"Don't!" the woman's scream sounded very loud.

"You need to be taught a lesson so you won't argue anymore!" The man hit her.

"I won't do it again. Forgive me." The woman pleaded, kneeling at the feet of the man who was her husband.

"You need to be taught a lesson from time to time." The man didn't care about his wife begging for forgiveness, he dragged her into the room.

"Teach her a lesson so she won't argue anymore!" the mother-in-law yelled, provoking.

Her husband slammed the door shut, he dragged and pushed the unfortunate woman causing her to fall onto the bed. The place they usually used to give each other love, then share warmth there.

"I've told you several times not to steal in my house and to follow what my mother tells you. But why do you do it again!" he scolded.

"I'm hungry. I haven't eaten anything all day,"

"Don't lie to me! Didn't my mother give you food? Why did you steal the food prepared for my sister and nephew?!" he asked, raising his voice.

"I wasn't given anything," the woman replied, trembling.

"I've already told you not to lie, and yet you still do!" The man even took off his belt.

The man who lifted the belt was named Reynald Adrian, and the trembling woman was named Riana Anita. They have been married for 5 years but have not been able to have children yet. This is why Rey blames Riana for not getting pregnant. And to make matters worse, Riana's mother-in-law, Mayang, provokes her own daughter to hate her.

"Rey, come out quickly! Serly and her child have arrived."

"Just a moment, Mom."

"Don't bother with your useless wife, just meet your family who has come!"

"Alright." Reynald put the belt back on.

He drank a glass of water that was on the nightstand, then hurried out to meet his mother. Riana felt relieved and moved back to the corner of the room. She covered her face with her hands and began to cry, lamenting the choices she had made.

Reynald Adrian, a 25-year-old man, handsome with a strong jawline, a pointed nose, and a height of 164 cm. He managed to make Riana fall deeply in love with him, even though when she was young, many men admired her. Riana, who was beautiful, sweet, and innocent, made all the men go crazy for her. But she couldn't look at anyone other than Reynald.

It turns out that the choice she made was very wrong. The handsome man had bad qualities. He was temperamental, possessive, and extremely jealous. Even just being greeted by another man would make him angry and lock her up in the house, not allowing her to go anywhere alone.

"Riana Anita, come here!" shouted my mother-in-law from outside.

Riana quickly wiped away the tears that were flowing so heavily. Then she went out to meet her mother-in-law.

"What's the matter, Mom?" she asked softly.

"You're so comfortable lying around in the room, even though you know that Rey's sister and nephew have arrived!" grumbled her mother-in-law.

"Forgive me, Mom," she said, feeling downcast.

Riana didn't want to argue with her mother-in-law. She chose to give in rather than become the target of her husband's anger later on.

"Your wife is so useless. Just look at her emaciated body, like a walking skeleton," Serly jeered, chuckling softly.

"Yes, she is indeed a useless wife. I don't know why Rey still keeps her as his wife," Mayang taunted.

"Riana, please prepare the food on the table now!" Reynald commanded.

"Alright." Riana walked away towards the kitchen.

Occasionally, the woman glanced back at her husband who was carrying Serly's child. There was a sense of jealousy in her heart towards her husband's cousin. Yes, that's right, Serly is Reynald's cousin. She was a very beautiful woman, and Riana felt insecure next to her.

Serly was not a widow; she had a child without a husband. She became pregnant out of wedlock because she was too free in her social life. She often went in and out of nightclubs, changing partners frequently.

"The food is ready," Riana said.

"Come on, Ser, let's eat first." Mayang affectionately held Serly's hand and led her to the dining table.

Riana looked on with a bitter smile. Throughout her time as a daughter-in-law in this house, she had never been treated like Serly. Even though she always obeyed what was commanded of her and never resisted. But she had never once received any kind treatment or even a smile.

"Rey, I haven't eaten anything yet," Riana held onto her husband's sleeve as he approached the two women who had already been at the dining table.

"You can eat later, please take care of Leo for a moment. His mother wants to eat, and you might disturb her," Reynald handed the four-month-old baby to Riana.

Riana accepted him slowly, though her body had been trembling since she hadn't put anything into her stomach. When she took a small portion of food for herself earlier, Mayang threw it on the floor. She only complained to Reynald about Riana's behavior, stealing a plate of rice and a small portion of side dish for breakfast.

"Rey, come look over here," Serly said.

"What?" Reynald asked.

"Try it!" Serly directed a spoonful of food towards Reynald's mouth.

"I can eat by myself, Ser," Reynald declined.

"Just once," Serly whined playfully.

Reynald remained unmoved, ignoring the pleas of his younger cousin.

"Are you disgusted by me? Because I've been with many men," Serly lowered the spoon still aimed at Reynald.

"It's not like that," Reynald defended.

"Then what?" Serly asked, her eyes welling up.

"Come on, Rey. Just this once!" commanded Mayang.

Reynald sighed heavily, looking towards Riana who still faithfully watched over Leo. The woman pretended not to see or hear the conversation happening at the dining table.

"Alright, just one bite," Reynald said.

Serly became happy to hear that Reynald was willing to accept the spoonful she offered. She lovingly directed her spoon towards the man who was her cousin's brother.

"That's it," said Mayang happily.

Meanwhile, Riana turned her face away, silently shedding tears at the sight.

"Eat plenty," Serly offered several side dishes to Reynald.

"Yes," Reynald accepted Serly's offering.

"Isn't Riana the one who cooked?" Reynald asked.

"Riana? She didn't help me at all, in fact, after cooking, she ate it several times!" grumbled Mayang.

Reynald looked at Riana, who immediately glanced in his direction upon hearing her mother-in-law's accusation. The unfortunate woman shook her head, indicating that the accusation was untrue.

Suddenly, Serly burped, having eaten too much of the dishes. "I'm so full," Serly said.

"Indeed, Mother's cooking is incomparable, right?" Mayang asked, seeking praise.

"Of course, Aunt," Serly snuggled affectionately against her aunt's arm.

"How about your parents? Are they doing well?" Mayang asked.

"They're doing fine, they're busy working on some projects in London," Serly replied nonchalantly.

"London! Tell them to bring me souvenirs, I also want to have something sold in London," Mayang demanded.

"Of course, I'll tell my mother later," Serly said casually.

"You truly are the best niece, Aunt. Unlike the children of your other siblings," Mayang complained.

"Of course, Aunt," Serly said.

"If Rey hadn't married yet, you would have been my daughter-in-law," Mayang hoped.

"I wouldn't mind being the second wife, Aunt," Serly winked at Reynald, who was still sitting in his chair.

"Too bad that woman would never agree to be in a polygamous marriage. If only Rey would divorce Riana. Then you two could get married,"

Reynald ignored his mother and cousin's conversation. He chose to approach Leo, who was under Riana's care. Riana had been silent since the conversation between the two women of different ages took place at the dining table.

The conversation could still be heard in his ears, as he was sitting close to where he was taking care of Leo. The little baby couldn't be too far from his mother; Leo would cry if he didn't see his mother's face for too long.