Episode 6

With her tears streaming down, Archie felt a deep sorrow. It was not just the grief of marrying a man she did not love, but the knowledge that her union had caused another to sacrifice for her family's sake.

Following Kaivan's unexpected declaration, he was now poised to prove true to his word. Kaivan was set to marry Archiena.

Not just Archiena and Kaivan were to be wed, but Aditya and Adinda as well. The four of them were in the midst of preparations for their joint wedding.

Initially, Aditya's family objected to his marriage to Adinda, but Adinda had insisted that they were already intimate beyond boundaries deemed acceptable.

Archiena's parents demanded accountability for their daughter, who had been dishonored, though willingly so. At last, Aditya's family relented and consented to the marriage.

Presently, Archiena was being touched up on her makeup, awaiting Kaivan, who was also getting ready.

"Darling, please stop crying," Gita said gently.

Gita wiped her daughter's tears tenderly; she did not want Archiena to continue to dwell in sadness. Although her daughter was marrying someone else and not Aditya, she believed Kaivan would make her happy.

"Mom, isn't it problematic that Uncle Kaivan is sacrificing so much for our family?" whispered Archie.

Gita pulled up a chair and sat down, stroking her daughter’s head before smiling warmly.

"If Kaivan has made up his mind like this, then I am convinced he has considered it thoroughly," Gita replied gently.

"I am confident Kaivan has his reasons for marrying you, and I am certain you can find happiness with him," Gita added.

Archiena clasped her mother's hand, about to speak, but Adinda arrived, looking polished and ready for her wedding.

Archie and Gita observed Adinda, who appeared joyful, even arrogant. She cast a sharp glance at Archiena.

As a mother, Gita was truly ashamed and could not believe that her youngest daughter had become like this. She hadn't realized her own mistakes in raising her.

"Are you happy over your sister's suffering, Dinda?" Gita asked, rising to her feet.

"Mom," Archiena gripped her mother's hand, trying to avert a dispute.

"Are you proud to wear your sister's wedding dress?" Gita gazed at the bridal gown that Archiena had once tried on.

Adinda, who was looking at herself in the mirror, turned around with a smirk and a pitying look towards Archie.

"Of course, Mom. I am happy because I am marrying the man I love; I don't care about the dress," boasted Adinda.

"Besides, Aditya and I love each other. It's only Archie who's been delusional," she added loudly.

"ADINDA, YOU..." Gita stopped as Archie held and gently tugged at her hand.

"Mom, please, let's have no more quarrels," Archie whispered.

"Archie has always loved you and sacrificed for you, and this is how you repay her. I just can't understand, where is your conscience?" Gita spat angrily and disappointedly.

Adinda merely shrugged arrogantly, remaining silent and waiting for the marriage ceremony to start.

Archiena chose to stay silent as well, her thoughts drifting to Kaivan. He had always been indifferent and cold, and today, all of a sudden, he was to marry her.

"Forgive my family, Uncle," thought Archiena silently.

Risa entered the bridal waiting room, looking sharply at Archie and then approaching Adinda.

"Get up, the marriage contract is about to start," Risa urged her future daughter-in-law.

Adinda responded with a sweet smile, "Yes, Aunt."

Gita got her daughter to her feet and led her out of the room first.

After all, Archiena was older and would be the first to marry.

Archie appeared nervous, keeping her head down without raising her face at all.

Standing beside Kaivan in a matching outfit, she dared not even look at the guests, let alone meet Kaivan's eyes.

"Don't bow your head, Archie. Act not as if you are the one at fault here; lift your head," Kaivan whispered firmly yet softly.

Startled, Archiena lifted her face, taking in Kaivan's words. She tried to smile even though Kaivan did not return the gesture.

Archie linked arms with Kaivan, following the photographer's direction for their posed pictures.

"Proceed, child. The event is about to begin," Gita said softly.

The hotel room door opened, ready for the couple to walk down the red carpet toward the wedding dais.

They had just taken a few steps when whispers among the guests began. Archiena nearly bowed her head again but stopped when Kaivan caressed her hand.

Archie put on a brave smile, confronting the bewildered looks from the guests, including her friends.

Archiena knew they must all be wondering why her groom was not the man they expected, but for now, she chose not to worry about it.

Reaching the wedding dais, Archiena and Kaivan took their seats opposite Dito, ready to act as his daughter's guardian for the marriage.

"Shall we begin now?" Dito asked his prospective son-in-law.

"Ready," Kaivan responded confidently.

Dito extended his hand, immediately grasped by Kaivan.

"I marry you off and wed you, Kaivan Arsangga Diando son of Jefry Diando, to my daughter Archiena Kinan Xeviola daughter of Ardito, with a dowry of one million rupiah in cash, paid in full!" Dito declared.

Kaivan inhaled deeply. "I accept the marriage to Archiena Kinan Xeviola daughter of Ardito with the agreed dowry, in cash!" Kaivan proclaimed with a single breath, his voice fillin