Episode 5

The aroma of black coffee and toast should have filled the Argantara family's large dining room with warmth. But all that was felt was coldness, a coldness that came from sharp gazes, from words that were never spoken but felt hanging in the air.

The long dining table with a white tablecloth and a vase of red roses in the middle looked so neat and luxurious. Servants stood on the side of the wall, ready to serve, but none dared to speak.

Arum sat next to Reghan, keeping a polite distance. She looked down, busy with her plate, trying not to notice the tense atmosphere around her.

While across from her, Alena sat on Elion's side, their hands touching, but Alena's gaze was not for Elion, but for Reghan. The look was cold, but full of turmoil. She seemed to be trying to find something in Reghan's face, maybe attention, maybe a remnant of the feelings that once existed. But the man did not turn his head even slightly, only busy with the spoon of soup in his hand.

Alena then glanced at Arum. A thin smile etched on her lips, a smile that looked more like a mockery. Arum briefly raised her face, returning the smile politely. But Alena's reply was just a lazy sigh and a condescending look. The silence was finally broken when Mr. Argantara's heavy voice echoed at the end of the table.

"Before you all leave, there is something I want to discuss."

Maya straightened her posture, Elion raised his head, while Reghan remained silent, his jaw hardened. Mr. Argantara put down his spoon, looking at Reghan and Elion alternately.

"Our company is in an important period. I can't keep waiting for your recovery, Reghan," he said softly but sharply. "For the time being, I have decided to appoint Elion to replace you as CEO."

Reghan's spoon stopped in mid-air, the room suddenly silent. Elion looked down pretending to be polite, but the thin smile at the corner of his lips could not be hidden. Maya looked at her husband with an expression that was difficult to guess, between satisfied and worried.

Meanwhile, Alena, who was sitting next to Elion, only looked at Reghan with a vague gaze, as if wanting to know the reaction that would arise. Reghan slowly looked at his father.

"So, it's that easy to forget that promise?" his voice was soft, but cold and sharp. "In the past, Father himself said... whatever happens, the company will remain in my hands."

Mr. Argantara looked at him with a flat expression. "You can't lead from a wheelchair, Reghan. The company needs a strong leader, not someone who is constantly trapped in the past."

That tone, for Reghan, sounded like a whip on his own face. His left hand clenched, the soup spoon in his right hand trembled violently.

"So this is what you mean?" he muttered in a heavy voice. "Erasing me slowly, one by one, starting from this table?"

Grandma Hartati who was sitting on Arum's left side began to straighten her body. "Argantara, things like this shouldn't be discussed at breakfast," she said firmly. "You know how sensitive this is for Reghan."

But it was too late, Reghan raised his hand, and in one sudden movement, the bowl of chicken soup in front of him was thrown to the floor. Hot liquid spilled, plates clattered, the sound of impact filled the room. All the servants froze, Maya screamed softly. Alena actually smiled, a thin smile, full of satisfaction. Arum was startled, immediately approaching.

"Sir, please calm down first," Arum whispered softly, trying to hold Reghan's trembling hand on the table. But the man's gaze was cold, so cold that it made Arum's blood seem to stop flowing.

"Don't touch me." His voice was flat, but sharp, like a knife. Arum immediately looked down, releasing her grip slowly.

Reghan looked at his father with a panting breath. "So, is this all your plan? Eliminating me slowly, making me a guest in my own house?"

Mr. Argantara did not answer. Just silent, and that was far more painful than any word. Maya cleared her throat softly, trying to ease the atmosphere.

"You don't need to think that far, Reghan. Elion is only temporarily replacing you. You should be grateful that your brother is willing to help."

Her gentle tone sounded soothing on the surface, but in Reghan's ears, it was just poison wrapped in honey.

Elion smiled slightly, trying to appear sincere. "That's right, Bro. I just want to help. Everyone knows you are more experienced, but while you focus on recovery..."

"Shut up!"

Reghan's shout broke the air. His left hand slammed the table until the glass trembled. Arum reflexively pulled her hand into her lap, her heart pounding fast. The atmosphere froze, no one dared to move. Only Grandma Hartati spoke, calmly but firmly.

"Enough, Argantara, I beg you, don't discuss this anymore. I don't want to see my grandson lose his dignity in front of many people."

The old woman's sharp gaze pierced towards Mr. Argantara. Mr. Argantara finally looked down slightly, trying to control the situation.

"Alright, we'll talk about it later in the study."

But Reghan had already moved his wheelchair, hitting the table leg without caring, then turned and left the room.

"Reghan!" Grandma Hartati called out in an anxious tone.

Arum who was sitting next to him immediately stood up, following the man.

"Arum, just let him be," Maya said, her voice calm but her eyes narrowed cynically. "He just needs time alone."

But Arum did not listen. She had already stepped quickly, chasing Reghan who was sliding towards the back garden with a dark face. As soon as the two of them disappeared behind the glass door, Alena leaned back in her chair, a faint smile appearing on her lips. She spooned a little of the remaining soup, then stared at the exit door for a long time.

"Elion," she said softly, "are you sure he just needs time?"

Elion turned his head, his voice almost like a whisper.

"You don't need to worry about Reghan. But don't try to play with fire in front of him."

Alena's smile widened, meaningfully. "You forget, I was once burned by him."

Grandma Hartati closed her eyes, holding her breath for a long time. She knew, this morning was just the beginning of a great storm that had not yet subsided. Meanwhile, in the back garden, Arum found Reghan stopped under an old frangipani tree. The man was looking at the white flowers that had fallen on the ground, his shoulders tense, his eyes dark.

"Reghan..." Arum called softly.

The man did not turn his head.

"Go away," he said coldly. "You don't need to pretend to care."

"I'm not pretending," Arum replied softly. "I just don't want people to see you fall apart."

Those words made Reghan turn his head, looking at her with a sharp look that trembled on the edge of emotion. "I've been broken for a long time, Arum. And you... are just part of the ruins."

Arum was silent, the morning wind blowing her hair, making the black strands dance in front of her face. She knew, love could not grow from wounds that had not healed. But behind Reghan's anger, she also felt something else a very deep loneliness, like a soul trapped between pride and pain.

In a voice almost a whisper, Arum said,

"Then, let me help you stand... even if it's just one step."

Reghan looked down, not answering. But for the first time, his cold hand did not brush off Arum's hand when it touched his shoulder. From a distance, Alena who was standing on the second floor balcony watched them with flashing eyes. And the smile on her face slowly faded, replaced by a piercing look of envy.

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