Episode 2

"Riana, I really love Mas Irfan, so there's no way I could betray him. Especially with your husband, so don't think too much about it," Liliana said, cutting off Riana's intention to speak further.

That was the third time Liliana had said something similar since they started living together. Riana wanted to believe her. She wanted to be sure that her sister wouldn't fall in love with Septian. But what made her anxious was the opposite, Septian's feelings.

Could Liliana still convince her with those words if she knew that her husband secretly had feelings for her?

"Riana, don't be silent all the time," Liliana said while cradling her baby who was crying again.

For a moment, Riana's heart calmed down. She realized, this was why she always chose to remain silent. Her sister was the only family she had left. Especially since Liliana was now a widow with a small baby. If she told the truth, wouldn't that only cause problems, even make her sister leave this house? As a younger sister, Riana couldn't possibly do that.

"I know, Sis… you really love Mas Irfan. I'm not jealous. I believe you can definitely set boundaries," Riana said as gently as possible, even though there was a wound in her heart that was still open.

Liliana smiled faintly, as if relieved. "Thank you for trusting me. You should focus on your own household, don't keep thinking about things that make you think negatively."

Riana only nodded, even though her heart didn't accept it. How could she focus if every time Septian came home, his eyes always searched for Liliana? How could she be calm if the smile that used to be only hers, was now more often etched when her husband talked to her sister?

However, now Riana was trying to stay strong for the common good. Besides, she would leave Septian, giving the man a chance to pursue his happiness. This thought was indeed stupid, but wasn't it better than being trapped between her husband and her sister?

"Let me hold her," Riana said while asking for the baby from Liliana's arms. Her sister handed her over with relief, while Riana tried to calm little Lira in her arms. Seeing Liliana starting to lie down, Riana dared to ask, "Sis, what do you think of Mas Septian?"

Liliana, who initially looked relaxed, was immediately startled. "What do you mean?"

"Yes, what kind of person do you think Mas Septian is?" Riana asked again, in a soft tone so that the little baby wouldn't wake up.

Liliana thought for a moment before answering, "All women know that Septian is an idol in the capital. Handsome, rich, charismatic. He is… just like Mas Irfan used to be. If Mas Irfan's company hadn't collapsed and left a lot of debt and now he's passed away, maybe the two of them would be the toughest competitors."

Riana understood those words very well. She still remembered, when she was in college, Liliana chose a business major, that's where she met Irfan and also Septian. Meanwhile, she took a medical major. Even though they were orphans, their parents had prepared educational savings so they could get their bachelor's degree.

That's where the seeds of love began to grow. Unfortunately, Liliana only had feelings for Irfan until she finally married him. Meanwhile, Septian, after Liliana officially became Irfan's wife, he still often visited the house until he finally proposed to Riana. At that time Riana didn't suspect anything because she also liked Septian. But now, if she thought about it again, it felt like a big mistake.

"So you think… Mas Septian is the same as Mas Irfan?" Riana asked again, this time carefully.

Liliana smiled faintly, then looked at the ceiling of the room. "Yes, more or less like that. It's just that there's one thing that's different."

Riana swallowed, her heart sank. "Different how, Sis?"

Liliana turned slowly towards her sister. Her eyes were calm, but contained something difficult to guess. "Septian has a gaze that's hard to maintain. Sometimes… it makes people misunderstand. Including me."

Riana's heart stopped beating upon hearing her sister's statement. However, in the next minute, Liliana's small laugh dispelled everything.

"Hahah, I'm just kidding, Riana. Besides, why are you asking such strange questions? That's enough, it's already late. It seems like Lira is comfortable sleeping with you. I'll go back to my room, take care of her…" Liliana immediately got up and walked away without waiting for an answer.

"Bu… but, Sis," Riana said softly, almost inaudibly. Liliana had disappeared behind the door, leaving a silence that pressed on her chest.

Riana looked at Lira's small face that was sleeping peacefully. Her fingers gently touched the baby's cheek, as if seeking some comfort. "Lira… you sleep with Auntie tonight, okay? Just think of it… maybe our last days together," she whispered bitterly.

Slowly she laid the baby on the bed, then lay down next to her. Her eyes felt heavy, until finally she fell asleep with uncertain feelings.

***

When the dawn call to prayer had just echoed and Lira's cries broke the silence. Riana woke up with heavy eyes, then quickly reached for her niece. She patted the little one's back gently and made sure her diaper wasn't full.

"Auntie's niece is thirsty, huh? Ssst… let's find Mama first," she whispered softly, trying to calm her down.

However, her eyes scanned the entire room, there were no signs of Liliana's presence. Riana checked the temperature of the bed which was actually so cold, she frowned and asked herself, 'Didn't sister Liliana come back to the room last night? Then where did she sleep?'

The baby cried even louder, as if adding to her anxiety. With hurried steps, Riana went out, tracing the hallway of the house. Her heart was filled with an increasingly pressing feeling of unease.

Riana stopped for a moment in front of the kitchen, and it was empty, there were no signs of Liliana preparing milk or anything. The living room was also deserted, only the dim light was still on from the night before.

That feeling of unease turned into a fear that was difficult to explain. The little baby in her arms continued to struggle, making Riana press her cheek to the little one's crown. "Calm down, honey… let's find Mama, okay?" she whispered in a trembling voice.

Slowly she approached her sister's room door. Her breath was heavy. Her fingers hesitated for a moment when she wanted to knock, but finally she pushed the door open slowly.

Ciiiit—

The sound of creaking hinges broke the silence, making her heart beat erratically. In her heart she prayed, hopefully what she was thinking wasn't true. However, as the door opened wider…

Riana was stunned to see the scene in front of her, instantly her body froze. She could hardly breathe. Her hands that were hugging Lira were shaking violently, making the baby cry loudly again. But the cries seemed to disappear in her ears, defeated by the sound of her heart breaking repeatedly.

Tears were pressing out, but her body was too stiff to move. She could only stand in the doorway, staring at the bitter reality that she had feared all this time had finally come true before her eyes.

"Mas… Sis…" she whispered softly, almost inaudibly.

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