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.