"Leon, mommy is home," Rere called while carrying a shopping bag. As usual, Rere spent her time shopping.

"Leon is sleeping. Don't be too loud," Dino replied coldly.

​​

Rere's face soured as she looked at his husband with disapproval.

"Dad, I'm going to Mom Dila's place," Hanin said, leaving without looking at Rere.

"Look at your daughter." Rere was annoyed, she felt that Hanin didn't respect her.

"What about Hanin?"

"She doesn't regard me as her mother," Rere spoke while placing the shopping bag on the table.

"Oh, you feel unappreciated? Are you treating her like her mother? You just called Leon and ignored her."

"What do you mean?" Rere felt awkward then remembered her mistake. "I forgot."

"As a stepmother, you have to understand the child. Oh yes, I forgot if our marriage was forced. I was being ignored, so of course, you will ignore Hanin too."

"Speak clearly. Don't beat around the bus."

"Hanin is disappointed in you," said Dino, taking a seat on the sofa.

Rere also sat with Dino. They look at each other. There is no love in their eyes.

"Why is she disappointed in me?"

"Just ask yourself, are you treating her properly?"

"I'm great as her mother."

"Is it true?" Dino showed a smile full of sarcasm.

"Of course." Rere doesn't feel that she was wrong and doesn't want to be blamed.

"You are selfish Re. It turns out that you..."

"Turn out to be what?" Rere was stubborn and spoke loudly to Dino.

"Don't raise your voice at me. Don't think because I'm soft I can't be angry with you. I am your husband and the head of the family. You must respect me. Haven't you learned what a wife's duty is to her husband?"

"I never wanted to marry you. You forced this marriage on me. How many times have I told you? You are selfish, I hate you."

"Fine if that's what you want. Looks like you can't be a good wife and mother. I'll take the kids to KL."

"Don't take Leon away from me. He's my son. I've raised him alone."

"I have never avoided my responsibility. You are the one left instead of me. Hanin and Leon must grow together. What is the point of me being here with you? You knew you were wrong but did not want to apologize."

"Don't you dare take Leon from me! You're just a stranger."

"Don't step on the line, Rere," Dino growled in annoyance. For some reason, he couldn't control his emotions.

"You dare yell at me now?"

"You made me do it."

"You should have realized that from the start. We can take care of Leon without getting married."

"Do you still love Angga?"

Rere was silent, didn't have an answer to Dino's question. She felt sore when his name was mentioned.

"Why did you keep silent? I need an answer."

"Is that important?"

"It's important to me for our marriage."

"We will only hurt each other."

"Then?"

"You should understand the answer without me saying it."

"I do not understand."

"You're annoying." Rere stomped on the floor.

"Don't forget to talk about our relationship, especially with Bara."

Rere became timid. She did not have the gut to tell Bara that she wants a divorce. Instead of getting support, she would get scolded.

*****

"Why? You did not dare to? Are you afraid of Bara?" Dino grinned scornfully at Rere.

"Stop talking nonsense. I'm not afraid of him. I only respect him as my brother."

"Respect and fear are different, Re. I see that you are afraid of Bara. You owe him, don't you? If Bara wasn't there, you and Leon might have become beggars."

"Shut your mouth!" Rere threw a hand in the air. She didn't like Dino's words.

Dino smirked. For some reason, he was satisfied that he had provoked Rere's anger. He then approached Rere and cornered her against the wall. There is no gap between their bodies.

"Why? Are you scared?" Dino teased her again.

"Who said I was afraid?" Rere doesn't want to lose as she showed her arrogance.

"Are you sure you're not afraid?" Dino brought his lips closer to Rere's lips. Their lips were almost touching. Dino just wanted to test and did not intend to kiss Rere. How far can Rere stand his charm? Dino was sure that Rere was attracted to him but was embarrassed to admit it.

Rere tried to free herself but her body was held by Dino. The man raised Rere's hand above her head.

"Never fight against your husband."

"Let me go, or I'll scream." Rere gave a warning.

"Just scream, I am not afraid. People would praise me for being too great in bed and making you scream.

"Screw you! Stop that dirty talk."

"The more you don't like it, the more I am tempted to do it." Dino stroked Rere's cheek. The man's caress went down from her cheeks to her neck and then her arms. Finally, Dino touched Rere's thigh. He could feel her smooth skin because Rere was only wearing a knee-length dress.

Rere didn't want to accept Dino's touch. She started to struggle and tried to kick Dino's stomach but unlucky, the man read her movements so she missed the target. Dino grabbed Rere's leg instead and kept it on his waist. He held the leg until Rere could not move.

"This position is also good for making love."

"Watch your words." Rere doesn't like Dino's vulgar words.

"Why should I do that?"

"Stop harassing me."

"You are my wife and I am not harassing you." Dino flicked Rere's temple.

"It hurts," Rere screamed in annoyance. She tried to kick Dino but almost fell when she tried to do that. Rere forgot that Dino was holding one of her legs.

"Want to fight back? You would never be able to win against me. You are very weak, Re." Dino glared at his wife. Dino had already made up his mind. He would no longer yield and let Rere step on his head. All this time he just watched Rere and didn't do anything. It turns out that his silence actually made Rere presumptuous.

Rere gasped in surprise when Dino pressed their bodies together. Her plump breast pressed against Dino's chest. They stared at each other. Dino tried to look into those eyes to find any love for him. Rere never showed any concern for him. At least the girl had changed her attitude a bit since Dino was angry with her.

Dino then kissed Rere's lips abruptly. Rere tried to break the kiss but Dino's kiss got hotter and fiercer. Dino's kiss shattered Rere's defenses. She gave in when Dino's lips caressed and wet her lips. She closed her eyes, not wanting to look at Dino's face. The sound of their hot kiss echoed in all corners of the room. It is a beautiful and melodious sound in Dino's ears.

Dino let go of the hot kiss with a ragged breath. He was panting for breath, trying to inhale as much oxygen inside his lungs.

Rere wanted to slap Dino but the man's hand caught her hand faster. Dino twisted Rere's hand and made the girl face the wall with her hands behind her back. Dino got closer and pressed his cheek to Rere's cheek.

"Don't you dare hit your husband! Don't be a disobedient wife."

"Let go of me. It hurts," Rere groaned.

"It hurts?" Dino's laugh was full of sarcasm. "Compared to your accusations on the island, this is nothing."

"Do you have a grudge against me?" Rere was still trying to break free.

"If I say yes, what're you going to do?"

"What a vengeful man!" Rere chided Dino.

"You have to look in the mirror before you say that. You are a vengeful woman. You still hold a grudge against me even though I apologized. I know you are still hurt by what I said that morning. I misunderstood that time. I admit to you if I made a mistake, but your heart is too ruthless to not accept the truth. You feel that you are magnificent and the most righteous." Dino let go of Rere.

"You!" Rere clenched her fists, hurt by Dino's words.

"What?" said Dino in a high tone.

Rere who originally wanted to hit Dino's head lost her guts. The man's eyes gleamed like an eagle chasing its prey. She knew who would win without even trying.

"Apologize to me now!" Rere rebuked Dino. Her attitude is selfish to the point that she forgets her position as a wife.

Dino smirked, "Excuse me? Why should I apologize?"

"You hurt me and stole a kiss from me."

"No, I will never apologize. I just teach you a lesson with the kiss. Every time you are being rude, I will kiss you. If your behavior became worse, then I'll fuck you."

"Dino!" Rere doesn't like to hear his words. "Remember our agreement?"

" No one can control me, Rere, including you."

"You hypocrite man! A man must hold his word. Turns out you couldn't keep your promise."

"Oh, really?" Dino put his hand on his hips. "Can you keep your promise then?"