Episode 2

The sky began to dim as the black car carrying Arum stopped in the magnificent courtyard of the Argantara family residence. The tall iron gate, coated in gold carvings, slowly opened, revealing a vast garden with a fountain in the center, and a colonial-style house standing firmly at the end of the cobbled path.

Arum stared at it from behind the window, her breath catching in her throat. The house was beautiful, but for some reason, the atmosphere around it felt cold, silent, and dangerous, like a place where smiles could turn into poison in an instant. When the car door opened, the damp evening air hit her face. She set foot on the courtyard for the first time as Mrs. Argantara. But her steps felt heavy.

Oma Hartati came out first, greeted respectfully by the maids and housekeepers who lined up neatly in front of the door. Then, in the doorway, stood four people: Mr. Argantara, Maya, Elion, and a stunning woman in a red dress, Alena.

Arum looked at them one by one. Mr. Argantara looked dashing despite his graying hair, his aura full of authority and power. Beside him stood Maya, a beautiful woman with a smile that looked sweet on her face, but cold in her eyes. And slightly behind them, a tall, handsome young man with a confident smile. Elion Argantara, Reghan's half-brother.

While the woman beside Elion, with her elegant red dress and slippery, curious gaze, was Alena. Arum didn't know who she was, but from the first time she looked into Alena's eyes, her heart trembled strangely. The woman looked at her like someone who held a great secret behind her friendly smile.

"Welcome to the Argantara family home, young lady," Maya greeted softly. Her smile was charming, but for some reason, Arum felt a chill run from her fingertips to the nape of her neck.

"Thank you, Madam," Arum replied quietly, bowing politely.

Oma Hartati smiled with satisfaction. "From now on, Arum lives here. You all know that their marriage is legal in the eyes of the law and religion."

Mr. Argantara nodded. "I heard it. May your marriage bring peace to this house."

His tone was heavy, deep, and contained something difficult to guess, whether it was a blessing, or just formalities.

Arum looked at the man politely. "Thank you, Sir."

Beside her, Reghan was still sitting in his wheelchair, his face remaining expressionless, only occasionally looking at the faces that were staring at him. His gaze paused for a moment on Alena and Elion. The atmosphere immediately tensed, their eyes meeting between Reghan and Alena.

There was something in the air that made Arum bite her lower lip unconsciously. She didn't know what the relationship was between them, but clearly, that look was not an ordinary look.

Maya quickly broke the silence with her soft laughter. "Come on, let's go inside first. Dinner has been prepared." She stepped forward, inviting them in.

Arum walked slowly behind Oma, while two servants pushed Reghan's wheelchair. Every step felt heavy. The gazes of the people in the room were like knives slowly peeling her skin.

At the large dining table, the atmosphere seemed warm on the surface, the candles burning softly, the dishes arranged neatly, everything looked luxurious and perfect. But beneath it all, Arum could feel something pressing, like air holding its breath.

Mr. Argantara sat at the head of the table, leading the feast. On the right side, Maya sat gracefully, while Elion and Alena sat side by side on the left. Reghan and Arum were placed directly opposite them.

"How was your trip?" Maya asked with a fake smile that was too sweet. "You must be tired, Arum. This house is big, but don't worry. All the servants are ready to help you."

"Thank you, Madam," Arum replied politely.

Elion leaned back in his chair, then glanced at Arum with a teasing smile. "You're lucky, Miss. Not many women can sit here as the young Mrs. Argantara."

His tone was smooth, but Reghan's eyes sharpened sharply, piercing Elion in silence. Alena chimed in softly, "That's right, many women would be jealous of a position like yours."

She looked deeply at Arum, then casually grasped Elion's hand on the table.

"Including women who once looked forward to that seat."

Arum frowned slightly, she didn't understand. Meanwhile, Reghan turned his face away, his jaw tightening, his eyes freezing as he stared at the plate.

Oma Hartati, who was watching everything, glared at Alena, then said coldly, "Eat, no need for excessive formalities."

The conversation subsided, leaving only the clinking of spoons and knives against the plates. Arum tried to swallow her food, but it felt like sand. She realized, this magnificent house was not a home, but an arena. Every smile at that table felt like a trap.

That night, after the feast ended, Oma Hartati took Arum's hand.

"Child, don't let their glances or words bring you down. In this house, everyone is good at hiding behind a mask."

Arum looked at the old face, her voice soft, "I know, Oma. But what if that mask is the only thing that makes them seem human?"

Oma was silent, while across the hallway, Reghan watched his wife's retreating back, his eyes dim and cold but deep.

The Argantara family's big house looked luxurious on the outside, but inside, every love held a grudge, and every smile hid a wound.

Arum, turning after speaking with Oma Hartati, found Reghan in the hallway of the house in the same place he had been standing.

"I've told the servants to prepare separate rooms," Reghan's voice sounded soft but firm. "You sleep in the room next door."

Arum bowed politely. "Okay."

She wanted to say something – whether to thank him, or just ask how he was, but the voice seemed to be swallowed by the silence. Reghan had already turned his wheelchair, heading towards the master bedroom without looking back. Arum stood there for quite a while.

The rain outside was getting heavier, hitting the roof of the house and sending gentle echoes throughout the room.

That night, Arum stayed in her new room, a spacious room with a balcony overlooking the back garden. She opened the window, letting in the night wind and the scent of rain. Her eyes stared blankly at the trees swaying gently.

On the other side of the wall, Reghan sat in his wheelchair in front of his own room's window. His hand gripped a glass of drink, his eyes staring out, watching the heavy rain. Shadows of the past danced in his mind, Alena's gaze, her soft laughter, the night he promised to marry her, and the morning when everything was destroyed by the accident that took not only his legs, but also his faith in love.

However, he knew Arum was not at fault. But what angered him was the fact that the girl married him for money, not for love, not because she cared. And that was enough for him to reject all forms of tenderness.

There was a soft knock on his bedroom door.

"Mr. Reghan..." the soft voice sounded from behind the door. "I just wanted to make sure, does Mr. want to sleep yet?"

There was no answer, Reghan gripped his glass tightly until it almost cracked.

"If Mr. needs something, I'm in the room next door."

Still silent, a few seconds later, Reghan finally spoke without turning, his voice flat and cold, when he heard the sound of the door opening slowly.

"I don't need anything from you. And from tonight, never enter my room without permission."

The voice slapped harder than a blow. Arum bowed her head, clutching her nightgown tightly.

"Okay, Sir."

As her footsteps faded away, Reghan closed his eyes. He regretted it, but didn't want to regret it. Because pity can turn into love, and love is something he buried a long time ago.

The night wore on. Arum was still awake, sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at the ring on her finger. A ring that looked shiny but felt empty. She didn't cry, she just remained silent, like a stone that had accepted its fate.

Meanwhile, from the room next door, the sound of Reghan's wheelchair wheels could be heard softly, he was not asleep, just staring at an old photo in his hand, a photo of a woman smiling by a lake.

"Love died with you, Alena," Reghan murmured. In that magnificent house, two souls were trapped in a loveless marriage. One trying to survive with a resigned heart, the other surviving with wounds that refused to heal.

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***