CHAPTER 1

"What's this?" asked Alicia looking at a brown envelope that the man in front of her just threw

"Agreement letter," he answered calmly. He turned his gaze out the bedroom window, reluctant to see the girl in front of him who would be his wife in a few minutes.

Alicia knew for sure this would happen considering she was only a substitute bride for her sister. not wanting to waste time, Alicia immediately took the several sheets of agreement and immediately carved her signature without bothering to read it. he was so sick of all this.

Daniel's eyes glanced at him, raising an eyebrow in amazement at what the girl in front of him was doing.

*Just agree! She didn't even read the contents of the agreement. How frustrated is she?* Daniel though sadly

"I will continue to study, the rest I will follow the contents of the agreement except for those related to... contact... physical contact," she stammered at the end of the sentence "that's a requirement from me," she added.

"Heh, don't think too much miss" he sneered, then stepped out.

Alicia sighed heavily, trying to contain the turmoil in her heart

"Elis spirit!! You can do it!" self-encouraging monologue. Even in seconds, she was about to let go of her single life, and no one accompanied her to relieve her nervousness.

Unlike other brides accompanied by the mother of the woman or the mother of the man and her relatives or friends. It didn't apply to Alice, considering everyone thought she was a worthless and insignificant old doll.

Oh yes, Filda and Darius, Alice's best friend, did not know that her best friend was getting married today, considering their wedding was closed and only attended by the closest family from both parties.

"At least you can get out of that palace-shaped hell," continued to encourage her monologue.

"But you have to prepare yourself for another door of torture" she sighed heavily after Realizing that she was only transferred to another palace, but there would be hell inside.

Not long after that, a maid came to help guide Alicia towards her husband, Daniel.

Usually, when the bride approaches the groom, the guests will be enthusiastic with happy expressions, but this is not. Everyone looks indifferent and busy with their respective affairs. Even some of Dinata's family stares cynically and doesn't like Alicia.

"Father I'm going to my room first, sleepy," whispered a middle-aged woman who was none other than Daniel's mother, Wina Tan.

"Stay where you are. Where do you want to put your father's face if you just leave while the new program is about to start?" whispered Mr. Prasetyo, furious with his wife's behavior. Alicia was just about to reach Daniel, but his wife was already going to bed.

"Lazy father, it's not important," he answered indifferently

"MOTHER," he snapped, his voice a little high unconsciously. even some of those who were nearby set their eyes on the couple who had just become in-laws

"Father dares to yell at mother for the sake of that damn girl" Wina was angry back

"Watch your words Wina, she's Daniel's wife, our daughter-in-law" Prasetio tried to hold back his emotions

"I don't want to admit it, my daughter-in-law is only Maureen."

"Heh, open your eyes, the daughter-in-law you hope doesn't want your child" Prasetio was made to chuckle, not understanding Wina's way of thinking.

"She loves Daniel, but she's not ready," Wina hissed, glancing at Daniel and Alice, who were sitting side by side about to play their respective rings.

Mr. Prasetio can only shake his head at his wife's attitude

"Ah never mind, there's no point in talking to you" Wina immediately stood up and walked away from the event.

In the evening, Prasetio's family was enjoying a dinner where one member increased, namely Alicia.

After dinner, Mr. Prasetio invites them to relax in the family room, and he will also convey some things.

And here they are now, in the living room with Mr. Prasetio sitting on the single sofa, Mrs. Wina and Daniel next to each other while Alicia is sitting across from them.

Silence

"Father and Mother are going to Japan to take care of the branch company there" Prasetio opened his voice.

"Oh when?" Daniel's response is normal, and he's already used to his father's busy life

"Tomorrow morning," Prasetio replied

"Maybe you will be there for a few months or maybe a year, you will open another branch there later," he continued.

"But if Elis gives birth later, mom and dad will take the time to come home to visit," added Prasetio, looking at Alice, who had been looking down.

Alicia blinked in disbelief at what her ears heard, but she still kept her eyes fixed on the marble floor,

Daniel looked at his father, embarrassed, then glanced at Alicia with a mischievous grin.

While Wina looked cynically at what her husband said, no, she didn't want Alicia to be pregnant with her grandson. It's not worth thinking about.

"What the hell father, don't be in a hurry dear, enjoy your youth. After all, mother is not ready to be a grandmother," stroking her son's arm, trying to show a smile even though her heart was rumbling with disgust.

"You're not ready but I'm ready," said Prasetio

"Oh yes, if you have given a grandson to your father, all the shares that you own will change hands in your name," said Prasetio, staring intently at his son.

"Ready father" Daniel replied firmly without thinking. How can you refuse if he is already the CEO and the largest shareholder in Prasetio corp? It was easy for him to act as he pleased.

"NO" she shouted at once.

Everyone turned to him. Vienna, who was stared at undauntedly, conveyed her refusal.

"I just want a grandson from Maureen not from a bad luck woman like her," he continued, pointing disdainfully at Alicia.

"Watch your words!" Prasetio hissed, staring at his wife

"She whom you worship is not what it seems," Prasetio's eyes were full of disappointment with his wife's attitude.

"She's just not ready dad, I'm sure she will be our daughter-in-law soon, let her enjoy a little freedom before being bound by our family," still chuckling with her will.

"It's up to you ma'am, if that day comes, get ready for the destruction that your son gets," growled Prasetio.

"What do you mean dad? There she is the bringer of destruction in our family," pointing at Alicia.

"Niel, the decision is yours, if you want to play around, dad will take care of it. But remember one thing, regret always comes later," he remembers his son. He doesn't care about his wife's rejection.

Daniel just silently looked down at the floor. I don't know what he was thinking, but he didn't want to say anything to his father and mother at this time. He is also lazy to attend to the debates of his parents, who have brought him into this world 28 years ago. After all, he is the one who lives himself, so he knows best what will happen in the future.

As for Alicia, she was again faced with a blatant rejection of her. Was she crying? No. is she angry? No, is she sad? Maybe, but it seems that her face is flat. She is used to rejection, which is nothing compared to his biological father, who is willing to sell it to his business partner. Remembering it faintly, she smiled sadly, remembering her life meant nothing to anyone.

Alicia is sitting still without moving with her face that is stupid at the current situation, and Daniel occasionally glances at her. Daniel raises one eyebrow looking at Alicia without any reaction. Usually, a woman will run and cry if she gets rejected, but the woman in front of her is really beyond her expectations

*Doesn't she have that much self-respect?* he thought, looking at Alicia

Back to silence

Silence, until

"She's just a child born to a seductive woman," Wina hissed, staring at Alicia. Her goal was to warn Alicia's status in the Dinata family.