LOGINI took a bullet for my boyfriend, Leo. When I woke up, I decided to play a little game. I told him I had amnesia. I wanted to see what he'd do. Instead, I saw a flash of excitement in his eyes. Next thing I know, he brings in his cousin. Dante. The Don of the family. "This is your fiancé, Dante. You've been engaged for two years." Dante. The man who supposedly hated me. Now he was staring at me like I was his whole world. "Yes," he said. "I'm your fiancé." Fine. I'll play along. I need to know what game Leo is playing. That night, I saw it. Security footage in Dante's mansion. Leo, in bed with another woman. He kissed her like he was starving. Pushed inside her. And he talked trash about me. "Let my cousin watch Bella for a while. She's so damn needy. You're what I really need, Scarlett." My heart shattered. He pawned me off on another man. Just so he could screw around. Fine. Two can play at that game. I'll get myself a new fiancé. I put on the wedding dress. I kissed Dante—a deep, devouring kiss, right in front of Leo. And that's when he finally broke. He lost his mind. Told me he was wrong and begged me to come back.
View MorePukul 02:47 dini hari. Angka merah di jam digital menyala seperti mata iblis dalam kegelapan kamar. Aku terbangun lagi dengan perasaan hampa yang menggerogoti dada.
Di sampingku, Dimas tidur membelakangi tubuhku. Bahunya naik-turun teratur, tenggelam dalam tidur lelap yang tak terganggu. Suara napasnya bercampur dengan dengingan AC, menciptakan simfoni kesunyian yang terlalu familiar.
Aku menggeser tubuh perlahan di atas kasur king size yang terasa terlalu luas untuk dua orang yang tak lagi berbagi kehangatan. Sprei satin krem itu dingin menyentuh kulit, sedingin jarak yang menganga di antara kami.
Mata yang enggan terpejam memandang langit-langit polos. Cat putih sempurna tanpa retakan—seperti kehidupan pernikahan yang kami pamerkan pada dunia. Tapi di balik kesempurnaan itu, ada kehampaan yang menggerogoti dari dalam.
Kapan terakhir kali Dimas menyentuhku dengan lembut? Bukan sentuhan terburu-buru di pagi hari atau sentuhan mekanis saat ia membutuhkan pelepasan. Memori itu terasa jauh, seolah milik orang lain.
Tiga tahun sudah sejak kami menikah. Rasanya seperti tinggal bersama orang asing yang kebetulan berbagi nama keluarga. Dimas Prasetya, suami mapan yang setia pada pekerjaannya, selalu pulang tepat waktu tapi tak pernah benar-benar "pulang" untukku.
Aku bangkit dari tempat tidur, kaki telanjang menyentuh lantai parket sejuk. Cermin besar memantulkan bayangan seorang wanita 29 tahun dengan rambut sebahu berantakan, mengenakan piyama sutra dusty pink—hadiah anniversary pertama dari Dimas. Dulu ia bilang warna itu cocok dengan kulitku. Sekarang, bahkan dalam lingerie termahal, matanya tetap tertuju pada laptop atau ponsel.
Langkah membawaku ke jendela yang menghadap taman belakang. Gordyn cream kusingkap, membiarkan cahaya bulan masuk. Pohon mangga yang kami tanam saat baru menikah kini tinggi, daunnya bergoyang tertiup angin.
Aku ingat betapa excited-nya kami merancang rumah ini. Dimas yang pendiam jadi cerewet membahas setiap detail. Kami pernah bertengkar karena perbedaan selera warna cat. Sekarang kusadari, pertengkaran itu lebih hidup dibanding percakapan datar belakangan ini.
"Morning, sayang." "Sudah makan?" "Jangan lupa kunci pintu." "Aku pulang agak malam."
Kalimat-kalimat pendek itu sudah jadi rutinitas. Tidak ada lagi "Aku merindukanmu" atau mata yang berbinar saat bertemu. Yang ada hanya kewajiban suami-istri yang dijalankan dengan autopilot.
Tiba-tiba, musik memecah keheningan. Suara jazz lembut dengan saxophone sensual dari rumah sebelah—rumah yang baru ditempati minggu lalu. Siapa yang masih terjaga jam segini?
Aku mendekatkan wajah ke jendela, mengintip. Lampu rumah sebelah menyala, bayangan seseorang bergerak di balik tirai. Penasaran itu memberikan sensasi yang sudah lama tak kurasakan. Sesuatu yang baru, berbeda dari rutinitas membosankan yang menjerat hidupku.
Dulu, sebelum menikah, aku Raisa yang berbeda. Yang bekerja di bank, punya teman kantor, sering keluar malam, tertawa lepas, merasa hidup. Sekarang hanya Raisa si istri Dimas, hari-hari diisi rutinitas yang sama: bangun, masak, bersih-bersih, menunggu suami pulang, tidur, lalu bangun dengan perasaan hampa yang sama.
Kapan aku mulai kehilangan diriku sendiri?
Musik berganti—lebih slow, lebih intim. Melody itu membuatku teringat malam-malam pertama pernikahan. Saat Dimas masih mencium keningku sebelum tidur, memelukku erat, saat kami bercinta dengan mata terbuka, saling tenggelam dalam hasrat tulus.
Sekarang bercinta pun jadi rutinitas. Sebulan sekali, dengan gerakan terprediksi. Dimas menyentuh dengan terburu-buru, aku merespons seadanya, lalu selesai. Tidak ada foreplay, kata manis, atau pelukan setelahnya. Ia langsung ke kamar mandi, aku terbaring dengan perasaan kosong.
Aku pernah mencoba membicarakan ini. Setelah "sesi rutin" yang mekanis, aku bertanya, "Dimas, apa kita baik-baik saja?"
"Kenapa? Ada masalah apa?"
"Aku merasa kita... berbeda. Jarang bicara, jarang dekat."
"Raisa, kita kan sudah menikah. Wajar kalau tidak seperti dulu lagi."
Kalimat itu seperti tamparan halus. Jadi menikah berarti kehilangan keintiman? Menerima kehambaran sebagai sesuatu "wajar"?
Malam itu aku menangis dalam diam sementara Dimas tertidur nyenyak. Sejak itu, aku tak pernah lagi membicarakan perasaanku. Untuk apa? Ia sudah merasa hidup kami "normal-normal saja."
Tapi aku tidak. Aku merasa mati perlahan-lahan.
Musik dari rumah sebelah berhenti. Kesunyian kembali menyelimuti. Aku masih berdiri di jendela, memandang rumah yang kini gelap. Siapa dia? Pertanyaan-pertanyaan menari di kepala, memberikan distraksi dari keresahan. Sudah lama aku tidak merasakan penasaran seperti ini.
Jam menunjukkan 03:15. Sebentar lagi subuh. Dimas bangun 05:30 untuk jogging—rutinitas yang ia jalani tanpa mengajakku. Setelah itu sarapan dalam diam, lalu berangkat kerja hingga malam. Dan aku? Melanjutkan hari dengan aktivitas sama: bersih-bersih rumah yang sudah bersih, memasak untuk orang yang makan tanpa berkomentar, menonton TV sendirian.
Hidup yang sempurna di mata orang lain. Rumah mewah, suami mapan, tidak ada masalah finansial atau kekerasan. Tapi mengapa rasanya seperti mati?
Aku kembali ke tempat tidur. Dimas masih memunggungi, seolah bahkan dalam tidur tidak membutuhkanku. Aku berbaring hati-hati, tidak ingin membangunkannya.
Di luar, burung-burung mulai berkicau samar. Fajar akan menyingsing, membawa hari baru dengan rutinitas sama, perasaan sama, kekosongan sama.
Tapi malam ini berbeda. Ada musik dari rumah sebelah. Ada seseorang yang juga terjaga. Untuk pertama kali dalam waktu lama, aku merasa penasaran pada sesuatu. Dan entah mengapa, perasaan itu membuatku sedikit lebih hidup.
Ketika tidur datang, aku bermimpi tentang musik jazz lembut, bayangan di balik tirai, dan kemungkinan-kemungkinan yang belum pernah kupikirkan sebelumnya.
Three months later, our wedding was held at Dante's private estate.I walked through a sea of white roses, in a custom gown, toward the altar.Dante stood there in a black tuxedo, his eyes only on me."You're so beautiful it aches," he whispered, taking my hand.The priest began the vows.Suddenly, the doors at the back of the chapel burst open.Leo stumbled in, his suit a mess, his eyes wild."Isabella!" he yelled. "You can't marry him!"Every guest turned. The air froze."The one you love is me!" he roared. "You know it! We have a history!"Two of Dante's men were on him in a flash, grabbing his arms."Let me go!" Leo struggled. "Isabella, look at me! You know I'm still in your heart!"I looked at him, my face blank.Dante let go of my hand and walked slowly toward Leo."Leo Falcone," his voice was cold enough to freeze hell. "You're making a scene at my wedding?""Dante, she's my—""She is my wife," Dante cut him off, his voice dangerously soft. "Legally. As of this moment.""I don'
The St. Christopher medallion glowed in my palm. The memories came flooding back.That summer night, five years ago.The yacht party. I was drunk. I slipped on the deck and fell into the black water.The cold sea swallowed me. I thought I was going to die.Then, a man dove in.Tall, strong. He pulled me toward the shore in the darkness.The last thing I remember before the blackness took me was a pair of deep, intense eyes."It was you," I whispered, looking at Dante."It was me," he nodded. "But when you woke up the next day, Leo told you he was the one who saved you.""So I...""So you gave your heart to him," Dante's voice was rough with old pain. "Thinking you owed him your life."It all made sense.What I’d felt for Leo… it was never love. It was a debt.And Dante..."So that's why," I whispered, looking up at him. "Why my heart hammers in my chest when you're near. Why your kiss felt like coming home.""Isabella...""My love for Leo was a lie." Tears blurred my vision. "It was a
Leo's confession dropped into the dead silence of the deck.Every eye darted between the three of us. The air smelled of salt and betrayal.I slowly got to my feet and looked at the weeping man on the floor."So you're my fiancé?" My voice was terrifyingly calm."Yes!" Leo nodded frantically. "For two years!""Then tell me, fiancé." I walked closer, each word a razor's edge. "Why did you shove me at the Don in front of the entire Family?"Leo's mouth opened and closed. No words came out."Because you were tired of me, right?" I pressed on. "Because you wanted freedom, you wanted to screw around with other women, so you used my amnesia to throw me at Dante like I was garbage?""No... I just...""You just what?" I sneered. "You wanted to put your fiancée on ice while you played the field. Is that it?"Leo’s face was chalk white."And now you see me and Dante happy, and you're jealous? You want me back?" My voice dripped with scorn. "Your love is worthless, Leo. It's pathetic."The words
The next day, Leo was back on the yacht.He looked like hell. Dark circles under his eyes, stubble on his chin."Isabella. We need to talk." He walked straight to Dante and me.Scarlett trailed him, her face a thundercloud. "Leo, what are you doing?""I'm telling the truth," Leo said, his eyes locked on me. "The truth about us."Everyone gathered around. The air was thick with tension."Leo, don't make a scene," Dante warned."No!" Leo suddenly dropped to his knees in front of me. "Isabella, I was wrong. I was so wrong."Tears streamed down his face, his voice trembling. "I shouldn't have treated you like that. I shouldn't have pushed you away. I regret it."I looked down at him, my face a mask of ice."What are you talking about? I don't understand.""You have to remember," Leo sobbed, his voice cracking. "What you said last night... you remember. You have to.""I only remember that my fiancé is Dante," I said, my voice flat. "I'm not interested in anything else."Leo's eyes filled wi
I slipped back downstairs. Dante was already waiting for me.His face was grim. I saw it flicker in his eyes. Something I’d never seen in him before. Doubt."What did Scarlett say to you?" he asked carefully."Nothing important." I took his hand. "Just girl talk."Dante was quiet for a moment, choosing his words."Isabella... if someone told you... that you and Leo were once close... how would you feel?"His voice was soft, but I heard the fear underneath.I looked at his tense face, and a wave of warmth washed over me."Leo?" I frowned, as if trying to place him. "Why would I be interested in my fiancé's cousin?"Dante visibly relaxed."You're my fiancé, aren't you?" I stood on my toes. I kissed the corner of his mouth. "You're the only one."He pulled me into his arms, holding me tight."Whatever anyone says, remember this." He whispered in my ear. "You belong to me."The dinner on the deck was a dream.I was in a black slip dress. Dante draped his suit jacket over my shoulders."You
"Let me let you in on a little secret." Scarlett’s eyes were chips of ice. "Leo's fiancée? It's you."I kept smiling. "I don't know what you mean.""Stop playing dumb," she sneered. "Leo told me everything. You were engaged for two years. He got tired of you clinging to him. So he cooked up this whole amnesia story and handed you off to Dante like a package."The wind billowed my skirt, but my voice was calm. "So what?""So what?" Scarlett's eyes widened. "Aren't you angry? Aren't you heartbroken?""If he doesn't love me, why should I love him?" I turned to face the sea."But you should stay away from him!" Scarlett's voice turned shrill. "He's mine now! My family can give Leo real power. Real money. Not some no-name family like yours."I spun on her, my eyes blazing."Little family?" I let out a short, cold laugh. "Scarlett, do you even know Leo?""Of course I do!""Then do you know why he chose you?" I stepped toward her. "It's not for love. And it's not for your family's power.""Th
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