That morning seemed just like any other in the village. Birds chirped, children ran happily toward the learning center. Saraswati smiled as she watched them from a distance, preparing the drawing books they would use that day. Deep within, she felt peaceful—a peace earned through a long and painful journey.
But there was something she didn't know.
Someone was watching from afar. Hidden behind overgrown bushes near the old field, Rivalo stood still, his eyes following every move Amara made as she helped the younger children carry art supplies.
Saraswati had no idea that danger was lurking near the girl she had come to love as her own daughter.
Elsewhere in the city, Merry stood in front of a mirror, finishing the final touch of her light makeup. She wore a simple beige dress—modest, but enough to attract attention. On the small table beside her, her phone lit up with a name: "Boase."
She tapped the green button.
"Hello, Boase?" Her voice was soft, almost trembling. "I'm sorry... I didn't know who else to call."
On the other end, Boase hesitated for a moment before answering. "Merry? What's going on?"
"I... I got some information. Sar is in danger," Merry whispered, as if afraid someone might overhear. "Someone's been watching her. They said... she'll get hurt if I tell anyone."
Boase tensed immediately. "What do you mean? Who are they?"
"I don't know! I just... I don't want anything to happen to Saras. Please, meet me. We need to talk in person. City park. Three o'clock."
Boase paused, glancing toward his house. Saras was laughing with the children. But there was enough fear in Merry's voice to make him hesitate.
"I'll come," he finally said.
Back in the field near the learning center, Saraswati was reviewing the children's drawings. Amara smiled proudly watching the little ones draw with such enthusiasm.
Then a voice called from the distance.
"Saraswati!"
She turned. A man wearing a cap and grey jacket was walking briskly toward her. His face was blurry from afar, but his voice sounded strangely familiar.
"I'm... I'm Rivalo. Arman's old friend," he said hurriedly. "I'm sorry for coming out of nowhere. But this is important."
Saraswati was surprised, but tried to stay calm. "What is it?"
Rivalo took a deep breath. "Amara... I heard she's being targeted. Someone's after her. They want to hurt you through her."
Saraswati's blood ran cold. "What are you talking about?"
"I can't explain here. This place isn't safe. If you trust me... come with me. Just for a moment. We'll talk somewhere more private. I don't want anything to happen to Amara."
Saraswati hesitated. She looked at Amara from afar, who was still laughing with her friends. Her maternal instincts screamed, but fear clouded her judgment.
"Come on," Rivalo urged. "It'll only take a minute."
Saraswati nodded slowly, though unease crept into her chest. She followed Rivalo down a narrow path leading toward the edge of the village.
Boase arrived at the city park. His eyes searched for Merry. And on a bench facing a small pond, he saw her sitting, her posture slumped.
"Merry," Boase greeted her.
She looked up quickly, like someone just waking from a nightmare. "Boase... I'm scared."
Boase sat beside her. "Tell me the truth. What's happening?"
Merry looked down, twisting a crumpled tissue in her hand. "A few days ago... someone contacted me. They sent me pictures of Saras, your house... even the children. They said... they could take it all from her. Like she took everything from me."
Her last words were too sharp not to notice. Boase narrowed his eyes.
"Do you know who they are?"
Merry stared straight at him. "No. But I know they're serious. Please, believe me. I just wanted to warn you. Please... protect her."
Boase studied Merry's face, trying to read her true intentions. Something didn't feel right. But time was running out.
"I'll find out," he said curtly. He stood up and left.
Merry remained seated. As Boase walked away, a faint smirk appeared on her lips. She took out her phone and sent a short message:
"They're separated. You know what to do."
Along the quiet path, Saraswati began to sense something was off. "You said this was a safe place, but we're walking farther from the village," she said, now visibly wary.
Rivalo turned to her with a thin smile. "Relax. We're almost there."
Saraswati stopped. "If you really wanted to protect Amara, why didn't you take me to the police?"
Rivalo stared at her, then replied coldly, "Because the police can't undo what you've already broken."
Saraswati stepped back. "What do you mean?"
"You ruined Arman. You took everything from us. And now you get to be happy? Living in this quiet village with your husband, pretending like nothing happened?" His voice grew louder. "We want to be happy too, Saras. And if that means taking a little from your happiness... so be it."
Saraswati began to tremble. "What are you doing? Where is Amara?"
Rivalo chuckled darkly. "She's safe. For now. As long as you cooperate."
Saraswati closed her eyes briefly, trying to calm her pounding heart. One thing was clear—she needed to get out. Fast.
Meanwhile, Boase rushed back home. But the house was empty. No Saraswati, no Amara. Only a small note on the table:
"I'm going out for a bit. Someone needs to talk about Amara. Pray for me. —Sar"
Boase clenched the note. His heart raced. This wasn't a coincidence. Merry had distracted him so he couldn't be there. And Saras... she had walked right into a trap.
Without wasting another second, Boase grabbed his helmet and keys. He called someone—Wanto.
"Wanto, I need your help. Find Sar. Now. I'll send her last known location."
As tension thickened and time ran thin, one thing was certain:
The peace they had fought so hard to build… was crumbling.
And whether they could still hold on to it—or would lose everything again, for the final time—remained unknown.