task was?

They only said that I had to hug Amon when Amon came out of the villa.

Hug Amon?

Several media crews got out of cars.

Looks like they were going to cover news about Amon.

"Wisa, over here!"

Amon's assistant called me.

I trotted toward him.

When I arrived, he asked me to go to the backyard of the villa.

I nodded my head.

I walked fast then saw the mangrove forest by the beach.

So beautiful.

I remembered going to the beach with Dad.

A long time ago.

A very long time ago.

"Mr. Amon?" my eyes widened when I saw Amon walking into the mangrove forest.

Blood was trickling down his hand.

"Mr. Amon!" I screamed.

"Find Mr. Amon,"

"Mr. Amon, find Mr. Amon," Amon's employees panicked.

"Mr. Amon is in danger,"

My sweat poured down.

My knees shook violently.

I ran fast toward Amon.

Run, Wisa.

Fast.

Amon could bleed out.

"Mr. Amon!" I screamed when I saw Amon standing on a cliff.

His eyes were empty.

His hand was bleeding.

On the other hand was a knife.

"Mr. Amon...!" I screamed running closer.

But my steps halted.

Amon's eyes changed suddenly.

Full of hatred. Full of anger. Full of vengeance.

His jaw clenched.

His chest went up and down.

He turned toward me.

Threw the knife into the sea.

Walked fast, ran, as if hunting me down.

Why?

What is wrong with him?

Amon's hand choked my neck.

"Ughh!" I struggled to breathe.

Help!

Help!

My hands held Amon's arm.

Hurts.

Hurts so much, Daddy.

Am I going to die?

His broad hand landed on my face.

Once.

Twice.

Three.

My head almost sank into the mud.

Four slaps and my eyes closed.

Dark.

Sore.

Stinging.

Daddy? Where are you?

Hawisa, your daughter is dead now.

"Please help,"

"Pull,"

"Take Miss Hawisa fast,"

"Mr. Rayhan has arrived,"

Panicked voices sounded in my ears.

I felt my body lifted into the air.

Carried into the car.

Then...

My eyes opened.

"Haaa...!" I instinctively sat up while holding my neck with both hands.

Where am I?

My cheek hurts so much.

My lips split.

My face must be bruised.

"Miss Hawisa is awake?" My assistant came and approached me.

"Mr. Amon?" I ask.

That assistant stood beside me. Averted his gaze. Didn't want to look at me.

Was my face that bad?

Am I disfigured?

"With all due respect," his voice was soft and faint.

"The company is firing you, Miss,"

Huh?

I froze.

Silent.

Mute.

It felt like the world stopped spinning.

I turned toward him, stiffly.

Like a robot's head when moving.

What is this?

The door opened.

Amon walked in. His face was pale, but his expression was coldly frozen.

A thick bandage on his wrist was hidden beneath his long-sleeved shirt. His eyes met mine.

His eyes shifted away fast.

He stopped right beside my assistant who was bowing his head.

"Clear out your things, Miss Hawisa," Amon said.

Silent.

My lips trembled.

"Thank you," he said, then he walked out of the room.

Thank you?

After hitting me?

Not saying sorry?

Thank you but I'm fired?

What is this?

"We have sent your severance pay, Miss," My assistant placed a piece of paper on the nightstand.

"Thank you for working very well in our TEAM," he said while stepping away, leaving.