Episode 16

The car carrying Aozora and her mother-in-law Amber finally stopped in front of a five-star hotel, where Dimas and Tsania's wedding reception event was to be held.

As Aozora stepped out of the car, she gazed vacantly at the hotel building. Memories of how exhausted she was preparing for her own wedding with Dimas over the past three months flashed through her mind.

Aozora scanned the premises, looking at all the floral congratulatory boards for Dimas and Tsania's marriage. She couldn't deny the pain she felt now. "It should've been my name up there, not that cursed Tsania. I'm the one who labored over every detail, but that woman gets to enjoy it all!" grumbled Aozora, holding back her composure in front of her mother-in-law.

"Zora, why are you zoning out, dear? Let's go in!" Amber called out, her eyebrows knitting together.

"Yes, Ma!" Aozora replied as she started to follow her mother-in-law.

"Big sis, you're here?" Meta, having spotted Amber from a distance, rushed to greet her, as did her husband Damian. The couple, once very close to Aozora, hadn't yet noticed her looming behind Amber.

"Of course, I'm here. It is Dimas's happy day, after all," Amber responded, making small talk.

"Oh, this is Arsen's wife. Oh, it seems unnecessary to introduce you two; you already know her, right?" Amber reached for Aozora's hand and asked her daughter-in-law to stand by her side.

Meta's expression changed abruptly, the middle-aged woman suddenly giving Aozora a hateful look.

"Why are you here? You weren't invited, so you better leave before I call security to throw you out!" Meta's words were full of venom, and it would be false to say they didn't wound Aozora's heart, the second woman to cherish her after her mother's passing.

"Why are you driving her away? Does she need an invitation to come? You know she's my daughter-in-law, so her presence is on behalf of her husband Arsen. By rejecting her, you're indirectly rejecting me," announced Amber firmly, her dislike apparent on her face.

"Big sis, why defend her? Shouldn't you be careful, suspecting she's after Arsen's wealth? Aren't you afraid she'll take advantage of Arsen's current condition?" Damian chimed in, trying to sway his sister-in-law.

"You needn't worry. I trust she won't do such a thing. Unlike someone who claims to be family but is scheming as you accused my daughter-in-law of doing," Amber retorted with a smile, yet her words were laced with incisive sarcasm.

"Damn! Is she insinuating something about me?" cursed Damian under his breath.

"Sis, what did you mean by that? Who are you referring to, this so-called family member with devious plans?" Meta pressed, her brows furrowed once more.

"It's no one! Don't worry about it!" Amber insisted, eager to end the discussion.

Meta fell silent, not daring to argue further, yet her eyes continued to dart suspiciously at Aozora.

"Zora, let's find a place to sit, sweetheart!" Amber reached for Aozora's hand again.

"Big sis, why look for another seat? Your seat is already prepared up front there, with the Pramana family," Damian interjected before his sister-in-law could walk away.

"I think we don't need that. We'll find another table. Besides, you probably didn't prepare a seat for my daughter-in-law there, did you?"

Damian fell silent, neither denying nor affirming, because his sister-in-law was indeed correct.

"If you're silent, I take it my hunch is right. Plus, even if you did prepare a place, I would still choose to sit elsewhere, certain my daughter-in-law would be uncomfortable near you. We're going now!" Amber took Aozora and moved away, not waiting for a reply.

Meta watched Aozora's retreating back with an indecipherable gaze. Deep down, for some reason, there was an impulse to embrace the woman who had not become her daughter-in-law.

"Is what Dimas said about you true, Zora? Why do I feel this doubt, Auntie?" thought Meta, her blank expression turning sorrowful.

"Honey, don't look at her anymore! It'll only add to your hurt to see her like this. Better we head to our table now!" Damian cautioned, noticing the shift in his wife's demeanor.

"But, dear—"

"No buts! Please don't get captivated by her falsely innocent face again! Remember, she called off the wedding without a word, and next thing, she was married to Arsen! Now, focus on Tsania, the woman willing to replace Aozora and spare us any shame," Damian advised, steering his wife back toward their table.

"Yes, you're right! I shouldn't feel any sympathy for that serpentine woman again! Come on, let's return to our table!" asserted Meta, taking her husband's hand and heading to their designated spot.

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"Zora, I'm stepping out to take a call, okay!" Amber stood up from where she was seated after seeing Aozora's nod.

"Why did you come here? Do you plan any mischief to ruin my son's wedding?" came a loathed voice to Aozora. It was none other than Dona's, the woman who had been a thorn in her father's marriage.

Standing up, Aozora turned around with a mocking smile. The man she no longer considered her father stood beside the middle-aged woman.

"Emm, I wish I could say I do. But I'm still considerate, out of respect for Aunt Meta. If not for her, I assure you this event would have been in ruins. Not just ruins, but your son's and daughter-in-law's reputation would be tarnished too," Aozora said ambiguously.

Dona scoffed and smiled disdainfully, then leaned closer to whisper into Aozora's ear.

"Oh yeah? How so? Do you plan to step up and declare that Tsania and Dimas are adulterers, and you were supposed to marry Dimas instead? Is that it? Go ahead! No one will believe you because you have no proof, and I'll tell the guests you left Dimas and married Arsen for his wealth, and Tsania is only maintaining Dimas's family's honor by stepping in for you. Let's see who'll be believed, me or you?" Dona taunted, her sneer unwavering.

Aozora smirked enigmatically, now leaning in towards Dona.

"It's actually quite easy to ruin your daughter, esteemed Mrs. Dona. Want a peek?" Aozora whispered ambiguously.

Aozora reached into her bag for her phone. "Here's a taste," showing Dona a scandalous photo of Tsania in the nude.

"It's not just this photo, there's so much more! I even have vile videos of your daughter and Dimas engaging like a married couple before their wedding. Also, the dates on those recordings perfectly align with your foolish son-in-law's video captions," Aozora continued, relishing the sight of the dread on her adversary's pale face.

"Wh-where did you get those? Delete them now! Otherwise, I won't hesitate to—"

"Hesitate to do what? Dispose of me? I assure you that you're not capable of such a thing!" Aozora taunted.

"You cursed woman! Give me that phone!" Dona lunged to snatch the phone from Aozora's grip, but she evaded effortlessly.

"Are you sure about taking this phone from me now? Aren't you afraid that your actions here might attract attention? If so, your daughter's scandal could break out now, and Aunt Meta would oust her and demand Dimas to divorce your daughter. It'd be pitiful, getting divorced straight after getting married, and being the talk of all Indonesia," Aozora now found true satisfaction in Dona's defeat.

"Child, please don't do this! Tsania is your sister, after all. Consider this, do it for your father," pleaded Aditya, who'd been silent until now, speaking tenderly.

"And who are you to ask this of me? Remember, didn't I already say we have no connection anymore, after you sold me out? Why should I do it for you?" Aozora retorted with scornful tone and hateful eyes.

"You're really insolent!" Dona raised her hand to strike Zora.

"Go ahead, slap me! But remember, the moment you touch my face, your daughter's shame will be spread instantly!" Dona's hand halted mid-air upon hearing Aozora's threat.

"Remember, your daughter's fate and reputation rest in my hands! And just so you know, I've backed this up extensively, not just on this phone. From now on, the moment you bother me, I assure you Tsania's indecent photos and videos will flood social media!" Aozora continued, settling back in her chair.

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