filzebub

Ayla Rahmani never believed in fairy tales—especially not the kind where a broke nurse like her ends up in the bed of Indonesia’s most untouchable billionaire after a single night of escape from reality.

But one drunken mistake at a high-society masquerade ball leaves her with two surprises: a positive pregnancy test... and a cold, unwanted proposal from Leonard Darmawan—the very CEO she can’t stand.

To Leo, marriage is just another business contract. To Ayla, it's a lifeline for her unborn child. Neither expects the sterile, awkward marriage to become something warmer, deeper—something real.

But behind closed doors, love begins to grow in the quietest ways: in late-night meals, shared silences, and a husband's gentle hand on a swelling belly. Until the past catches up—with secrets that threaten everything they’ve built.

Will their fragile bond survive the truth? Or will love after marriage prove too delicate to endure?

In the Shadow of His Name

The storm came with flashing lights.

They lined the sidewalk like wolves in black suits, cameras clicking and flashes popping like fireworks. Microphones pointed. Voices shouting.

"Mr. Darmawan! Is it true you got married in secret?"

"Who is she? Is this a shotgun wedding?"

Ayla stood frozen on the steps of the gala venue, the heels Leo's assistant had sent pinching her toes, the silk dress clinging too tightly around her waist.

But Leo reached for her hand — and didn't let go.

It started with a last-minute decision.

The company's foundation gala — an annual red carpet charity event. Leo usually attended alone or with whatever woman investors expected to see on his arm.

"This is the safest way," he told Ayla the night before. "We walk in together. We show them what's true. And I protect you with visibility."

Ayla had stared at him in disbelief. "You want to debut our marriage on a red carpet?"

He had met her eyes and simply said:"I want them to know you're not a secret."

Now, standing under the glare of reporters and judgment, Ayla felt her knees wobble.

He held her hand like it was the anchor keeping him upright.

And when they stepped onto the black carpet, he turned to the cameras and said in a calm, low voice that cut through the chaos:

"This is my wife, Ayla."

"And yes — we're expecting our first child."

The crowd went still for a beat. As if no one had expected him to confirm it with such clarity. Such pride.

No PR statement. No denial. No spin.

He turned his head toward her and added, not loudly, but loud enough for the nearest mics to catch:

"She is the best decision I've made."

But from the way her heart slammed against her ribs.

Flashbulbs. Speeches. Empty congratulations from investors whose smiles didn't reach their eyes. Ayla stood by Leo's side like a calm statue, head high, even as whispers circled around her like perfume.

But now, they were talking on her terms.

After the gala, back in the car, Ayla sat with her hands folded tightly on her lap.

"Did you mean it?" she asked softly.

She looked away. "That's a dangerous thing to say. People might think you're in love with me."

"I'm not afraid of that."

She turned, shocked. "You're not?"

Leo's voice dropped to something raw. Gentle.

"I'm afraid of hurting you. I'm afraid of becoming like my father. But loving you? No. That… that doesn't scare me."

Leo reached over, took her hand, and pressed it to his chest — where his heartbeat thudded steadily beneath his shirt.

"No. But I'm walking toward it."

Leo went straight to his office for a call with the board.

Ayla changed out of the dress, wiped off her makeup, and curled up in bed, exhausted but strangely light.

[Nina 🟣]Girl, I'm back from Bali. Call me. Something happened. It's about your ex.

She stared at the screen for a moment.

To be continued...

Chapter Seven: In the Eyes of the World