Brrmm…
Topan had just parked his car and stepped out of the garage when he noticed his father-in-law, Andri, standing not far from him—silently signaling for him to follow.
The two men walked toward a large tree near the small lake on the side yard of the mansion.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The new moon slowly climbed higher, its pale light reflecting softly on the lake's surface. Walking a few steps behind, Topan watched the middle-aged man's back with a quiet sense of unease.
Why was he called here?
Srek!
"Divorce Dewi."
Topan's eyes narrowed sharply as Andri suddenly turned around and said those words.
"I won't," Topan replied flatly.
Andri studied the tall man standing before him for a moment, then looked ahead again.
"You don't love my daughter. So what reason do you have to keep this marriage—"
"We're trying to love each other," Topan cut in swiftly.
"Trying?" Andri scoffed coldly. "Your feelings and my daughter's aren't that deep yet, are they? So it's better to end this now and return Dewi to us, her parents."
His tone was sharp, piercing as he stared straight at his son-in-law.
He wasn't saying this without reason.
Earlier that afternoon, when he returned home, Andri had accidentally overheard Dewi's conversation with Medina in the back garden.
"You have no right to decide anything about our marriage!" Topan snapped sharply. "I will not divorce Dewi!"
He and Dewi had already begun accepting each other and yet their parents were trying to make decisions for them? Of course he refused!
"What if one day you hurt Dewi?!" Andri shot back.
Remembering Dewi's earlier conversation with Medina made his chest tighten. As a father, the fear was inevitable—especially after everything that had happened in the past with Ryuji.
To this day, Andri still regretted agreeing to let his only daughter marry Topan—who was also Ryuji's younger brother.
The two of them fell into silence.
Topan sank into his thoughts.
His father-in-law's question made him hesitate—not about his feelings for Dewi, but about his future actions.
"Ryuji…" Topan murmured coldly.
"I'm different from him. And—"
Andri turned to look at him again, waiting for the rest of the sentence.
"And I'll make sure Ryuji regrets letting go of something precious—something that will never come back into his life again."
Drap… drap…
Hearing that, a faint smile slowly formed at the corner of Andri's lips.
After saying those words, Topan turned and walked away.
Andri didn't stop him.
He lifted his gaze back to the night sky. The moon above shone brightly, and his heart gradually felt lighter.
"Did you hear that, Kemal?" he muttered softly. "Just like you—stubborn to the core. Tck…"
The night wind brushed past him, swirling gently around the lake—as if responding to his quiet words.
●●●●
One Week Later…
After spending three days of the New Year holiday at the Sagara mansion, Topan and Dewi finally returned to the apartment they shared.
Although office activities hadn't fully returned to their usual routine, Topan still had to go back and forth to oversee preparations for the company's annual event—the Sagara Group Anniversary.
Having stood strong for nearly sixty years across various industries, the name Sagara was no stranger throughout Florentia—its influence even reaching Vegas City.
Its rapidly growing economic power had turned Florentia into a dream city to live in.
Since early January, the snow blanketing every corner of the city had slowly begun to melt. Warm sunlight returned, making it comfortable once again for people to resume their outdoor activities.
Today, Dewi had promised to try on several designs prepared by her Mommy for the upcoming anniversary event. Just thinking about it made her sigh repeatedly—formal events like that had never really been her thing.
"You really can't go alone, huh? Arya will be there anyway. Why do I have to come too?"
Again. This was already the umpteenth time she'd whined to her husband.
Topan, still focused on driving, merely shook his head at his wife's childish behavior.
"Unfortunately, no. You're my wife. As the president director's wife, you have to accompany me wherever I go," he said calmly.
He checked the rearview mirror before steering the car into a parking spot in front of the boutique.
Dewi snorted in annoyance at that reminder. Topan always used that excuse so she couldn't refuse. And honestly, she'd probably be scolded by Mommy anyway—her attitude was far from that of most president directors' wives, who usually enjoyed glamorous, luxurious lives.
"Tch, fine… fine. I'll look very beautiful at the event so your employees can stare and say,
'Wow, President Director Topan's wife is so pretty… such a shame she's married—if only she weren't—'"
Klek!
The sound of a seatbelt being unfastened.
Topan turned, shooting her a sharp look after hearing that.
"If only she weren't what, hmm? Want me to gouge out the eyes of anyone who says that? Just you wait!"
(car door opens)
Dewi blinked, stunned by Topan's irritated reaction—especially since he got out of the car first and headed straight into the boutique.
'Eh… why is he the one getting mad? I was just joking, hehe…' she muttered inwardly, amused by his behavior.
Not long after, Dewi finally stepped out of the car and followed her husband inside.
---
"Oh God, Wi… geez, it won't zip! Ugh—you've gained weight, haven't you?
Haaah…"
Mira struggled to pull up the zipper of the dress Dewi was wearing.
"Hey, Mom, what are you saying! I eat like usual. Well… maybe just a bit more often."
Her voice trailed off at the end. Even Dewi herself had noticed how she'd been getting hungry more frequently lately—and couldn't delay eating, especially since she mostly stayed at home.
During the months of marriage, Topan had never once brought up her not having a career. She was only asked to handle light household tasks like cooking—and even then, he often helped whenever he had free time.
In short, Dewi truly lived the life of an ordinary wife.
Srek!
A ripping sound echoed clearly, making Mira's eyes widen in shock.
Oh no—the zipper came off as she forced it up again.
"Hah… goodness, Wi. Look at this. Oh dear, I really doesn't know what to say anymore… the zipper's completely broken!"
Mira exclaimed dramatically inside the fitting room, sighing in exhaustion. Upon closer inspection, Dewi's figure did look noticeably fuller than before.
"Well, whatever, Mom. I'll just try another one. I didn't even like this design anyway," Dewi said casually.
She really wasn't a fan of how some of the evening gowns were too revealing—showing off her curves far too clearly.
"Tck, you really are something. What kind of formal event lets you wear a sweater, huh? Fine, wait here. Mommy will dig through my collection again in the back."
Srek!
The sound of fabric brushing echoed as Mira exited the fitting room, carrying several stacks of dresses Dewi had tried on earlier—all of which had ended disastrously.
Once Mommy left, Dewi stared at her reflection in the large mirror. She was still wearing the dress with the broken zipper, leaving part of her back clearly exposed.
"Hm… yeah, I guess my cheeks are a bit fuller. Maybe I should exercise seriously starting tomorrow. Yup—diet!" she nodded confidently.
She startled when she noticed Topan's reflection appearing in the mirror behind her. She turned around instantly.
"To-Topan…"
He looked at her calmly, then held out a package in his hand.
"No dieting. I make money to eat, not to store it away. Here—drink this."
Dewi let out a small snort but still accepted it, opening the package to reveal her favorite drink.
"But Mommy said I look fat… none of the dresses fit me, hmm…"
Slrrpp…
Topan shook his head lightly at the sight of his wife pouting—her cheeks looking even chubbier as she sipped her favorite milkshake.
Grep!
Amused, he grabbed her waist and leaned down toward her left ear, whispering softly.
"You're beautiful—no matter your size."
Cupp
A brief kiss on her earlobe sent a ticklish shiver through Dewi's body.
"TOPAN…!"
Before she could react, Topan had already let go and walked out of the fitting room, leaving Dewi behind—her face flushed, lips muttering curses under her breath, and her heart pounding wildly.
●●●
8:45 PM
Marinka POV
"Don't do anything strange here. Oh right, I need to meet Mr. Arya first—there's something to take care of. You'll be fine on your own, right?"
I only let out a small scoff and nodded briefly as my cousin lectured me yet again. Hmph…
I scanned the grand hall with boredom, occasionally sipping my martini. Several people paused to stare at me—some even whispered behind their hands.
Of course my face wasn't unfamiliar to them. My career as a model, combined with my status as Topan's former fiancée, made sure of that.
Tch… just wait. How dare they gossip about me.
Topan's statement back then… no. There was only one thing I was sure of—he still loved me, didn't he?
Tap!
I flinched slightly when someone gently tapped my arm and instinctively turned around.
…Arya?
I raised one brow, looking at him. This man—Topan's trusted assistant. Always expressionless. Always brief with his words.
"Miss Marinka—"
"Arya, long time no see~ You really haven't changed, have you? Oh right, where's Topan? Why hasn't he arrived yet?" I cut him off quickly, glancing toward the entrance of the hall.
"Miss, why are you here?"
I turned fully toward him, my gaze flattening at his cold question. Crossing my arms, I replied confidently.
"Why not? As far as I know, the Sagara Group anniversary is a public event. Open to anyone."
Arya didn't change his expression at all. He just stared at me—long and silently—until I had to wave my hand in front of his face.
"Hey, Arya…"
Grep!
Huh?! What the—?!
"Arya, let go! You—hey, where are you taking me?!"
My arm was clamped tightly in his grip, my body forced to follow as he dragged me along.
Drap… drap…
"Hey—are you deaf?! Let go!"
With all my strength, I managed to yank my arm free. What is wrong with him—wait… why this corridor?
Without thinking, I turned around and hurried back toward the main hall. I was still waiting for Topan.
Tonight, I would prove it again—that we still loved each other. I had to apologize to Topan, ask him to come back to me, and—
Clap! Clap!
The sudden roar of applause made me freeze.
And it wasn't just that—the sight before me sent a sharp ache straight into my chest.
'Topan…' I whispered inwardly, watching the man I had loved all this time smile softly at someone standing before him.
He had never smiled like that at me.
Even thinking back… Topan had never really smiled at anyone. Not even his own mother. He was always closed off.
He had been kind and faithful during our engagement… hmm, so this is how things change now, isn't it?
My eyes burned—especially when I saw Topan lift that woman's hand and press a kiss to its back.
They—
Grep!
"There's no need to look anymore, Miss."
I startled as my vision suddenly went dark, Arya's voice sounding close—too close.
This time, I didn't say anything. I simply let him take me away.
Marinka POV END
TO BE CONTINUED…