That day, two families met to negotiate. Wisnu had been granted a suspension of detention, while Andra was already allowed to go home because his condition had improved.

Only Reisa was still being treated in the hospital, often screaming in the middle of the night.

Reisa had even taken a fruit knife and slashed her own arm out of depression. Luckily, her life was saved. The family immediately hired a psychiatrist to help her.

Reisa’s condition kept deteriorating because Dimas had only visited her once during the whole week of treatment. Everyone had hoped he would help her recovery, even though her trauma would never fade easily.

There was an outpouring of support and sympathy from many sides as the case spread, but that only made Reisa more distressed because her disgrace was exposed everywhere.

“On behalf of the family, we came to apologize for what Andra has done to Reisa. We truly regret his behavior that has left your daughter defiled.”

“That easy?” Wisnu asked bitterly.

“Andra was drunk when it happened. He wasn’t aware, so—”

“No! This has to go through legal process,” Wisnu said firmly.

The people exchanged glances and whispered, trying to think of a way to soften Wisnu’s heart. They didn’t want Andra imprisoned because it would damage the family’s reputation. They wanted the two to be married as a form of responsibility.

“Mr. Wisnu, if Andra is imprisoned, will Reisa still marry her fiancé?”

Wisnu took a deep breath and stared at Sarah. Since the incident, Dimas and his family had changed. They had visited briefly, but after that they seemed to vanish.

Wisnu had even asked Dimas for a private talk, but the man claimed he had no free time because of a housing tender. All those oddities made Wisnu doubt his daughter would still marry him.

“That’s our internal matter. I only want justice for Reisa.”

“Mr. Wisnu, Andra is ready to take responsibility. He’s willing to marry—”

Bang!

Wisnu slammed the table, shocking everyone.

“That easy? Don’t you see Reisa is severely traumatized? She even tried to kill herself!” he shouted.

For so long, rape cases had been trivialized by marrying off the perpetrator and victim.

If that became the verdict, the perpetrator would rejoice—free from punishment, living peacefully without guilt—while the victim carried trauma for life.

“We understand. That’s why we’re willing to wait until Reisa is fully recovered.”

Wisnu clenched his fists in fury. His jaw tightened. He wanted to strike everyone in the room.

Wisnu had always been a patient man. But after this incident, he became temperamental. If anyone mentioned his daughter’s name or touched on the topic, he snapped.

“Get out!”

“Brother,” Sarah said, stopping him as he moved to hit one of the men.

“Forgive us, Mr. Wisnu. We didn’t mean—”

“Tell Andra we’ll proceed with the case. He’d better prepare for prison!”

Hearing this, Andra’s family quickly excused themselves. The mediation failed. They resigned themselves to facing Wisnu’s family in court.

***

“Let’s go home, Dear.”

Wisnu and Sarah helped Reisa from the bed into the wheelchair. The girl was still weak but much better than before.

The family agreed to continue her care at home. It was cheaper and easier to monitor Reisa’s daily activities.

Wisnu installed CCTV cameras in every corner of the house, fearing another suicide attempt. He also instructed the house staff to hide all sharp objects within Reisa’s reach.

Sarah even set aside her own children to stay and care for Reisa until she truly recovered.

“Where’s Dimas, Dad?” Reisa asked when she saw only her father and aunt.

“Work,” Wisnu answered briefly.

“Why didn’t he come to pick me up?”

“He’s busy. He’ll come later.”

Sarah pushed the wheelchair while Wisnu carried several bags. He had already asked the staff to prepare a new room.

Wisnu renovated the guest room for Reisa. He didn’t want his daughter to be reminded of Andra. Sarah bought her new clothes, cosmetics, and other necessities. They even planned to move Reisa to another city after the trial.

“Come on, let’s go. We’re going home,” Sarah said, opening the car door.

Reisa followed without protest, staring blankly at the busy streets along the way.

Wisnu drove slowly, asking if she wanted to eat whenever they passed a restaurant.

“What do you feel like eating, Rei? We can stop anywhere,” Sarah coaxed.

Since her hospitalization, Reisa had lost her appetite. Her body was frail, her eyes sunken. Vitamins hadn’t helped.

“I want to see Dimas,” Reisa whispered.

Sarah hugged her tightly, speaking comforting words to cheer her and steer the topic away.

They finally arrived home. A staff member opened the door and carried the bags inside.

“My room?” Reisa asked as Sarah opened another door.

“It’s under renovation. You’ll stay here for now. I’ll stay with you,” Sarah reassured.

The door revealed a simply designed room. Reisa lay down immediately, hugging a pillow.

“Are you going home, Auntie?”

Sarah shook her head and hugged her tightly.

“From now on I’m staying here. My kids will come tomorrow. This house will feel lively again.”

Reisa smiled faintly. Her aunt and father were nine years apart, so her cousins were still in school.

“So I won’t be lonely.”

Sarah nodded, arranging Reisa’s belongings in the wardrobe.

“Get some rest. I’ll be in the kitchen. Want anything to eat?”

Reisa shook her head, averting her gaze.

“Sweetheart, don’t hurt yourself anymore,” Sarah whispered.

“But I—”

“We’re here with you, dear. Don’t be afraid. We’ll seek justice.”

Reisa wept again, clinging to her aunt until she fell asleep. Sarah slipped out to prepare food.

***

One month later.

“Reisa!”

Sarah screamed when she found her niece collapsed in the bathroom. She tried to lift her but failed.

“Maid… help!” Sarah shouted.

“What happened, Ma’am?”

“Reisa.”

“Oh God, Miss Reisa.”

“Help me, she’s heavy.” Together, they carried Reisa to the sofa.

Sarah asked the maid to change her niece’s wet clothes and phoned her brother.

“Take her to the hospital now,” Wisnu urged.

“But we can’t carry her. She’s too heavy,” Sarah said. It was a weekday, and they were the only ones home.

“I’ll send a company driver. Wait there,” Wisnu replied.

Sarah waited anxiously. Soon, the driver arrived, and they rushed Reisa to the same hospital as before.

Sarah sat restlessly, hoping the psychiatrist could help Reisa recover, but the opposite seemed to be happening.

Every day, Reisa repeated Dimas’s name. Wisnu had even gone to his office, begging him to visit, but Dimas always had excuses.

Wisnu realized the hope of his daughter marrying to “cover the disgrace” would not come true. He had to find a way to break it to Reisa.

“Doctor, how’s my niece?” Sarah asked nervously.

“Miss Reisa is positive,” the doctor said.

“Pregnant?”

The doctor nodded, showing the test results.

“Oh God,” Sarah whispered, covering her mouth.

“Has the case gone to trial?” the doctor asked. He was the same physician who had treated Reisa before.

“Yes, it’s under investigation. We’re waiting for the judge’s verdict.”

“Poor Miss Reisa.”

“Should she be hospitalized again, Doctor?”

“That would be best.”

Sarah called Wisnu immediately, though she kept the pregnancy a secret for now. It seemed the family would have to mediate again.