Love Redux: Fated to the Handsome Doctor

Grandma in law, seated beside Lara, inquired, “How are you, Lara?” interrupting her wild thoughts.

Lara replied, “Ah, I’m fine, Grandma. How are you?”

“Thank God. I’m fine too. Take care of your health, dear,” she said, gently caressing Lara’s belly. “There are some types of women who easily get tired. I almost miscarried before. That’s why your mother-in-law is like that,” she said jokingly.

Lara wanted to laugh, but her mother-in-law’s gaze made her hold it back. She couldn’t even breathe properly.

“Just kidding!” her mother-in-law teased. My mother-in-law immediately pouted, hearing her grandmother’s joke. She might be offended. Lara felt guilty.

“Haha! The sulky one!” her grandmother retorted, deliberately teasing her, maybe? That’s just how they are. “For the time being, stay here. Grandma will take care of you,” she continued softly, looking straight at Lara.

Lara nodded, smiling, following her grandmother’s words. But suddenly, her mother-in-law spoke up.

“Hah, how come?” she asked skeptically.

“Who’s been taking care of you all this time, huh?” Grandma teased, not wanting to lose.

“The maid.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Lara forced a smile, seeing the two women arguing. Grandma and her mother-in-law often quarrel but only to that extent. She even felt their interaction was warm, typical of family.

“Don’t bother me!” her mother-in-law concluded, not wanting to argue further.

“Yes, Ma.”

Lara saw her mother-in-law rushing to her room this time. She just watched her back while sipping the guava juice provided in front of her.

She didn’t even touch her juice. She hurried into her room, probably because she didn’t want to be near Lara for too long.

“Don’t worry about it. Your mother in law is just like that, Lara. Now, rest.”

Lara nodded, following her grandmother’s words. “Thank you, Grandma. I’ll rest now.”

“Yes, you shouldn’t tire yourself too much.”

Only Grandma was so kind to Lara in this house. If it weren’t for her, she didn’t know how she’d survive in her in-laws’ house, where they didn’t like her.

The cold weather was biting because in this house, every room had air conditioning installed. Again, the characteristic of a wealthy home. Seno completely renovated his father’s house.

This two-story house is located on the outskirts of Depok and has a spacious backyard. With this beautiful garden, Seno’s family often holds outdoor parties. There’s a large barbecue grill and several gazebos available there. The atmosphere is cool and refreshing, unlike the typical atmosphere of a house in Jakarta.

The living room on the ground floor is luxuriously decorated with golden furnishings and comfortable sofas. This living room is also equipped with a large plasma screen, where Seno and his family often watch movies or their favorite TV shows.

“Ma’am, please.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Lara continued to walk up the stairs slowly. With her growing belly, walking became quite difficult. Fortunately, Lisa, the maid, helped and brought her things.

“Why not just use the downstairs room, Ma’am?” she asked curiously.

“Um, well, my room was on the upper floor before, Lisa. It’s Mr. Seno’s room,” Lara replied awkwardly and unsure. She should have been able to use the guest room downstairs.

She didn’t know why, but her mother-in-law gave access to Seno’s room. She wasn’t wrong, actually. But Lara wasn’t sure if she did it naturally or deliberately just to inconvenience her.

“Please,” the maid said, opening the door to Lara’s room.

“Thank you,” Lara replied before stepping inside.

But to her surprise, when she entered, everything was so different. She couldn’t even speak.

“W-what is this?”

Mother-in-law suddenly put her in a bad mood. She was standing with her hands on her hips, glancing towards Lara’s room with a questioning look.

Her body already felt sore, now her heart was aching too.

“How does it feel to be a boarding house tenant again? Enjoying it?” she asked, as if mocking Lara. Her smile was crooked, and Lara could hear the sarcasm in her voice.

“Mama, why would you say that?” Lara dared to ask, although she felt reluctant to do so. Her mother-in-law’s aura was like that of a hyena. She wasn’t particularly scary, but dealing with her could be quite a hassle.

“Well, I purposely removed the bed yesterday. Just to welcome my beautiful daughter-in-law, haha!”

“What?” Lara was taken aback by her words.

“Exciting, right? Sleeping on the floor like that? Did you think this was a hotel?” she taunted Lara, a smirk forming on her wrinkled face.

“How heartless, Mama…” Lara nearly cried at the thought of how cruel her mother-in-law was being towards her, especially considering she was pregnant. She had been malicious from the start. Lara thought it was just an unintentional mistake.

Her chest tightened, and her muscles tensed up. She was on the verge of losing control due to the disappointment and anger towards her mother-in-law, who seemed to take pleasure in mocking her.

“Don’t be so dramatic! The important thing is, you didn’t get rained on!” she retorted with a loud laugh.

Her heart ached hearing her mockery and the satisfaction visible on her face. Suddenly, a surprising shout echoed, startling both of them.

“Mama!”

Lara widened her eyes. It wasn’t her who shouted. It was that voice.

“Seno! Why are you shouting at your mother, huh?”

“What is going on?!”

Seno suddenly rushed towards Lara. He checked on her, like a police officer searching a suspect. His examination wasn’t gentle or soft; it was more like a physical check-up by an officer, formal and thorough.

“Lara, are you okay?” Seno held her face. He even checked her eyes and lips. “They’re not blue. You’re okay, right?”

“Y-yes, I’m okay. Just a little back pain.”

Seno then glanced towards the floor mattress behind him. He had come in from outside and went straight to Lara, not realizing the presence of the thin, small mattress.

“Mama! Explain this!” he demanded, raising his voice.

Was he defending Lara now?

“Uh… Seno. It was just a joke.”

“A joke?!”

“Yeah, like, a welcoming ceremony for our beautiful daughter-in-law, hehe…”

Suddenly, her mother-in-law’s demeanor changed. What was going on with her?

“Mama, this is outrageous! Lara is pregnant, Ma! What if something happens to my child?!” Seno yelled, pointing at his mother’s face.

Lara was shocked, and so was her mother-in-law. She could see tears welling up in her eyes. The servants, who were previously just milling about, now seemed to be gathering around. The heated exchange between Seno and his mother was drawing their curiosity.

“Seno! Why are you shouting at your mother, huh?”

This time, even Grandma chimed in. She had just joined them on the second floor. Grandma’s room was on the first floor for easy access, without the risk of falling.

“Grandma, look at that!” Seno pointed towards the small mattress that had become the center of the morning commotion. Lara even felt guilty for causing such a stir in the family this early in the morning.

“Oh my! Lara. Did you sleep there last night?” Grandma asked with a worried expression, approaching Lara just like Seno did.

Lara nodded slowly.

Grandma then grabbed her daughter’s hair.

“Ouch! Ma! That hurts!”

“You disrespectful child!”

Seno and Lara exchanged glances, never expecting such an event to unfold. Lara’s mother-in-law groaned in pain. Grandma quickly dragged her away from Lara. She was still stunned, unable to believe what she was seeing.

“Hey! Move Lara’s room downstairs!” Seno ordered the head servant.

“Yes, Sir.”

Seno then put his arm around Lara’s waist and gently held her hand as they walked downstairs. There, a luxurious room was ready and waiting for Lara, without the pain and discomfort like before.

“Thank you, Seno,” Lara said sincerely.

Seno just smiled faintly. He then gently stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head. Lara could feel her husband returning to his former self. Had Seno truly repented?

***

“Grandma, please take care of Mama. That woman could ruin our plans!”

“Yes, yes. Leave it to Grandma.”