> “Are you sure this suits me?”
Aruna’s soft voice broke the elegant silence of the luxury boutique.
She stood before the tall mirror, wrapped in a champagne-colored gown that hugged her figure perfectly. Her face was calm, yet her eyes were sharp — the kind of sharpness born from someone who had learned to hide her scars behind grace.
The boutique attendant smiled politely. “Yes, Mrs. Leonard. This gown is from our limited collection. There’s only one in the entire city.”
Aruna gave a small nod. “Alright. I’ll take this one—and the black one over there.”
She looked at her reflection again, as if trying to convince herself that the woman in the mirror was truly her new self.
Before the attendant could write down her order, a shrill, familiar voice echoed from the entrance.
> “Oh my God… look who we have here!”
Celine stood in the doorway, wearing oversized sunglasses and a flashy dress.
Two of her friends giggled behind her, their eyes sweeping Aruna from head to toe.
Aruna turned slowly. “Celine.”
Just one word—but her tone was as cold as the edge of a blade.
> “You actually dare to show up here?” Celine sneered, eyeing her mockingly. “I thought after being dumped by Revan, you’d finally know your place. But I see you still like pretending to be rich.”
The attendant shifted uneasily, but Aruna merely smiled faintly. “I’m not pretending. I’m simply buying what I like.”
Celine scoffed and snatched the price tag from the gown Aruna was holding.
> “Oh really? Do you even know how much this costs? Two hundred million rupiah, Aruna. Don’t tell me you’re planning to pay in installments—how embarrassing.”
Her friends laughed quietly. Aruna stayed silent, her calm starting to thin.
But Celine stepped closer, her tone sharper.
> “You think marrying a rich man makes you someone? Everyone knows who you really are—a cheap woman Revan once threw away!”
The attendant quickly tried to intervene. “Please, ma’am, we don’t allow disturbances here—”
But Celine pushed her hand away roughly.
> “Shut up! I’m just stating facts. Women like her don’t belong in a place for people with class!”
Aruna clenched her fists. Her eyes trembled—but she held her ground.
> “Are you done degrading me, Celine?” she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper, yet burning with restrained fire.
Celine smirked. “Not yet. I want everyone here to know who you really are—”
> “Enough.”
The deep, commanding voice sliced through the air.
Everyone turned.
Leonard stood at the entrance, dressed in a black suit, his presence radiating quiet power. The attendants instantly bowed in respect.
Celine froze. Her face drained of color.
> “M-Mr. Leonard…”
Leonard walked toward them with unhurried steps, his gaze locked on Celine.
“So… you’re the woman bold enough to insult me in public?”
> “I—I wasn’t insulting you, sir. I just—”
> “My wife is standing right here,” Leonard cut her off coldly. “And every word you just said was an insult to our family name.”
Celine swallowed hard. “I—I didn’t know—”
Leonard took another step closer, closing the distance between them.
> “Well, now you do,” he said sharply. “And for your information, this boutique you’re standing in—the one where you mocked my wife? It’s mine. So I suppose you’ve just humiliated yourself in front of the owner.”
The entire boutique fell silent. Even the soft background music seemed to pause.
Celine stood frozen, her face burning red. Her two friends began to inch away, whispering nervously.
> “I—I’m so sorry, Mr. Leonard. I didn’t realize—”
Leonard’s eyes stayed fixed on her. “Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to my wife.”
Celine turned toward Aruna, her lips trembling, but Aruna spoke first.
> “No need. I don’t need an apology from someone who doesn’t even understand the meaning of self-respect.”
Aruna brushed past her and stood beside Leonard.
She looked at him briefly, her tone gentle but resolute.
> “I’ve chosen my gown, darling. I’d like to wear it tonight.”
Leonard’s expression softened with pride. “Take everything you want. A woman like you deserves no price tag.”
Celine bowed her head, her face flaming with humiliation as Aruna and Leonard walked away—grace and power in every step.
