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However, seeing him so helpless as if he had lost the will to live convinced her that what Devin was saying was a reality.

"I regret marrying her."

"Wait a minute." One of Shabila's friends interjected. "You got married this afternoon and suddenly regret it, and you're already divorcing her just like that?"

"That's correct." Devin answered briefly before taking another sip of his drink. "I didn't love her; I only used her to get a sum of money to buy back the house from my ex-girlfriend. However, upon reconsideration, it was all useless because my ex-girlfriend doesn't love her husband. But she pours her love into her own brother-in-law, and I think their relationship is more than just husband and wife. So why fight for it all if it's going to end up like this?"

"Oh, I see." Shabila and her friend nodded in unison, understanding what drove Devin to make such a hasty decision to end his marriage.

"So, what do you want right now?" Shabila might not be fully conscious of herself, but when it came to ruining Alesya, it seemed she had a hundred percent awareness.

"Nothing," Devin leaned back in his chair. "I've returned Alesya's house certificate to Silvi, and for me, everything has ended when all agreements returned to their original state."

"You can't just leave it like that. You've hurt a girl who didn't know anything just for your own sake. It's better if you straighten out this mess and go back to your wife."

Shabila advised, even though she might not be a good woman, but at least she understood how much it hurt Silvi to be treated like that. Furthermore, Shabila thought Alesya still hoped to get back together with Devin. So it would be better for Devin to maintain his relationship with Silvi.

"But I have no feelings for her..."

"Well, even if you don't have feelings, at least let her love you and try to love her back. I think that's better than you being like this, Dev."

Devin shook his head. "I can't. In my heart, there's only Alesya, and I'll be like this until I can truly forget her."

Shabila chuckled. "Love? Love, you say, while that woman is having fun with my brother-in-law. Is she worth fighting for?"

"I don't know, but I did think about fighting to be with her."

"Even though she's no longer a virgin?" Shabila pressed, seeking an answer from Devin because she was genuinely curious if there was a man who didn't mind the shortcomings of the girl he loved. Or was it just empty words? A momentary infatuation?

"I don't know, that's what's confusing me now. Should I stay or leave all of this behind, and that's why I'm here." He rubbed his face. "How can I explain to you, Sha? Because you're not in my shoes. If you were me right now, I'm sure you'd do the same as what I'm doing."

"Not me, if the person I love dares to play with someone else, I'd forget them instantly." With all the conviction she had, Shabila stated her opinion.

"Is that so? What if that person is Bryan?"

Devin questioned again. He still wasn't sure because Alesya's words didn't make sense to him.

"Yes, even if it's Bryan, I don't mind becoming a widow as long as I'm not using someone else's leftovers."

"That means you don't truly love your husband." One of Shabila's friends interjected, giving her perspective as well. The short-haired girl agreed with Devin when we love someone, we should be ready to accept all their strengths and weaknesses.

Even as partners, we should complement each other, not look for faults like Shabila was doing now.

"I do love him, very much. Why do I love him? Of course, there are good qualities he possesses that make me capable of falling in love. However, when my love is betrayed, I would never forgive him, not even until death. Especially going back to him.

So if someday he thinks of touching Alesya or giving her an opening to enter our lives, then I can assure you that I will never consider Bryan as my husband, not even in my wildest dreams. I'd be willing to divorce him on the spot when I find out he dared to fool around or turn away from me."

"You're quite ruthless in judging someone. So, if Bryan were to consider looking at Alesya, even just a bit, would there be no second chance for him?" Shabila's friend chimed in on their previous conversation.

"Well, that's how I think. For me, loyalty is everything."

"But, Rey, weren't you before marriage..."

"Enough, I don't want to debate all of this anymore. Dating and marriage are different. I played around during dating, and so did he. So, I decided to change, to make a firm resolution to only keep my love for him after I officially became Bryan's wife. And when I was determined like that, it's only natural that I would cast aside anyone who played with me. 

While I focused on him, he should do the same."

"Oh," Shabila's four friends pursed their lips, mocking her words.

It seemed unbelievable that Shabila, who used to fool around behind Bryan's back, was now speaking and emphasizing the importance of loyalty. Of course, it sounded more like a joke than advice.

"I think our conversation should end here; it's getting late. Time to go home." Devin got up from his seat; talking with Shabila for so long was making his head heavy. They had been drinking their respective drinks while chatting.

Devin was starting to worry that if he continued this activity for too long, he might fall asleep while driving home later.

"Wait, why are you leaving? Since when do guys go home at this hour? It's only nine o'clock, dude." Finally, Shabila's close friend spoke up.

She had been sitting there, just observing Devin's restlessness, a result of the drinks he had consumed.

"I know, but I'm not the type of guy who spends a whole day and night here. I still have a family and work to attend to tomorrow. If this continues, I might get into an accident or end up in the hospital. And of course, instead of solving problems, I'd just add to my own family's list of problems."

Unable to prevent it, Devin bid farewell and left after settling the bill, including Shabila's and her four friends'.

"Devin!" Shabila followed. "I'm coming with you; I don't care, but you have to take me home."

"Our homes are in opposite directions; we can't possibly go home together."

"I don't care, I didn't bring my car. And I don't want to take a taxi either." Shabila protested, still following Devin's steps despite being told not to.

In fact, Shabila entered Devin's car before he did. Her four friends could only shake their heads, letting Shabila go home rather than dealing with the hassle of taking her back to her house.

Luckily, Devin had already paid for the drinks in full, so they didn't have to bother with splitting the bill. They could even continue the party since there was still plenty of drinks and food left at the club.

"I wonder why Bryan could fall in love with a headstrong woman like you," Devin complained as they both sat in the car.

Shabila fastened her seatbelt. "I also don't understand why someone could love me so much. He even willingly gave Alesya to his brother just to have children soon."

"Why doesn't Bryan do it with Alesya then? Isn't Alesya a pure and innocent girl?"

"I prohibited it. I don't want to share my husband with any woman, even if it's not based on love."

"Oh, I see." Devin shrugged nonchalantly, started the car, and began their journey. Even though their homes were in different directions, Devin had no choice but to take Shabila home.

During the journey, Devin was truly annoyed. Shabila kept chattering, rambling incoherently, sometimes singing along to her hallucinations.

However, Devin wasn't angry. He understood that Shabila was currently not in control of herself.

Devin thought the problem would be resolved when he dropped Shabila off at her home. However, the problem escalated when Shabila almost fell as she got out of the car. He had to catch her, reluctantly embracing her to prevent her from falling to the ground.

Unfortunately, when Devin did this, Bryan, who was sitting on the porch, waiting for Shabila to return, clearly saw his wife being touched by another man.

Bryan was furious, he approached Devin and was ready to pounce on him. Without any mercy, Bryan ruthlessly punched Devin.

Even though the man was in the same drunken state as Shabila.