LOVE BEYOND THE PAIN

Gian moved toward Aurelia slowly, almost soundless, closing the small distance between them. His warm breath brushed her face, and it felt like the room itself was shrinking around them.

Aurelia swallowed hard. Her body went stiff, her instincts firing off warnings.

"What do you want me to do?" she asked softly, her voice trembling. It barely rose above the tension hanging thick between them.

Gian lifted an eyebrow, his lips curling slightly. "Be my wife... completely."

Aurelia frowned. "I... I am your wife."

He shook his head lightly, quick, as if mocking the logic she'd just spoken. "I want proof. And help."

"H-help with what?"

His gaze dropped, sharp and intense. "Make me feel confident again. Bring back my desire."

Aurelia froze. Her breath hitched. Words nearly slipped away from her. "I... I'm not a doctor, Gian. So-"

"You're my wife. Your job is to make me feel like a man again."

In an instant, Gian leaned even closer. Aurelia's heart thrashed against her ribs. But before their breaths could fully collide, a phone rang, slicing through the moment. Gian exhaled sharply, grabbing the phone from his pocket.

Before answering, he looked straight into Aurelia's eyes and said, "I'll cover your tuition. Not a single cent from the Alvaro family. So think carefully... before I change my mind."

Then he turned and walked away, leaving Aurelia with a tight chest and a storm in her head.

That night, dinner was served earlier than usual. Only two chairs were occupied at the long dining table that was normally quiet. Mrs. Lestari was still out at her social gathering. It was just the two of them.

They ate in silence. Only the soft clinks of silverware filled the air. Aurelia stole glances at Gian now and then, trying to read the mind that always seemed locked shut.

When dinner was nearly finished, Aurelia gathered her courage. She went back to her room, grabbed her phone, and opened a loan app. She filled in her information, hoping-desperately-that she could find another way to pay for college without relying on Gian.

But the screen displayed a single message:

"Your ID cannot be processed. Status linked to the Alvaro family entity. Loan access denied."

Aurelia froze. Her hands shook. She tried another app. Same result. All of them declined her-even for the smallest loan.

She walked back to the dining room. Gian was still seated, sipping tea. Aurelia glared at him.

"You know what? I can't borrow a single penny. Because all my access is blocked. Because of your last name!"

Gian shrugged. "You won't get a loan anywhere. Your access is limited. I'm the only hope you've got."

Aurelia scoffed. "You're impossible. Taking advantage. Manipulative. Cold! You're such a jerk!"

Gian looked at her calmly. "We're a married couple. What's wrong with that?"

Aurelia fell silent. But inside, everything was in chaos.

She swallowed again. Her heart pounded so fast it felt like it might explode. Part of her wanted to argue, scream, insist that their marriage wasn't love, wasn't her choice. But deep down... he wasn't wrong. They were married. Legally documented. On paper, Gian was her husband. She couldn't deny it.

"What's wrong is the way you say it," Aurelia whispered, her voice shaking. "You talk like... I belong to you. Like I'm something you can use whenever you want."

Gian raised an eyebrow over the rim of his glass.

"You think I don't feel like I've been used too?" he replied calmly. "I didn't ask for this marriage either. But here we are. So we play our parts. You want college. I want something in return. Isn't that fair?"

Aurelia's stomach churned at the word "return." She wasn't an object. But she also had almost no options left.

"If you want us to play parts," she said softly, "then we should respect each other. Not pressure each other."

Gian didn't answer. A faint smile tugged at his lips-not mocking, but almost... intrigued. As if Aurelia had just revealed a side he'd never noticed before.

Late that night, Aurelia returned to her room. She stared at her reflection in the big mirror near the wardrobe. Her eyes looked dull. Her head was crowded with thoughts she couldn't even begin to voice.

She opened the desk drawer, pulled out the college brochure she had secretly kept since before the wedding. Her fingers brushed the glossy paper as if trying to absorb the hope printed on it. She wasn't giving up. She couldn't.

The next morning, she woke early. She made breakfast: boiled eggs, toasted whole-wheat bread, a glass of orange juice. She didn't want another kitchen disaster. This time she followed every step from the cooking video she'd watched in secret the night before.

When Gian came downstairs, the table was already set neatly. He paused, looking at the breakfast, then at her.

"Not afraid you'll burn down the kitchen again?" he asked flatly, though there was a faint teasing note in his voice.

"I learned," Aurelia said. "Isn't that one of the requirements to be your wife?"

Gian sat. He picked up the spoon and tried the juice first.

"Not bad," he said simply. "Though the juice is too sweet. But... it'll do."

Aurelia felt a small warmth bloom in her chest. But she knew this wasn't enough to change him. This was a tiny step. Very tiny.

The following days settled into a strange rhythm. Gian wasn't as cold anymore, but he wasn't exactly warm either. Sometimes he came home late. Sometimes he only nodded when Aurelia spoke. But he ate every breakfast she made. And that little bit was enough to keep her going.

But whenever college came up, Gian responded with the same vague line:

"We'll see."

"Please, Gian. The deadline is the day after tomorrow. I'll do anything as long as it's not... that condition," Aurelia pleaded.

But Gian always said, "That's my only condition."

Until one evening, everything changed.

Gian came home early. His face looked tired, his tie loose, his hair slightly messy. Aurelia was in the living room watching TV alone. When she saw him enter, she stood, ready to make him tea.

"Wait," Gian said, stopping her.

Aurelia turned. "Yes?"

He exhaled and walked closer. "I already transferred your college registration payment. You can go confirm it tomorrow."

Aurelia froze.

"But... I haven't agreed to-"

"I told you I'd cover it. Without using the family's money. And I kept my word."

Aurelia stood there, stunned. Her hand curled into a small fist, her eyes growing glossy.

"Thank you..." she whispered.

"Don't thank me yet," Gian replied. "Because I want you to prove something."

"What is it?"

"That you're not just some reckless girl chasing a dream. But..."