Too Late to Claim Me Again

“It would be better if the two of you got a divorce… just for a while.” The words shot out of Efendi’s mouth—Anna’s adoptive father—like lightning cracking straight across her chest. Anna froze. The world seemed to stall mid-spin. She stared at Efendi, waiting for him to take it back, to laugh, to say it was all some twisted joke. But he didn’t. He was serious. Dead serious. “Dad… don’t joke like that,” Anna whispered, her voice trembling, barely audible. “I’m not joking, Anna. Lusi is pregnant. And you know what that means—she’s a model.” Efendi’s gaze was sharp, immovable. “Rendy has to marry her. It’s the only way to keep our family from being disgraced.” Anna blinked at him, horrified. “She got pregnant by another man—why should my husband be the one to marry her?” Her voice rose in disbelief; none of this made sense. “Lusi’s boyfriend refuses to take responsibility. So please, Anna, listen to us,” Renata murmured softly, almost in a whisper. “We’ve raised you like our own daughter for years. Now we need your help. Think of it as… repayment.” Repayment? The word cut deeper than any blade. Rendy sat beside her, silent. Too silent. Anna turned to her husband—still clinging to the wild hope that he would refuse, defend her, say anything. But his lips stayed sealed. Lusi began to cry softly. “Anna… please. I don’t want my career ruined. I’m begging you…” And finally, Rendy spoke. “For now… we need to separate. Once everything calms down, I promise… I’ll come back to you.” A sharp, painful crack tore through Anna’s chest. Her breath caught. He had actually said it. “Ren, what are you talking about?” Anna’s voice spiked, raw with hurt. “Our marriage is fine! Why are you agreeing to this?!” “Because our marriage is fine, sweetheart,” Rendy said, reaching for her hand. “That’s why we’ll come back together later.” “No!” Anna’s voice broke. “I will never agree to a divorce!” “Don’t be selfish, Anna!” Efendi snapped, as if she were the one destroying the room. Before Anna could answer, Lusi’s body suddenly collapsed. “LUSI!” Renata screamed, frantically grabbing her daughter. Rendy jumped to his feet, his hand slipping from Anna’s like it had never mattered at all. Anna called out softly, “Ren…” but he didn’t look back. Not even once. “Anna, check on her! Quickly!” Rendy barked as he lifted Lusi toward the bedroom. “Anna! Why are you just standing there?!” he shouted—his voice cutting toward her for the first time. And all of it… for another woman. Another woman. A blade twisted through her chest. “Stop acting like a child, Anna! You’re a doctor!” Efendi snapped so harshly that Anna flinched, her body locking up. With unsteady steps, Anna examined Lusi. The room buzzed with panic—but the sharpest, deepest worry came from Rendy. The way he watched Lusi made Anna want to scream. “How is she?” Rendy asked, breathless, desperate. “She’s… just exhausted,” Anna murmured. A moment later, Lusi’s eyes fluttered open—and she burst into hysterical sobs. “I don’t want to live anymore! I want to die!” she cried. Rendy lunged toward her. His arm struck Anna hard, knocking her off balance. Whether it was intentional or not—the pain was real. “Lusi, calm down… we’ll get married. I promise,” Rendy whispered to her, his voice gentler than any tone he had used with Anna in weeks. Anna stared at him, wide-eyed. “Ren?!” “Don’t be selfish, Anna! Lusi’s unstable!” Rendy barked again. “Rendy’s right, Anna. Please understand her condition,” Efendi added without sparing a glance in her direction. Anna held her breath. Her throat burned. “Why… why is it always me who has to understand her? Why won’t any of you try to understand me?” Lusi screamed again. “You’re right! We’re all selfish! Fine, let me die then!” She grabbed a fruit knife from the bedside table. “Lusi! Stop! Stop!” Rendy pulled her into his arms—so tightly, so protectively—as if she were someone he couldn’t bear to lose. Anna stepped back, slowly, her body numb. The tears she’d been holding finally broke free. She watched her husband… holding another woman. Protecting another woman. Fighting for another woman. “You all should leave,” Rendy said without looking at her, still clinging to Lusi. “I’ll calm her down.” “Anna, come on…” Renata tugged gently on her hand. But Anna didn’t move. She couldn’t. Rendy turned his head just enough to shoot her a sharp look. “Don’t be childish, Anna!”