"Mrs. Devia, from this moment on, you are reassigned to office service staff. Your position as manager has already been replaced!"

I had just stepped into the office building, clutching my presentation files tightly, when that cold voice greeted me. Argantara's personal assistant stood in front of me, his face stiff, his eyes avoiding mine.

I froze for a few seconds. My breath caught. "What did you just say?" I asked, my voice trembling yet firm.

The assistant lowered his head, clearly afraid of my reaction. "Starting today, you are officially transferred. The product manager position is now held by someone else."

The files almost slipped from my hands. "How could this happen? The product launch is just around the corner! Why am I suddenly being sent to... office service?"

I pressed the last words bitterly. Office service? That was the lowest position of all. After five years of hard work-late nights, endless ideas, leading my team-now I was being thrown aside like trash?

A soft laugh echoed behind me. I turned quickly.

"Devia, you must be shocked, aren't you? Why you've suddenly been demoted to office staff?"

I knew that voice. Sweet, yet dripping with venom.

Revania.

The woman I once suspected of being the ghost inside Argantara's heart. His first love. And now she stood there, elegant in a white blazer, her hair tied neatly, her sly smile making my blood boil.

"What are you doing here, Revania?" I demanded, struggling to control my anger.

She walked closer, her steps graceful, as if the marble floor was her runway. Leaning close, her whisper stabbed my ear.

"Of course... I came to take back what was mine, what you stole five years ago."

I stiffened. My eyes snapped to hers. "Yours?"

She smirked. "Argantara. And now... this manager's chair."

A bitter laugh escaped me, though my chest burned. "Don't be ridiculous. I earned this position with my own hard work. Not by seducing a man or clinging to the past."

Revania chuckled, her voice sharp. "Oh, Devia... still so naïve. Do you really think the business world is only about hard work? No. It's about power. And right now, I'm on the stronger side."

My eyes narrowed. "You underestimate me, Revania?"

She lifted her chin arrogantly. "Not underestimate. Just knowing... you won't last. The launch is coming, and you won't be the one handling it. Because now, it's my responsibility."

My chest tightened, but I couldn't show weakness. I stepped forward, standing face-to-face with her. "Then we'll see who falls first. You... or me."

Our gazes locked, sharp and blazing, like two swords colliding.

Argantara's assistant, uneasy, tried to cut in. "Mrs. Devia... I'm only following orders. Please don't blame me."

My eyes shot to him. "Whose orders?"

He swallowed hard. "Mr. Argantara's..."

Rage flared in my veins. So this was all... my husband's command?

Revania chuckled at my reaction. "See? Even Argan no longer believes in you. You were nothing more than the wife he was forced to marry, Devia. Nothing more."

My fists clenched tight. I wanted so badly to wipe that smug smile off her face-but I restrained myself. That was exactly what she wanted.

"Listen carefully, Revania." My voice was low, but laced with steel. "I will not back down. That manager's chair, that position-I built it with blood and tears. If you think you can tear me down easily, you're gravely mistaken."

Revania folded her arms, her eyes glinting with cruel satisfaction. "We'll see about that."

---

That day, I was truly forced into a new room. From a manager's glass-walled office, I was shoved into a tiny corner behind the pantry.

An old desk, a rickety chair, and a gray uniform awaited me.

I stared at them, my hands trembling. "This... is humiliation."

My coworkers stared, whispering among themselves.

"Isn't that Mrs. Devia, Mr. Argan's wife?"

"Yeah, they say she's just a staff servant now."

"No wonder. Revania fits the manager's chair so much better. She has class."

I gritted my teeth, swallowing the tears burning my eyes. No. I would not let them see me weak.

As I was about to sit, the door opened again. And there she was-Revania. This time holding a thick stack of files.

"Devia," she said with mocking sweetness. "Oh, sorry... I should call you by your new title. Servant Devia."

My eyes locked on hers, cold. "What do you want now?"

She tossed the files onto my desk, scattering papers across the floor on purpose. "These reports. You'll handle them. Because even if your rank has dropped, you can still serve me."

I stood, glaring at her without flinching. "Don't be too confident, Revania. The fight has only just begun. And I won't let you win so easily."

She smirked, leaning closer to whisper. "You'll lose, Devia. Because this time, I have everything. The position, the power, even Argan's love."

The words hit me, but I kept my face unreadable. Let her feel victorious now. Because I knew-one misstep would be the very weapon I'd use against her.

She walked away with a sharp laugh that echoed in my ears.

I closed my eyes for a moment, drawing in a deep breath. Then whispered to myself,

"I'll prove it, Revania. I'll prove it to Argan. No one will take me down so easily."

I bent down to gather the scattered papers. But when my eyes caught one particular document-my breath stopped.

"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.

"You dared to push Revania, Devia?!"

That deep voice shook the entire room. The office door slammed open, and Argantara stood at the threshold, his face flushed with rage, his gaze as sharp as a blade.

I froze mid-motion, still holding the files I had been arranging. My heart instantly pounded in my chest. I knew exactly who had run crying to him-Revania.

I rose to my feet and faced him squarely. "You believe her words just like that?"

He strode forward, slamming his palm on the desk between us so hard it trembled. "She came to me pale and in tears! She said you pushed her to the floor!"

A bitter laugh almost escaped me. "Those tears were nothing but an act, Argan. You're a fool if you believe every bit of her drama."

"You're calling me a fool?" His glare grew darker.

I stepped closer, leaving barely any space between us. "If you take the word of a mistress over your own wife without proof... yes, that makes you a fool."

His jaw tightened. "Watch your mouth..."

"What?!" I snapped, my voice rising, my chest burning with indignation. "You expect me to stay silent while your mistress humiliates me again and again? You don't want me to touch her? Then make sure she stays out of my way!"

For a split second, his expression faltered, then hardened again. "You don't have the right to speak like that."

My eyes stung, but my voice remained firm. "I'm your wife, Argan! I have more right than anyone. But somehow, all this time, it's only Revania you protect, while I-Devia, your wife-am the one you trample."

Silence pressed between us, broken only by the sound of our ragged breaths.

I grabbed my bag from the chair and straightened my shoulders. "Oh, and Argan... starting today, I'm leaving your house."

His brows shot up. "What did you just say?"

"I said I'm leaving. You want a divorce? Fine. But remember, you'll face the consequences once your parents know our marriage is over."

"Devia..." His voice softened, but I had already turned away.

Before I could reach the door, his phone rang. He sighed heavily and answered. The voice on the other end froze him in place.

"Mother..." he whispered.

I stopped, narrowing my eyes at him. He listened quietly for a long moment, tension etched into his face. Then his gaze shifted to me.

"Yes, Mother. Alright. We'll come home."

He hung up.

"What is it?" I asked sharply.

He swallowed, stepping closer. For the first time, his tone carried a trace of pleading. "Devia... Mother just called. She wants us to come to the main house tonight. To stay over."

I blinked. "Why?"

He shook his head. "I don't know. But she sounded serious. It must be important."

I crossed my arms. "And why are you telling me this?"

His jaw flexed. "Because she asked for you specifically. She insisted you be there. Please, Devia... come with me."

I let out a dry laugh. "You're begging me? Just minutes ago you accused me of attacking your mistress, and now you expect me to obey?"

"Devia, please..." His voice dropped, almost a whisper.

I stepped closer, my eyes like daggers. "Why should I? You've never defended me. You've always believed Revania. Do you really think I'll just bow my head because your mother summoned me?"

He didn't answer. His eyes glistened, as though he was holding back words. Then, quietly, he said, "I know I was wrong... But I'm begging you, Devia. Just for tonight. Don't cause a bigger scene in front of Mother."

The admission caught me off guard. Argantara never admitted fault-let alone pleaded. But my heart, already shattered, refused to bend.

"If I go," I said coldly, "it's not for you. It's out of respect for your mother."

Relief swept across his face. "Thank you..."

I shot him a sharp look. "Don't thank me. Remember this, Argan-when I decide to leave, nothing will stop me. Not even your mother."

He stood silent, no words left.

---

That night, we returned together. The ride was suffocating in its silence-only the hum of the engine and the ticking clock on the dashboard filled the air.

I kept my gaze fixed on the blur of city lights outside the window, while Argantara gripped the steering wheel, his jaw tense, his silence heavy.

When we arrived at the Bagaskara family estate, Madam Dirgantara welcomed us warmly. Her smile was radiant, as though no storm hovered over our marriage.

"Devia, my dear. Argan," she greeted us with relief. "Thank you for coming. Tonight... I want us all together under this roof. A family must stay united, no matter what."

Her words struck me like a whip. Family? How could I feel like I had one, when my husband had reduced me to nothing?

Argantara cast me a sidelong glance, silently pleading again for me to play along.

I lifted my chin. "Of course, Mother. I'll stay here tonight."

Her smile softened as she patted my hand. "Good. You both must be tired. Rest for now. Tomorrow, we'll talk."

I excused myself and headed toward the guest room, Argantara trailing after me.

"Devia..." he called softly.

I stopped, but didn't turn. "What now?"

"Thank you for coming."

I closed my eyes for a moment, then replied quietly, "Don't misunderstand. I didn't do it for you. I did it because I still respect your mother."

With that, I entered the room and shut the door firmly.

Outside, I heard his heavy sigh.

And that night, though we shared the same house, we lived in two different worlds-divided by lies, wounds, and a love that had never been mine.