Love Redux: Fated to the Handsome Doctor

Lara stared in disbelief at her mother-in-law’s words. She’s always been like this, but Lara dislikes arguing with her. Their quarrels will benefit no one. She has to be patient, for the sake of the baby in her womb.

“Once you know you’re pregnant, take care of yourself. Don’t be reckless! Oh God! How can you just cause trouble for others?” her mother-in-law continued to scold without even looking at her. She only glanced briefly, then resumed tidying up her makeup with the little compact powder she always carried everywhere.

Currently, they were in the car heading home. Lara’s home, perhaps? Or her mother-in-law’s house? She hadn’t asked yet.

“Ma, whose house are we going to?” Lara asked, curious.

“Oh Good Lord! When I asked you before, you say nothing! Yet, once you speak, you question everything!”

Lara fell silent. It’s really difficult to talk to her mother-in-law. She feels conflicted.

“We’re going to the main house. Is there anyone taking care of you at your house? There aren’t even any servants, your husband is always on duty.”

“But, Ma-”

“Enough! Don’t be stubborn! If it weren’t for Grandma asking me, I wouldn’t even bother picking you up! Mama’s busy, you know?”

Lara pursed her lips and nodded softly. There’s no point in arguing with her mother-in-law. Actually, she’s not too bad considering someone even murdered her mother.

But there’s one strange thing bothering Lara. How is it possible that there are no servants at her house? Isn’t Bi Yani there?

“Is Bi Yani still on leave, Ma?”

“I don’t know! Why don’t you ask her yourself?”

Lara fell silent again. She’s used to her mother-in-law’s sharp words. It’s nothing. She’s not affected at all. Well… though, it does sting a bit to hear all her remarks always putting her in a bad light.

“Was everything settled earlier, Ma?” Lara asked about the hospital bills. Her discharge process was very smooth; she didn’t even see Andre or Dr. Miriam around.

It’s like she’s entered a whole new world entirely. But both are equally unpleasant compared to being in her own home back in Menteng.

“Yeah, if it wasn’t settled, could you even come back?”

“Um… yes.”

“Why are you asking like that?” her mother-in-law snapped, then leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes. “Alright, stop talking! Mama wants to rest for a bit.”

“Yes, Ma.”

Lara complied with her command. Actually, she asked about the payment to make sure she didn’t owe anything to her mother-in-law. But it seems she misunderstood her intention. Oh well. It’s normal.

The day was getting darker. Perhaps it’s almost night. Lara didn’t check the time or her phone; suddenly, she felt sleepy too.

Their car smoothly cruised along the capital city roads towards Depok, West Java. Even though it’s a different province, it’s not too far from her home in Jakarta.

Depok is the right city for people who can’t afford homes in Jakarta. It’s easily accessible by train or bus. Many employees in Jakarta travel using public transportation to reach their workplaces in the capital. Back then, Seno used to commute between Depok and Jakarta when he was still an employee at a private company.

However, in recent months, Seno suddenly received a large capital for his business, like a pharmaceutical production factory or something, Lara wasn’t too sure.

The health business he’s running is booming, and their economic situation suddenly improved, like a jet plane or a sky rocket! Lara really can’t imagine where Seno got so much money from.

Whenever she asks, Seno always dodges the question and talks as if she knows nothing about business. Yet, her family also ran a business before her father abandoned it. Her mother couldn’t even manage it after her father’s death. Eventually, the business failed and disappeared just like that.

“We’ve arrived, Ma’am,” said the new driver of Lara’s mother-in-law’s, who seemed to be new to the job. Usually, Seno’s family driver looks much older, with fine wrinkles on his face and neck. This time, the driver looked much younger. Was there a change in personnel at the main house?

“Ma’am! Ma’am! Call me Madame! How could you forget?” Lara’s mother-in-law scolded grumpily. She had opened her eyes and her first response upon waking up was to scold the new driver.

“Oh, yes, sorry, Madame.”

The new driver bowed his head while straightening his shirt. Maybe he felt uncomfortable with Lara’s mother-in-law’s scolding. Lara’s already used to it.

“Ma-”

“Next time, if you make the same mistake, I’ll fire you!”

“Alright, Madame.”

Lara couldn’t win over her mother-in-law. The middle-aged woman continued to launch verbal attacks. Lara felt a bit sorry for the driver who seemed to be in his prime, in his thirties.

Their eyes met for a moment, and Lara nodded quietly. She didn’t dare to oppose her mother-in-law’s anger. They both had no choice but to listen to all her scolding.

“Huh, you brat! This is what happens when you have a handsome face but bad behavior,” Lara’s mother-in-law grumbled as they walked into the house.

“Who even employed him, Ma? Wasn’t it Mama?” Lara asked, trying to start a pleasant conversation. But apparently, she was wrong.

“Why are you still asking? It’s your sister! Selly! She’s always into handsome guys. Mama can’t even refuse!”

Lara swallowed hard, feeling like she misspoke again. She should’ve just stayed quiet.

Selly, her sister-in-law, is a teenage girl still in high school. Maybe she insisted Seno pick a handsome driver so she could show off.

Seno lost his father when he was still in school. After college, he replaced Lara’s mother-in-law as the family’s main breadwinner. Until now, Seno has had to support their small family and his extended family.

Seno lives with his mother, grandmother, and sister. After they got married, Lara lived with them too. But only for a few months when they were newlyweds.

A few months later, they moved to a luxurious house in Menteng. Isn’t that strange? Lara wondered if Seno was undergoing some kind of ritual to gain wealth. But, he’s afraid even at the mention of ghosts. It’s not possible.

She didn’t ask any more questions because it’s not her concern. She’s used to living in a wealthy family. Such changes are normal to her. She doesn’t know why, but Seno admires his newfound wealth so much. She just goes along with it. He doesn’t know her family background.

“Ma, I’m home,” Lara’s mother-in-law said as she stepped into the house. Lara saw her grandmother welcoming them warmly.

“Welcome! Ami, Lara! Oh, Lisa, get them some drinks,” she instructed a servant girl.

The young girl beside Grandma nodded and quickly went to the kitchen to get them drinks as ordered.

Since Seno’s wealth increased, the atmosphere in this house has changed so much.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Did you see? How Lara’s mother-in-law treats her driver? But when Seno was still an employee, her mother-in-law only used public transport to reach her destinations.

This time, her mother-in-law even threatened to change the driver if he didn’t follow her orders. She’s really good at maximizing her role as the mistress who craves attention.

Before, they didn’t even have a car, let alone a driver. But when Seno became rich, her mother-in-law and the whole family suddenly changed drastically.

They’re very good at adapting to being wealthy. They immediately changed cars, jewelry, luxury bags, and hired various assistants at home to appear upscale and in a different economic status.

Lara’s mother-in-law also often attends socialite events. Lara noticed her sister-in-law also frequently flexes-shows off her wealth-on her social media. They do everything to gain recognition. She’s just a spectator watching all their behavior without being able to comment. She’s afraid of being blamed.

Strangely, with all the extravagance they do, Seno still doesn’t run out of money.

Seno even has enough funds to buy an apartment for his mistress. Lara can’t believe all this foreign wealth. How does he actually make money?