That night, after ensuring Elara was locked in her room—guarded by two of his most trusted men—David drove himself to a modest apartment in South Jakarta. His anger had cooled into a dangerous, steely determination. He didn't come as a jealous husband, but as a businessman dealing with a threat to his assets.
He knocked on the door. Kael opened it, startled. He recognized David immediately.
"David—"
David brushed past him, stepping inside without invitation. His eyes scanned the simple but tidy apartment. Photos of Bimo adorned the bookshelves. There was no trace of Elara here, and that somehow made him angrier.
"I won't waste your time," David said, his voice low and deadly. He stood in the middle of the living room, his expensive suit contrasting sharply with Kael's modest furniture. "You almost destroyed her life tonight."
Kael closed the door, his face grim. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't play dumb!" David snapped, but his volume remained controlled. "The scandal. The photos. You think I don't know they came from your ex-wife? You think I don't know that your reckless presence in Elara's life has awakened that venomous snake?"
Kael fell silent, his face pale. He was only now realizing the full consequences of their meeting.
"Elara..." Kael murmured. "Is she—"
"She's safe. For now," David interrupted. "But her reputation, her dignity, were almost shattered to pieces because you couldn't move on from the past."
"This isn't just about the past!" Kael retorted, with newfound spirit. "And you know it. She's not happy with you, David. She's trapped!"
David smirked, a cold, triumphant smile. "Oh, she's trapped? She's trapped in a life you could never give her. She's trapped in luxury, security, and a name you will never have. If that's a prison, then it's a prison coveted by every woman in this city."
He stepped closer, staring directly into Kael's eyes.
"You love her? Or do you just love the idea of 'saving' her from me? Because let me tell you something—I don't need to save her. I own her. And I will protect what is mine, by any means necessary."
Kael shook his head, disgust evident on his face. "She's not property, David. She's a human being."
"And humans make choices," David interjected. "She chose me. She chose this. Now, I'm giving you a choice."
A threatening pause hung in the air.
"Leave. Vanish from Elara's life. Shut down your foundation, move out of this city, I don't care. Do whatever you want. But if you're still here tomorrow, if you try to contact her even once..."
David pulled out his phone and showed a picture. Bimo, laughing joyfully on a playground.
"...then I will make sure your struggle for custody of your son becomes a war you cannot possibly win. I have the best lawyers, witnesses who can be arranged, and enough money to buy the entire court system if necessary. You will lose Bimo forever."
Kael's face turned ashen. His breath hitched. "You... you wouldn't dare."
"Test me," David challenged, his eyes like two blocks of ice. "Test how far I will go to protect what is mine. Choose, Kael. A memory of Elara, or your son's future."
David didn't wait for an answer. He turned and walked out of the apartment, leaving a shattered Kael standing in his living room, torn between his love for a woman and his love for his child.
In the car, David called his assistant. "I want all of Kael's movements monitored. And find me the best marriage counselor. One who can 'help' my wife forget everything about that man."
David's victory felt hollow. He had won the battle, using the most despicable weapon. But the war for Elara's soul was far from over. And he knew, as long as that fire still burned in Elara's heart, no cage would be strong enough to hold her forever.