The morning sunlight streamed through the kitchen window, illuminating Sofia Amara who was busy cooking. Though she was already 48 years old, her face remained beautiful, with skin that still looked firm and radiant.

There was something that kept her looking young, perhaps because her heart was always full of love, even if it wasn't always reciprocated.

Like previous mornings, she had woken up early to prepare breakfast. Even though this house had several maids, Sofia still chose to cook herself.

Not because she didn't trust their abilities, but because she knew how picky her husband, her children, and even her mother-in-law were about food. If there was even a slight deviation from their tastes, complaints would come incessantly.

However, this morning felt more special to Sofia. It was her 22nd wedding anniversary with Robin, her husband.

With enthusiasm, Sofia arranged their favorite dishes, warm rice, her husband's favorite herbal chicken soup, Reno's usual cheese omelet, Mikaila's once beloved strawberry pancakes, and tea for everyone.

Sofia smiled proudly at her cooking. She hoped that, at least today, there would be a little warmth at the dining table. Maybe Robin would remember this day and say something sweet. Maybe her children would be more attentive.

Soon, the sound of footsteps was heard. Robin appeared first, wearing his work suit with his usual blank face. Mikaila, who was 17 years old, came down with slightly disheveled hair and hands busy scrolling on her phone screen.

Reno, 20 years old, came while yawning widely, looking still sleepy. Not to be outdone, her mother-in-law also arrived, bringing the stiff aura that Sofia had become accustomed to for years.

Sofia smiled warmly. "Good morning, everyone! Breakfast is ready," she said cheerfully, hoping for a better response this time.

However, as usual, all she received was a short nod from Robin, a faint murmur from Reno, and a fleeting glance from Mikaila before she went back to being busy with her phone.

Her mother-in-law even sat down without saying anything, only examining the food on the table with a critical expression.

Sofia took a breath, trying to hold back the disappointment that was beginning to settle in her heart. She wanted to say, Today is our anniversary, Robin. However, she held back, choosing to wait for her husband to realize it himself.

With a small hope that she still held, Sofia sat down and began to pour tea for them. She just wanted today to go well.

As the first bites went into their mouths, complaints began to come as they did every morning.

Robin put down his spoon a little roughly. "Your rice is too mushy, Sofia. How many times have I told you I don't like rice like this?" his voice was flat, but the tone of impatience was clearly felt.

Reno frowned while stabbing the omelet on his plate. "Ma, the omelet lacks seasoning. It tastes bland," he commented without even looking at his mother.

Meanwhile, Mikaila, who was sitting with her legs folded on her chair, tasted the pancake and immediately rolled her eyes. "Ugh, this is too sweet. I told you, I don't like it too sweet," she complained before pushing her plate away.

Sofia swallowed, suppressing the feeling of disappointment that was beginning to surface in her heart. However, as usual, she only smiled thinly and said, "I'm sorry, next time Mama will pay more attention."

Just as she was about to sit down to enjoy her own breakfast, Saskia's cold voice, Sofia's mother-in-law, was heard, making her straighten up again.

"Sofia, where is my detox juice?" Saskia asked without turning her head, her hands still busy tidying the napkin on her lap.

Sofia was silent for a moment, realizing that she had forgotten to make the juice. But she immediately got up quickly, covering her mistake with a smile. "I'm sorry, Ibu. I'll make it right away."

Without waiting for an answer, Sofia hurried to the kitchen. She hadn't even touched her own food, but that was nothing new to her. For years, she had always placed them as the top priority.

*****

Sofia sighed deeply after finishing clearing the dining table.

After cleaning the kitchen, Sofia finally went to her room, hoping to rest for a moment before continuing her day.

However, as the woman sat on the edge of the bed, a pain returned to her stomach. This time it was sharper, stabbing until it made her forehead furrow. Sofia pressed her stomach, hoping that the pain would subside soon, but it only got worse.

Robin, her husband, was neatly dressed in casual clothes, apparently preparing to go somewhere. Seeing him, Sofia tried to speak even though her voice was a little weak.

"My husband... my stomach hurts so much. Can you please take me to the hospital?"

However, before Sofia could finish her sentence, Robin interrupted. "Today is Vanessa's birthday. She's alone, and I can't just leave her," he said without even looking at Sofia, as if his wife's request was meaningless compared to the plan he had made.

Sofia was silent. Her heart sank at hearing that name. Vanessa. Her husband's best friend.

Before Sofia could say anything else, the bedroom door opened. Reno and Mikaila entered in casual clothes, apparently ready to leave.

"Pa, we're ready," Reno said while putting his phone into his pants pocket.

Sofia looked at her two children hopefully. "Mikaila, Reno… Mama’s stomach hurts. Can you take Mama to the hospital?" her voice sounded weak, but still full of hope.

Mikaila sighed, then shook her head with an annoyed expression. "Mama is overreacting. It's probably just a regular stomachache."

"Yeah, besides, we promised to go to Aunt Vanessa's place," Reno added without showing any concern.

Sofia looked at them one by one, hoping there was a little compassion in their eyes. But there was none.

Robin grabbed his car keys, then looked at Sofia with a bored look. "If you're really sick, just call the driver. Don't make the atmosphere dramatic," he said before walking out with their children.

Sofia was still sitting in her place, the pain in her stomach now felt insignificant compared to the wound in her heart. Her tears welled up, but she held them back. She had been disappointed too often.

For quite some time, Sofia reflected while enduring her stomach pain as usual, after feeling that her stomach was no longer too painful. Finally, she got up from the bed and continued her activities.

This time Sofia entered her husband's study to clean the room. Her husband Robin really didn't like his belongings being touched by other people.

That's why only Sofia was allowed to clean the room. Now Sofia was busy cleaning by wiping several books because Robin was a lecturer at a famous university.

Suddenly Sofia found something, a flash drive behind a book. Because of high curiosity, Sofia reached into her daster dress pocket and took out her cellphone.

Sofia then plugged the flash drive into her cellphone. There was only one folder on the flash drive called "My Love." Sofia finally opened the folder.

Thump!

Sofia sat on the floor, her body trembling violently. The phone in her hand still displayed the video she had just watched, but her vision was blurred by tears. She gasped for breath, her chest felt tight, as if something was crushing her soul from the inside.

The woman still couldn't believe what she had just seen. Her hands trembled as she pressed the screen, replaying one of the videos, hoping she was just hallucinating. But no.

Robin and Vanessa. Her husband's best friend.

On the screen, the two were so intimate, as if Sofia had never existed between them. In fact, the videos were from years ago, showing that this affair was not just a momentary occurrence—it had been going on for a long time.

And the most painful was the last video.

"How long will our relationship be like this, Mas?" Vanessa's voice was clearly heard in the luxurious room that Sofia recognized as Robin's favorite hotel. "We've had to hide for decades. I'm tired of being second."

Robin, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, still with his body not fully covered, sighed deeply. "Be patient, Van. You know my mother and father don't like you. He always wanted offspring, and you ...."

Sofia held her breath.

"I'm barren." Vanessa continued with a voice full of bitterness.

Robin nodded, his expression as cold as Sofia always saw whenever they were both at home. "Mama wants an heir, that's the only reason I married Sofia. If it wasn't for that, I would never have touched her. Believe me, my love is only for you and I'll make sure it stays that way forever."

Sofia covered her mouth with her hand, her body trembling even more.

So, for 22 years … she was just a tool? She was never loved?

All of Robin's coldness, all of his cold attitude, all of his blank stares after they were intimate … it all made sense now.

She was just a tool to pass on the Robin family line.

Sofia finally couldn't take it anymore. Her phone slipped from her grasp, falling to the floor with a soft thud.

Her tears fell even faster, her sobs breaking out uncontrollably.

Pain.

So much pain.

The pain that she had been suppressing, that she had ignored, that she had thought was just her feelings, all of it exploded in an instant.

She hugged herself on the floor, crying silently.

It turned out, she had not only lost her husband. She had lost 22 years of her life … for a lie.

****

Sofia sat on the floor, her body weak. Her tears had dried, but her heart still felt broken. For an unknown amount of time, she just stared blankly ahead, letting her mind sink into the bitter reality she had just discovered.

After taking a deep breath, she wiped her face, erasing the remaining traces of tears. She had to calm down. She couldn't look weak. With faltering steps, Sofia got up and went into the bathroom in Robin's study.

Inside, Sofia turned on the faucet and splashed her face with cold water. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, a beautiful face that remained well-maintained despite being almost half a century old. However, behind it, there were eyes that looked empty and tired.

After feeling a little better, Sofia came out of the bathroom and saw her phone still lying on the floor. With trembling hands, she picked it up and opened the screen.

Her fingers reflexively opened social media, either looking for an escape or just wanting to see something that could distract her mind.

However, what first appeared on the screen was something that only further broke her heart.

Robin's latest status.

Sofia held her breath as she looked at the photos and videos her husband had posted.

Robin was sitting at the dining table, in a beautiful garden that looked like one of the viral places that had recently been talked about.

Around him were Vanessa, the woman who had destroyed her marriage. And there were also Reno and Mikaila, the two children she had raised with all her love and sacrifice.

They were all smiling.

Laughing.

Happy.

In the next photo, Vanessa was seen blowing out birthday candles with an expression full of joy. Robin sat next to her, looking at her with a gentle smile, a smile that Sofia had never seen throughout their marriage.

Sofia swiped to the next video, and the pain in her heart increased.

Reno.

Her eldest son, who always refused to help with small things around the house, was now climbing a tree just to retrieve Vanessa's hat that was caught.

Sofia remembered very well, some time ago, she had asked Reno to help her clean the front roof of the house because the tiles were dirty. At that time, Reno immediately refused and said, "Ma, I'm afraid of heights. Besides, that's the job of a handyman, not me."

But now?

For Vanessa's sake, he was even willing to take the risk of climbing a tree without hesitation.

Sofia bit her lip, holding back the emotions that were pressing in again. She swiped the screen again, and now what appeared was Mikaila.

The girl looked so attentive and nimble when Vanessa told her to get a small plate.

Again, Sofia's heart felt sore.

In the past, when she asked Mikaila to do the same thing, just get a plate from the kitchen, her daughter didn't even want to move and only replied lazily, "Mama can get it. I'm busy."

Sofia stared at her phone screen without blinking, her eyes getting hotter.

But the most piercing was the last slide.

Robin and Vanessa sat side by side, so close. Vanessa fed a birthday cake to Robin's mouth, and the man accepted it with a warm smile.

Sofia barely recognized that expression.

A smile that was so sincere. A look full of affection.

His eyes couldn't lie, Robin really loved Vanessa.

Sofia stared at her phone screen with an empty feeling. Her hands slowly weakened, almost dropping the phone again.

Her tears didn't come out.

No crying, no sound.

There was only an empty feeling that spread throughout her body.

Slowly, Sofia put her phone on the table. Then, she stood up with a blank stare.

Everything was clear.

There was no place for her in their lives. Robin, Reno, Mikaila, they only needed her as a tool, someone who was there only to serve and fulfill obligations.

Sofia took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. No, she wouldn't cry anymore. There was no point in crying over people who had never even considered her to exist.

If all this time they had erased her existence from their lives … then now, Sofia would do the same.

Before leaving her husband's study, Sofia copied some of the videos on the flash drive to be used as evidence.

It was fortunate that Robin had a habit of collecting his daily videos. Sofia thought they were just ordinary videos that her husband often saved, but it turned out that Robin also collected indecent videos.

That night, Robin, Reno, and Mikaila finally arrived home after a day of fun with Vanessa. They entered the living room with soft laughter, still carried away by the happy atmosphere of their trip.

However, something felt different.

Usually, whenever they came home, Sofia would be sitting on the living room sofa, waiting for them even though it was late. The woman was always ready with a glass of warm water for Robin, making sure her children got home safely, and asking how their day was.

But tonight, Sofia was not there.

The room felt quieter, colder.

However, none of them really cared.

Reno casually took off his jacket, then walked to his room without thinking further. Mikaila only snorted softly, perhaps thinking her mother was finally realizing not to fuss over them so much.

Robin was the same.

Without paying attention to anything, he went straight into their room. As soon as he opened the door, his eyes were immediately drawn to Sofia, who was already lying on the bed.

Fast asleep.

Robin frowned. This was strange.

In their 22 years of marriage, Sofia had never gone to sleep before him. No matter how tired or busy Sofia was, she would always wait, would always serve him.

Usually, when Robin came home, Sofia would be quick to prepare warm water for a bath, make sure his pajamas were ready, and even offer to massage his feet even though he never asked her to.

But tonight, Sofia did none of that.

She was just sleeping.

Robin stood in the doorway, staring at his wife with a surprised expression. There was a slight feeling of discomfort tickling his heart, but he quickly ignored it.

Maybe Sofia was tired.

Maybe the woman finally realized that there was no point in continuing to take care of someone who never really paid attention to her.

Robin sighed, then walked to the bathroom. Besides, what did he care?

Without thinking, he returned to his habits, living as if Sofia was just a shadow in the corner of this house.

That morning, the atmosphere in the house felt different.

Mikaila came down from her room in her neat high school uniform, while Reno was ready in his college clothes. Robin, as usual, wore his typical lecturer's attire, and Saskia, Sofia's mother-in-law, walked in with her haughty expression.

However, they all stopped for a moment at the dining room doorway.

Usually, at this hour, Sofia would be busy in the kitchen in her worn-out house clothes, making sure their breakfast was ready and to their liking. But this morning, what they saw was something unusual.

Sofia was sitting casually at the dining table, wearing neat and elegant clothes. Her hair, which was usually tied up carelessly, was now neatly arranged. In her hand, she held a glass of fresh juice while calmly reading a magazine, as if she had no burdens to think about.

And more surprisingly, only the maid was busy preparing breakfast.

Mikaila was the first to speak up. "Mom, why aren't you cooking?" she asked with a furrowed brow.

Sofia remained focused on the magazine in her hand, not immediately answering. After a few seconds, without turning her head, she replied in a flat tone, "What for? It always ends up being protested anyway."

The room was instantly silent.

Robin stared at his wife with a sharp gaze. Sofia's tone sounded different. There was no gentleness. There was no effort to please them as usual.

"What's wrong with you, Sofia?" Robin's voice sounded cold, as usual.

Sofia finally turned her head, looking at her husband with a calm, emotionless expression. "I'm just tired," she said lightly. "I want to relax."

Robin narrowed his eyes. Something felt strange, but he didn't want to waste time worrying about it further.

Saskia, who had been silent, finally spoke up. "Then where's my detox juice?" she demanded in a sharp tone.

Sofia smiled slightly, but there was no warmth in her smile. "Wait. The maid is making it," she replied casually before taking another sip of her juice.

Again, silence enveloped the room.

They didn't know what to say. This wasn't the Sofia they usually knew, the woman who was always quick to serve, who always put them above herself.

However, because they also didn't have time to worry about it further, they just sat in their respective chairs and started breakfast.

But in their hearts, there was one question swirling around.

What happened to Sofia? they thought.

After the house was finally quiet, Sofia took her bag and left. This time, not to take care of other people, but for herself.

Sofia drove her car to the hospital, something she should have done a long time ago. All this time, whenever she was sick, she always postponed going to the doctor because she was too busy taking care of a family that didn't even care about her.

After arriving at the hospital, Sofia took a queue number and waited patiently. As soon as her name was called, she entered the examination room and underwent a series of tests.

The doctor looked at her calmly. "The test results will be out in one to three days, Mrs. Sofia. We will contact you as soon as the results are ready."

Sofia nodded. "Alright, Doctor."

After leaving the hospital, the adult woman decided not to go straight home. She felt she needed to refresh her mind, so she went to the mall.

Walking around without a burden was something she hadn't done in a long time. Usually, she came to the mall only to meet the family's needs, buying clothes for her husband, Reno's college supplies, or Mikaila's needs. But this time, she was shopping for herself.

While passing an art supply store, her eyes were drawn to a shelf full of drawing equipment. Her fingers touched the pencils and books gently. In the past, designing clothes was a hobby she loved, but since getting married, she never had time for it anymore.

Without hesitation, Sofia took some supplies and took them to the cashier.

However, as she turned around, her steps suddenly stopped when someone bumped into her.

Thud!

Sofia almost lost her balance, but someone quickly caught her.

When Sofia turned her head, she found a teenage girl standing in front of her. The girl had a very familiar face, so familiar that Sofia felt as if she was seeing a reflection of herself in her youth.

But more surprisingly, when the girl looked at her with sparkling eyes and said in an emotional voice, "Mommy?"

Sofia was stunned.

Her heart beat faster.

She didn't know this girl. There was no way she knew her.

With a furrowed brow, Sofia shook her head slightly. "Maybe you have the wrong person, dear."

The girl looked teary-eyed, then turned to a young man standing nearby. The young man, who looked more mature and had a calm aura, quickly signaled the girl.

Sofia did not miss the signal.

As if understanding her mistake, the girl immediately bowed her head and apologized nervously. "I'm sorry, Auntie. I mistook you for someone else."

The young man beside her also bowed slightly. "Sorry for my twin sister's impoliteness."

Sofia looked at them both with increasing curiosity. Who are they? Sofia thought.