Chapter 348 - Race Against Time

Fernando lowered his face when he finished telling the beginning of the fight with Viona one year ago, until finally there was the bloody incident on Frank's wedding night, where it was concluded that Viona was poisoned by someone with an abortion drug, whose culprit was unknown until now. 

Mrs. Deborah took a deep breath when Fernando finished telling everything. She was even seen massaging her head slowly when Fernando began to tell the gist of the main problem between himself and Viona. 

"You are both stubborn. Both of you don't want to budge and don't want to share your problems," said Mrs. Deborah quietly. 

"I - I was very worried about the baby that Viona was carrying, the baby was my hope. But in the end, I just lost him forever because of my selfishness, and I also have to lose Viona," Fernando said softly as he grabbed his hair.

"Do you love Anji, son?" Mrs. Deborah asked. 

"Very much ... For the past ten months, I was almost crazy because I lost her, Madam. Last night when I found out about this village from one of my people who yesterday met Adam, I felt like I was very interested in this village. I don't know why, Madam, I feel like someone had asked me to come to this place," said Fernando with teary eyes, staring at Mrs. Deborah.

"It is fate that brings you back together, son, and when fate has brought you together again, I hope I can still see it," said Mrs. Deborah with a meaningful smile. 

Thump!

Fernando was silent to hear the words of Mrs. Deborah. He felt that there was something strange about the words of the foster mother who was in front of him. 

"Back when my sister was alive, I mean Mrs. Maria, who really loved Anji, was still alive, she always said that she really wanted to see Anji marry a man who would love her with all his heart. But apparently fate did not allow her, my sister died when Anji was at a young age. And now when my time is not going to be long, I hope to replace my sister's position to see Anji lives happily with a man who loves her," said Mrs. Deborah quietly as she squeezed Fernando's hand.

"Madam, don't talk like that, you will definitely live a long life," said Fernando. He quickly realized the direction that Mrs. Deborah was talking. 

"Sometimes when a person feels that his time will soon come, everything he says is true, my son. My fiancé who died on our wedding day said the same thing almost every day when we were preparing for the wedding, until finally he really left me on the wedding day. Since then I decided not to want to marry again and hope to be his bride again up there," said Mrs. Deborah quietly as she looked up at the sky with a smile. 

Fernando was silent to hear Mrs. Deborah. Apparently, the beautiful woman in front of him had a love story that was much more bitter than his today. 

"Promise me one thing, Fernando. You have to take care of Anji for me and for my sister. Because believe me, it is my sister's last wish that I can't fulfill right now, because my time is running out. I know you both love each other, even though currently the conditions are very much different. But believe that with the power of love everything will return as it was again. And to get her trust again, you need more effort than when you first got her love," said Mrs. Deborah, slowly encouraging Fernando.

"Viona still loves me ..." 

"In her eyes, it is very obvious that she still has great love for you, even though right now that love is covered by a very big disappointment. But believe me, slowly the disappointment will be lifted, if you manage to win her heart again. Reassure her again," said Mrs. Deborah, cutting off Fernando's words. 

"I will reassure her, Mom, I will make Viona trust me again, Mom," said Fernando enthusiastically, without realizing that he had changed his address to Mrs. Deborah to Mom from previously calling her as Madam. 

"I believe you can do it, son, but there is one big question in my head right now. Can you answer it honestly, Fernando?" Mrs. Deborah asked suddenly. 

"What is it, Mom?" said Fernando quietly. 

"The divorce papers. You gave divorce papers to Anji when she had a miscarriage ten months ago. Are you really officially divorced?" asked Mrs. Deborah again. 

"No, Mom. Viona is still officially my wife. I didn't register the divorce papers, it was just a bluff that I did because my mind was messed up at the time. I couldn't divorce her, Mom. I really, really love Viona, and I can't live without her. I regret my biggest stupidity, Mom," said Fernando, as he stuttered hoarsely. 

Mrs. Deborah smiled at Fernando's expression when he discussed the divorce papers, her guess was all correct. Slowly, Mrs. Deborah approached Fernando and hugged him tightly as if she was giving a hug to her own child. 

"I will help you get her again, but you have to be sincere and promise me, you will not hurt my daughter again. Anji is not only valuable to me, she is also very valuable for my sister, Maria," whispered Mrs. Deborah quietly.

"I promise, Mom, I won't hurt her again. I promise to myself, losing her for ten years has made me almost crazy," said Fernando quickly. 

Mrs. Deborah then let go of her hug to Fernando and helped wipe the tears that came out of Fernando's beautiful eyes using her old hands. She then invited Fernando to enter the house because she didn't want to make Viona and the others suspicious of the plan she had arranged with Fernando to help Fernando get Viona's love back. Fernando guided Mrs. Deborah slowly into the house. His smile was blooming when he walked into the living room where Viona and the others were. He was very grateful that Viona's foster mother supported him to reunite with Viona again. 

"Where are you from with this master, Mom?" Viona asked with an elevated tone when she saw Mrs. Deborah walked in with Fernando from the kitchen. 

"Earlier, I accompanied Mr. Fernando to the backyard. He wanted to see the lake behind our house. Because you and Adam were so absorbed in talking, I accompanied Mr. Fernando to the back, child," Mrs. Deborah was lying. 

"Ah, Mom. Why did you do that? You shouldn't have to linger in the backyard, the wind is so cold, I don't want anything bad to happen to you," Viona said quickly as she approached Mrs. Deborah. 

"I know, child, but if it weren't me who accompanied Mr. Fernando, would you accompany him instead?" Mrs. Deborah asked her softly. 

Thump!

Thump! 

Viona's heart seemed to be gripped very firmly at a question like that from her mother. She could not even open her mouth because she was too shocked. 

"I guessed that you still love your husband, child, forgive me if I have to lie. I must help you to return to your husband, my time is not long, my child," said Mrs. Deborah to herself.

"Well, let's sit down again. Dinner will be ready soon. Mr. Fernando, you will have dinner here, right?" asked Mrs. Deborah softly. 

"No ..." 

"Yes, Mom ..." Fernando and Viona answered in unison with contradictory answers, 

Justin and Harry who sat on the sofa seemed to hold back their laughter as they watched the behavior of their master and their mistress. 

"Why are you answering for him, Anji. Didn't I ask Mr. Fernando?" asked Mrs. Deborah again. 

"Err, I was ..."

To be Continued