Episode 4

"Angel, I..." Sanaya couldn't finish her sentence as she glanced at Alvaro, who was staring unblinkingly at Renata. Then, she grasped her husband's arm.

Alvaro was jolted back to reality, swiftly refocusing on his food.

"Brother Zayn," Renata beamed at the young man who was now her sibling and planted a swift kiss on Zayn's chiseled cheek.

With a slight smile in response, Zayn gestured for Renata to sit beside him by patting the seat.

Meanwhile, Rendra watched Renata with a complex gaze. For some reason, he felt a twinge of discomfort because she hadn't greeted him. His daughter usually clung to him, seeking attention, even though it would earn her his ire. But now, she wasn’t even looking at him. It was like she acted as if he didn't exist. Rendra didn't like it; the only affection was the kiss for Zayn.

"Have this, Renata," Zayn said, offering her a slice of bread spread with chocolate.

"Thanks, Brother Zayn," Renata accepted it cheerfully.

"Why do you call her Renata, Zayn?" Santy asked, driven by curiosity.

"Is that not allowed? It is my name, too," Renata retorted with a cold stare at Santy.

From their time in the hospital, Renata had marked Santy. As a former psychiatrist, she knew Santy was only feigning kindness towards her.

"Mind your words, Angel. You must not speak so harshly to your mother," Rendra chided, displeased by Renata's attitude.

Santy’s face soured instantly, "It's okay, husband, I'm used to Angle's behavior."

Renata rolled her eyes, exasperated.

There it was. Santy really was like a fox. A stepmother showing two-faced behavior was no surprise.

Renata’s gaze shifted toward Sanaya, sitting next to Alvaro, across from Zayn. Hopefully, Sanaya didn’t share her mother’s qualities.

Truth was, Renata enjoyed the lead female character; Sanaya's love story with Alvaro was sweet indeed. Indeed, Renata was prepared to support the married couple, determined not to be the third wheel.

On the other hand, Alvaro, misunderstanding the direction of Renata’s gaze—assuming she was looking at him—remarked smugly, "I know you're only pretending to have amnesia, to look at your sister's husband with such adoration."

Renata quickly turned to Alvaro with incredulity, "Rational?"

Alvaro glared back, certain of his sanity.

"Sister Angel, I beg you, stop troubling our marriage," Sanaya implored with tear-filled eyes.

"Who is troubling your marriage? I've only been..."

*BRAK*

Rendra slammed the table with his fist, "Stop that, Angel!" he rebuked.

Confused by the confrontation, Renata looked at him; it was Alvaro who grew arrogant on his own.

"Quit hoping for someone who isn’t yours, Angel! Alvaro is now Sanaya's husband, your own sister. Not only a bringer of misfortune but your heart is truly rotten," Rendra scolded bitterly, even pointing accusatory fingers at her.

"Why can't you see it, Angel? You will gain nothing by taking Alvaro from Sanaya," Santy added, fanning the flames further.

"I thought we as siblings understood each other's feelings, but I've come to realize you, Sister Angel, are really trying to steal Alvaro from me," Sanaya lamented, tears flowing freely.

Truly a fragile and emotional woman. Who wouldn't sympathize with Sanaya's tears?

"Don't worry, darling. I could never turn away from you. I belong to you, forever and always," Alvaro assured, taking one of Sanaya’s hands on the dinner table.

Renata clenched her fist under the table; not out of jealousy or envy, but fury at being unfairly cornered.

Was this the pressure the antagonist in the story felt? No wonder Angel’s end was so tragic.

"Really, who's taking from whom? Didn’t Sanaya take you, Alvaro, when you were with me for four years?"

Silence fell, for there was some truth in her words.

Then Renata regarded Sanaya with her tearful eyes, disgusted by someone whose only defense mechanism was crying, as if they suffered the most.

"So, Sister Angel, you blame me?" Sanaya sobbed even more.

"Enough, Angel! Sanaya isn't like that!" Rendra defended his stepdaughter.

Renata turned to her father, "A father should not hurl painful words at his daughter. They should offer motivational speeches and warm embraces."

"A father should provide a firm shoulder for his daughter to lean on, to soak his shirt with her tears. But why, Mr. Rendra, is your shoulder too far for me to reach?"

Rendra froze, speechless. Discomfort gnawed at him as Renata addressed him as 'Mr. Rendra,' not 'Father' as usual.

"Sister Angel──"

"Don't call me Angel anymore. The Angel you knew is dead!" Renata cut off Sanaya's words.

"What do you mean, Angel? Speak no foolishness!" Rendra reprimanded after a moment's pause, displeased by her statement.

With a twisted smile, Renata gazed around the dinner table, "From now on, call me Renata, I'm not the Angel of before. The Angel you knew is dead."

"W-what do you mean?" Zayn asked, previously silent, shocked by his sister's declaration.

"The Angel longing for Mr. Rendra's love has perished. Only Renata remains, seeking her happiness," Renata spoke, locking eyes with Rendra, stirring unease in him.

Renata’s gaze swung to Sanaya, "Remember this; you are the one who took Alvaro. I was merely trying to reclaim what was mine. But upon reflection, the world is vast enough to find a better man than your Alvaro. Keep that unremarkable man. I cease to care for your relationship."

Renata then rose from her seat, "Rest assured, I will soon depart from this hellish home."

As she walked away, leaving the others speechless, each lost in their thoughts.

"Are you satisfied," Zayn finally broke his silence, "satisfied with hurting my sister?"

"Zayn, we didn’t mean," Santy began, attempting to justify.

Zayn exhaled deeply, "I've kept quiet, knowing Angel to be strong, but this time, you’ve gone too far. If anyone should leave this house, it isn’t her, it's you."