The door opened slowly, and Angga walked toward the bed. He gazed at Kinanti, who was sleeping soundly there, exhaustion and worry etched across the beautiful girl's face. Angga reached out and brushed aside the hair covering her face. His dark eyes remained fixed on Kinanti's face.
The man's sturdy fingers traced her cheek down to her jaw, but Kinanti didn't seem to feel it. She looked so peaceful in the dream world. After he'd had his fill of studying the beautiful girl's face, Angga left the room.
The bedroom door clicked shut slowly, and Kinan opened her eyes. She let out a relieved breath. At least she was safe tonight. Kinanti went back to sleep, even though countless questions filled her mind.
The call to dawn prayer woke her body, which felt refreshed that morning. The girl immediately got up, showered, and performed the dawn prayer.
Afterward, she left the room. Kinanti's mouth fell open when she saw the area outside her bedroom. “Is this a house or a palace?” Kinan thought. “Angga's really this rich? I had no idea.” Kinan walked on, her eyes scanning every detail of the house, until she spotted Angga in the garden with a little girl.
“That's Mr. Angga's daughter.” Kinan's heart ached. “Oh, God, if Mr. Angga really marries me, someone is bound to get hurt.”
Kinan turned around and went back into the bedroom, abandoning her next step. Memories of the past came rushing back. “Oh, God, what kind of karma am I going through?” Kinan muttered, staring at the mirror reflecting her image.
All her life, Kinan had never intended to become a second wife, let alone a homewrecker. But now, circumstances had truly turned her into a cheap woman, selling herself for money.
There was a knock at the door, and a maid entered. “Excuse me, ma'am. Mr. Angga is waiting for you in the dining room.”
“Me?” Kinan asked, pointing at herself.
“Yes. Would you like me to help you get ready?” the maid asked.
“No need. I'm only going to eat, right?” Kinan asked.
“Yes, ma'am. I'll excuse myself.”
Kinan nodded, then followed the maid out of the room. Angga and the little girl were already waiting at the dining table.
“Excuse me, Mr. Angga.” Kinan inclined her head.
“Sit,” Angga ordered without looking at her.
“Dad, who's this?” the little girl asked.
“This is Mama Kinan.”
“So Kayla has two moms?” the girl asked innocently.
“Yes.” Angga smiled awkwardly.
Kinan bit her lip. Her heart was always cut when she remembered that she was only a kept wife. It also hurt when she thought of this child's mother. Wouldn't she be angry to find out her husband had another wife? Kinan couldn't stop wondering.
“Mama, can we get to know each other?” the girl asked, her eyes shining.
Kinan nodded. “Sure. What's your name, sweetheart?” Kinan pinched Kayla's cheek.
“Kayla, Mama.”
“I'm Kinan.”
They shook hands. Kayla laughed happily throughout the meal. She even ate a lot while Kinan fed her. Angga watched the two women of different ages. How had they hit it off so quickly?
After breakfast, Angga got ready for the office. “Kayla, go play with Ms. Ning, okay? Daddy's going to change first.”
The girl nodded and took the hand of the woman who had been standing beside Kayla the whole time.
“Lay out my clothes. I'm going to the office.”
“Y-yes, sir.”
Kinan followed Angga into his bedroom. She went straight to the closet to find a shirt, tie, and pants in matching colors.
While she was focused on the colors, a hand suddenly wrapped around her slender waist. Kinan held her breath, her heart jolting in surprise.
“M-Mr. Angga. W-what color clothes do you want to wear?” Kinan stammered because Angga was kissing the nape of her neck.
“M-Mr. Angga, don't. We're not married yet—we shouldn't be touching.” Kinan tried to remind him, because Angga's hand had begun to wander.
Angga released her and walked over to the bedside table. He took out the paper Kinan had signed the day before.
“Now you belong to me.” Angga stared coldly at Kinan as he showed her their marriage certificate.
“I married you yesterday. Now you belong to me.” Angga sat in a chair in the corner of the room, staring impassively at the woman while he waited for Kinan's reaction.
But the girl showed no reaction at all. “Who was my guardian at the ceremony, Mr. Angga?”
“The judge-appointed guardian. You're just like me—we're both orphans. Come here.” Angga snapped his fingers, ordering Kinan to approach.
The girl walked over hesitantly. Once she was close, Angga pulled her hand, and she ended up sitting on his lap. “You didn't want to date, so I went ahead and married you.” Angga brushed Kinan's hair aside as it fell to her chest.
Hearing Angga's words, Kinan began to feel guilty.
“Mr. Angga, I'm sorry.” Kinan lowered her head and looked away.
“Sorry for what?” Angga brought his face closer and kissed the hollow of Kinanti's neck.
“You still smell the same as you did back then, Ki.” Angga's voice was low.
Kinan held her breath, refusing to be swept away. “Mr. Angga, weren't you going to the office?” Kinan tried to push away his athletic body.
Angga's lips curled into a grin. He stopped kissing the skin of the woman on his lap. “Get my clothes.”
Kinan quickly stood and fetched his clothes and pants. She put his tie on, and their eyes met for a split second. Kinan lowered her gaze. That strange flutter returned to her chest. “He's not the Angga he used to be, Ki,” Kinan's mind whispered.
Angga pinched Kinan's chin, making her look at him. Slowly, Angga brought his face closer. The girl's chest rose and fell faster than usual, especially with the distance between them shrinking. Kinan squeezed her eyes shut, until—
“Daddy.”
The girl's voice made Angga and Kinan immediately pull apart, both looking awkward. Angga went over to his little girl and picked her up. “What's wrong? Are you ready to go home?” Kayla nodded.
“I have music lessons this morning.” Kayla's voice was adorable.
“All right, let's go. Daddy's ready too.”
They headed toward the car parked in front of the door.
“M-Mr. Angga.”
Angga turned around.
“C-can I have my phone?” Kinanti asked softly.
“Your personal belongings are on the bedside table in your room,” Angga replied flatly.
After Kayla got into the car, Angga stood facing Kinanti.
“Get ready tonight. I'll erase every trace of Bram from your body.”
Kinanti froze.