Today was Tera's 36th birthday. Yes, she wasn't young anymore, but thanks to regular beauty treatments at her favorite clinic and a healthy lifestyle, Terabita Sastia Utami worked hard to resist the signs of aging. After all, time only seemed to make men more distinguished. Sometimes, it felt unfair, but Tera was determined to balance the scales in her own way—by using the wealth she had. With money, anything impossible became possible.
The one person she hoped would remember her birthday, however, had been cold and preoccupied since morning. It was likely he had forgotten. They had been getting along without much conflict, at least for the past few days. Tera and her husband, Tama, had three bright sons, two of whom were twins, though Tera wasn't sure which side of the family carried the twin gene. Her husband was the CEO of Sigma Future Group, a conglomerate that managed several major companies. Pratama Irawan, or Tama as he was known, was the eldest of two siblings.
It had been seven days since the death of that woman, her husband's college lover. Tama was still grieving, even though his legitimate wife stood here, opening the door to welcome him home tonight. They exchanged glances without much expression; Tera could clearly see the weariness etched on her husband's face. But what could she do? This man had never loved her as a woman.
"Why didn't you use an umbrella?" Tera asked.
Earlier, she had seen Tama jog from the car, while a housekeeper quickly checked on the vehicle.
"I forgot," Tama replied as he struggled to remove his tie.
He quickly made his way to the master bedroom. His broad, strong shoulders looked lonely, as if he had lost all zest for life, yet the heavy burden of responsibility was still evident—responsibilities like Sigma Future Group, his father's trust, and Indra's freedom. Tama had sacrificed much, often neglecting himself.
Meanwhile, the only woman who had made Tama feel alive was now gone forever. Tera didn't want to remember that woman's name. She was just thankful that Tama hadn't fathered any children with another woman.
Living as the second woman for years, never being prioritized, was painful. Tama's affair wasn't just infidelity; Tera had been thrust into his life through an arranged marriage. But as his legal wife, she should have had the right to both emotional and material support.
"Tama," Tera called out.
He stopped walking and turned slowly, saying nothing.
"Do you remember what today is?" Tera asked.
He paused for a moment, lowering his head and rubbing his face. "Don't ever expect a happy birthday wish or a surprise from me, Ter. You know my situation," Tama said coldly before attempting to walk away.
"That's not it. You promised to watch a movie with Ben, but he fell asleep waiting for you to come home," Tera replied.
"Oh, I'll apologize to him tomorrow. I'm too tired today, I just want to sleep."
Tera watched him disappear from view. A single tear fell down her cheek, which she wiped away with the back of her hand. She turned and walked in the opposite direction, trying to ignore what she had just heard.
"I guess he doesn't need me," Tera murmured to herself.
Thunder roared, and the rain intensified. Fortunately, the children were already asleep. That night, the twins had cried out in fear, running to their mother's room for comfort and hugs. Tera hummed softly until her second and third sons drifted back to sleep.
Outwardly, she might appear heartless and cold, but Tera was still a mother to her three sons. To the outside world, their marriage seemed flawless, but the truth was she never felt truly loved as a wife. Her relationship with Tama was more like that of colleagues—only speaking when necessary, without any affection.
***
In the afternoon, Tera sat alone in a café, waiting for a contact. She was planning to sell one of her apartment buildings since property prices were rising. She needed to discuss specific details before finalizing the sale. For over half an hour, she kept glancing at her phone, but there was no response to her last message.
Ting!
Another message arrived; it was from Priska, her sister-in-law. After one year of marriage, Priska and Indra now had a baby boy. Tera couldn't help but marvel at how the male genes seemed to dominate in her husband’s family. She smiled faintly as she read the message, wondering how Priska knew it was her birthday.
[Sis, Indra and I are coming over tonight. Anyway, happy birthday! We have a surprise for you—well, it’s mostly my idea; Indra just nodded along.]
[You don’t have to. You have a baby, don’t you? What if he gets fussy?]
Tera's relationship with Priska had once been strained, mainly because Tera didn't think an ordinary woman like Priska was good enough for Indra. But who would have thought that Priska was actually the eldest daughter of the owner of Genevie Luxe Department Store, where Tera often shopped? Due to some circumstances, Priska had been abandoned at an orphanage. Thanks to Indra's efforts, Priska's biological parents had been found. Now, they were all equals.
Another message popped up, and Tera stifled a laugh at Priska's funny reply. Over the past year, their relationship had improved, and Tera had eventually softened. After all, Tama and Indra were brothers who relied on each other; it was impossible for Tera and Priska to stay enemies forever. Now, they were on the same side.
[Gaffie is nocturnal, just like his daddy used to be. He sleeps all day and is active at night, but the difference is, back then, Indra was nocturnal for clubbing and drinking. Anyway, Ben, Niall, and Nunu must miss Gaffie. ^^]
For a moment, Tera didn’t know how to respond. Priska had forgiven her, and now they seemed like close sisters-in-law. A sense of guilt crept into Tera’s heart as she remembered how she had tried to break them up in the past.
[Pris, I’m sorry. I used to disapprove of you marrying Indra.]
[Ah, it’s fine. Let’s not dwell on the past. I don’t want any enemies. You’re married to my brother-in-law, and Indra only has Tama. Both of them have lost their mother. We don’t know what the future holds; we might need each other someday. I want to maintain a good relationship with you, Sis.]
Tera chuckled at Priska’s message, smiling to herself. Despite everything, Priska was still Priska, even now that she was one of the key figures at Genevie Luxe. It made Tera feel ashamed. How could someone who had been let down by life so many times still remain as kind and tolerant as Priska? Tera began typing a response.
[:)) Thanks, Pris.]
[Of course, Sis. By the way… how’s Tama?]
[I’m just grateful he still comes home.]
[Stay strong, Sis. Hang in there! Hold on, I’ll send you some cute photos of Gaffie to make you smile.]
"That girl," Tera muttered, waiting for the photos to arrive.