2024-09-30 19:00:29"Dinda, honey, let's go back to sleep," Sebastian said softly, holding back the emotional turmoil that was still swirling inside him. He looked at his daughter lovingly, realizing that this argument was not something a child should hear. "Mommy and daddy are just talking, there's nothing for you to worry about."
Dinda stood in the doorway, confused. Her eyes moved from Sebastian to Sara, then to the lawyer sitting quietly beside her mother. Her expression did not show fear, but confusion, as if she was trying to understand this complicated situation. Sebastian's heart sank when he saw his daughter's innocent face.
He opened his arms, wanting to hug Dinda, trying to give her the sense of security she needed.
"Come here, honey. Daddy's here."
However, Dinda did not immediately run into his arms. Instead, she looked at her mother, then turned to the lawyer who was sitting calmly, not the least bit disturbed by the tension in the room. Dinda hesitated for a moment, then what happened shocked Sebastian and broke his heart instantly.
Dinda ran, but not towards him. He ran towards the lawyer, hugged him tightly and, in a small but clear voice, called out, “Dad.”
Sebastian froze in place. The words were like a hard slap in the face, jolting his entire consciousness. His eyes were in disbelief, observing the scene that seemed like a nightmare. How could it be? How could Dinda call this stranger ‘Dad’? Then, suddenly everything became clear—this lawyer was not just a professional who was handling their divorce. He was his wife’s lover, the man who had ruined their lives, the man who even dared to sit in front of him, acting as a mediator.
Anger bubbled up inside Sebastian. His fists clenched tightly, his breath quickened. Without thinking, he stepped forward, wanting to punch the man in the face, shattering the fake calm he was showing.
However, before his fist could be raised, the lawyer turned around with a cold smile and said in a calm voice.
“Sebastian, this kind of action won’t help. A man with violent tendencies will never win custody of the child. You know that, right?”
Those words made Sebastian stop. His anger was still boiling, but his brain was starting to work. He knew that once he struck, everything he had fought for would fall apart. One small mistake, and Sara would use it to destroy his hopes of getting Dinda. Still gasping for breath, Sebastian lowered his fists, trying to control himself.
"So, this is what you did?" he said, staring at Sara sharply. "You planted bad ideas in Dinda. You let her call this man 'Daddy'! You are simply not fit to raise our daughter!"
Sara, who had been watching with a sneer, now laughed softly.
"Sebastian, don't overdo it. Dinda is just following what she knows. This man—" Sara glanced at the lawyer with false warmth, "—he is always there for her. He buys her toys, gives her the attention you never could because you are too busy working. I told her to call him 'Daddy' because that is what is best for her. Dinda does not need a father who is only physically there, but never really present."
Sebastian felt as if his heart was being punched repeatedly. He struggled to keep his voice under control, but anger and sadness spilled out at the same time.
"Dinda is my daughter! I worked hard to give you the best life, and this is your reward? You twist the truth in front of our child!"
Sara shrugged nonchalantly, as if untouched by his attack.
"Sebastian, no matter how hard you try, Dinda has already decided. She will never choose you."
Sebastian just stood there, his body stiff. Dinda, his flesh and blood, was hugging another man as if he were her father. And before him, Sara, the woman he once loved, stood with a satisfied smile, knowing that for now, he was in complete control of Dinda and her future.
Sebastian looked at his daughter softly, his eyes filled with hope that he held tightly. In a situation filled with hatred and betrayal, only Dinda gave him a reason to survive. Only Dinda kept him standing strong in the midst of the storm. Even though things had gotten worse with Sara, and his wife’s betrayal had brought his world crashing down, Sebastian was convinced that his love for Dinda would be the last link between him and the happiness they once had.
“Dinda,” he said in a voice filled with affection, slightly shaking with emotion. “You want to live with Dad, right? We can live a happy life together. Dad promises to always be there for you.”
Dinda frowned for a moment, seemingly thinking. Sebastian waited for the answer with bated breath, hoping that the words that came out of his daughter's mouth would heal the wounds in his heart. But then, Dinda said in an innocent tone, "I want to live with Mommy... and Rich Daddy."
Sebastian fell silent. His heart seemed to stop beating, and time seemed to slow down.
"Rich Daddy?" he whispered, as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard.
"Yes, Mommy said Rich Daddy bought me toys and took me out. I like him. I want to live with Mommy and Rich Daddy."
Those words hit Sebastian like a hard slap that shattered all his beliefs. A feeling of deep pain crept into his heart, more painful than all of Sara's betrayals. Dinda, his little daughter who he had always considered the light of his life, was now affected by Sara's lies and manipulation. How could her child choose a stranger who was not even related to him by blood?
"Dinda..." Sebastian called her softly, but his words were drowned in emptiness.
As Sebastian felt the world crumbling around him, the lawyer, with a calm yet disturbing demeanor, leaned forward and stared at him coldly.
“Sebastian, it’s time for you to sign this agreement,” he said, sliding the document toward Sebastian, as if the entire conversation had been an unimportant formality.
Sebastian ignored the lawyer. His mind was still filled with the pain that was constantly pounding at him. How could this be? How could Dinda, his daughter, choose a man who wasn’t even her biological father?
However, the lawyer remained calm. Seeing Sebastian’s lack of reaction, he added,
“You know, even if you don’t sign it, it won’t be a big deal. The judge handling this case… she’s my aunt. We’ve already discussed this. So whether you sign or not, the outcome will be the same. Sara will get custody.”
Sebastian’s eyes, once filled with confusion, now stared intently at the lawyer. There was something in the man’s tone that made him uncomfortable, and a deep sense of distrust began to creep up on him.
The lawyer leaned forward, his voice dropping to a cold whisper, a deadly secret.
“Oh, and one more thing,” he said in a dismissive tone. “Dinda is not your biological daughter, Sebastian. I am her biological father.”
Sebastian fell silent, his body frozen. The world that had collapsed around him was now completely shattered. The man’s words cut deep, tearing apart every illusion that remained. Dinda… his daughter… was not his. She was the result of Sara’s betrayal, a betrayal greater than he had ever imagined.
His hands clenched on the table, as if trying to gain control over the reality that had just been thrown at him. However, the reality was too cruel, too devastating. The lawyer sat with a relaxed attitude, a cold smile on his lips, while Sara remained silent, not trying to deny what had been revealed.
Sebastian could only stare blankly, feeling devastated, both as a husband and as a father.
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I Am Not A Poor Daddy 6
Hearing all this, Sebastian almost fainted. The emotions burning in his heart could not be contained. In an instant, anger took over him. With a swift movement, he knocked the lawyer to the ground and grabbed his neck tightly. “You are indeed a cowardly man, a traitor! Insolent!” He could not understand that the person in front of him was a traitor, a person who had messed up everything he had. However, as the situation was getting out of control and the atmosphere in the room was tense, his wife ran over, quickly breaking a vase on Sebastian’s head. The sound of the broken ceramics made him jump, as if making him realize the bitter reality that he had to face. Sebastian could not believe what was happening. In an instant, he was arrested by the police. His wife, who was now standing next to the lawyer with a straight face, claimed that he had intentionally hurt someone. Even their little daughter, Dinda, who had always been considered his hope and happiness, testified against
I Am Not A Poor Daddy 7
“Yes, but we need to talk quickly. Things are getting worse out there. If there’s anything you need to say, now is the time,” the old man replied, glancing around at the policeman who stood there in fear. The chief of police was watching the situation anxiously, and he certainly knew how scary it was to get on the wrong side of the respected family’s caretaker. He fought to keep his cool, but his face showed how worried he was about what was going to happen next. Sebastian swallowed, trying to gather his words. “There’s a lot going on and I can’t explain it all right now, but I’m innocent. My wife… she set this up. I’m the victim of all this.” The chief of the family’s caretaker nodded, understanding the complex situation Sebastian was in. “I believe what you say. However, it’s important to remember that we need evidence and a strategy to turn this around.” As the argument continued, the policeman asserted himself and tried to press for an explanation. “Sir, we were just doing
I Am Not A Poor Daddy 8
“But what about everything here? My life…” he answered, hesitant. He didn’t want to leave Isabella like this. “The family needs you now more than ever. This could open a new path for everyone, including Isabella and your child in the future.” The old man spoke wisely, triggering considerations in Sebastian’s mind. Finally, Sebastian felt a mixture of emotions—sadness for the loss of his mother, anxiety, but also a sense of responsibility for his father who seemed unlikely to last. Maybe, for him, it was time to try to understand the relationship even though there were many wounds that needed to be healed. “Okay, I’ll come back,” he said, his tone firm but deep down, he knew that this was a big step, full of challenges. Coming back, not only for his father, but also for himself. As the car moved away from the city, hopes and doubts mixed, but in his mind there was a belief that every step he took next would give new colors to his life and perhaps, could restore something that
I Am Not A Poor Daddy 9
“I know this is hard for you,” his father replied, his voice low but firm. “But you are the only one who can do it. And if anyone can lead this family well, it is you.” There was silence, and Sebastian absorbed everything his father had said. He knew that taking on such responsibility would not be easy, but perhaps, this was a chance to make amends, and do something meaningful for his family. He nodded slowly, ready for the challenge ahead. “If that’s what I have to do, I will do it. For this family, for us,” he said, settling himself. At that moment, Sebastian and his father looked at each other, feeling a renewed bond. Though the road was long and winding, they were finally ready to bridge the gap that once existed, showing that in love, there is the power to start over. Sebastian heard his father’s words and felt the tension as his father began to explain the world he had left behind. “Our family is one of the few dynasties that has a huge influence on global industry. You may
I Am Not A Poor Daddy 10
The worry and pain came back to him, because he knew how complicated their relationship was in the past. “Dad, I’m not sure I’m ready to deal with her right now. There’s a lot of pain that’s still bothering me,” he said. “I understand. But sometimes, in order to move forward, we need to face the past and resolve things that are unfinished. This could be an opportunity to find the peace you need. It will give you strength on your journey forward,” his father said, adding that sometimes facing memories can be an important step in healing. Sebastian was silent, torn between his past and the path ahead. He knew that facing Sara, and everything that had happened, would be a challenge. But at the same time, it could be a new beginning, a chance to close an old chapter and open a new one entirely. He considered all of this as he stared out the window, watching the scenery pass by, feeling the weight of the burden on his shoulders but also the hope that, maybe, things could be fixed.
I Am Not A Poor Daddy 11
And behind every step he took toward Sara, there was a new dream being woven—a dream of starting over with his life, though he didn’t realize that behind it all, his father had his own agenda that could possibly shake the world he was building. Upon arriving outside the Blue Net Group building, Sebastian felt his heart pounding. The grand building stood tall before his eyes, towering with a professional and prestigious air. He swallowed, feeling a mixture of excitement and anxiety as he entered a new world. However, as soon as he stepped forward, he was stopped by the security guard standing guard at the entrance. “Excuse me, sir,” the guard said in a formal tone, “but we cannot let you in with such casual attire. Only employees who are properly dressed are allowed to enter this building.” Sebastian looked at the guard in frustration. He was wearing jeans and a plain jacket, perhaps not fitting the formal look expected in this building. “I’m Sebastian,” he replied with a slight
I Am Not A Poor Daddy 12
After saving the woman, Sebastian took a closer look at her face and quickly realized that she was not Sara, but a woman who had been his co-worker. She was known for her beauty and always exuded a charming aura, but their circumstances had never been close. He remembered how, during their time working together, he had often kept his distance because he was married and wanted to avoid unnecessary gossip or rumors, especially because his wife was known to be abusive. “Thank you for coming on time!” the woman said, her voice calm and nervous. She was still sobbing a little, and Sebastian could see the fear in her eyes. “I’m not sure what would have happened if you hadn’t shown up.” Sebastian tried to reassure her. “You’re safe now. But how did you get into this situation?” he asked, trying to catch his breath. The woman shook her head, her face pale. “I was invited to meet some of the employees here, so I came to the office and… he just came up to me. I didn’t know what to do,” she
I Am Not A Poor Daddy 13
The manager stood his ground, refusing to let Sebastian go. “You’re not getting away with this after all you’ve done! If you dare threaten one of our employees, I won’t hesitate to call the police and make your life even harder,” he said, his voice full of challenge. Sebastian felt a surge of anger but tried to remain calm. “I didn’t threaten anyone, and I will explain myself to the management. I have no intention of dealing with people like you, but if necessary, I will not let this situation go.” With that determination, Sebastian refused to back down. He knew that it was important to maintain his integrity, especially after saving Lila. He had no choice but to stand firm in his belief that what he did was right. However, the manager seemed to be getting more and more agitated and called out to the security guards who were hanging around. “Looks like we’ll have to settle this in a more… direct manner. Take action now!” Sebastian stared at the door as the two security guards
Latest Chapter
102
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
101
Dinda looked so cheerful, as if there was nothing to worry about, and Sebastian felt happy to see the child smile again. The smile seemed to light up his dark heart, making him feel closer to Dinda despite the distance between them. Sebastian remembered how meaningful that moment was and how much he wanted to protect Dinda's happiness. He was determined to always be there for her, even if it was just through a message or a call. With that thought, he closed his eyes for a moment, letting the beautiful memories fill his mind before finally falling asleep. Sebastian stared at the photo for a long time, looking at Dinda's bright eyes and her face full of happiness. However, his heart was soon filled with worry. Dinda needed his full attention, and although he felt happy to see his daughter at that moment, he also felt very guilty for leaving her. The guilt gnawed at his mind. He knew Dinda was going through a difficult time, and his presence meant a lot to her. Every second that pass
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Sara sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes staring blankly at the phone screen lying in front of her. News from Sebastian about Dinda still rang in her ears. Why did that man always make her feel like this?Every time she felt calm, there was always something that made her anxious, especially when it came to Dinda. Her worries overflowed, and she felt torn between wanting to protect her daughter and her dissatisfaction with Sebastian, who seemed to always be there in difficult situations.Her mind was spinning, remembering all the difficult moments they had been through. Even though her heart was trying hard to understand the situation, feelings of frustration still gripped her. Taking a deep breath, Sara tried to calm herself down, determined to focus on Dinda and make sure her daughter got the attention she needed.Sebastian kept calling her, asking about Dinda
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Sebastian, even though he still felt awkward inside, continued to walk. This trip was important, but he couldn't shake the feeling of guilt for having to leave Dinda, even for a short time.When he stepped out of the apartment with Lila, he just hoped that everything would go according to plan. The atmosphere around him felt strange, and thoughts of Dinda continued to haunt him.However, he tried to stay focused on the purpose of this trip. With Lila beside him, full of enthusiasm and optimism, Sebastian tried to dispel the doubts that were pressing on his heart. They both stepped into the taxi, ready to face the challenges ahead while also hoping that their relationship and commitment to Dinda would remain strong despite being separated for a while.Arriving at the airport, Sebastian and Lila headed straight to the departure gate after going through security. I
98
That morning, Sebastian was getting ready in his apartment for a planned two-day business trip. A small suitcase was open on his bed, filled with only a few clothes and important documents. He moved leisurely, not wanting to rush. However, a knock on the door made him pause for a moment.When the door opened, Lila was standing there with an enthusiastic smile. Sebastian let out a small sigh, realizing that Lila seemed a little too excited for this trip. He nodded and said, "Yes, that's right. But I still have a few things to finish first. Come in if you want."Lila stepped inside, looking around the simple apartment. Sebastian returned to his bed, where the small suitcase was open, and began to organize the important documents that were still scattered around. Lila sat on the edge of the bed, waiting and occasionally glancing at the clock.Sebastian packed his t
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However, as she said that, her stomach let out a loud growl, creating a brief silence. Sara looked awkward, while Sebastian just smiled faintly."Seems like your body has a different answer."That moment created a slight relief amidst the tension. Though there was still awkwardness, Sebastian's small smile offered a glimmer of hope that they could get through this difficult situation together.Sara rolled her eyes, annoyed at being caught off guard."I don’t have time for that.""Come on," Sebastian coaxed. "There’s a little restaurant not far from the hospital. The food there is good, and you can get back to Dinda’s room quickly."Sebastian tried to assure Sara, hoping that a
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Sebastian remained calm, though it was evident he was starting to tire of Sara’s anger."Sara, I didn’t mean to disregard you. But you weren’t here all day, and I tried calling you multiple times. Dinda really wanted to go outside. I couldn’t bear to say no to her."He spoke with a more serious tone, trying to explain the situation. Even though he knew Sara was under pressure, he hoped to provide a clearer perspective on his decision."That’s not an excuse! Don’t you know the risks? Dinda just had surgery, Sebastian! Fresh air, the possibility of infection—this could be dangerous!"Sara spoke with a trembling voice, half out of anger, half out of concern.She felt that every word she said was crucial, hoping to convey how serious the situat
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Sara tried to calm herself, but anxiety and frustration continued to haunt her. Sara hoped to find someone who could give her more information about Dinda's whereabouts. Her daughter's safety was her main focus, and she wouldn't stop searching for her.In the midst of her panic, Sara suddenly remembered Sebastian. She frowned, feeling hesitant to contact her ex-husband.All this time, she had tried to avoid Sebastian as much as possible, limiting their communication only to important matters regarding Dinda. However, this situation left her with no choice.Taking a deep breath, Sara reached for her phone again and scrolled through her contacts. She knew that despite their complicated relationship, only Sebastian might know where Dinda was at that moment. With a racing heart, she dialed the number, hoping her ex-husband could provide the answers she d
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When they arrived at the park, the fresh air and green scenery welcomed them. The warm afternoon sun made the atmosphere even more pleasant. Dinda took a deep breath, as if enjoying her freedom after days spent in the hospital room.“Dad, look! That yellow flower is so beautiful!” Dinda exclaimed, pointing at a patch of flowers growing near a small fountain.Sebastian pushed the wheelchair closer and sat beside Dinda. “Yes, it’s very beautiful. Just like you,” he said with a warm smile.Dinda beamed, happy with her dad's compliment. She took Sebastian's hand and held it tightly. “Thank you, Dad! I love these flowers,” she replied enthusiastically.They both enjoyed the moment, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the sound of water bubbling from the fountain. The calm and happy
