Chapter 4 4

"Aruna, look at me."

Leonard's voice came calm but sharp from behind the bedroom door.

Aruna stood before the tall mirror, dressed in a silver-black satin gown. Her hand slowly brushed through her long hair, now styled elegantly. Her face was expressionless-cold and poised, like a marble statue.

"I told you," she said flatly without turning, "I don't like being called like that without a reason."

Leonard entered with steady steps, wearing a crisp white shirt and a dark gray suit. His gaze lingered on her reflection.

"I have a reason," he said simply, leaning against the vanity.

"Revan is getting married next week."

The comb in Aruna's hand froze mid-air.

Silence filled the room.

Slowly, she placed the comb down.

"Repeat that," she said softly.

Leonard's tone held no trace of jest. "Your ex. Revan. He's marrying Celine."

Aruna smiled faintly-a smile more like a wound than joy.

"He forgot quickly," she murmured.

Then she turned, her eyes burning sharp.

"And you're telling me this because?"

Leonard slipped his hands into his pockets, calm as ever.

"Because I want to know... if you'd like to attend."

Aruna studied him, her gaze long and searching.

"Attend? So they can laugh at me? So Celine can finally smile, seeing me fall apart completely?"

Leonard stepped closer until only a few paces separated them.

"No. You won't attend as the woman who was discarded," he said quietly but firmly.

"You'll attend as Mrs. Leonard Arken-the wife of the most powerful man in City A."

Aruna gave a short, bitter laugh. "You want to turn me into a display piece for your power games?"

Leonard met her gaze without flinching. "No. I want to give you a stage to stand above them."

Aruna was silent. Her chest trembled-caught between anger and an unfamiliar ache.

"And if I refuse?"

Leonard's voice dropped lower, steadier.

"Then they'll keep believing they've won-and that you're ruined."

Aruna took a deep breath. She looked back at the mirror-the face that once looked gentle now carried an entirely different aura. Sharp eyes, crimson lips, a quiet danger in her posture.

She smiled faintly.

"Of course," she said coolly. "I'd love to congratulate them... in my own way."

---

That night, in the vast dining hall of their mansion, Aruna sat at the marble table. Leonard poured red wine into her glass.

"You don't regret it, do you?" Leonard asked, not looking at her.

Aruna lifted the glass with delicate grace. "Regret?" She smirked. "No. I'm just learning to be calm while planning revenge."

Leonard met her gaze across the table. "You've changed a lot since the day I found you in that hospital."

Aruna took a slow sip, then set the glass down gently.

"People who've lost everything don't stay the same."

"Maybe," Leonard said quietly. "But be careful, Aruna. Revenge has a way of making you forget who you are."

Aruna smiled faintly, her eyes glinting.

"Don't worry. I haven't forgotten who I am. I'm just becoming someone they'll never dare to hurt again."

Leonard studied her for a long moment, then nodded slightly. "Good. Then we'll attend that wedding... as the perfect couple."

---

The day of Revan and Celine's wedding arrived.

The grand hotel in the heart of City A glittered with luxury-music drifting softly, white flowers adorning every corner, flashes of cameras capturing smiles and laughter.

Aruna entered with Leonard beside her, wearing a blood-red gown adorned with pearls at her throat. All eyes turned.

Whispers rippled through the crowd.

"Isn't that... Aruna?"

"Wait, wasn't she Revan's ex?"

"No way-she came with Leonard Arken?"

Aruna held her head high, walking gracefully beside Leonard.

At the front of the hall, Revan turned mid-conversation-his face froze.

Aruna smiled, sweet yet cutting.

"Congratulations, Revan," she said softly when they finally stood face-to-face.

"Truly, I didn't expect you to marry this soon."

Revan swallowed hard. "Aruna... I-"

Before he could finish, Celine appeared, clutching his arm tightly.

"Oh! Aruna, it's been ages," she said sweetly, her tone laced with mockery. "So glad to see you've finally found someone who would take you in."

Leonard's lips curved into a small, sharp smile.

"Thank you, Mrs. Revan," he said coolly. "But perhaps you haven't heard-this woman beside me isn't just anyone. She's my wife-Mrs. Leonard Arken."

The room fell into stunned silence.

Guests exchanged looks; Celine's smile faltered, and Revan's face turned pale.

Aruna looked at them both, her gaze calm yet piercing.

"Don't worry," she said softly. "I didn't come to revisit the past. I only wanted to say... may you be happy. If that's even possible."

The final words carried pain-but also undeniable strength.

Revan's voice turned bitter. "So this is your revenge, Aruna? Showing up with a rich man so you can pretend you've won?"

Aruna stepped closer until only a breath separated them. Her smile was cool, her eyes like steel.

"No, Revan. This isn't revenge."

Then she leaned in, whispering just loud enough for him to hear-

> "It's proof... that I can still stand, even after you tried to destroy me."

Revan gave a shaky laugh, hiding behind arrogance. "You're still so dramatic."

Aruna stared at him-and then slap!

The sound of her hand striking his cheek echoed through the hall.

Gasps filled the air.

Aruna leaned closer, whispering,

> "Consider that my wedding gift to you."

Then she turned, took Leonard's hand, and walked out with her head high-leaving the room in complete silence.

Outside, Leonard glanced at her, his voice quiet. "You enjoyed that, didn't you?"

Aruna smiled faintly.

"No. But at least now they know... the woman they once threw away is gone. What remains is someone who will never lose again."