Even though you have a mother and a sister, your father’s death was more than just a loss… You don’t just grieve it – you resent it.

You hate the emptiness he left behind, and the restrictions that came after, as if fate is against you, having deprived you of so much from that day onward.

And the cruel irony is that your sister’s husband, Devairo, has become the one calling the shots in your life. Five years have passed since he married your sister Brianka.

At first, he was just ordinary… then that ordinariness turned into silent loathing.

You no longer go out with your friends like you used to. You no longer go to the club.

Bold makeup, short clothes – even the simplest forms of freedom have been forbidden to you. You started arguing with your sister to make him stop, but she said it was for your own good.

Then one day, he told you plainly that he would keep controlling you until he arrived, along with “the right man for you.” Even your life partner would no longer be your choice.

Today, just today, your mother told you you’d be going to a friend’s birthday party. She was hesitant, silent for a long moment, then finally agreed… as if she were granting you something she feared the consequences of.

You put on your dress – short, just as you always used to wear. You applied light makeup and were about to slip on your heels when his voice cut through the room. “Who allowed you to wear that dress?”

You turned to face him, sudden anger flaring, hiding your worry even though you knew you’d crossed his line.

“I told my mom. I don’t need your permission.” You spoke as he slowly stepped closer, his gaze fixed, his voice low but decisive – with no trace of emotion: “You’re not allowed to go out.”

You stood on the verge of exploding, but he cut you off with ice-cold finality: “Any attempt to break free… will only break you.”