When My Futur Husband Loves My Stepsister

"Today I'm really happy, Mas. The dress is beautiful. I can't wait for it. I want to wear it soon, Mas."

"Yes, Dear. Me too. You looked beautiful earlier, and even more so at the reception. You'll be even more beautiful."

"Don't be like that, Mas. You know, I get shy when praised like that."

"But it's true, Dear. I'm not lying."

"Yes! Yes! But enough, don't praise me anymore. Are you trying to make me blush?"

The conversation between Elsa and Rio is filled with a strong atmosphere of love. The two humans have decided to end their single lives soon.

Preparations for the wedding have been carefully planned. They're just waiting for the big day, which is about two weeks away.

"It's even more beautiful when you're all shy like this, Love," Rio teases, gently pinching Elsa's petite nose.

"Mas! I'm embarrassed! Don't do that!"

Rio smiles as he watches his future wife become increasingly flustered.

"So adorable...."

Rio's gaze suddenly shifts as Vela walks not far from them.

"What are you looking at, Mas?" Elsa asks, following her fiancé's line of sight.

"Have you tried on the dress, Mbak? You'll surely look beautiful," Vela says.

"Oh, you, Vel. Yes, because the design was specially made for me."

Elsa's previously cheerful expression turns curt. The relationship between the stepsisters, though not related by blood, is quite strained.

Elsa was adopted by a wealthy business family from an orphanage when she was around seven years old. Vela, on the other hand, was born to a woman who had a secret relationship with Handi, Elsa's adoptive father.

As a result, Handi favors Vela more because she shares his blood. Additionally, instigations from his secret wife push him in that direction.

Handi decided to marry Nani, Vela's biological mother, officially when his first wife, Wulan, and their three-year-old child went missing.

The official marriage took place when Handi's family had given up searching for Wulan and her child almost six years later.

In fact, in order to find them, Handi's family agreed to adopt an orphan. It was believed that this act would lead them to discovering the whereabouts of the missing mother and child.

However, by the time Elsa is about to get married, there's no sign of Wulan and her child being found.

With each passing day, the affection Elsa receives diminishes further. The arrival of Nani and Vela adds to Elsa's misery. Handi trusts Nani so much that he entrusts Elsa entirely to his second wife.

As an adopted child, Elsa has had to endure a difficult life.

Nevertheless, Elsa perseveres into adulthood. The long-haired woman consistently demonstrates her dedication while working in her adoptive family's company.

Everything Elsa does shows significant progress. Eventually, her adoptive family has to acknowledge her competence.

"Sis, I did ask you nicely, why was your response so sarcastic? After all, I'm happy to see you getting married, Sis," Vela says.

"Yes, dear. Your sister cares about you. Why react that way?" Rio chimes in.

"You don't know anything, Mas. How Vela truly is, the side she only shows me, you wouldn't understand, Mas," Elsa replies even more curtly.

"Sis, why so harsh with your sister?"

Rio's question furrows Elsa's brow.

Elsa sighs. "What do you really know, Mas? Why are you so concerned about Vela?"

"Not like that, dear." Rio tries to clarify any possible misunderstandings.

"It's my fault, Mas. Don't defend me. You're getting married, it's not good if we fight like this."

"Your act in front of others is truly remarkable, Vel." Elsa scoffs. "Let me get some drinks, Mas."

"Sis, you're misunderstanding. I'm not defending Vela, but I just don't want to see you two fight all the time."

Without saying a word, Elsa walks away from Rio. Vela does the same. However, once Elsa is out of sight, Rio quickly approaches Vela.

Rio grabs Vela's arm and gently pulls her to follow him.

"Mas Rio! What are you doing?" Vela asks in a soft but emphasized voice.

"I've missed you, Darling. These past few days, you've been hard to reach, right?" Rio's voice is equally hushed.

"Yes, but please, not here. Let go, I'm worried someone might see. You don't want your wedding to fail, right?" Vela threatens, letting go of Rio's grip.

"Yes, but I miss you. When I call, please answer." Rio reluctantly releases Vela's hand.

"You have to focus on your wedding, Mas. It's not funny if we're caught talking like this, right? What if Elsa finds out?" Vela continues to challenge the desires of the bespectacled man.

"You know, I'm only getting married because of you. I don't love Elsa, Darling. I'm marrying her because you think our relationship will be easier this way. I love you, even immensely, Darling. Don't torture me like this. Don't ignore me, Darling," Rio pleads, his face full of desperation.

Rio tries to take Vela's hand, but she refuses.

"Yes, there will be a time for that, Mas. This is for our relationship. We shouldn't be caught talking like this, right? I have to go before Elsa comes."

Rio lets out a heavy sigh. What he wanted can't be achieved as he had hoped. The handsome man with glasses finally gives in. All because of his immense love for Vela, he's willing to do anything. Even marry Elsa.

"I love you so much, you need to know that, Darling."

"Yes," Vela answers with a nod. She hurries away from the living room to her room.

"Oh, so all this time, their relationship was so special? Behind my back, they've been playing love games? Mas Rio even loves Vela so much. And that rude woman is intentionally toying with Mas Rio. Vela, is she never satisfied until she takes what's mine? Her presence always disrupts my life," Elsa mumbles. Her emotions are tumultuous.

Since earlier, the beautiful long-haired woman has been standing behind the wall, eavesdropping on her stepsister and her fiancé's conversation. Elsa has heard everything. The bitter reality has always accompanied her life.

"Alright, if this is the kind of game you're playing, I'll play along. For now, I'll pretend to be clueless. Yes, just for now. After this, don't expect you two to be happy."

Elsa continues to mumble. But now, her lips form a smile. She walks back to Rio, who is sitting as if nothing has happened.

"Here you go, Mas. Drink up," Elsa said, placing a glass of drink in front of Rio.

Since the incident Elsa had heard earlier, it had caused a turmoil within her. Anger mixed with resentment lingered there. However, Elsa tried to act as if she hadn't heard anything, because she was busy figuring out how to cope with the heartache.

"Alright, dear. Why am I the only one drinking? Where's yours?" The man picked up his drink and took a slow sip.

"I'm not thirsty, Mas," Elsa replied with a smile, though her lips felt stiff.

"What's wrong? Tired? Why do you seem so unenthusiastic?" Rio placed the empty glass back down.

Rio, with his handsome face, was sensitive in all matters. He was attentive and mature in his behavior, which Elsa couldn't resist.

Their first meeting happened when Rio was chauffeuring his father, who worked for Elsa's family.

Back then, Elsa accidentally tripped and fell. Quickly, Rio came to her rescue. Vela, who was nearby, witnessed the scene.

"Are you okay?" Rio asked.

"Yes," Elsa answered, looking embarrassed.

"Mbak, are you sure you're okay? Please be careful next time, Mbak. I get worried if something happens to you," Vela asked, showing concern.

Rio was impressed by Vela's kind behavior towards Elsa.

"Yes, I'm fine." Elsa left Rio and Vela with her curt response.

"Why is she like that? Treating you so rudely, even though you're concerned about her," Rio said to Vela.

"Yes, she's my sister. That's just how she is. Well, I have to go now."

"Wait! What's your name? Sorry if I'm being forward, I'm just the son of a driver in this household, but can we get to know each other?"

Vela smiled and didn't answer. She took a book and a pen from her bag and started writing something.

"Here's my WhatsApp number. Just contact me," Vela said, handing a piece of paper to Rio.

Rio's smile widened. He accepted it with a big grin.

"Over the course of almost a month of communicating through WhatsApp, I'm sure that this feeling is more than just friendship. I love you, Vela." The message Rio wrote for Vela.

Since Vela gave him her number, their communication became more intense. The seeds of love started to grow in Rio's heart. Ever since their first meeting, he had been captivated by Vela's personality and beauty.

"Do you really love me, Mas? If that's true, then follow all my wishes. I beg you," Vela replied.

"Yes, anything. For you, Vela."

"I do have feelings for you, Mas. But, we can't be together. I've already been arranged to marry by my parents."

"So what? Should I just give up like that?"

"No, Mas. We can keep our connection if you become a part of my family."

"What do you mean?"

"Be a part of my family, Mas."

"I don't understand, Vel."

"When I'm married to the person my family has chosen for me, let's have an affair without anyone suspecting a thing, Mas."

"I'm even more confused by your words, Vel."

"You need to become a part of my family, Mas. So that when we meet, no one will suspect anything because we'll be family."

"What should I do?"

"Are you willing? For my sake."

"Yes, I am."

"Alright. You just need to marry my sister. Marry Elsa, Mas."

"How is that possible! I love you!"

"Yes, this is for the sake of our relationship. I can't reject my arranged marriage. If I do, they'll take away everything from me. Can you bear to see me suffer, Mas?"

"Fine. I'll follow your wishes."

"Yes, for the sake of our relationship, Mas."

Since the conversation between Rio and Vela, in a matter of days, Rio's behavior changed. He actively pursued Elsa through various ways, showing care and concern for her.

At first, Elsa found it strange, but over time, she grew accustomed to it. Eventually, Elsa had unknowingly fallen for Rio.

So quickly, because Elsa felt neglected all this time. She felt happy that someone cared about her. That person was Rio. Although he was just the son of a driver, Rio actually worked in a company. He held a position as a marketing manager.

On Elsa's birthday-although the exact date was unclear-Rio boldly declared his feelings in front of Elsa's family.

Elsa's eyes sparkled. She didn't expect Rio to confess on her special day.

Her family didn't object, even though Rio was just a chauffeur's son. Elsa began to think that perhaps she was an unwanted adopted child in this household.

Considering all the possibilities she had thought of, in the end, she wholeheartedly accepted Rio. She believed that only Rio genuinely loved her without considering her status.

Elsa sincerely loved Rio and decided to marry him. However, everything changed when she accidentally overheard the conversation between Rio and Vela. Elsa thought that maybe calling off the wedding was the best choice.

"Yes, you're really perceptive, Mas. I'm tired. I want to rest," Elsa replied, still restraining herself.

True. Elsa wanted the wedding to fail. But now wasn't the right time to say it.

"Alright then. You rest first. Don't tire yourself out. We're getting married soon, so you need to be healthy, dear."

It won't happen, Mas. I will unilaterally cancel everything. Elsa just remained silent and kept her thoughts to herself.

"I'm heading home now. Take care of yourself. I don't want you to get sick."

Rio stood up. He started to leave. Elsa just smiled at the departure of the man she had once loved deeply.

Rio's figure disappeared. Elsa let out a heavy sigh and walked toward her room.

"What's going on with them? Conspiring to hurt my feelings? They've gone too far. What did I do to deserve this? Is Vela's only purpose in life to make me suffer?"

In her room, Elsa vented her anger. Her body trembled, knowing the bitter reality that always haunted her.

Tears she had held back couldn't be restrained any longer. They fell, wetting her cheeks. It wasn't the first time Elsa mourned her painful fate. Vela always seemed to find ways to hurt her heart.

"Don't cry, Elsa. You're strong. Come on, find Vela's weaknesses. She deserves the same pain," Elsa said to herself.

She wiped away the tears that flowed. She took a few deep breaths to ease the emotions in her chest.

"I'm sure Vela is just using Rio. There's no way she genuinely loves a man from an ordinary family like his. Upon reflection, Vela probably likes the man she's been arranged to marry. I could see it in her eyes when our families met that time. She didn't object to the arranged marriage, so she definitely has special feelings for him. If that's the case, I have to get him. After canceling the wedding, I have to get the man named Bian Abimana. Vela needs to know what heartache feels like."

The next day, after venting her intense anger overnight and feeling the heartache of betrayal tearing at her, Elsa went to the place where her wedding dress was being made.

"Oh, Miss Elsa, can I help you with anything? The wedding dress is ready, we just need to wait for the big day."

Intan, the person specifically designing the dress, immediately approached Elsa, anticipating a conversation about the dress.

"Yes. Please get the dress now," Elsa replied with a smile.

"Sure thing, Miss."

Soon enough, the white wedding dress was in front of Elsa.

"I will put it on again," Elsa said as she headed toward the fitting room.

Intan was puzzled. However, she didn't say anything as Elsa changed into the dress.

"Beautiful, but sadly, I won't be able to wear it during the reception that I'll disrupt. It's better if I wear it now," Elsa mumbled in front of the mirror, looking at herself draped in the white gown.

"Miss, if I may ask, is there a problem? Wasn't the dress exactly what you requested?"

Intan's curiosity had reached its limit, and she finally asked when Elsa approached her wearing the dress she had designed.

"I'm going to wear it now," Elsa answered, giving a sweet smile.

"What do you mean, Miss?" Intan furrowed her brow.

"I've already paid for this, right? I just want to surprise my future in-laws, well, I mean my ex-fiancé's parents. I'm calling off the wedding. I have to leave now. The dress is beautiful."

Intan was astonished by the seemingly unreasonable explanation. Yet, Elsa paid no attention to the judgment. She walked towards her car and hurried off to Rio's house.

"Hey, are you free today? I'm on my way to your place. I'll be there soon."

Elsa placed the phone, which was making the call, in the phone holder right in front of her.

"Really? In that case, let me get ready. It's not nice to meet you while looking all disheveled like this," a male voice answered from the other end of the call.

"Yeah, I'm driving too. I'm hanging up."

"Alright, Sweetie. Take care, it's not like you to go out alone. Bye, Sweetie."

Elsa let out a breath after ending the call. The turmoil within her chest returned. Her eyes felt warm, even starting to well up.

"Don't cry, Elsa, you have to be strong." Elsa could only reassure herself as she was hurt once again.

Several times, Elsa took deep breaths. Her chest felt tight and constricted. Slowly, the air she inhaled was released from her mouth to ease the discomfort.

Elsa's car entered Rio's front yard. Before getting out, she intentionally tore the bottom part of the dress she was wearing.

Elsa saw the wide smiles of the people welcoming her. Those who would soon become her family, ultimately, everything was going to fail.

The car door opened, and Elsa returned their smiles. Slowly, she got out of the car. At the same moment, Rio's family, including Rio himself, appeared utterly surprised by Elsa's attire. She wasn't just wearing the wedding dress, but it had been torn in several places.

"Dear! What is this? Are you wearing our wedding dress? And why is it torn like this? What happened, Dear?"

Rio immediately approached Elsa, his worried face mixed with emotions.

"Yes, Mbak. What happened?" Raya-Rio's younger sibling-asked.

"Oh, my future daughter-in-law. What happened to you? Are you okay?" Tika-Rio's mother-was also very concerned.

"I'm perfectly fine. Thank you for worrying about me. Can I come in?" Elsa spoke as if her heart wasn't wounded.

"Yes, my future daughter-in-law. Come in," Tika replied.

"Dear, what's really going on?" Rio asked again as he entered the house.

"I don't want to linger here. So, why am I wearing this wedding dress now and why is it torn? I intentionally did all of this..."

"What do you mean, Dear?" Rio interrupted Elsa. His eyebrows nearly met.

"Listen first, don't interrupt me."

Tika and Raya were worried too. However, they remained silent, following Elsa's wishes. And so did Rio now.

"So, with my visit here, I want to convey that the wedding that's supposed to happen soon, will ultimately fail. I've decided to call it off."

"Dear! What on earth?"

"Mbak, why is that?"

"You can't just cancel it like that, Elsa."

The three people in front of Elsa instantly responded with sentences of denial.

"This is my decision to make. You can't force someone into a life they don't want. So, just accept my decision."

Despite the turmoil in her chest, Elsa didn't want to show that weakness to the man who had hurt her. The man who would only inflict more pain if the wedding went ahead.

"Tell me why, Dear? Why are you doing this?" Rio tried to reach out for Elsa's hand, but she evaded him.

"Figure it out for yourself, Sir. Basically, I've canceled our wedding. Our relationship ends here. I need to go now."

"Elsa, please. Don't do this. You're going to be my mother's wonderful daughter-in-law. Please don't act this way."

Tika also tried to prevent Elsa from leaving, hoping Elsa would retract her words.

"You can't, Ma'am. Don't worry, I've already settled all the wedding expenses. So, please, don't stop me from leaving."

"Where's your promise, Mbak? You said you'd help with our rent. And now you're deliberately canceling the wedding. You have to keep your promise, Mbak," Raya said.

"Oh, so that was your intention all along? You want to use me as a money-making machine? I was foolish in the past, blinded by love, and just went along with all your demands. Now, my eyes are finally wide open. From this moment on, don't ever interfere in my life again."

Elsa turned around. She walked out of her ex-fiancé's house.

"Elsa! You hypocrite! Disrespectful woman!" Tika shouted, trying to chase after Elsa.

"Ma'am! Please, don't. Let her go. We could get into trouble, Ma'am," Rio intervened.

"Don't let her cancel your wedding, Rio! You have to marry her! Don't act foolishly!"

"Yes, Mas! Go after her! I don't want to waste the golden opportunity right in front of us, Mas!" Raya argued.

The car horn interrupted the three individuals who were arguing. Elsa had left Rio's house, driving her luxurious car.

"You fool! How could you let go of a treasure like Elsa? What's wrong with you, Rio? Is there something bothering you? Why did Elsa act so audaciously?"

"Yes, Mas. You're being really foolish. You can't even win over a woman."

"You should've just stayed quiet. I'm confused myself. Why did Elsa cancel our wedding?"

"Damn! If it's like this, what does it mean for my relationship with Vela? I could have maintained a relationship with Vela by marrying Elsa. If Vela finds out it has come to this, she'll definitely be disappointed in me," Rio thought as he struggled with the reality that had unfolded.

***

"One step has been taken. Yes, maybe this is the beginning of everything, at least I managed to break free from this fake relationship. Only I loved, what's the point? Discard it before it adds to the wound," she thought as she ruminated on the current situation.

Elsa pulled her car over to change clothes. She didn't want to wear a dress that would only add to her pain.

***

"Bian! You know, within these two months you have to get married, right? Otherwise, you won't inherit a single penny from your grandfather. You've met Mr. Handi's daughter, right? The girl named Vela, she's beautiful. Why haven't you taken her seriously up to now? Do you agree to the arranged marriage?"

Laras, Bian's mother, was always nagging about the marriage that Bian continuously ignored.