Does love grow from familiarity? For some, yes, but Tera is not one of them. Can romantic feelings develop after spending many nights together? That doesn’t apply to Tama either. But every touch of skin between them clearly has an impact on Tera, and unrequited love is the greatest risk she must bear.
"Will this work?" she murmured, staring at the non-alcoholic cocktail before her.
Tonight felt endless, a waiting game without a conclusion. She knew she couldn't trap him. Tera was certain Tama had already figured out her plan, which was likely why he was reluctant to come. This had been Indra’s idea. Some time ago, when they unexpectedly met at a public cemetery, her brother-in-law had offered to arrange this meeting by pretending to invite Tama for a work-related dinner.
Time passed, and for the next half hour, she merely tapped her index finger on her phone screen, drifting into sadness while occasionally sipping her drink. She at least hoped for a message of rejection or something similar. That way, she could head home to her sweet children.
"Should I just leave?" Tera sighed in frustration.
But as she was about to stand, she heard footsteps she recognized all too well. She didn’t know about other women, but there were little things about Tama that Tera easily noticed. His presence was so vivid, so intimidating, with a subtle cologne scent, and the way he walked—strange? No, it wasn’t. After living with him for years, it was only natural that she could recognize her own husband.
“Sorry, I had an important meeting,” the man said.
Tera forced a smile, realizing that Tama had come to see her, not to discuss work with Indra. She had to play her part and justify her own reasons. She watched as he took a seat across the table, still looking elegant and authoritative despite his tired face, with wrinkles near his eyes and smile lines becoming more pronounced. Yet, none of that lessened her love for him. Tera had always admired him, even now.
"Did I make a poor excuse?" Tera asked cautiously.
Tama was busy looking through the menu. "Not really. Indra mentioned it from the start, and I intentionally didn’t eat beforehand so I could meet you." Then, his gaze softened as he looked at her.
For a moment, she was captivated, unable to look away when he gazed at her so warmly. What was this? Was it one of Tama's psychological games, meant to pity his wife who longed for his attention and affection? Whatever it was, Tera loved those sharp eyes and the confidence they radiated.
"Oh, I see," Tera replied quietly.
“I’ve already asked the notary to process the land transfer you wanted. In a few days, the ownership will be in your name.”
Tera didn’t expect a conversation like this, even though she did have a penchant for land and property. But if this dull discussion could bring them closer—no! At least make them sit together for hours and talk, then Tera didn’t mind discussing mundane things.
Inwardly, Tera wondered, “What does Tama talk about with his lover?” The sudden thought made her furious.
***
On the way home, the silence was unbearable for her. She was tired of trying to piece together the puzzle Tama had deliberately scattered. Every time he smiled, it seemed as if he was waiting for her to solve the riddle he’d thrown her way. This was confusing for Tera, who was already half-drunk from the white wine Tama had ordered.
Tama had insisted they share a car, but he hadn’t spoken much since they left. Earlier, Tama had decided to drive himself and sent their drivers home. They weren’t teenagers anymore, nor were they twenty-somethings caught up in infatuation. Tera wasn’t naive enough not to understand what Tama was doing. But one thing was certain: she didn’t understand why he was acting this way after distancing himself from her for so long.
“Is something wrong?” Tera couldn’t hold back her question any longer.
He gripped the steering wheel more tightly. “Not really. I’m just trying to be nice.”
Tera shifted her gaze from the road ahead to the side window, even though the night was too dark, and everything outside seemed blurred to her. Her heart ached at his diplomatic response.
“As a husband, huh?” Tera asked, trying to mock him.
Tama chuckled. “Yeah, as a husband. Let’s put it that way.”
Through the reflection in the car window, Tera could see Tama glancing at her with an expression she couldn’t decipher. She knew from the start that their marriage was a business arrangement, but why did she now crave something more as time went on?
When they arrived home, Tera chose to get out of the car and go straight inside to check on their three children. They were probably already asleep, exhausted from spending the day at her parents' house. Being a mother wasn’t that difficult; Tera loved her children and always hoped that none of them would fail. With all this power and wealth, the purest dream of a mother for her children wasn’t an empty one.
“Did they have dinner and drink their milk?” Tera asked as the nanny greeted her.
“Ben was a bit difficult with dinner; he wanted chocolate ice cream, but I finally managed to convince him.”
“Good,” Tera replied, relieved.
They walked together toward the children’s room. Tera hoped not to wake them, though it warmed her heart to hear their sleepy, whiny voices. When the door opened, she saw her three little angels sleeping in their beds. As the eldest grew older, Tera planned to give him his own room.
Not wanting to disturb their sleep, Tera decided to simply peek from the doorway. Then, after a moment of gazing at their innocent faces, she quietly left.
“I’ll be in my room. Please rest as well. Thank you.” Tera smiled gently at the nanny.
“Yes, Ma’am,” the older woman replied.
Yawning, she walked to her room. Yes, she and Tama had separate bedrooms. In her room, Tera quickly took off her shoes and removed her makeup, then sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor, lost in thought.
“Sometimes, loyalty is frustrating,” she lamented.
All of this would be much easier if Tama was the type to fool around, but the truth was, he wasn’t—and that only made Tera more upset. Tama was too engrossed in his role as CEO, as if Sigma Future Group was his first wife, and Tera was the third wife, only married to produce heirs.
“How am I supposed to compete with someone who’s already dead?”