After the inauguration of office expansion, several new innovations were introduced. One of the most notable changes was the break time signal: a long alarm accompanied by a cheerful male voice encouraging all employees to step away from their desks.

In Erin's small office, four desks were arranged facing each other. At the front sat Mimi and Tata, handpicked by Erin to support her project. Across from them were Ira and Roni, two new employees who remained quiet, unaccustomed to the lively energy that Mimi and Tata brought.


"Miss Erin, come eat with us!" Tata invited, her yellow polka dot shirt complementing Mimi's pink off-shoulder dress.

"You all go ahead. I'm not hungry," Erin replied, striving to sound casual despite the pounding headache that made her want to cry.

"Alright, Miss. If you need anything, just send me a message," Mimi said.


Erin nodded as she watched her four employees leave the room. A wave of relief washed over her as she leaned back in her chair and stretched her legs, allowing herself a brief moment to think without interruption.

Being a project leader was no easy task. The weight of planning every detail alone, memorizing coordination protocols with other divisions, and keeping operations within the budget approved by finance was overwhelming. And then there were her personal struggles with her father.


Their last conversation had pierced Erin deeply, leaving her no choice but to pack a few essentials and escape to a hotel near the office. She hadn't told anyone about her sudden departure—not even Amir. If he knew what Mr. Rudolf had said, it would crush him, especially considering his child's background. No parent would ever want their child associated with such a stigma.

Mr. Rudolf had gone too far this time.

Erin couldn't imagine marrying Amir without including Sheyna in their lives. She had grown fond of the little girl, especially after receiving the sweet photos that Amir's mother sent from Tangerang every morning. The desire to protect Sheyna was strong. With Mr. Rudolf's harsh prediction lingering in her mind, Erin felt an intense need to shield the child and ensure she grew up in a safe and loving environment.

Tears welled up in her eyes, heavy with emotion. As her hands trembled, she reached for a tissue, trying to control her sobs. But the weight of it all was too much to contain, and the tears kept falling.

The door creaked open, startling Erin. Amir stood there, his expression shifting to concern as he took in her tear-streaked face.

'Are you crying?" he asked, moving a chair to sit beside her.

'Amir..." Erin whispered, rushing into his arms and burying her face in his chest, oblivious to the makeup that smudged his blue shirt.

'Yes, sweetheart. What's wrong?" Amir placed the bag of Sunpride bananas he'd brought on the table and wrapped his arms around her again.

'I don't know how to tell you," Erin managed to say, her voice cracking.

Amir's hand slowed as he stroked her hair, the understanding evident in his eyes. 'Is it about us and your father?"

'It's about Sheyna and me," Erin thought to herself. The haunting idea that they were marked by their pasts as children of criminals, and how society's judgment would follow them, loomed over her. But she couldn't bring herself to voice it, so she stayed silent.

'Did your father change his mind? Does he not accept me?" Amir asked, his tone steady but edged with worry.

'I don't know how to say it…" Erin whispered again.

'Take your time," Amir said. 'Calm down first, then we can talk."

Their embrace was interrupted by the sudden swing of the door. Xavier entered, his face impassive. He glanced at the CCTV in the corner, and the silent message was clear.

'Mrs. Berta said you should leave the office. No one's allowed to stay alone," Xavier said flatly.

Erin pulled back, confusion on her face. 'What? Since when is that a rule?"

'It's not me. This is from the investor, Mr. Rudolf."

Erin's eyes hardened as she wiped away her tears with defiance. Even after their relationship had shifted from father and adopted daughter to something more distant, Mr. Rudolf still sought control over her life. It was too much. 'That man has lost his mind. Let's go, Amir," Erin said, grabbing Amir's hand and storming out, leaving Xavier behind.

There was no longer a safe place in the office for them. In the quiet corner of a café, Erin leaned on Amir's shoulder, the avocado juice in front of her and Amir's guava juice untouched.

As her sobs subsided, Amir glanced down at her and gently took her hand, offering silent support.

"Can you tell me what happened?" Amir's voice was gentle, but Erin felt the weight of her own silence pressing down on her. The truth was suffocating, coiled tight in her chest, but she couldn't bring herself to speak. Not yet. She couldn't bear to hurt him with the truth that cut her deeply.

Before she could respond, her phone vibrated on the table. Erin glanced at the screen—her mother was calling via video. She sighed, giving Amir an apologetic look as she shifted to a corner of the booth to answer.

"Hello, Mom?" Erin's voice wavered slightly as her mother's face filled the screen, framed by neatly tied hair and flawless makeup that suggested she'd been out or was just returning home.

"Erin, sweetheart, are you on a break? I hope I'm not interrupting," her mother said, a hint of worry crinkling her brow.

"No, you're not bothering me. What's going on?" Erin cast a quick look at Amir, who took a long sip of his juice, eyes fixed on her with quiet concern.

"It's your father, honey. I know he wanted to speak with you the other day, but he's been so withdrawn since then. He won't tell me what happened, and it's worrying me."

Erin's chest tightened. The memory of her father's words replayed in her mind, sharp and unyielding. She'd barely managed to leave the house last night with only a hastily packed bag, a decision she'd relayed to her mother in a curt text. But clearly, her mother's concern wasn't for her absence; it was for her father's silence.

"I don't know, Mom," Erin murmured, staring at the untouched juice on the table.

Her mother's eyes softened with concern. "Honey, please. I need to know what happened so I can help. I can't stand seeing your father like this."

A bitter laugh almost escaped Erin, but she swallowed it down. Help? There was no help for this. Not when the truth was a stain on their lives. "Maybe it's best if we don't try to fix this, Mom. Maybe it's time for me to step back."

Her mother's eyes widened. "What are you talking about? You know your father loves you deeply."

"Maybe he did," Erin said softly, unable to suppress the doubt clouding her thoughts. "But things change."

"Honey, you're scaring me. This isn't like you two at all. Please, what did he say? If neither of you speak up, how can I mediate?"

Erin clenched her jaw, the pain nearly splintering her resolve. "Mom, I need you to understand—I love Amir. He's the best man I could ever hope to be with. If you want to help, then show Dad that my choice is the right one."

Her mother's gaze turned pleading. "I just need to know, Erin. I can't help if I don't know. Calm down, and we'll talk tonight, all of us."

Erin shook her head firmly. "I'm not coming home until he takes back his words."

"Erin, please! You know I've always told you to talk things through. Don't shut us out like this."

"I'm tired of being hurt, Mom. I won't see Dad until he's willing to reconsider."

"Sweetheart—"

"No, Mom. He's gone too far. He even forbade Amir and me from being together at the office. He didn't even tell me himself!" Erin's voice cracked, a testament to the raw wound inside her. "Why should I follow the rules when he doesn't?"

A heavy silence fell between them. Her mother's face, once resolute, now looked stricken, as if she finally understood the depth of the fracture between them.

"What did he say, Erin?" her mother whispered.

"Ask him, Mom," Erin replied, her voice hoarse. "If he can't even admit it to you, imagine how hard it was for me to hear it."

The silence that followed felt like a shroud. Erin knew her mother could guess, even if she didn't want to believe it. The call ended with Erin saying, "Don't worry about me. I need time."

"Where are you?" her mother asked, her voice small.

"You don't need to know."

Erin hung up, turning to see Amir's eyes glistening with unshed tears. Without a word, he reached over and brushed her hair back, a silent promise of unwavering support. Erin leaned into his touch, finding comfort in the only safe place left—Amir's presence.

***