Under the beautiful moonlight, the villa garden by the beach offered an enchanting night scene. A soft breeze carried the salty scent of waves crashing in the distance. The rustling leaves and the ocean's whispers created a peaceful, natural symphony.
Warm lantern lights along the winding path cast a romantic atmosphere. Hidden garden lamps revealed the lush tropical plants, and the shimmering pool reflected the calm of the evening.
By the poolside, lounge chairs invited guests to relax. Some sat there with fresh drinks, engaged in light conversation, basking in the magical night. Laughter and whispers filled the air with warmth and intimacy.
That's where Sandra, Lukas, and their friends gathered to enjoy the night breeze. But sadly, the beauty of the surroundings didn't reflect the turmoil in Sandra's heart.
She watched her husband sitting beside Kayla, chatting casually with the others. Lukas was acting extra clingy toward Kayla—blaming it on his minor illness. What a shameless, inconsiderate husband! Was this how the real Sandra had always been treated?
"Still dizzy?" Kayla asked sweetly, pressing her hand to Lukas's forehead. Everyone fell silent, uncomfortable witnessing the scene, especially with Sandra—the real wife—clearly angry and hurt.
"Disgusting," Sandra muttered as she grabbed a potato chip from the table and laughed with a shake of her head.
"What did you say?"
"Chacha, if Maxim's ex acted like this, what would you call her?" Sandra asked pointedly. Chacha scratched her neck awkwardly, unsure how to respond—because honestly, she wouldn't tolerate it either.
"Know your place, like always!" Kayla snapped.
"Me?" Sandra laughed. "Dear itchy woman, why don't you explain your position? Who are you to Lukas, and who am I? Disgusting!"
"Sandra!" Lukas barked.
"What? You think I'm jealous? I'm not, Lukas! Go ahead, enjoy your evening scratching each other's itch."
"Watch your mouth, Sandra!" Lukas warned again, while Kayla smirked, feeling victorious.
"That's enough," Thomas cut in. "San, let it go."
"Why should I be the one to let it go? Ugh, dealing with two filthy people itching for each other's attention really takes patience. It's hard to beat trash like you two."
"Say that again and I swear—"
"What, Lukas? You'll do what? Am I not just stating the truth? You used to trample all over me, but I'm not letting you do that anymore!"
Sandra stood up and stormed away from their table, aimlessly joining a group of men at another table who were joking around.
Lukas clenched his jaw as he watched his wife effortlessly blend with the strangers, laughing and playing cards with them. She really had changed. What had gotten into her?
"Where are you going? Let her be!" Kayla grabbed his arm as he moved to follow.
"She's my responsibility. If anything happens to her, I'll be the one in trouble." Lukas gently ruffled her hair before heading off to drag Sandra away.
And as usual, to keep her from resisting, he carried her like a sack of rice.
*****
"What's your problem?!" Lukas shouted after dragging Sandra far from the crowd.
"You really have to ask? Seriously?" she shoved his chest. "Figure it out yourself!"
"We were forced to marry—"
"Then why did you do that to me? Huh?! I'm not some trash you can treat however you like!"
"I told you it wasn't entirely my fault! You were drunk! You seduced me!"
"So now it's my fault? Asshole!" She shoved him again, then stormed off, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"San, don't go too far! My head's spinning—I can't keep up! Please!" Lukas begged as he followed behind her aimless walk along the beach.
But Sandra ignored him. No matter how many times he called or tried to stop her, she kept going—headed toward a quieter, darker part of the beach.
"San, that area's deserted! Come on, don't be like this!" Lukas caught up and stopped her.
"Can't we go back to the way things were? Let's just stop caring about each other!" she snapped, pushing him away again.
Lukas fell silent. He didn't even know why he cared this much now. Seeing her like this hurt. Before, he barely acknowledged her existence.
Sandra kept walking away. Her mood was in ruins after realizing the trip was all about Kayla. She felt humiliated and disrespected.
Lukas trailed behind, still burdened by guilt—even if he didn't fully understand it. They never loved each other. So why did this matter so much?
She stopped near a large tree, where a street food vendor had set up a small grill.
"She's probably hungry," Lukas muttered. "Didn't eat dinner at all."
"One hundred skewers, extra spicy," Sandra said with a raspy voice.
The middle-aged vendor froze. A woman with wild, windblown hair, a plain white dress, swollen eyes with smudged eyeliner... he instinctively felt a chilling presence.
"Please, Miss… don't haunt me. I just want to make a living." He nervously waved his bamboo fan at her like an exorcism.
"Haunt you?! I just want to buy food!" Sandra snapped in disbelief.
But the man didn't wait. He dropped everything and ran, abandoning his cart in terror.
"ARGHHHHH! Why does everyone piss me off tonight?!" Sandra screamed.
From behind a tree, Lukas burst out laughing. Seriously? The guy thought she was a ghost?
"'One hundred skewers, mister!'" Lukas mocked with a grin. "'I'm Sundel Bolong, straight from a Suzzanna film!'"
Sandra shot him a glare so sharp it could cut steel. She clenched her fists, but embarrassment had drained her anger. So that's why the vendor ran?
Out of steam, she sat on the sand and pouted. Lukas walked over, still chuckling.
"Don't sit on the sand—it's dirty! Come on, let's go back. I'll order skewers from the villa instead." Still smiling, Lukas pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped her smudged makeup and tears.
"I'm too tired to walk."
Lukas crouched and offered his back. She climbed on, and he carried her like before.
Thomas's words came back to him. Could Sandra really have a second personality? A trauma response? Was this all a mental breakdown?
"Lukas, I'm sleepy," she murmured, hugging his neck and resting her head on his shoulder.
"Then sleep." He smiled as she closed her eyes. He couldn't deny it—he liked this version of her.
Not quite love. Kayla still lingered in his heart. But tomorrow? Who knows? Lately, being with Sandra… didn't feel so bad.
From afar, someone watched them. His glowing red eyes shimmered. A sinister smile curled on his lips.
"I'll keep you safe until the blood moon rises, my diamond soul. I can't wait to become eternal."