Trapped in My Ex's Love

“Is that it? That’s the reason you’re breaking up with me? Just because you’re tired of me? What kind of joke is that, huh!”“Yes, I’m tired of you. Besides, from the beginning, didn’t you know you were only my outlet? Come on, don’t be hypocritical. We’re still young, and the love we feel is nothing more than puppy love. We don’t even know if we would last. Our love is just recklessness and fleeting emotion. There is no sincere love between us.”‘Every word he said felt like a blade slicing my heart. I loved you wholeheartedly, but you saw it only as childish impulse and momentary emotion. Bintang, whatever happens to me now, I will blame you for it in the future. If we meet again someday, you’ll have to pay for this. Pray we never cross paths again.’**Moans echoed through the large room; there were no partitions, the bed, kitchen, and living area sharing the same open space though separated by distance. Only the bathroom had a divider and a door.“El, you’re amazing.” The French w

“El, come home with me,” Joya kept coaxing her son, hoping he would return to Indonesia with her.“No, Mom. I prefer staying here,” Langit refused for the umpteenth time.He was already dressed neatly, preparing to leave for work. Langit worked at Magnifique’s main headquarters in Paris.“I don’t care what you say. I’ll ask them to fire you so you’ll be forced to return to Indonesia!” Joya threatened, having run out of ways to persuade him.Langit had lived in that country far too long. Because of a heartbreak, he had left the place he was born, running away from his past.He looked at his mother—frustrated, desperate—before cupping her face and smiling gently at the woman who had given birth to him.“Mom, I’m really not ready to go back. Please don’t force me,” Langit pleaded, then kissed her forehead.Joya froze. She still didn’t fully understand what had happened eight years ago that made Langit insist on transferring schools even though exams were near. She had been threatened tha

Joya was furious with her son, to the point where she began recounting the struggle her husband—Kenzo—had gone through to win her over. He had been a playboy who enjoyed changing girlfriends, but he never indulged in casual sex. And when he broke up with Joya, Kenzo changed himself for the better to prove he was worthy of her.“Mommy is truly disappointed in you, El.” Joya covered her lips with one hand, as though trying to hold back the sadness caused by her son's change.Langit could clearly see the disappointment in his mother’s eyes. He reached for her, trying to hug her, but she pushed him away, unwilling to accept his embrace. Langit didn’t give up—he wrapped his arms around her from behind and rested his chin on the top of her head, which only reached the level of his arm.“Mom, forgive me,” Langit said, guilt weighing heavily on him as he saw the disappointment in Joya’s eyes.“Why are you apologizing to Mommy? Apologize to yourself—your behavior is damaging your own soul. Mom

Bintang jolted awake from her deep sleep, her heart racing and her chest tightening painfully. She had just dreamt about Langit—about the moment she had cruelly ended their relationship without giving him a clear reason, leaving him devastated and disappearing as if swallowed by the earth.Without realizing it, crystal-like tears slipped down her cheeks. After years of trying to forget him, tonight Bintang dreamt about Langit again. She raked her fingers through her hair in frustration, the traces of regret evident on her face.“I’m sorry, El. I’m sorry for hurting you.”Remembering Langit’s threat made every part of her body tremble with fear.**In Paris, France, Langit was still awake, standing near the glass wall of his apartment. He stared straight ahead, watching the expanse of Paris glitter beneath the night lights.He had just remembered the moment when Bintang asked to break up with him. He still couldn’t accept the reason she gave. To him, it was the most senseless excuse sh

Langit pursed his lips and wrapped an arm around Cheryl’s shoulder, guiding her as they walked.“Fish seedlings. Mommy’s upset because I threw them into the ditch,” Langit explained, then glanced at Joya, who was still grumbling in annoyance.Cheryl became even more confused—why would fish seedlings be thrown into a ditch?“Were you running some kind of fish-breeding farm there?” Cheryl asked innocently.Langit held back his laughter, while Joya grew even more irritated with her son, who had made her revisit the issue of the superior-quality seedlings he had carelessly thrown away.“No,” Langit replied. “Let’s not talk about it.” He finally tried to change the subject.**They headed to Langit’s parents’ house. Along the way, Langit looked out at the streets they passed, realizing how much had changed over the past eight years.Eight years—Langit had never once thought of returning to that country. If Joya hadn’t begged him and insisted he come home, he might never have returned and w