The two-year marriage of Nadia Afcarina and Reza Aryandi felt like a dream that slowly turned into a nightmare. Their financial situation was not extravagant, but sufficient to meet their daily needs. Their minimalist apartment in the city center silently witnessed the laughter, jokes, and hopes they wove together.
However, behind Reza's sweet smile lay a dark secret. Reza had long had a destructive habit: cheating. He was always good at hiding his actions, covering his lies with extra attention and sweet words that made Nadia swoon.
The first six months of their marriage felt like an endless honeymoon. Reza always tried to make Nadia happy, spoiling her with small gifts and taking her on romantic dates. But that happiness was tarnished by one request from Reza that put Nadia in a dilemma.
"Honey, I want you to quit your job," Reza said one night as they enjoyed a romantic dinner on their apartment balcony. Nadia was shocked. She loved her job as a Marketing Executive at a foreign company. Besides the decent salary, she also enjoyed the challenges and interactions with her colleagues.
"Why, dear? I like my job," Nadia replied with a slightly disappointed tone. Reza gently held Nadia's hand. "I know, honey. But I don't like it when other men look at you. You're beautiful and sexy. I'm afraid you'll be attracted to your office friends. I want your beauty to be only for me." Nadia smiled at Reza's words. She felt flattered that Reza loved her so much and was afraid of losing her. Yet she also felt it was unfair that Reza wanted to limit her freedom.
"Dear, I promise I won't be attracted to other men. I only love you," Nadia said sincerely. But Reza insisted. He kept persuading her, convincing her that she would be happier as a full-time housewife. He promised to fulfill all her needs and spoil her.
After considering various things, Nadia finally gave in. She loved Reza and wanted to make him happy. She also thought that perhaps being a housewife was the best choice for the time being. She resigned from her job and began her new life as a full-time wife.
At first, Nadia enjoyed her role as a housewife. She was happy to cook Reza's favorite meals, clean the apartment, and arrange home decorations. But over time, she began to feel bored and lonely. She missed interacting with her colleagues, the challenges of her job, and the financial freedom she once had.
Reza did try to keep his promise to spoil Nadia. He often took her on trips, bought her clothes and jewelry, and gave her other luxurious gifts. But none of this could replace the happiness Nadia once felt while working.
Without Nadia realizing it, Reza became even more skilled at hiding his infidelity. He always came home on time, was affectionate toward her, and gave convincing reasons if he had to work overtime or travel out of town. However, Reza's lies were finally exposed a year later. Nadia accidentally found a flirtatious message on Reza's phone from a woman named Mita, saying she longed to have sex with him. Mita was Reza's former college friend, a civil servant working at a government office. Nadia felt as if struck by lightning. She couldn't believe that Reza, the man she loved and trusted deeply, had been betraying her all this time. She felt foolish for having so easily believed all of Reza's lies.
That night, Reza came home as usual. He kissed Nadia's forehead and asked about her day. Nadia just stared at Reza with an empty gaze. "What's wrong, honey? Are you sick?" Reza asked with a worried tone. Nadia did not reply. She took Reza's phone and showed him Mita's message. Reza was shocked. His face turned pale. He knew his game was over. "Honey, I can explain," Reza said in a pleading voice. "Explain what, dear? What more is there to explain? Everything is clear," Nadia replied with a trembling voice. Tears began to stream down her cheeks. "I made a mistake, honey. I promise I'll never do it again." Reza knelt before Nadia, holding her hands tightly.
Nadia roughly pulled her hands away. "A mistake? You call it a mistake? You slept with her, dear! Is that also a mistake?" Reza fell silent. He couldn't deny it. "Yes, I slept with her," Reza said softly. "But it was only once, honey. I swear." Nadia laughed sarcastically. "Once? Do you think I'm stupid? I know you've been cheating on me with her for a year now. I know everything. I even have photos of you two kissing naked in a hotel." Nadia had asked someone to investigate her husband's affair and had obtained many vulgar photos of the two of them.
Reza became even more cornered. He didn't know what else to say. "I'm sorry, honey. I'm truly sorry," Reza said in a desperate voice. "Your apology means nothing anymore, dear. I can't trust you anymore," Nadia stated firmly. "I'll do anything to earn your forgiveness, honey. I'll give you everything you want," Reza kept pleading. "I don't want anything from you, dear. I just want you out of my life," Nadia said coldly.
"No, honey. Don't leave me. I can't live without you." Reza hugged Nadia's legs, sobbing uncontrollably. Nadia roughly kicked Reza away. "Enough, dear! I'm sick of all this drama. I'll take care of our divorce." Reza was shocked to hear Nadia's words. He never thought Nadia would ask for a divorce. He thought she would forgive him and they would go back to how things were before. "No, honey. I don't want a divorce. I love you," Reza pleaded as tears continued to flow.
Nadia stared at Reza with a disgusted look. "Love? What kind of love makes you willing to betray me? What kind of love makes you willing to sleep with her?" Reza fell silent. He couldn't answer Nadia's questions. He knew he had made a huge mistake that could not be forgiven.
"I've thought this through carefully, dear. I want us to get a divorce. I can't live with a man who has betrayed me," Nadia emphasized her decision. Reza finally gave in. He knew he couldn't force Nadia to stay with him. He could only regret his actions and hope that Nadia would forgive him someday. "Alright, if that's what you want. I'll divorce you," Reza said in a resigned voice. Nadia nodded. She picked up her bag and walked toward the door.
"I'll take care of all the divorce papers. You just need to sign them," Nadia said before leaving the apartment. Reza could only stare blankly as Nadia walked away. He felt shattered and lost. He knew he had lost the woman he loved deeply because of his own foolishness.