The clock on the hotel wall struck midnight. Outside, the city of Jakarta shimmered with neon lights and distant sirens, but inside Room 1208, everything felt suspended in a tense silence.
Livia sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her trembling hands. Her mind replayed the events of the day—signing the papers, the cold glances exchanged, the faint hope that maybe, just maybe, this nightmare could turn into something different.
She looked around the room—luxury, but cold. Everything was meticulously arranged, yet her heart felt heavy with doubt and fear. She had entered into this marriage under duress, but now, as the night stretched ahead, she wondered—was this truly the only way?
The door swung open softly, and Reynaldi stepped inside, his face shadowed by the dim light. He looked tired, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of concern.
"You should try to rest," he said softly, closing the door behind him.
"I'm not tired," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't sleep."
He hesitated, then sat beside her on the bed. "I get it. This is a lot to process. But I want you to know—you're not alone in this."
Her eyes darted to his. "How can you say that? You're a stranger—"
"I'm not just a stranger," he interrupted gently. "I've been where you are now. Desperate, feeling like everything is falling apart. I know what it's like to be backed into a corner."
Her heart ached at his words. She saw something genuine behind his calm exterior—a vulnerability she hadn't expected.
"Why are you doing this?" she asked again. "Why help me?"
He looked away briefly, his jaw clenched. "Because I owe you—more than you realize. I've made mistakes, and I want to set things right. Besides, I can't stand seeing innocent people get hurt—especially someone like you, who's trying to do right by her family."
Her eyes blurred with tears. She wanted to believe him, but trust was fragile right now.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated, breaking the tense silence. She fumbled to grab it, expecting another message or call, but instead, her screen lit up with a notification: **"Dito's condition has worsened. Urgent."**
Her heart sank. She looked at Reynaldi, panic flooding her voice. "Dito… something's wrong. The hospital just called. They said his condition is worse."
He immediately straightened. "We need to go. Now."
Without waiting for her response, he grabbed his coat and headed for the door. "I'll arrange a car. Stay here, I'll be back in a minute."
Her mind was a chaos of fear and confusion. She was about to follow when she remembered—the marriage, the contract—everything that had led her to this moment.
**Was this really just a deal? Or was something more dangerous lurking beneath?**
She rushed to grab her bag, heart pounding. As she slipped out of the room, she saw him return, a determined look on his face.
"We're heading to the hospital," he said urgently. "Hold on tight."
The car ride was tense, the city lights rushing past as they sped through Jakarta's chaotic streets. The rain had started again, pelting the windshield with a relentless rhythm.
Inside the car, silence reigned. Only the hum of the engine and the distant thunder filled the space.
Reynaldi glanced at her, his face hard. "I'm sorry you're caught in all this. But I promise—I will do everything to keep you and Dito safe."
Her eyes flickered with gratitude and fear. "I don't know what I'd do without you right now."
He looked away for a moment, then back at her. "You don't have to thank me yet. We still have a long road ahead. And I need you to trust me—more than ever."
She nodded slowly, clutching her hands in her lap. Her thoughts drifted back to Dito—his tiny face, his fragile life. She had to be strong—for him. Yet, a part of her still doubted whether this marriage was the salvation she desperately needed or just another trap.
---
**At the hospital,** the sterile smell hit her immediately. The beeping of monitors, the distant voices of doctors, all added to her anxiety. She hurried through the corridors, searching for Dito's room.
Reynaldi followed close behind, his face grim. They found Dito hooked up to IVs, his tiny chest rising and falling weakly.
The doctor approached quickly. "His condition is critical, but there's a chance we can stabilize him. The main issue now is infection. We're doing everything we can."
Livia sank onto a chair beside her brother, tears streaming down her face. She reached for his tiny hand, clutching it desperately.
Reynaldi placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We're doing everything we can. Just stay strong."
She looked up at him, her voice trembling. "Thank you… for helping us."
He nodded silently, his jaw clenched. For a moment, she saw a flicker of vulnerability behind his guarded exterior—an unspoken acknowledgment of the burden they both carried.
As she sat beside Dito, her mind spun with fears and doubts. She knew she had entered a dangerous game, but she also knew—she couldn't give up.
Not now.
Not when her brother's life was on the line.
---
**That night, back at the hotel,** Reynaldi sat alone in the dimly lit room, staring at the city skyline. His mind replayed the events—his deal with her, her desperation, Dito's worsening condition.
He rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on him.
*Was this really the right choice?*
*Could he protect her—both physically and emotionally?*
*And what secrets still lurked in the shadows?*
His phone buzzed softly. He looked at the screen—an encrypted message from an unknown number.
**"They're watching. Be careful."**
His jaw tightened. The game was bigger than he thought. The stakes were higher.
He knew one thing for sure—nothing was as simple as it seemed.
And the night was only the beginning of a long, dangerous journey.