Episode 11

Dinner had long ended, yet no one had moved from their seats. Each person remained there, watching the servers clean up the tables while engaging in pretend conversations.

Annisa and Camelia continued to press their father for an evaluation of Riu's performance. Using the company as an excuse, they left their father powerless.

Meanwhile, Riu pretended to surrender in order to appear weak. He believed that the best time to fight against an enemy was when they believed they had you in their grasp.

"Honey, I need to use the restroom for a moment," Vale interrupted between the conversation with their in-laws.

"Okay, Darling. Be careful!" Riu replied.

After a tender moment - softly stroking Vale's arm while making intense eye contact - Vale left the room. Actually, there wasn't much business to attend to in the bathroom. Vale only did it to provoke Kelvin, who had appeared increasingly agitated. Vale couldn't wait to have a private conversation with him. It was sure to be thrilling.

And indeed, shortly after Vale left, Kelvin got up as well, claiming that he needed to retrieve his phone from the bedroom. However, he went to the bathroom instead and stood guard outside the door, his heart and emotions burning. He couldn't wait much longer to hear an explanation from Vale.

"Oh, turns out you're coming here too. Sorry, I didn't know. So, just relax inside," Vale said when they exited the bathroom and found their ex standing there.

"Explain to me, Vale!" Kelvin spoke firmly, his gaze gleaming.

"What do I need to explain? I don't think there's any misunderstanding between us," Vale pretended not to understand. They even put on a confused expression.

Kelvin roughly ran his hand through his hair. He was almost frustrated to accept the truth that the person he still loved was now married to his uncle.

"Why did you marry Riu?"

"What's wrong with that? He's a man and I'm a woman, isn't it normal to get married? It doesn't violate any religious or societal norms. Why should it be a problem?"

"He's my uncle!"

"Do you think I knew?" Vale folded their arms across their chest. "We were together for four years, and have you ever introduced me to your family? I only knew what your parents looked like through photos on your phone, we never met in person," they continued.

"He's disabled, permanently paralyzed. What can you get from a man like him? You won't be happy, Vale!"

"You couldn't be more wrong, Vin. I'm very happy to be married to him. Despite his paralyzed legs, he loves me sincerely. Besides, he's handsome and has a stable life. I won't be disappointed falling in love and marrying him," Vale calmly replied. They were truly satisfied to see Kelvin's bewildered face.

"I'm handsome and stable too, even more than him. I'm normal, capable of satisfying your desires and giving you offspring. And you won't get those two things from him!"

"What's the problem with not having offspring? There are many abandoned children out there, I can adopt one of them. And as for fulfilling desires... you're wrong. Even though he's paralyzed, Riu always satisfies me in other ways. I'm always enraptured by him." Vale responded mischievously, as if what they just said was indeed true.

"You're outrageous, Vale!" Kelvin pushed Vale against the wall. "We were together for four years, and not once did you want to do that with me. But with Riu... barely knowing him for a few days, you're already willing to do something so disgraceful. You're cheap, Vale," Kelvin continued with a breathless voice.

Vale laughed gleefully, "Cheap? Riu is my husband, you know. Since when did being intimate with your own husband become cheap? Kelvin, Kelvin, it seems like that word suits you better."

Kelvin couldn't say anything else. His sanity was crumbling because of Vale's words that always hit the mark. Until finally, Kelvin's defenses collapsed. Without considering his pride, he bowed down before Vale.

"I confess, I was the one who was foolish. Back then, I was the idiot. Vale... We've been together for four years. Surely you haven't easily erased the memories and love that once existed. Let's start over. I promise to always love you and make you my only woman. Divorce Uncle, and I will marry you immediately," Kelvin pleaded, begging for the love he had once thrown away.

"I can't. I am already married, and I love my husband," Vale firmly rejected. She wasn't foolish enough to repeat the same mistake.

"He's permanently disabled. If you don't divorce him, you'll forever take care of a disabled man like him. Don't be deceived by the wealth he possesses. Remember, I am an only child. Mama and Papa's wealth won't go anywhere, I am the sole heir. If we get married, you can also enjoy all of it."

"I can't. My love now is only for Riu."

"That's impossible, Vale. We've been together for so long, there must still be love for me." Kelvin's gaze was demanding, wanting Vale to return to his embrace.

"Believe it or not, that's not my concern, what's important is that I have been honest."

"Vale, please... consider me. I promise to change. The mistakes of the past will not be repeated." Kelvin still didn't give up.

"I love Riu because he is disabled. If you become disabled first, maybe I can consider you," Vale replied, brushing off Kelvin's hand that had just held her.

Hearing that response, Kelvin became extremely frustrated. Unconsciously, he yelled and cursed at Vale.

"You're crazy! Only crazy women like disabled men!"

Vale smiled cockily, "And you're crazier. Shamelessly pursuing a crazy woman who has clearly rejected you."

Kelvin remained motionless. All the emotions in his heart seemed to attack back and made his chest tight, making it difficult to breathe.

Vale took advantage of that opportunity to step away.

However, not long after, she stopped and turned back.

"Next time, don't call me Vale. I am your aunt, behave politely!"

Kelvin remained motionless. If it were appropriate, he would have roared right then.

______

Silence remained faithful to Vale and Riu, who had now arrived in the room. Since they were in the car until now, no one had spoken. Whether it was casual conversation or discussing the earlier issue.

"Did you know from the beginning that Kelvin was my ex-boyfriend?" Vale asked after a long silence.

"Not from the very beginning."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier that he was your nephew?" Vale asked again, while helping Riu move to the bed.

"What would have changed if you knew earlier?" Riu returned the question.

"At least I could have prepared myself."

"Did what just happen not count as preparation?"

Vale didn't answer. Everything she had said had been broken by Riu.

"You broke the agreement. You said there would be no physical contact, but earlier... you kissed my hand without permission," Vale changed the topic and brought up Riu's mistake.

"If you're not okay with it, you can answer back. Do the same thing I did earlier," Riu replied, extending his hand.

Vale widened her eyes, "That's not the point. You pretended until it involved me physically. That breaks your own promise."

Instead of being offended, Riu smiled widely.

"Facing them, I do pretend a lot, but... I never involve you even a bit. What I did to you, anytime and anywhere it was, was never just pretending."

Vale's heart wasn't secure. Her heartbeat instantly quickened, as if it wanted to jump out of its place. Not pretending, what did that mean...?

To be continued...

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