"Devia, you will never win Argantara's heart!"
The voice pierced my ears the moment I opened the office door that afternoon. Revania stood before me with a triumphant smile. Her posture straight, chin lifted high, her eyes glittering with arrogance.
"Even if you are his wife, don't ever forget..." She stepped closer, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. "I was his first love. Not you."
A faint laugh came from beside her. A young woman-Revania's assistant-covered her mouth mockingly.
"How pitiful. The legal wife, yet never seen as a wife. What a shame, Mrs. Devia."
The words lashed at my pride like a whip. My chest rose and fell heavily, my breath thick with anger. I tried to keep my composure, but Revania pressed on, merciless.
"Devia..." She stopped just an inch away, her smile dripping with malice. "You can parade yourself in front of others, but in front of Argan, you're nothing but a shadow. I'm the one he truly desires."
My fists clenched, trembling. And when she shoved me hard, nearly knocking me off balance, my patience snapped.
Straightening myself, I grabbed her wrist firmly. My gaze locked onto hers like steel.
"You think you can treat me like this, Revania?" My voice was sharp, cutting through the air. "You are nothing but the mistress. And that's all you'll ever be. If Argan truly loved you, he wouldn't have kept you hidden as someone's side woman."
Her eyes flared with fury, her face twisted with rage.
"How dare you speak to me like that!"
She raised her hand to slap me, but before her palm could touch my face, I caught it midair.
"Enough, Revania," I said coldly. "I've let you humiliate me for too long. But today, that ends."
Her assistant widened her eyes, then snickered mockingly.
"Hahaha, look at this! Mrs. Devia dares to fight back. Have you forgotten? Even your husband doesn't side with you. Mr. Argan always stands with Miss Revania."
I turned, my eyes slicing at her like blades. "Silence. You're nothing but her shadow. Don't interfere in the affairs of two women."
Revania yanked her wrist free with force, her face red, lips trembling with fury.
"Devia! Who do you think you are, talking to me like this?"
I stepped forward, this time pressing her back. "I am his wife. That's reality. Whether you accept it or not, the world acknowledges me as Argantara's lawful wife. And you? You remain hidden, a secret in the shadows. Even Argan doesn't dare show you in public."
Revania froze, caught off guard, but quickly masked it with a bitter laugh.
"You think I care about what the world says? What matters is that Argan loves me. I'm the one in his heart-not you."
I stared at her, my voice low but piercing. "If you're so sure of that, then why-after five years-are you still in the same place? A mistress."
"DEVIA!" Revania screamed, her face crimson. She raised her hand again, but I stepped back slightly, making her stumble.
"Don't touch me," I said coldly. "I won't lower myself to fight a woman who chooses to live in a man's shadow. You want to slap me? That only proves your desperation."
Her assistant stepped forward in protest. "How dare you talk to Miss Revania like that!"
I turned my glare on her, sharp and unwavering. "And how dare you, a mere subordinate, involve yourself in your master's private affairs? Don't forget-on paper, I am still the mistress of the Bagaskara family."
The girl paled instantly, retreating a step in silence.
Revania ground her teeth, pointing her finger in my face. "Devia... you'll regret every word you've just said. I'll take everything from you. Argan's love, your position in the company, even your dignity. Everything will be mine!"
A crooked smile curved my lips, though my heart trembled. "Then prove it. I've stayed silent for too long. Now... I'll show you that the Devia you belittle can rise higher than you ever will."
The air grew tense, heavy, the atmosphere like two lionesses circling for the kill.
A few employees passing by stopped, whispering breathlessly at the heated clash. But I didn't care.
Revania finally spun on her heel with a sharp flick, slapping away my hand as she stormed past. "You'll lose, Devia! You're too naïve to fight me!"
Her footsteps echoed down the hall, her assistant trailing behind with one last hateful glare.
And I stood there, unmoving, my resolve burning hotter than ever.
