historical

"Don't ever say that you will leave me and give your place to another woman," Aiden looked at Anya limping in his arms. His eyes were a little sad when he heard that Anya intended to leave him. Unfortunately, Anya was lowering her head and couldn't see it.

"You said we've met before. But you are not really talking about me. You only saw Keara from my face. The person who saved you is Keara. However, Ivan stands in your way so you cannot be with her. Your love is very complicated. I don't want to be a stumbling block between you when the woman you love returns." Anya whispered, her voice was filled with sorrow. Her heart ached as she poured out all the tightness in her chest.

"You just want to leave me. You want to go away and get away from me." Aiden's voice sounded cold.

Anya immediately lifted her head and looked deeply into Aiden's eyes, "No! Never once did I think like that. I did this for you." She said.

"But why? Why would you want to leave me? Don't you like me?" Asked Aiden.

"I like you." Anya replied with frustration. She didn't know how to explain that she was doing all this for Aiden's sake, not for herself. She was so confused that she accidentally revealed her true feelings in front of Aiden.

"What do you say?" Aiden asked while looking at Anya in surprise.

Anya covered her mouth with her hand, but it was too late. Aiden had heard her confession. The man held Anya's wrist, kept her hand away from her lips. He wanted to hear what Anya said again. He wanted to make sure he didn't hear wrong.

Did Anya really say she liked him?

Meanwhile, Anya could only take a deep breath. There was no way she could escape. She could only admit it.

"Aiden, I like you and I want to live with you. Even though I am only a substitute for Keara, you are still nice to me. During this time, I know very well that all your tenderness, your attention and your love is not for me. But I was too greedy. I am very happy when you pay attention to me, spoil me, and I feel that happiness is fake." Anya took a deep breath. Tears started rolling down her cheeks.

"I had convinced myself. It's fine even if I'm just a substitute, as long as I can live with you, I'm happy. I'm quite satisfied with all of this. But now Keara is back and you don't need me anymore. What else can I do but leave?" Anya spoke the last sentence softly. The pain she felt in her chest seemed to radiate, allowing Aiden to finally understand Anya's feelings.

Aiden listened to all of Anya's words patiently. Then, his hand pinched Anya's nose a little hard, making it turn red, "Little bunny, who said you were a substitute?"

"You married me because I looked like Keara. I already know everything. What are you hiding it for!" Anya shouted to Aiden. Now it was Anya who was annoyed at Aiden. The accumulated frustration, irritation and heartache in her chest made her forget her fear of Aiden and raised her voice. She was like a little cat who got angry and wanted to scratch its master.

Aiden just laughed when he looked at her. This was the first time he heard what Anya was thinking and feeling. The little rabbit could be ferocious.

Anya's breath faltered after throwing all her guts. Tears continued to stream down her face without being able to stop it, "Even if you trust me just because of this face, even though the person in your heart isn't me, I'm still grateful that you have been watching me all this time." Anya said.

Aiden kissed Anya's cheek, kissing the tears that trickled down one by one from the corner of Anya's eyes. A smile appeared on his lips when he looked at his wife's face, "You are Anya, the wife of Aiden Atmajaya. You are not a substitute for anyone."

Anya lifted her head, her eyes still wet, "You said I wasn't a substitute. But we have never met before." Anya said with a serious look.

Aiden only raised his eyebrows when he heard Anya's words.

"Have we met before?" Anya asked.

"Hmm.." Aiden nodded his head.

"You said I saved you once. Actually, do you mean me or Keara?" Anya asked once again.

"You, Anya." Aiden replied. His gaze never left Anya's face.

"I?" Anya's hand rose, pointing at her nose in disbelief.

Did she ever save Aiden?

Why couldn't she remember such an important thing?

She saved a very handsome man. How could she not remember it?

Aiden held Anya's face gently when he saw Anya in deep thought, "Anya, we have a lifetime to be together. I'll wait for you until you remember by yourself. There's no need to push yourself and try to remember it. You are you. So remember, you are not a substitute for anyone. Understand?"

Anya bit her lower lip gently and asked, "I was injured and in a coma for a while. Did we know each other at that time?"

"Do you know how you got hurt?" Aiden asked softly.

"I.. At that time I was riding a bicycle after selling my flowers. I was near an abandoned warehouse and in that warehouse suddenly.." Anya suddenly realized it, "The warehouse exploded. You're in that warehouse right?"

Aiden nodded, "Did Hana tell you?"

"Don't blame Mrs. Hana. I forced her to tell me." Anya racked her brains and imagined what happened that day. She and Aiden were in the same place when the accident happened, "Did I save you that day?" She asked.

Aiden did not answer her, but his finger flicked her forehead gently, "That is the past. Forget it. God wants us to meet again to make up for everything."

"Making up for everything? But you said when Keara came back, I had to go back to where I was." Anya said in a low voice. She heard it all clearly.

Aiden sighed, "I said, Keara has to go back to where she was. It has nothing to do with me whether she is alive or dead."

"Huh?" Anya looked confused. Did this mean she misunderstood him? Did Aiden say that it was Keara who should return to where she was, not Anya?

"Hmm.." Aiden nodded his head, "Earlier you said you like me, right?"

Anya choked on her own saliva when she heard this sudden change of conversation. She coughed hard, trying to cover her embarrassment.

Aiden chuckled as he patted Anya's back gently, "I can't see, but I can hear clearly. So, how much do you like me?" He whispered.

Anya's face turned red when she heard the question, but this time she answered it honestly, "More than before you went abroad."

A smile crossed Aiden's face when he heard that answer. He hugged Anya's body and said, "Hmm... It's great if you like your husband. You have to be more confident and you can like me even more."

Anya buried her face in Aiden's chest in shame and said in a low voice, "How about you? Do you like me too?"

"Hmm.. But you only like me a little. Even though I wanted more. Plus, you always get into trouble." Aiden didn't answer Anya's question and kept teasing her.

"I..." Anya didn't know what to say. She'd always been a bother for Aiden. In fact, the man had to meet her immediately upon his arrival in Indonesia.

But she didn't notice that Aiden was looking gently at her. No matter how much trouble Anya caused, Aiden would always help and protect her. He put his lips on Anya's forehead and whispered, "I like you too, if you like me."

That was all Aiden could say. It was not the time for him to express his feelings to Anya.

Anya raised her head and looked at him with a smile, "Is it true?"