Bonus Chapter – Adelina’s POV: “The Woman He Didn’t Choose”

Leo used to call me efficient.

It wasn't romantic. But with Leo Darmawan, nothing ever was — not in the beginning.

We weren't a love story.We were an empire waiting to be built.

Two heirs. Two legacies. One flawless alliance.

The first time we kissed, it was in a hotel elevator in Singapore.His assistant had just finalized our engagement announcement.

He leaned in and said, "We should make this convincing."

And I let him. Because convincing was enough.

We never talked about love.

We talked about stock splits, charity optics, the color palette of our future penthouse.

He let me sleep over.He let me choose art for the beach villa.He let me sit beside him at board dinners like I already wore the ring.

But he never let me into the quiet spaces.

The ones that mattered.

Then suddenly… she was there.

Ayla.

Plain. Polite. Perfectly forgettable.At least, that's what I told myself.

But Leo looked at her like she had gravity.Like she anchored him.

Not with beauty. Not with brilliance.

Just with her presence.

The worst part? He didn't break up with me.

He just… stopped continuing us.

Stopped returning my after-hours calls.Stopped asking for my feedback.Stopped treating me like we were inevitable.

And when I finally asked—

"Have you found someone else?"

He said nothing.

Which meant everything.

I tried to move on. Tried to spin it.

"She wasn't his type.""She must be temporary.""She'll leave when she realizes he doesn't do love."

But then the headlines started.

LEO DARMAWAN'S SECRET MARRIAGECEO TIES THE KNOT WITH UNNAMED WOMANIS THERE A DARMAWAN BABY ON THE WAY?

The photos weren't posed.They weren't PR-controlled.

They were real.

And he was smiling.

I told myself I came back to protect my reputation.

To salvage my standing with the board.To protect the company we were supposed to build together.

But the truth?

I came back because I need to understand the woman Leo let see him.

I thought I could intimidate her.

Ayla didn't flinch.

She didn't beg or bargain.She simply stood there, belly rounded, eyes steady, and said the quiet part out loud:

"Maybe I was the better alliance."

And for a second, I hated her.

Not because she took him.

But because she made me question if I ever really had him.

I still don't think she'll last.

She's soft.Fragile.History.

But…

I saw the way Leo looked at her at that gala.

And for the first time, I wasn't sure she was the weak one.

End of Bonus Chapter.