Chapter 1 1. The Painful Betrayal

"So... all this time you were just playing with me?" Alya's voice trembled, her puffy eyes still fixed on the man in front of her, filled with heartbreak.

Adrian stood by the bed, buttoning his shirt with a face void of remorse.

"I never played with you, Alya. But I don't love you anymore."

Alya's chest tightened. It felt like being punched over and over with no strength to fight back.

"And you chose her? She knew you were married, yet she still slept with you?"

Adrian let out a long sigh. "Al, we're no longer compatible. You're too busy with Rey, with the house, with everything that no longer interests me. Meanwhile, Stella... she understands me."

"Stella, again!" Alya laughed bitterly.

"You betrayed our marriage for a woman who has no shame? For someone who entered this house behind my back?"

Adrian looked at Alya with a cold gaze.

"Enough, Al. I want to be free. I'll take care of the divorce."

Alya's mouth hung open, eyes wide in disbelief. Her fists clenched at her sides, trying to steady the tremors that ran through her body.

"How could you! What about Rey? Your own son?"

"I'll get custody," Adrian replied casually.

"You know my family has power over everything. I can give Rey a better life. And you? What can you offer besides tears and sadness?"

Alya shook her head, tears falling again.

"You can't take him from me. I'm his mother! I carried him for nine months! I nursed him! I stayed up every night for him!"

"And I'm his father," Adrian cut her off.

"Don't make this harder, Alya. You need to leave."

Alya collapsed to the floor. Their once-warm bedroom now felt like a suffocating stranger. Her heart shattered at the sight of the suitcase Adrian had prepared - heartlessly, without empathy.

"I won't leave without Rey," she whispered, trying to stand.

But before she could move, two guards entered the room. Alya looked at them, confused.

"Escort Mrs. Alya out," Adrian ordered flatly.

"NO!!"

Alya screamed, trying to reach the bed where her son was sleeping.

"Adrian, please! Don't do this! Don't separate me from Rey!"

But the strong hands of the guards dragged her out, while the cries of her baby echoed through the room. Alya shrieked, struggling to break free, but she wasn't strong enough to fight them.

Rey's wails grew louder, as if he understood his mother was being taken from him.

"REY!" Alya cried hysterically.

"ADRIAN, PLEASE! DON'T SEPARATE ME FROM HIM!"

But Adrian stood at the doorway, watching her without a shred of pity.

"Goodbye, Alya."

The door closed. And with it, her world crumbled.

Rain poured as Alya walked aimlessly. Her clothes were drenched, her hair a mess, her gaze empty. Passersby glanced briefly, then continued with their lives.

Her phone vibrated in her hand. The name on the screen brought her a sliver of comfort.

"Al, where are you?" her friend asked, voice filled with worry.

"I'm at Simpang Layang. I... Adrian kicked me out," Alya answered softly, her voice shaking with sobs.

"I'm sorry, Num. I never listened to you all this time."

"Wait there, I'm coming to get you," said the voice on the other end without hesitation.

Soon, a car stopped in front of her. A woman ran toward her and wrapped her in a tight hug.

"Alya... I'm here. It's okay. You're not alone."

That hug broke Alya's last defenses. She sobbed in her friend's arms, releasing all the pain she had held in.

"Hanum... I've lost everything. I lost Rey... I have nothing left..."

Hanum gently stroked her back.

"It's okay, you can stay with me for now. We'll find a way through this, together, okay?"

Alya nodded slowly, feeling slightly stronger knowing someone still cared. But deep inside, she couldn't help but wonder - what should I do now? How can I get my life back? And more importantly, how can I survive in a world that no longer has a place for me?

Alya stared blankly at the divorce papers in her hands. In the grand courtroom, justice felt so far out of reach.

"Custody is granted to the father, based on financial stability and a better environment for the child," the judge's voice echoed.

Alya was stunned.

"No... Your Honor, please! I'm his mother! I gave birth to him and raised him! Please don't take him from me!"

Her cries were ignored. Alya had lost. Once again, she was powerless against Adrian, who held all the power over her.

"Alya!!"

Hanum's voice echoed throughout the courtroom. But Alya didn't respond - the broken woman had already collapsed to the floor.