Lira's crying grew louder, drowning out Riana's sobs that were caught in her throat. The crying successfully woke Liliana, who had been dozing off in Septian's embrace, as well as Septian, who immediately jolted awake. They both froze when they found Riana standing in the doorway, holding Lira tightly in her arms.
"Rin… t–this isn't what you think," Liliana's voice trembled, panicked, as if searching for a reason that could save her.
"Riana, don't misunderstand. I just fell asleep here last night," Septian added, his tone hurried.
Riana looked at them alternately. The man she called her husband, and the sister she always trusted. Her heart trembled greatly, as if her body could no longer support the wound she had just seen. She wanted to believe… but if she did, wouldn't she be laughing at herself? Making herself a clown in her own household.
"But… I clearly saw you earlier…" her voice broke, soft but full of pain, enough to make them both silent.
"Riana, I know you must be doubting, I understand…" Liliana quickly chimed in, "Last night after I changed my clothes, my eyes couldn't stay open anymore. You know I fall asleep easily. And about earlier, you must also know… when we're in dreamland, it's impossible to be aware of our surroundings."
Seeing Riana still hesitant, it was now Septian's turn to step forward and approach her. "What your sister said is true. Sorry, I was also exhausted last night and fell asleep after giving Liliana the money. Don't misunderstand again, Rin. Besides… aside from being my sister-in-law, we used to be friends. Sleeping like this has become a normal thing."
Those words pierced Riana's chest deeper than anything. Her body stiffened, as if no longer able to stand. Septian's words, which seemed to belittle her pain, only made her tears fall uncontrollably, soaking Lira's small cheeks, who was still crying in her arms.
Seeing Liliana's and Septian's gazes directed at her, Riana hurriedly wiped away the remaining tears. She didn't want to look weak, didn't want the two people she loved to know how broken she was right now. Even though she had tried to accept it, had prepared her heart for the worst possibility. But why did it still hurt so much, as if a dagger was repeatedly thrust into her chest?
"Rin…" Septian's voice was heard again, this time softer, as if trying to calm her down. But for Riana, that tone sounded like an insult.
She looked down, looked at Lira for a moment, then slowly handed the baby into Liliana's arms. "Yes, don't worry. Lira needs your breast milk now, Sis. She hasn't stopped crying since earlier."
Liliana received Lira with a confused face, but she didn't remain silent. Liliana once again wanted to convince Riana, she said, "Rin, please believe me. I couldn't possibly…"
But Riana immediately took a step back, avoiding her sister's touch. Her eyes were wet, but this time there was a faint determination behind the tears. "You don't need to bother explaining anymore. I understand."
"Thank goodness," Liliana said softly, before turning around and starting to breastfeed Lira.
Meanwhile, Riana turned her gaze to Septian. Her voice sounded flat, cold, without emotion, but it pierced even deeper. "Mas, do you still want to be in this room and help Sis Lili? If so, I'll go out first."
Riana immediately turned around, but Septian quickly chased after her. As soon as the door closed, he grabbed his wife's arm. When Riana turned around, it was clear in her eyes that there was only hatred for him. Septian found it hard to believe. Hadn't Riana loved him so much all this time? She was willing to be a housewife, taking care of all his needs without the help of a maid, and always obeying his every word.
Roughly but full of fear of losing her, Septian pulled Riana's hand until her thin body was trapped in his embrace. "Honey, don't be angry anymore, okay? I really didn't mean it that way. This is all just a misunderstanding."
In Septian's embrace, Riana laughed dryly. In the past, she had always looked forward to this embrace. But now, the embrace no longer gave her warmth. Her body was stiff, not responding at all. Her tears fell silently, soaking Septian's shoulder.
"Let go, Mas…" she whispered softly, but firmly.
"If you're still angry, I won't let you go," Septian said, his voice trembling, trying to sound firm even though it was clearly filled with anxiety.
However, Riana's attitude of just giving up only made his chest feel tighter. With a heavy heart, Septian finally loosened his embrace, then cupped his wife's shoulders. His eyes stared deeply, as if wanting to convince Riana with the sincerity of the love that he had proven for the past five years.
"Okay… let's just say what you saw earlier made you doubt. But, Riana, I really love you. I couldn't possibly have anything with your sister. You know, we used to be close, friends for a long time." His tone of voice was soft, full of hope that his wife would believe him.
Riana remained silent. Her eyes were empty, refusing to give way to those words.
Hurriedly, Septian raised two fingers, as if making a vow. "I promise, this won't happen again. If I'm sleepy, I'll go straight back to the study and sleep there. Okay?"
'You didn't even say you'd sleep in our room. Is that really your love, Mas?' Riana thought bitterly.
Seeing Riana still silent, Septian tried to reach her again. "Riana, you remember… today is the day I proposed to you. As a reminder, let's have dinner outside. I want us to remember that again."
Riana was silent for a long time. Her heart was still sore, the wound was still gaping. But when her gaze met Septian's pleading eyes, the image of their initial togetherness slowly appeared, a time when love was so simple and sincere.
Her tears fell again. Not because of anger, but because of longing for the Septian she used to know.
"Mas…" she whispered softly. "Why do you always know how to make me waver?"
Septian immediately reached for Riana's hand, holding it tightly. "Because I never want to lose you, Honey. You are my world. Believe me, no one can replace your position in my heart."
Riana looked down. Her heart was at war between logic and love. But in the end, she nodded slightly, not because she gave up, but because she wanted to test Septian for the last time.
"Okay…" she said softly, almost inaudibly. "I'll go to that dinner, Mas."
A relieved smile immediately broke out on Septian's face. He pulled Riana back into his embrace, this time more gently, as if promising in silence to protect what was almost at the edge.
"Thank you, Honey," Septian said, then released his embrace and kissed Riana's forehead.
That morning everything seemed back to normal. Until breakfast time came, Riana had finished cooking Septian's favorite fried rice and served it on the table.
"Fried rice with your favorite sunny-side-up egg, Mas," she said softly.
Septian looked at her with a smile, then began to eat the breakfast. Riana also sat across from him, even though her heart was still plagued by a sense of unease that she found difficult to understand.
The atmosphere at the dining table was so quiet. Only the clinking of spoons and forks could be heard, until suddenly the sound of footsteps approached from the direction of the hallway.
Riana turned her head, and her heart stopped beating instantly.
Liliana appeared from behind the bedroom door with her hair still messed up, her face without makeup, but what surprised Riana the most was the clothes she was wearing, a thin black camisole that was clearly too revealing to be worn in front of her own brother-in-law.
The spoon in Riana's hand fell to the floor.
Meanwhile, Septian, instead of turning to his wife, hurriedly looked away, as if not wanting to be seen paying too much attention to Liliana.
In her heart Riana screamed, "Oh my God, Sis… what do you mean by coming out wearing clothes like that?"
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