Hendrik stared at his phone, his heart pounding. He tried calling Jenny… but the call wouldn't go through.
His face turned pale. Hands trembling, he entered the bathroom. His eyes immediately landed on something that made his breath catch—a pink bra hanging on a hook.
"Oh my God! That's… Lanny's bra! How did it end up here?" he shouted, his voice shaking.
His heart raced, his mind in chaos. Memories of nights with Lanny, the passion, the addictive games—they came rushing back. It was so different from Katrina, whose style had been monotonous for decades, never exciting him like this.
Guilt and worry about Katrina surged. He tried to calm himself and called Jenny again.
This time, the call connected.
"Hello… Hendrik! Yes, what's wrong?" Jenny's voice came through the line.
"Katrina! Where is she, Jen? Why isn't she at home?" Hendrik sounded panicked.
"She's at Mom's house, Mas," Jenny replied, her voice firm but calm.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?! I was worried sick!" Hendrik's tone was half-angry, half-relieved.
"Jen! I want to talk to Katrina!" Hendrik shouted, his voice rising.
"I'm sorry, Hendrik… she doesn't want to take your call!" Jenny's voice trembled.
"Oh… why not?" Hendrik asked, confused.
"Mas! I think you know already! She's mad because there's a woman's bra in the bathroom!" Jenny explained, no longer trying to sound composed.
Hendrik was silent. The line clicked as Jenny hung up.
His heart was in turmoil—sad, but at the same time relieved. No longer did he have to fear Katrina being at home. His chaotic thoughts gradually faded, replaced by focus on tomorrow's wedding.
He immediately called Lanny.
"Hello… Mas," Lanny's voice came through.
"Lanny… I'll wait for you at the civil registry office at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
We're getting married there. I've already told Mang Udin to prepare everything," Hendrik said firmly.
"Okay, Hendrik. I also bought the wedding dress yesterday," Lanny replied.
"Good! We're finally getting married openly!" Hendrik smiled, his face full of excitement.
For the moment, he forgot about Katrina's anger.
That day, he retrieved the wedding suit he had worn ten years ago, still neatly stored. He remembered the days when they married without Katrina's parents' consent. Despite everything, Katrina had chosen to marry without their approval.
Hendrik sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, opening their simple wedding album from when they had nothing. Now, everything was different—Hendrik was a CEO with a high position, salary, and bonuses.
He exhaled deeply, staring at the album, whispering, "Katrina… forgive me. I married without your consent."
He lay back, closing his eyes for a moment. Soon, dreams surfaced, weaving memories and past shadows into delicate, fleeting visions.
The next morning, Hendrik woke up to see the clock showing 7 a.m.
It was time to shower and wear his wedding suit. He moved quickly, preparing everything for the trip to the civil registry office.
Mang Udin was already at the house. His own wedding suit had been prepared so he could act as Hendrik's witness.
"Boss… are you ready?" Mang Udin asked.
"Yes, Mang," Hendrik replied shortly. "You'll be my witness, okay?"
"Yes, boss. Ready!" Mang Udin shouted.
"Let's go, Mang!" Hendrik called out, full of excitement.
They set off together.
Unbeknownst to them, someone was following from behind. Apparently, they wanted to know where Mas Hendrik was going…
From the start of the journey to arriving at the registry office, the car was never out of their sight. They followed closely, making sure Hendrik reached his destination.
When the car stopped in front of the office, two women inside kept their heads down to avoid being seen by Hendrik. Their hearts pounded, hands sweaty, eyes fixed on Hendrik's every move.
Soon after, Lanny arrived with her friend acting as her witness, wearing a stunning wedding dress and perfectly done makeup, different from her usual appearance. Lanny gave a small, happy smile. This moment would be remembered, even if she was the second wife.
Lanny walked into the building.
Hendrik was amazed. Lanny looked even more beautiful than he had imagined. He smiled and approached her, heart racing.
They sat down in front of the officiant. The officiant gave instructions to both couples—what to do and what to say during the ceremony.
Hendrik brought a wedding ring and ten million rupiah as dowry. The officiant allowed him to say his wedding vows and place the money on the table. Hendrik was then asked to put the ring on Lanny's middle finger.
As Hendrik began his vows, a sudden shout pierced the air.
Jenny appeared at the doorway, pushing Katrina in a wheelchair.
"Stop! This wedding is invalid! She is Hendrik's wife!" Jenny shouted loudly, staring at the officiant and all the guests.
Katrina sat in the wheelchair, her face tense, eyes fixed on Hendrik with a mixture of anger, disappointment, and hurt
The officiant and several guests were shocked. Whispers filled the room. Nobody expected the wedding to turn into such chaos.
But Hendrik remained upright, his face serious, eyes on Katrina and Lanny. In a firm voice, he said, "I am going to continue this wedding."
Lanny looked at Hendrik, her face a mixture of confusion and anxiety, while Jenny held Katrina back from moving forward too quickly.
Hendrik continued speaking, and the officiant declared, "By this, the marriage is valid!"
Suddenly, chaos erupted. Jenny and Katrina moved forward, shouting, "Lanny… you're a wicked woman!"
Katrina tried to grab Lanny's hair, but Hendrik quickly intervened, stopping any violence.
The officiant and several people, including Mang Udin, held Jenny back to prevent further chaos.
"Darling! You're cruel! I will never forgive you today!" Katrina shouted, her voice full of rage, even while sitting in the wheelchair.
Several people began to escort Jenny and Katrina out of the room, calming the situation.
Hendrik remained silent, his face firm, ignoring the shouting.
Meanwhile, Lanny looked frightened, her heart racing. She only wanted to follow the procedure and help Hendrik, hoping this moment of happiness could continue… even amid chaos.
After being escorted out of the registry office, Katrina looked weak. Her face was pale, hands trembling, and her breath ragged. The emotional stress of witnessing Hendrik marry Lanny had clearly taken a toll on her health.
Jenny, panicked at her sister's condition, quickly guided her to the car. Throughout the drive, Katrina sobbed uncontrollably. Her hoarse voice whispered, "Hendrik… you're such a bastard!"
Minutes later, Katrina began losing consciousness. She slumped in the seat, and Jenny immediately stopped the car, trying to stay calm while calling for help.
Jenny's heart was filled with fear and panic; she knew her sister was on the edge, physically and emotionally.
Meanwhile, Hendrik and Lanny's wedding proceeded flawlessly. The atmosphere returned to warmth and happiness. They kissed, laughed freely, and enjoyed their official moment as husband and wife, as if the world belonged only to them, far from the chaos that had just occurred.
Yet in another place, Katrina lay weak in the hospital, facing a far graver challenge. Her breaths came short and shallow, and the shadow of death seemed to draw ever closer, as if fate itself was slowly taking her away.
Jenny held her sister's hand tightly, trying to hold back fear and despair, hoping against hope that some miracle could save Katrina from the edge of mortality.