Chapter 8

I closed the office door slowly, my breath still caught in my chest. My heart was in chaos, yet there was something different—a sense of release I had never felt in all the years I had been an overlooked wife.

“Devia… are you okay?” my secretary’s hesitant voice came from behind me.

I turned, giving a faint smile. “Yes, Lina. I’m fine. Today, I’m taking control of my own life.”

She nodded, but her eyes were still full of concern. “But… what about Argantara and Revania?”

I took a deep breath, staring at the office ceiling. “Let them be. I have my own plans now. No longer relying on a husband who never truly cared, and I won’t let Revania destroy my dignity again.”

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The next day, I arrived at the office with steady steps. All eyes were on me—not only because I was a manager returning after internal conflict, but also because the divorce rumors had spread quickly.

I sat at my desk, reviewing scattered reports, yet there was a strange sense of relief. It felt like freedom from the chains that had held me for so long.

Suddenly, the sound of high heels approached. I looked up—Revania stood at the end of the corridor, a thin smile on her face. “Devia… I see you’re moving again. Don’t get too confident. I can still bring you down anytime.”

I stared at her flatly, holding back the rising anger. “Revania, don’t waste your time. I’m not afraid of you anymore. Want to play your schemes? Go ahead. But don’t expect me to fall.”

She laughed thinly, smirking. “You’ve always been so stubborn, haven’t you? Good. I like a challenge.”

“Then let’s see who can really endure,” I replied coldly, opening my laptop and starting to work.

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In the following days, I began to show change. I started making my own decisions at the office, proving my abilities without Argantara’s help. The team, who had doubted me, began to respect me again. Even some major clients returned, impressed by the professionalism I demonstrated.

One afternoon, while preparing a presentation for a new product launch, my office door slowly opened. Argantara stood there, his black suit still perfectly in place, his eyes fixed on me with an expression hard to read.

“Devia…” His voice sounded heavy.

I met his gaze without looking down. “What do you want, Argan?”

He stepped inside, closing the door gently. “I… want to apologize. I was wrong. I’ve been selfish all this time, too focused on Revania and my mother’s wishes. But now I see… you’re stronger than I thought.”

I raised an eyebrow, staring at him coldly. “You just realized now? After years of ignoring me, and even wanting to hand my heart to Revania?”

Argantara sighed. “I know I don’t deserve anything. But I… want to make things right. I’m not asking you to come back. I just want you to know—I respect you.”

I gave a thin smile, but my eyes were sharp. “Argan, listen carefully. I don’t need your acknowledgment. I won’t go back to someone who saw me as weak. I’m building my own life now.”

He looked down briefly, eyes on the floor. “I understand… but I hope you’ll consider… at least as colleagues. I don’t want to see you fall because of revenge or emotions.”

I leaned forward, my gaze piercing. “Listen, Argan. I can stand on my own. I can conquer this challenge without your help. And don’t expect me to forgive Revania just like that. She’s not my threat, but a warning—that I can no longer be controlled by anyone.”

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The following days at the office became a new battlefield. Revania continued to try to disturb me—sending fake reports, interrupting meetings, even trying to alter the product launch plans. But this time, I wasn’t afraid. I faced every disruption with a clear head, countering every attack with smarter strategies.

One morning, during an important presentation in front of the board, Revania tried to sabotage my slides. I gave a thin smile, looking at the screen. Quickly, I shifted the presentation to my tablet, displaying more complete and professional data. Everyone was impressed, while Revania could only frown in the corner.

After the presentation, I stood in front of everyone, chest lifted, eyes sweeping across the room. “This is proof of our team’s hard work. We are not only capable of meeting targets but also demonstrating our professionalism without outside interference.”

The board smiled, some members patting my shoulder. I knew this time—I was truly standing on my own feet.

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That night, I returned to my apartment alone, far from Argantara and Revania. I opened the window, gazing at the sparkling city lights. The night breeze was calming, as if telling me this was the start of a new life.

I took a deep breath, setting aside all bitter memories. “I made it through all of that,” I whispered to myself. “I’m strong. Nothing can scare me anymore.”

At that moment, my phone vibrated. A message from a major client: “Devia, your team is amazing. We want to expand our contract with your company. Great work.”

I smiled widely, feeling a satisfaction I had never known. This wasn’t just a professional victory—it was personal. I had proven to myself, Argantara, and Revania that I was no longer a submissive wife or a puppet in anyone’s hands.

A few weeks later, the divorce was finally finalized at the civil office. I sat alone in the archives room, signing the last document. Each stroke of the pen on the paper felt like freeing myself from old chains.