Imagine someone who was once broken, now rising from the depths of despair. Arkana Wirajaya, a billionaire with a cold aura, returns to Jakarta with one goal: to seek revenge. The man he once loved, Rafael Pradipta, has taken everything from him. In the midst of the glittering world of business filled with intrigue, Arkana begins to execute his plan. Sienna Mahendra, Rafael's fiancée, is caught between these two men. Her old feelings for Arkana resurface, but she is also bound to Rafael. The dark secrets of the past are slowly revealed, making Sienna question everything. Arkana's burning revenge threatens to destroy everything. Will Sienna choose to remain loyal to Rafael, or will she follow her heart and give her old love a second chance? In the midst of betrayal and ruthless business intrigue, can love redeem the wounds of the past?
Chapter 1 Shadows of the Past
The grand symphony's powerful melody shattered the ballroom's silence, mingling with the soft murmurs of admiration from the elegantly dressed guests. Silk evening gowns and sharp black tuxedos shimmered under the glow of chandeliers, creating an intoxicating spectacle of luxury. Amid the dazzling opulence stood a man whose presence exuded an icy aura-Arkana Wirajaya.
His gaze swept across the room, searching for someone he had long avoided yet never truly forgotten. His demeanor was calm, almost arrogant, but beneath that tranquility lay a storm of emotions, an unfulfilled promise, and a vengeance yet to be exacted.
Tonight was the annual gala of Rafael Pradipta, a young billionaire basking in the height of his success. With his charming yet insincere smile, Rafael welcomed his guests with warmth, playing the role of the gracious host. But Arkana knew better-behind Rafael's mask of affability lurked a calculating, dark heart.
"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight is a special night," Rafael's voice boomed across the ballroom. "Tonight, I introduce to you the woman who has stolen my heart, the woman who will soon become my wife-Sienna Mahendra."
He pulled a stunning woman close to his side. Sienna, clad in a wine-red gown that accentuated her every curve like flames dancing in the night, stood gracefully next to Rafael. Her long, dark hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her deep brown eyes sparkled like precious stones. But when her gaze met Arkana's, that sparkle faded-replaced by shock and deep-seated confusion.
The room fell into an eerie silence, as if the entire world had momentarily paused. Time itself seemed to halt, leaving only Arkana and Sienna locked in an unspoken exchange of emotions. Rafael, sensing the shift in atmosphere, glanced at Arkana with suspicion and veiled hostility.
"Arkana Wirajaya," Rafael said coldly, his voice laced with displeasure. "What an unpleasant surprise to see you here. I didn't expect you to have the audacity to show up."
"Courage isn't the issue, Rafael," Arkana replied with a faint, almost taunting smile. "I wouldn't miss the chance to celebrate your happiness-especially your happiness with Sienna."
Sienna stared at Arkana, her eyes filled with unspoken questions. There was something familiar about him, yet she couldn't place where or when they had met. Something about his gaze stirred long-buried memories-memories that sent chills down her spine.
"Sienna, darling, do you know Mr. Wirajaya?" Rafael asked, his voice tight as his grip on her arm tightened.
"No, Rafael," she replied softly, her eyes unwilling to meet Arkana's. "I don't believe we've met before."
"What a shame," Arkana interjected smoothly, his voice laced with subtle mockery. "I feel as though we've encountered each other in another life. Or perhaps... in a dream long forgotten."
His words lingered in the air, wrapping around them like an invisible thread of unease. Rafael's hostility toward Arkana deepened, while Sienna felt an unexplainable shiver crawl down her spine. Something about this encounter felt profoundly wrong-an impending storm lurking just beyond the horizon.
"Mr. Wirajaya, I'm sure you have far more pressing matters than disrupting our evening," Rafael stated firmly. "So, I ask you to leave."
"Of course," Arkana replied with a cryptic smirk that sent a cold chill through Sienna's veins. "I merely wanted to extend my congratulations. May your happiness last forever... or at least as long as you hope it will."
With that, Arkana turned and walked away, leaving Rafael and Sienna ensnared in an air of unease. He moved with an unshakable calm, as though entirely unfazed by Rafael's piercing glare or Sienna's bewilderment. Yet deep inside, he knew this night was only the beginning of his plan.
He had not come to celebrate Rafael's joy-he had come to destroy it. He was here to settle the debt of betrayal that had shattered his life. And he knew Sienna was the key to his revenge.
Sienna watched Arkana's retreating figure, an inexplicable sense of dread twisting in her stomach. Something about him unsettled her, something that made fear curl around her heart. It felt as though a past she had buried long ago was clawing its way back to haunt her-and she had no idea how to stop it.
That night, amidst the grandeur of crystal chandeliers and the haunting echoes of the symphony, Sienna felt an ominous weight pressing down on her. She knew her life would never be the same again. The past she had desperately tried to forget was creeping back into her world. And in the growing darkness, she saw Arkana's shadow-watching her with eyes that held both a promise and a threat.
Sienna, still overwhelmed by confusion and fear, unknowingly let the crystal wine glass slip from her grasp. It shattered against the floor, fragments scattering like broken pieces of memories struggling to reassemble themselves.
Her heartbeat pounded erratically, as though invisible hands were gripping her chest. She stared at the shattered crystal, but Arkana's enigmatic smile was still imprinted on her mind. Something was wrong-terribly, terribly wrong.
Noticing her distress, Rafael wrapped a protective arm around her. "Sienna, darling, what's wrong? Are you alright?"
"I... I don't know," she murmured, her voice trembling. "I have this awful feeling... like something terrible is going to happen."
"Nothing bad will happen," Rafael assured her, his voice firm with conviction. "I will protect you."
But Sienna wasn't convinced. Rafael's embrace felt distant, unfamiliar-as though an invisible wall had formed between them. She looked up at him, and for the first time, she saw uncertainty and fear flicker in his normally confident eyes.
That night, Sienna couldn't sleep. Her mind kept replaying the way Arkana had looked at her, the way he had spoken with veiled meaning. It felt like a puzzle was scattered inside her mind, and she needed to piece it together to uncover the truth.
Restless, she stepped onto the balcony, inhaling the crisp night air. The Jakarta skyline stretched before her, its stars blinking like a million watchful eyes, whispering secrets to the shadows below.
Then, she heard it-the sound of footsteps behind her.
Spinning around, she saw a figure standing at the threshold of the balcony doors. A man dressed in a black suit and fedora. His face was obscured by darkness.
"Who are you?" Sienna's voice wavered.
The man remained silent, simply watching her with a gaze colder than the night air. There was something eerily familiar about him, but she couldn't remember where she had seen him before.
"What do you want?" she demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.
Slowly, the man lifted his hand, revealing a photograph.
A photo of Sienna-standing beside a man she didn't recognize.
"Do you remember him, Sienna?" the stranger asked, his voice devoid of warmth.
She stared at the image, and suddenly, a buried memory slammed into her. She remembered the man in the photo. She remembered that night. She remembered the betrayal.
"No," she whispered, shaking her head in denial. "That's not possible."
The man smirked, and in his expression, Sienna saw Arkana's shadow lurking.
Sienna stood frozen on the balcony, alone, staring at the photograph in her trembling hands. As her tears silently fell onto the image, she knew-her past had finally caught up with her.
Chapter 1 Shadows of the Past
31/03/2025
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