2024-12-07 19:07:00The judge, who had listened to all the arguments thoughtfully, took a moment before speaking.
“I will consider all the evidence presented, both from the plaintiff and the defendant,” he said in a firm, careful tone. “But the child’s interests are the top priority. Therefore, this decision will focus on Dinda’s comfort, safety, and happiness.”
The courtroom was silent, everyone holding their breath waiting for the decision to be made. Sebastian sat with a broken heart, but deep in his heart he knew that, whatever the outcome, his love for Dinda would never fade. That day, in the midst of the emotional trial, Sebastian realized that being a father was not just about blood ties but about the unconditional love he had for the daughter, he might not be able to hug every day anymore.
Sebastian stared ahead, trying to calm his turbul
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I Am Not A Poor Daddy 43
"I will not give up," Sebastian muttered to himself, trying to gather back the strength that was starting to fade. He knew that even though the judge's decision had been made, his struggle as a father was not over. Dinda still needed a father figure in her life, and he was determined to stay there, even if in a different capacity.His lawyer, who was still standing beside him, looked at him with understanding. "Sebastian, we can appeal. There are many ways to fight for your rights as a father. This is not the end of everything," he said in a reassuring tone.Sebastian nodded slowly, even though his heart still felt heavy. He knew that this process would be long and tiring, but he would not back down. Dinda was everything to him, and he would do anything to make sure that his daughter knew how much he loved her. As they stepped out of the court
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The rain grew heavier, wetting Sebastian’s face until he had difficulty distinguishing between the rainwater and the tears that were starting to wet his cheeks. His gaze shifted from Rendy to Sara, then back again, hoping to see even a little sympathy between them. However, both of them looked cold and unaffected.“Sara, please…” he said again, his voice breaking with deep sadness. “I know I’m not her biological father. I know you think I’m not good enough, but Dinda is everything to me. I’ve taken care of her since she was little, I’ve given her all the love I have…”“And I also gave her love, Sebastian. Love that gives her peace, not anxiety,” Sara replied loudly, trying to hold back her thinning patience. “Dinda feels safer with me. And you should start to appreciate
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Dinda looked at Sara with a clear disappointed expression. “But why can’t Daddy come in? Why can’t you just meet me for a moment, Mom?”Sara sighed, a little confused about how to explain this complicated situation to her young child. “Honey, this is indeed difficult to explain. Daddy and Mommy have an agreement for certain times so that everything goes well for you.”Rendy looked at Sara as if he wanted to add something. He knelt down next to Sara and spoke softly, “Dinda, Mommy, and Daddy Sebastian have agreed to meet at a predetermined time. Daddy Sebastian loves you, and he will come at the predetermined time. You will meet Daddy soon, on Sunday, as scheduled.”However, Dinda did not look satisfied with that answer. Her face looked even sadder, and her tiny lips trembled, trying to hold back tears. “But&h
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Sara let out a long sigh, looking at Rendy with eyes full of disappointment that she had long suppressed. “Rendy, I should feel relieved now. I should feel victorious. But, look… Dinda is still looking for Sebastian, even though we’ve done everything to make her feel comfortable here. It feels like… all this effort is in vain.”Rendy nodded, trying to understand Sara’s feelings. He knew this wasn’t just about winning legal custody; it was about winning Dinda’s heart, something much more complicated.“Sara, I can see how much effort you put in. You’ve given your best, more than most single parents out there can do,” Rendy said while touching Sara’s shoulder, giving her a little encouragement. “But we also have to accept that the bond between Dinda and Sebastian has indeed formed so strongly. It’s not easy to erase thos
I Am Not A Poor Daddy 47
"Yes, custody has officially fallen to Sara," Rendy continued with a thin grin, his expression changing to a satisfied smile. "The hardest part is over. Now all that remains is to make sure she continues to comply with everything that has been agreed upon."Rendy listened for a moment, then added, "Sebastian will not be a problem. He just needs to be left aside, with no chance to interfere again."Rendy's smile grew wider, his face now filled with suspicious confidence. "Just a few more steps and everything will go perfectly. Sara just needs to be kept from ruining this plan.”At the end of the conversation, he nodded slowly and said, “We will meet as usual, next week. Don’t worry, everything is under my control.”Rendy hung
I Am Not A Poor Daddy 48
The next morning, even though his heart and mind were still in chaos, Sebastian still had to attend the proposal submission meeting. He walked into the company meeting room with heavy steps but tried to hide all his pain behind a strong face. The office was the only place he felt he still had control, a space that would not judge or abandon him like what had just happened in court.The meeting room was already filling up when Sebastian arrived. There were several employees sitting there with thick documents in their hands, ready to present new proposals. Not far from them, Lila was busy reviewing several files, focused as usual. Their gazes met, and Lila gave a thin, sincere but understanding smile.Sebastian returned it with a small nod, although his smile was not entirely sincere. Lila knew exactly what was going on in his life, and her presence gave him a little comfort in the midst of t
I Am Not A Poor Daddy 49
Sebastian took a deep breath, trying to steel himself. Lila’s words gave him a little hope, even though the bitterness had not completely disappeared. “Thank you, Lila. I just… I just need time to accept all of this.”Lila smiled faintly. “I’ll always be here, Sebastian. Whenever you need help or just want to talk, you know I’m ready to listen.”Sebastian smiled back softly. Even though his life felt like a mess, Lila’s presence gave him a little light in the darkness he was facing. And for now, that was more than enough.***Two weeks had passed, but for Sebastian, time felt like it was moving slowly, every second filled with immeasurable longing for his little daughter, Dinda. This was the day he had been waiting for with all the mixed feelings, the first day he cou
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Sebastian nodded. “Yes, Sara. I will be on time,” he said with a faint smile, calming Dinda who was holding his hand tightly. Today, he was determined to make Dinda happy, no matter how short their time together was.He took Dinda by the hand towards the car, then closed the door slowly. With a hopeful gaze, Sebastian looked at his little daughter sitting beside him, ready to bring simple but meaningful happiness. Today was the day he had been waiting for with all his heart, and he knew how precious every second he had with Dinda was.Sebastian drove his car with a heart full of hope, his eyes occasionally glancing at Dinda who was sitting beside him with an enthusiastic face. In his mind, he had imagined this day over and over again. A full day that he would fill with happiness and beautiful memories with his daughter."Daddy, where are
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Rendy felt his body weaken, as if struck by a heavy stone. His legs could barely support him, yet he held onto Vina, who continued to cry. “No... it can’t be...” he murmured, almost as if speaking to himself.Panic and fear enveloped him, making him feel trapped in darkness. Each heartbeat felt heavy, and Vina's sobs reminded him of how fragile life can be. Rendy tried to comfort the little girl, even though he himself didn’t know how to cope with the overwhelming fear.As he stared at the closed ICU door, thoughts of all the worst possibilities haunted his mind. Rendy felt guilty, realizing that all of this was the result of his own choices. He wanted to protect Rachel, but now he found himself in a situation that endangered everyone he loved.The tension in the air became palpable, and Rendy prayed that it wouldn’t end in disaster
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Rendy looked shocked, but there was deep unease on his face. He knew the situation was worsening. Every word spoken by Sebastian only strengthened his resolve to protect Dinda, and Rendy felt cornered.Sebastian stood firm, trying to contain his emotions. He did not want to be trapped in this game, but the deep pain and anger pushed him to take action. In his mind, there was only one goal: to save Dinda from potential harm.They both fell silent, caught in a moment full of tension. Sebastian knew that the next step would determine not only their fates but also Dinda's future, which should not be affected by the selfish decisions of adults.However, before Sebastian could continue, Rendy knelt before him. His usually confident face was now weak and desperate. Tears began to flow down his cheeks. "Sebastian, please... don’t
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Filled with anger, Sebastian chose to confront Rendy. When he arrived in front of the ICU and saw Rendy there, without a second thought, Sebastian threw a punch. He growled with rage, his eyes red as he glared at Rendy, who staggered slightly from the blow.Without thinking, Sebastian grabbed Rendy by the collar, pulling him closer until their faces were just inches apart. "What are you doing with Sara and Dinda?" he hissed, his voice trembling with emotion.Rendy, still shocked, tried to defuse the situation. "Sebastian, wait! This isn't what you think!" he said, trying to keep his distance.Sebastian didn't want to hear any defense. His anger clouded his judgment. He wanted to know the truth, but right now, everything was blurred by his burning rage. He knew he had to listen to what Rendy had to say, but all he felt was the need to protect his loved ones.
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Sebastian tried to imagine how Rendy and Vina were feeling right now. They must be experiencing a mix of profound hope and fear. He felt compelled to be by their side, providing the support they needed amidst this chaos.His mind was increasingly filled with questions. He recalled how strange Rendy's behavior had been all this time. Rendy suddenly appearing in Sara and Dinda's lives, always looking for ways to get close to them. And now, knowing that Rachel had just undergone a liver transplant, Sebastian couldn't ignore his suspicions.Could it be...? No, that was too cruel. Yet, as he contemplated the situation, the question kept haunting him. Did Rendy really approach Sara because of Dinda? Because he knew Dinda could be a liver donor?Sebastian felt a deep discomfort. He tried to dismiss the thought, but the mo
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Sebastian walked down the hospital corridor with hesitant steps, his mind filled with questions. He tried to locate Rendy, Vina, and Rachel, but he had no idea where they were. The hospital corridor felt silent, with only the sound of his footsteps echoing, intensifying his anxiety.Each door he passed seemed to hold untold secrets. He felt the tension in the air, shadows of uncertainty accompanying him. Memories of their emotionally charged meeting replayed in his mind, making his heart tremble.Sebastian thought about Rachel, the helpless little girl, and how easily the situation could turn into conflict. He wanted to protect them, yet at the same time, he felt trapped in confusion.He glanced at the clock on the wall; time seemed to crawl. In his heart, he prayed for their safety and tried to calm himself. He knew he had to find them and get the necessary exp
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Rachel finally cried softly against Rendy’s chest. “Why is that uncle being mean to Daddy?” she asked, her voice trembling.Rendy comforted Rachel by stroking her back. “Uncle Sebastian isn’t mean, sweetheart. He’s just angry because of a misunderstanding. It’s okay now, alright?”Sebastian felt his whole body freeze. He didn’t know what to say. His anger and the burning suspicion that had previously consumed him now evaporated, replaced by a hard-hitting realization. This little girl, Rachel, should not be a victim of whatever was happening between him and Rendy.“I... I don’t know,” Sebastian murmured softly, his voice barely audible. “I didn’t know she—” His words hung in the air.“Rendy!” a woman’s voice called, making Sebastia
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Sebastian stood in the narrow restaurant hallway, breathless, his hand still clenched after hitting Rendy. In front of him, Rendy staggered, trying to withstand the pain, but his eyes still radiated tension, not fear.Before Sebastian could throw another punch, a small voice piped up, “Papa!”The voice made him pause momentarily. Rendy, looking startled, quickly turned around, his expression shifting from tension to worry. Sebastian realized that the voice belonged to Rachel, the little girl he had seen with Rendy and that woman earlier.Guilt began to wash over Sebastian. He saw Rachel standing at the end of the hallway, her large eyes filled with confusion, as if she didn’t understand why there was tension between the adults around her.In that moment, Sebastian felt as though a bell had rung, awakenin
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Sebastian tried to push away his wandering thoughts, but the curiosity kept gnawing at him. With each passing second, the feeling that there was something deeper than just a professional relationship between them grew stronger.He attempted to refocus on the meeting and the clients in front of him, but the image of Rendy being close to the woman and child continued to disrupt him, making him feel increasingly alienated from his surroundings.After the meeting with the clients concluded, Sebastian excused himself to go to the restroom. However, instead of heading to the toilet, he took a detour that brought him closer to Rendy's table. From a distance, he heard their laughter, warm and full of joy.The woman called out to Rendy in a very familiar tone, "Rendy, look at Rachel, she’s so cute eating
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Sebastian was having a serious discussion with a client at a restaurant, talking about the business strategy that needed to be executed immediately to win the hearts of investors. The atmosphere at the table was quite formal, though small laughs occasionally lightened the conversation. Lila, sitting next to Sebastian, appeared confident as she explained the technical details of their proposal. She spoke with enthusiasm, outlining figures and projections that were persuasive. However, despite her efforts to stay focused, Sebastian couldn’t fully shake off his thoughts drifting to Dinda. His image of Dinda, her smile, and the way she spoke kept interfering with his concentration. Every time Lila posed a question or asked for feedback, Sebastian was jolted back to reality, trying to push aside the longing that weighed on his heart. He struggled to provide the right answers, but his mind always returned to Dinda. Sebastian knew he had to be professional, but his feelings made it hard t
