Episode 1

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!

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