"Is it really okay to leave Dewi and Topan alone like that, sis? Hehe… gosh, they're just too cute together!"
Mira opened the refrigerator, scanning the shelves for the spicy sauce she wanted.
Meanwhile, Ratna, who was busy arranging snacks in a bowl at the pantry, merely chuckled and shook her head lightly.
They had done it on purpose—giving Dewi and Topan some time alone.
"It's fine. I think their relationship has been improving lately. You remember what I told you about Dewi getting sick and Topan taking care of her back in Mawa? Ugh… I know they love each other. They just haven't realized it yet."
Mira nodded in agreement. She still remembered how her friend had rushed into her boutique back then, dramatically recounting the incident during that video call with her son-in-law.
"I really hope they truly love each other, sis. I trust Topan. Compared to Ryuji, I believe he's the one who can heal Dewi's trauma," Mira murmured softly.
The middle-aged woman sat down on one of the bar stools. Hearing her eldest son's name mentioned, Ratna stiffened for a moment—but quickly composed herself.
She picked up a glass of water and walked over to Mira.
Clink
"Drink," she said gently, sliding the glass toward her.
Kriet!
Ratna pulled out a chair and sat beside her friend.
"I still feel guilty whenever I think about that incident, Mira. I'm sorry. As a mother, I'm ashamed of what Ryuji did back then," she said quietly, her voice heavy with regret.
Mira shook her head. She had no intention of reopening old wounds. Turning to Ratna, she gently patted her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, sis. I didn't mean it like that. That incident was beyond our control. Dewi has already forgiven it. Besides—"
BOOM!!!
The sound of fireworks and blaring horns exploded loudly from outside, startling them both. Time had slipped by unnoticed during their conversation.
Tap… tap…
"Mom! Mother! Where are you? Hurry! The fireworks have started outside!"
Footsteps echoed, and Merry appeared, looking flustered as she called for her mommy and Topan's mother.
The two older women chuckled and stood up, carrying the bowls of sauce and snacks with them.
Merry wasn't alone. Not far behind her stood her father—Satya—holding a rack of soda bottles. He nodded politely at Mira and Ratna, and together they headed toward the backyard of the mansion.
Not long after…
Malika suddenly let out an excited gasp when she saw them approaching. Instead of letting them pass, he blocked their way, pressing herself against the wall as if spying on something.
"Shh—don't go there yet! Stay here… look," he whispered, motioning for them to follow her lead.
Andri, who stood at the front, was the first to peek.
"What is it? Dewi will be waiting—"
Oops—
Merry almost squealed in excitement.
Ahead of them, Dewi stood watching fireworks streak across the night sky, while her brother-in-law walked toward her.
'Please hug her! Come on!'
Merry cheered silently in her head, hoping for a romantic moment between her sister and brother-in-law.
They all held their breath, watching closely—especially when Dewi turned around, facing Topan, and the two shared a smile.
Tap… tap… tap…
"Hey, I said stop! What do you think you're doing here, huh?! Stop—!"
The sharp clicking of heels echoed across the marble floor, moving quickly past everyone hiding behind the wall. From behind, a shrill voice rang out.
They all turned in unison, stunned.
"Marinka, stop right there!"
Ratna froze, her gaze snapping toward Medina in alarm. A woman in a blue long dress with a thick black coat stared back at them, panic written all over her face.
"Aunt Ratna," Medina said hurriedly, rushing toward them.
Behind her stood her husband, Jose, who had just finished putting their two children to sleep in one of the guest rooms.
"Since when did Marinka arrive?" Mira asked flatly.
"I was in the parking lot—I just got here. Another car suddenly pulled in, and she stepped out. Marinka. I honestly didn't know she was coming!" Medina explained anxiously.
Their attention shifted back to the backyard.
And then—
Shock washed over them as they saw Marinka wrap her arms around Topan's waist from behind.
"That woman—tch, just you wait!"
Medina's blood boiled at the sight. It wasn't without reason—she could clearly see the wounded look on her best friend's face, and that alone was enough to make her unable to stay silent.
---
Back in the mansion's backyard...
The night sky was still shimmering with bursts of fireworks. The roar of firecrackers and trumpets echoed across the city—but none of it was being enjoyed by the three people standing here.
Dewi, who had gone rigid in silence, felt as though her hearing had shut itself off from all the noise around her. The happiness she had felt just moments ago vanished the instant she saw her husband being hugged by a stranger.
Marinka.
That was the name she heard when Topan spoke—when he addressed the woman now smiling brightly in front of him.
"You're happy, right? It's a surprise, you know, babe," Marinka said again, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the man before her.
Topan stiffened.
Seeing a face that had been gone from his life for two whole years stirred emotions he couldn't easily untangle.
Tap… tap…
"Dewi!"
Grep!
Hearing her name and feeling someone pull her into an embrace, Dewi jolted back to herself.
"Me–Medina…" she murmured when she met her friend's eyes.
Medina looked at her with worry. She shook her head lightly, then guided Dewi a few steps away from Topan and Marinka.
"Hey—"
Seeing his wife being led away, Topan instinctively let go of Marinka's shoulder. But she grabbed his hand.
"Let go."
The flat, sharp edge in Topan's voice finally made Marinka release him.
Tap… tap…
"Stop right there!" Medina shouted.
Topan halted. His gaze turned sharp toward Medina, while Dewi deliberately avoided looking at him.
"Don't—"
"ARE YOU STUPID OR WHAT?! YOU LET HER HUG YOU RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY FRIEND, DAMN IT!"
Medina exploded, her anger spilling without restraint.
Topan flinched—realizing far too late that he had momentarily forgotten his wife's presence.
Feeling her friend's body tremble with rage, Dewi tried to calm her.
"Medina, please… calm down," she whispered, gently rubbing her friend's arm. Dewi drew a breath, then forced herself to look at Topan.
She couldn't deny it—his eyes now reflected pain. Real pain.
"Dewi, let me explain first! She—"
"Oh, so your name is Dewi?" Marinka cut in. "So you're the one who forced Topan to marry you? Tch…"
Topan's words died on his tongue.
The long-haired woman scoffed, a mocking smile curling her lips. She stepped closer to Topan and tried to reach for him again—but he shoved her hand away firmly.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?! Hey—"
"DON'T YOU DARE INSULT—"
"SILENCE!"
That single word shut both Topan and Medina up.
Dewi.
Her shoulders trembled violently. She lowered her head, inhaling deeply over and over, trying to steady herself.
"I didn't force Topan to marry me," she said bitterly. "Why would you think that?"
"And besides… who are you? Are you his lover?"
Her voice shook as Dewi lifted her face, forcing a faint smile. Medina tightened her arm around Dewi's shoulders, silently offering support.
"Love, she's not—please, listen to me…" Topan pleaded, clearly hearing the hurt in Dewi's voice.
That term of endearment made Marinka's expression stiffen.
"Lo–love? What do you mean, Topan? You don't really like her, do you? You—"
"She's my daughter-in-law, Marinka."
Tap… tap…
Ratna stepped forward. She took Dewi's hand, her gaze flat as she looked at Marinka before turning back to her daughter-in-law.
"My dear, this is Marinka. Topan's former fiancée. They broke up two years ago," Ratna explained gently, squeezing Dewi's fingers.
Marinka scoffed.
No. This wasn't how it was supposed to be.
"What do you mean, Auntie? Topan and I clearly still love each other! You know that very well!" she snapped angrily.
Ratna's gaze hardened.
"Love each other?" she said coldly.
"I'm certain Topan no longer feels the same way toward you. Isn't that right, Topan?"
Silence. No answer.
Topan stood frozen. Ratna looked at him anxiously.
"Topan?" she called again.
All eyes turned toward him. His throat felt tight, his tongue refusing to move.
"I—"
Topan's gaze collided with Dewi's. They locked eyes for a brief moment—before he finally spoke.
"I still have feelings for Marinka…"
TO BE CONTINUED...