The next day, Fini received a surprise.
A tall man stood at the mansion gates, holding a bouquet of white roses and wearing a warm smile that somehow still felt dangerous.
"Miss Fini Aulianna?" he asked.
"Yes?"
"I'm Ezra Valdemar. We met once—at your graduation dinner. I was a friend of your father."
She blinked. "That was years ago..."
"I heard about your wedding. I came to see if the rumors were true. And, perhaps, to offer a wedding gift."
He handed her the roses.
Behind her, Calvin watched from the second-floor balcony, gripping the railing tight.
---
Later that afternoon, Ezra was invited inside for tea.
Liora walked in, spotting him beside Fini, laughing over old stories.
"Now this is interesting," she murmured to Calvin. "You never told me your wife had options."
Calvin didn't respond. His eyes stayed locked on the way Fini smiled—open, bright. A smile he hadn't earned.
"She's not interested in him," he muttered.
Liora raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that?"
Downstairs, Ezra leaned closer to Fini.
"You look unhappy," he said softly. "You always wanted to write, to travel. You talked about Paris. Is this… what you imagined your life would be?"
Fini's fingers curled around her teacup.
"No. It's not."
Calvin appeared suddenly behind her.
"She's exactly where she needs to be," he said coldly.
Fini turned, startled. Ezra stood slowly, his posture unfazed.
"Mr. Sahputra," Ezra greeted, voice smooth. "You must be the lucky husband."
Calvin's eyes narrowed. "The only one."
---
That night, Calvin cornered Fini in the hallway.
"What does he want from you?" he asked.
"He asked me the same thing you never did—what I want," she said flatly.
His jaw clenched. "Stay away from him."
"Why?" she asked. "Because you care, or because your pride does?"
Calvin stepped closer. "Because you're mine."
Fini laughed bitterly. "We both know that's just paper."
But then—he kissed her.
A rough, sudden, confusing kiss full of all the emotions he refused to name.
And just like that… Fini was no longer sure who was playing with whose heart.