Inside the house, amid wounds wrapped in unending sobs, Mom Atun glanced at her beloved son Dino—the child whose every wish she had always indulged and whom she had never demanded anything from—standing frozen near the door. His eyes reflected profound grief, a wound that could never be healed by an apology alone. Even so, the old woman slowly shook her head.
“Gusti Allah mboten sare, Riana. Just leave it... they’ll bear the consequences themselves.”
“No, Mom... we can’t just let this go!” Riana insisted as she rose to her feet again.
Her gentle attitude toward her mother instantly turned cold and hard when she spun around to face Melaa and Dino, who were still standing in the living room.
Melaa folded her arms across her chest, trying to regain her courage by throwing Riana a mocking look.
“Had enough of the drama? If you have, then you and your useless little brother should get out of the master bedroom, Riana! That room belongs to Dino and me! And you have absolutely no right to meddle in our lives here!” Melaa barked, as though she were the ruler of the house.
Riana smiled bitterly. She walked slowly toward the teak table in the middle of the room, then flung her work bag onto it, making a loud bang.
“BANG!”
“The master bedroom?” Riana asked quietly. “That room belonged to Dad and Mom from the day this house was built, Melaa. You took it from them with your fake excuses about the air conditioner and the stuffy air. But don’t worry, I’m not going to discuss the room this afternoon. There’s something far more important Dino needs to hear carefully, without missing a single word—and we’re going to settle it this very second.”
Melaa furrowed her brow. “What important thing?! Don’t act all mysterious!”
Riana fixed her eyes on Dino. “Dino, Sis heard that you and Melaa were going into town to process the transfer of the house deed into your names. Is that true?”
Dino lowered his head deeply, too afraid to meet his sister’s eyes. “Melaa... Melaa just said it was so the house would be safe, Sis. So there wouldn’t be any family disputes later...”
“Safe for whom?!” Riana cut in, her voice rising. “Safe for Melaa, so she can take complete control of this house after sending Dad and Mom to a nursing home?! Dino, can you think for even a second?!
“Do you have no conscience left for your mother and father?
“Have you really gotten to know this Melaa of yours so well that you’ll defend her to the death?” Riana demanded, her voice filled with anger and hatred as she confronted her younger brother, Dino.
“You think Sis doesn’t know the rotten scheme of this kept-wife wannabe you’re so obsessed with?!” Once again: “kept wife.”
“Riana! Don’t make baseless accusations!” Melaa cried out in panic, anxiety beginning to show on her face. “I’m Dino’s legal wife! I have a right to my husband’s future! I have a right to have my name on this house!”
“Legal wife?” Riana widened her eyes and stared at Melaa with utter hatred, turning her head as she let out a mocking chuckle.
“It would be better if you told the truth, Melaa!” Riana said firmly. “Before I reveal it myself, wouldn’t you agree, Melaa?”
Melaa’s face instantly flushed, and her eyes filled with tears at Riana’s threat. She began wondering what her sister-in-law, Riana, was about to expose.
Riana pulled documents from inside her work bag and slammed them onto the table. “Before you talk about rights and transferring the land title, how about we talk first about who you really are, Melaa Wijaya?”
The atmosphere in the living room suddenly became terrifyingly tense. Melaa stiffened. Her eyes remained fixed on the thick brown envelope Riana had just taken from her bag.
To be continued...