Merilton sat in the living room of his house with a tense expression. The news of Meisha's escape was still lingering in his mind. He clenched his lips and fists, his mind tangled with all the problems that had piled up.
Suddenly, the door opened, and Lysandra stepped in with a pale face. She looked like she wanted to say something.
"What now?" Merilton asked harshly, his eyes glaring at Lysandra. He looked sharply at his sister-in-law. She was very seductive, and Merilton never missed a chance to have fun with her.
Lysandra took a deep breath before answering. "I... I'm three months pregnant," she said in a trembling voice.
Merilton froze, his eyes widening. "What do you mean?! Who's the father?" he asked sarcastically while gripping Lysandra's wrist tightly.
"This is... your child," Lysandra answered, lowering her head.
Merilton laughed softly, but the laugh was full of mockery. "My child? You want to add to my problems now? Listen here, Lysandra. I don't want to know. You handle your own problems. Besides, I know, I'm not the only one you've been messing with. So don't try to tie me to your pregnancy!"
Lysandra was shocked. Her eyes started to tear up. "But it's too late... I can't get rid of the baby. It's too risky for my life," she said sorrowfully.
"Why should I care? You deal with it! If you dare to embarrass me, I will make sure you never leave this house. You know what I can do!" Merilton raised his voice, causing Lysandra to flinch. "Solve this quietly, before Marlina gets home!"
After throwing those words, Merilton left Lysandra alone in the living room. The door to his bedroom slammed shut. Lysandra stood frozen.
Lysandra sat on the sofa, trying to think of a way out. Her face was pale, her mind in turmoil. She knew Merilton wouldn't help her. She regretted seducing her brother-in-law. She had intended to steal him from Marlina by getting pregnant with his child, but unexpectedly, Merilton had threatened her. Now, Lysandra regretted it, but she still didn't want to lower herself to tell Marlina. She had to find another way to save herself.
Then, her mind drifted back to three months ago. That night, she had been involved in an intimate relationship with Gaja behind the kitchen in Marlina's house. However, she was certain that the baby in her womb was the result of her relationship with Merilton.
"But... he can be forced to take responsibility," she thought.
With determination, Lysandra sneaked out of Merilton's house. She carefully made her way to Tenuksia's house. The moonlight was the only source of light in the darkness of the night.
Arriving at Tenuksia's house, Lysandra made sure no one noticed her presence. She entered through the unlocked back door. Her heart raced. She knew this was risky, but she had no other choice.
She heard the sound of water running from the bathroom. Without hesitation, Lysandra walked toward the sound. She knocked gently on the bathroom door.
"Who is it?" Gaja's voice called from inside.
"It's me, Lysandra. I need to tell you something important," she replied softly as soon as she heard Gaja's voice from inside.
The bathroom door opened slightly, and Gaja's face appeared. He looked surprised to see Lysandra there. He looked at the woman who was always scantily dressed.
"What are you doing here? If Tenuksia finds out..." he whispered, looking anxious.
Lysandra clenched her fists tightly, pretending to gather her courage. "I... I'm pregnant with your child," she said in a feigned sorrowful tone.
Gaja's eyes widened. "What?! Are you joking?"
"I'm not joking. I'm three months pregnant. This is your child, Gaja," Lysandra said, looking directly into Gaja's eyes.
Gaja looked panicked. "You're crazy! If Tenuksia finds out, I'll be dead! You know how he is!"
"But this is your responsibility! You can't ignore me like this!" Lysandra replied, her voice breaking, almost in tears.
Footsteps were heard approaching the room. Gaja immediately pulled Lysandra into the bathroom and closed the door.
"Hurry, hide under the bed in the next room! If Tenuksia sees you, we're finished!" Gaja whispered urgently.
Lysandra nodded and rushed out of the bathroom. She entered the next room and hid under the bed. Not long after, the door to the room opened, and Tenuksia's voice was heard.
"Gaja, why were you in the bathroom for so long?" Tenuksia asked suspiciously.
"I... I just felt unwell," Gaja replied, his voice shaky.
"You're always making excuses. Hurry up! I need you to help me find the thing I lost earlier," Tenuksia ordered before leaving.
Gaja sighed in relief and immediately went to the next room. He peeked under the bed and saw Lysandra still hiding.
"You're crazy, Lysandra! This is all madnesses!" he whispered angrily.
"I have no other choice, Gaja. You need to help me," Lysandra replied.
Gaja sighed deeply. He knew he had gotten himself into a complicated situation. However, he also knew he couldn't abandon Lysandra. Even though the risk was great, he would think of a way out.
A few minutes later, Gaja returned to the room and locked the door. He brought a tray of food and drinks, which he placed on the table. He peeked under the bed, pulled Lysandra's hand out, embraced her, and they both lay down on the bed.
Lysandra smiled in Gaja's embrace, the trap was set... her heart whispered.
At Merilton's house, he sat alone in his room. His mind was overwhelmed with various problems: Meisha's disappearance, Lysandra's pregnancy, and pressure from Orena.
"I need to find a way out. This can't go on," he said to himself.
However, he knew that the way out would not come without effort. And that effort needed to be made to see its effectiveness.
The next day, full of anger, Merilton slammed the door of Lysandra's room and began throwing her belongings into the yard. Every item of clothing, bag, and personal belongings was thrown out mercilessly.
"Do you think I'll fall for your trap? Don't dream, Lysandra! You can go die!" Merilton shouted loudly.
Tenuksia was peeking from behind the curtains of his house, unnoticed by Merilton and Lysandra. Tenuksia watched everything happening with a heart full of questions.
Lysandra stood by the door, tears flowing as she watched the humiliation. Neighbours who happened to pass by the house also stopped, gathering and whispering among themselves.
"Merilton, please don't do this..." Lysandra begged, but Merilton ignored her. He continued throwing her belongings out the window from the third floor while cursing nonstop.
"I've had enough of your drama! Get out of my house now, or I'll drag you out myself!" he yelled before slamming the door hard, leaving Lysandra stunned in pain.
"You filthy woman! You wait until your sister comes home!" Merilton deliberately shouted out the window, so the neighbours would understand the tense situation inside his house.