Joya was furious with her son, to the point where she began recounting the struggle her husband-Kenzo-had gone through to win her over. He had been a playboy who enjoyed changing girlfriends, but he never indulged in casual sex. And when he broke up with Joya, Kenzo changed himself for the better to prove he was worthy of her.

"Mommy is truly disappointed in you, El." Joya covered her lips with one hand, as though trying to hold back the sadness caused by her son's change.

Langit could clearly see the disappointment in his mother's eyes. He reached for her, trying to hug her, but she pushed him away, unwilling to accept his embrace. Langit didn't give up-he wrapped his arms around her from behind and rested his chin on the top of her head, which only reached the level of his arm.

"Mom, forgive me," Langit said, guilt weighing heavily on him as he saw the disappointment in Joya's eyes.

"Why are you apologizing to Mommy? Apologize to yourself-your behavior is damaging your own soul. Mommy misses the old you, El. The you who always thought positively and never crossed the line. Even when you got into trouble, Mommy could still accept it. But now? Mommy can't accept this. If you want to stay like this, then forget that you have a Mommy and Daddy." Joya was truly enraged this time, even to the point of threatening him. She tried to pry off the arms wrapped tightly around her, but she couldn't-Langit held her too firmly.

"Mom, don't say that. You know I love both of you," Langit pleaded, trying to soothe her disappointment.

"Love? What love? If you loved us, you wouldn't leave us like this. You stopped caring about us just because of one girl. If you want to keep being heartbroken, then go ahead-just forget you have us." Joya spoke sharply and pressingly. If soft words could not reach him, then she would use words as harsh as her own heart could bear.

"Mom ...." Langit didn't expect Joya to say something like that.

"What? It's fine if we no longer have you. Mommy and Daddy can still live together. We used to live just the two of us, and we can do it again. And anyway, Mommy doesn't only have you-I still have Cheryl. Mommy doesn't want a stubborn child who destroys himself and can't think about others. Mommy is disappointed and doesn't want to look at you anymore. Mommy wants to go back to Indonesia." Joya kept speaking painful words, though this was her last resort to reach him.

Langit tightened his embrace around her even more, bending down slightly and resting his head affectionately on her shoulder.

"Mommy wants me to come home?" Langit asked softly.

"No, what for? Trying to persuade you is like talking to a rock. Even if Mommy dies, it still won't get through to you," Joya replied sharply, still upset.

"Hush ... Mom, why do you keep talking about dying? That's bad luck," Langit said, almost laughing at how she was sulking.

"I don't care. Mommy doesn't care what you want anymore. Mommy is stressed from dealing with you!" Joya grumbled, trying to pull his arms off her and shaking her shoulder so he would stop leaning on her.

"Fine. I'll come home. But give me some time to take care of everything here before moving," Langit finally conceded. He just hated hearing his mother mention death to scare him. Or perhaps he was afraid it could happen while he wasn't by her side.

Joya stopped resisting. Then she glanced at Langit, who was still clinging adorably to her shoulder.

"You're really going home? You're not lying just to stop Mommy from being angry?" she asked again.

Langit nodded like a kindergarten kid who had just been scolded.

"I love Mommy. If you want me to come home, I'll come home. I'm sorry for making you angry. Don't be upset anymore-you won't look pretty," he teased lightly.

Joya couldn't help feeling exasperated at his joking tone. She pinched his sharp nose.

"You really know how to get to me, don't you?" she said, pinching harder.

"Mommy, that hurts!" Langit yelped, his nose turning red.

Joya let go of his nose and looked at her son, who had now released her and was rubbing the sore spot.

"Promise you'll come home with Mommy," she said once more, needing to hear it.

"I promise, Mom."

I'll come home-but I'm not sure I can face my past. What does she look like now? Is she still the same, or even more beautiful than I remembered? Bintang, why won't you truly disappear from me, so I can stop hoping to meet you ... and stop loving you again.

Eight Years Ago

"I want to break up."

Langit froze at Bintang's words. Why was she asking to end their relationship when everything between them had been fine?

"What's wrong? Why are you asking for a breakup? What did I do? Isn't our relationship perfectly fine? Don't joke around, Bin. This isn't funny." Langit assumed Bintang was teasing him the way she had before, when she pretended to break up only to ask him out again moments later.

"I really want to break up. I'm not joking, El." Bintang spoke with a serious expression. There was not a trace of hesitation when she said she wanted to end things with him.

Langit stared at her in silence, trying to judge whether she truly meant it or if she was simply trying to mess with him.

"Say it. Give me your reason for wanting to break up with me!" Langit demanded clarity. He refused to believe she genuinely wanted to end a relationship that had only lasted a few months-despite the fact that he had loved her for years.

"I'm bored. I'm bored of you, of this relationship. I can't continue it," Bintang replied. She didn't look sad or guilty at all when she decided to end what they had.

"That's it? That's the reason you're breaking up with me? Just because you're bored of me? What kind of joke is that, huh!" Langit truly could not accept such a reason.

"Yes, I'm bored. Besides, from the beginning, haven't you known that you were just a distraction for me? Come on, don't be so naive. We're young. Whatever we're feeling is nothing more than puppy love. We don't even know if we're meant to last. What we have is just a momentary thrill. There's no genuine love between us." Bintang tried to make him believe that her words were not a joke. She said them with full awareness and a decision made after long consideration.

They were talking beside the school building right after classes ended.

Langit still couldn't accept Bintang's decision. He clenched his fist and slammed it against the wall right beside her head.

Bintang flinched at his sudden action but tried to stay composed as she looked at Langit holding back his emotions. His stare was sharp, his eyes red as he fought to contain his anger.

"Say it! Tell me it's not true! Tell me you're just joking about breaking up, Bin!" Langit shouted, refusing to accept it.

He had worked so hard to win Bintang's heart. He had pursued her for years, and now, just when he finally had her, she wanted to leave. Langit simply couldn't accept it.

Bintang remained firm-no tears, no regret, no guilt. She held his gaze even with his face so close to hers. He looked like he was on the verge of exploding.

"It's true, El. I will still break up with you. Whether you want it or not. Agree or disagree. I will still end this relationship. We can stay friends, El. But not as lovers. I know we started dating because of fleeting feelings. Sooner or later, we'll get tired of each other. When that time comes, we'll still end up separated," Bintang said calmly.

Langit was furious, especially because it felt like she was belittling his love-love that had always been sincere, reserved only for her. He couldn't take it anymore and grabbed her nape, forcing their lips together in a deep, hard kiss.

Bintang gasped at his sudden action. At first she allowed it, stunned by his anger, but as Langit grew rougher, she pushed him away, struggling to break the kiss.

When she finally managed to free herself, she reflexively slapped him. The force surprised even her. Her heart pounded with fear-fear of his anger, fear of the hatred he might now harbor toward her.

Langit turned his face at the blow, then smirked bitterly, as if amused that she had the heart to hit him. He knew he was wrong for forcing that kiss, but he did it to see her reaction. Now he felt certain-Bintang no longer wanted him.

"You really want to throw me away?" Langit asked, his face full of disappointment.

"I just want to end our relationship," Bintang replied.

"You're throwing me away, Bin!" Langit screamed, his voice echoing.

Bintang shrank back slightly. It was the first time Langit had ever yelled at her.

"This is for your own good," she said calmly.

"For my good?" Langit scoffed. "You call this 'good'? Fine! If this is for your good, then so be it! Good for destroying my feelings!" he snapped, hitting his own chest.

Bintang stayed silent, watching him release his anger.

Langit still couldn't accept it. He slammed the wall again, making Bintang shut her eyes in shock.

"Remember this, Bin. Remember my words. You're the one destroying me. And you'll be responsible for whatever happens to me after this. You want to end our relationship? Then that means you want me gone. I'll grant your wish, Bintang. I'll grant it. But pray you never cross paths with me again. If that day ever comes, I swear I'll make sure you're the one who ends up shattered."

Bintang jolted awake from her deep sleep, her heart racing and her chest tightening painfully. She had just dreamt about Langit-about the moment she had cruelly ended their relationship without giving him a clear reason, leaving him devastated and disappearing as if swallowed by the earth.

Without realizing it, crystal-like tears slipped down her cheeks. After years of trying to forget him, tonight Bintang dreamt about Langit again. She raked her fingers through her hair in frustration, the traces of regret evident on her face.

"I'm sorry, El. I'm sorry for hurting you."

Remembering Langit's threat made every part of her body tremble with fear.

**

In Paris, France, Langit was still awake, standing near the glass wall of his apartment. He stared straight ahead, watching the expanse of Paris glitter beneath the night lights.

He had just remembered the moment when Bintang asked to break up with him. He still couldn't accept the reason she gave. To him, it was the most senseless excuse she could have come up with.

"Bored? Was your love that shallow that you could feel bored of me?" Langit smirked bitterly at the memory.

"I'll come back, but hope that we never meet again, Bin. Because if we do, I really will destroy you the way you destroyed and shattered my world."

Langit glanced at the star tattoo he had gotten a week after Bintang broke up with him-right before he left for Paris. He had it inked there to remind himself that he would never again be able to see or reach the love of the girl he once worshipped.

**

Bintang had prepared to go to the office earlier than usual. Ever since waking up from the dream, she couldn't fall back asleep, so she chose to check her documents and get ready for work.

"Morning, Mom." Bintang put on a cheerful expression, even though her mind was weighed with burdens.

"Good morning, Sweetheart." Annetha greeted her daughter with a warm smile, kissing both her cheeks.

Orion-Bintang's younger brother-had just arrived at the dining table, along with Arlan-their father, who was getting ready for breakfast before starting his day.

"Is there any issue with your work?" Arlan asked in between bites.

"Nothing, Dad. Everything is under control," Bintang answered confidently.

Arlan smiled in relief. Seeing Bintang's enthusiasm eased his worries. He used to fear that Bintang wouldn't be able to live her days like other girls because of her illness, but her spirit washed away all of his concerns.

"Don't push yourself too hard. If there's anything you can't handle, tell me," Arlan said, still unable to stop worrying even though Bintang was already twenty-five.

"Yes, Dad. Everything's fine!" Bintang replied with bright enthusiasm.

No-it wasn't genuine enthusiasm. She acted strong in front of her parents. She didn't want them crying over her again like they did eight years ago. It was enough that she had seen their tears once. Now, it was her responsibility to make them happy. She had to be strong, had to bury what she felt, had to wear a mask of joy to cover the sadness she hid deep inside.

Bintang drove her car to the company herself since she worked at a branch office and not the main headquarters.

The morning traffic was quite heavy. While she drove, her phone rang, showing the name of one of her staff members. She intended to answer, but the car in front of her suddenly braked, startling her. Her phone slipped from her hand, and she was late pressing the brake pedal-her car crashed into the bumper ahead.

"Oh God, I'm doomed!" Bintang panicked as she realized she had hit someone's car.

She quickly got out to check the damage and to apologize and take responsibility for it.

"What do I do now?" Bintang muttered as she saw the dented bumper. She ran her fingers through her hair again, her panic escalating.

While she was still overwhelmed by the damage, someone stepped out of the car she had crashed into.

Bintang turned, ready to apologize. But the moment she saw who had just gotten out, she froze. Her lips went numb, and her gaze locked in place, unable to move away.