Kevin Samudra stood in the doorway, taking in the tiny house that was now home to Adelia and her two children. To Kevin, the house was no more than a dining room in his parents’ home.
The sight of Naufal’s rolled-up mattress leaning against the wall, with a stack of cardboard boxes beside it, pierced his heart. There was no dining table, no sofa—only a stark simplicity that was painful to see.
He opened the door to the slightly larger bedroom, only to find a wardrobe, a slightly wider rolled-up mattress, and a fan that creaked softly. Anger and worry churned in his chest.
He stepped outside and found Naufal standing with Ikhwan, his father. Disappointment was plainly visible on Ikhwan’s face as he took in the condition of the house. He remained silent, his sharp gaze reflecting his deep disappointment.
Adelia still hadn’t come home. The clock already read 5:45 p.m. Kevin had deliberately told his driver to take Akhzam to an amusement park. He didn’t want Akhzam to witness the argument that might take place.
The little boy might not understand, but seeing Kevin’s anger was not something he should have to witness.
Kevin’s cell phone rang. It was a call from Revan, his second-youngest brother.
“Hello.” Kevin answered the phone, his voice tense.
“I just read your message,” Revan said from the other end.
“I’ll handle everything here. You just find those two bastards, arrest them, and drag them to Adelia’s feet.” Kevin’s voice trembled as he held back his rising fury. “Fatar and Chintya have to take responsibility for all of this.”
“Understood.” Revan’s answer was brief and firm.
Kevin ended the call and put away his phone. He let out a long breath, trying to calm himself. He knew this wasn’t merely about a cramped rented house. It was also about the betrayal that had destroyed Adelia’s life.
The betrayal of Fatar, her husband, and Chintya, Adelia’s close friend, who had sold Adelia’s house and drained Naufal’s education savings before running away together.
Knock … knock … knock.
The sound of knocking broke the silence. Adelia stood in the doorway, looking exhausted, even paler than usual. She was slightly startled to see her father and oldest brother in the house.
“What’s going on, Big Brother?” she asked softly, her voice a little hoarse as she struggled beneath the heavy burden.
Kevin turned toward her, his expression rigid. Adelia could guess that her family already knew about the trouble she was facing—the betrayal by Fatar and Chintya. The secret she had tried to hide all this time had now been exposed.
She looked at Naufal, who stood beside her with a questioning expression. “I already told you. Don’t tell Grandpa or Uncle,” Adelia scolded, her voice slightly firmer. She tried to hide her panic.
Kevin stepped forward. “Come in, Del.” His voice still sounded cold, but there was a hint of tenderness beneath it. He knew Adelia needed support, not condemnation.
Adelia went inside, her eyes sweeping over the cramped room. Naufal looked a little nervous, while Ikhwan sat on a cardboard box, restrained disappointment written across his face.
“I’m sorry, Dad, Big Brother,” Adelia said, her voice trembling. Tears began to pool in her eyes.
Ikhwan rose, walked over to Adelia, and hugged her. The tears broke free. Once again, Naufal watched his mother cry after more than three weeks in which her tears had seemed like a river dried up by the dry season. “Don’t cry, son. Everything will be all right.” His voice was gentle. He knew his daughter had fought hard, and he was deeply saddened to see her in this condition.
Kevin drew closer. “Tell us everything, Del. Don’t hide anything.” His voice was gentler than before. He wanted to hear it all directly from Adelia.
Adelia told them everything, from beginning to end. Throughout the story, tears streamed down her cheeks.
Kevin and Ikhwan listened carefully. They felt angry and sad at the same time. They had never imagined that Fatar—the man Adelia had once defended with all her might, when her second-oldest brother Revan opposed her decision to accept his proposal—could be capable of doing something like this.
A woman accustomed to living amid luxury for the sake of a love she considered sublime had been willing to live simply. Ikhwan rubbed Adelia’s back, his heart breaking at the sight of his daughter’s suffering.
“Don’t worry, son. We’ll help you. We’ll seek justice for you.” He looked at Kevin. “We’ll make sure those two bastards are punished according to what they’ve done.”
Kevin nodded. “I’ve already contacted Revan. He’ll arrest them soon. Not just a criminal sentence—I’ll make sure they both have to kiss your feet!” He looked at Adelia with deep affection.
“Pack only your valuables,” Ikhwan said. “You’re moving to my house today. Roni can take care of everything else here later.”
“But …” Adelia began, her voice still breaking with sobs.
“No buts! You’re moving right now!” Kevin’s voice thundered through the room. His anger exploded. “I won’t let you suffer!”
Naufal glanced at his mother, fear visible on his face. No one would dare speak when Kevin raised his voice like that.
“Quickly, pack your things. Just the essentials.” Ikhwan patted Naufal’s shoulder, trying to calm his grandson.
“No.” Adelia held on to Naufal’s arm, her eyes fixed on her father and brother with fierce determination.
“Please, just trust in my ability. This is only the beginning. Dad and Big Brother Kevin, all you need to do is give us enough attention. Let us struggle through life with our own strength.”
“Adelia!” Kevin’s voice thundered again. “Do you think I can stand by and watch you and your children live like this? This isn’t about ability, Del! This is about justice and protecting my family!”
“I’ve gotten through difficult times before, when I left home, Big Brother!”
“But Dad supported you! The house those bastards sold was a gift from Dad! You did say you were ready to live simply, and Dad agreed! But he still gave you that house to make you comfortable!” Kevin snapped.
Ikhwan intervened. “Kevin, let Adelia speak. She needs time to accept everything.” He looked at Adelia. “Son, we understand that you want to be independent. But right now, let us help you. This isn’t about ability. It’s about family.”
Adelia fell silent, an inner struggle unfolding within her. She wanted to prove her independence, but she also knew how much her family’s support meant. She saw the love and concern shining in her father’s and brother’s eyes.
She shifted her gaze to Naufal.
“Are you okay staying here? I promise this is only temporary. Once our finances stabilize, we’ll be all right.”
“I’m okay. But what about Little Brother? He doesn’t understand how hard things are for you, Mom.”
Adelia fell silent. Naufal drew a breath before speaking.
“How about this? Let Mom stay here. Let Mom and me fight for our lives in our own way. Grandpa and Uncle can come pick us up once we’ve raised a white flag, showing that we’ve surrendered to the life we’re living,” Naufal said.
Ikhwan and Kevin exchanged looks.
“All right,” Ikhwan agreed.
“Oh, and about Dad and Aunt Chintya, just leave them alone. There’s no need to drag them back. It would only tear open Mom’s wounds again.”
Kevin looked at Naufal.
“No way!”
“Uncle, I felt the same way at first. It hurt so much to see Dad treat Mom so horribly. But isn’t Mom too precious for someone like him? What’s the point of dragging them back if it only wounds her again?”
“Naufal is right. A thorn that has already pierced your skin should be removed, shouldn’t it?” Ikhwan said.
Kevin smiled. He patted Naufal’s shoulder.
“Be a great kid, and make your father regret throwing all of you out of his life!”