Ivanka Anastasia had never tasted freedom before. Each time she thought she was free, it turned out to be another enclosure—it just got bigger, prettier, and livelier. Sometimes, it felt like a cage. Sometimes, it was a farm. The last one turned from a cage into a farm and ended up as a glass house. She was treated like a toy, then a queen—anything she needed would be presented on a silver tray with just a lift of a finger, and she didn't even need to make it dirty.

It was a life that Helio Nathaniel could give. Either be a pretty possession inside his glass house, or be a fierce raven and conquer the world with him.

The lamb chose freedom and stayed as a lamb.

"You're really leaving," was Helio's comment as Ivanka packed her stuff in his penthouse. "I'm sad."

"Don't put a sad face, you said I'll be free from everything."

"I did?"

"Hm, on our first anniversary."

The second one was three days ago. It was also the day when they decided on everything. Ivanka wished to leave and start a fresh live somewhere new, and Helio was to let her go.

On the plane, she sat with a heavy heart. It was still a great heart break, after all, to leave someone she loved. Unfortunately, love wasn't her reason to live anymore. Her face was solemn as the plane took off, soon enough she was thousand miles above the land. The cost to freedom wasn't free. In order to leave a room for her new goals and determination, she had to throw away a part of herself. That was how the couple ended up choosing a separate way. Helio left a room for love, but Ivanka didn't want to carry it anymore. The heart ached a bit, knowing to the very end, they loved each other, still. The weding band was still shining on her hand, refusing to die.

Perhaps they were holding onto the last string of hope. Perhaps they were purposely leaving a room for redemption. For one day, Ivanka might believe in true love again, and Helio would be the open arms that welcomed her.

When the plan was about to land, anxiety rushed into her blood. In just a few moment, she’d be fully free.

Ivanka had never thought that freedom would feel so unfamiliar. Every step she took from the moment she landed felt strange. Everything she knew was back home, along with everything that tortured her. On this place was a strange land she must make as her new home. Soon, her fear turned into delight, upon realizing the life that was splattered right before her eyes. It was peaceful.

Then, was thrilling at some point, knowing she was now free to step her foot anywhere she wished to. Once in a while, however, she'd stay in place and wonder where she should go next—as she had nowhere to go.

It turned out that the line between being free and being lost was thin.

In another place, the snake was busy sticking his way up to the highest chair. Helio Nathaniel lived his life like how he used to. Meetings at the day, camera flashes at night, and running to catch another flight—and sometimes, missing Ivanka on a random day.

"Mario," he called his assistant, looking out to the window. "Any news?"

"No."

If the weather was fine, he'd take a stroll around. He'd drive without a destination, just exercising his car's tires, choosing his stops in a whim. However, there was a stop that he never missed.

The red car stopped in front of a big house. Behind its gallant wooden gate was a five-bedroom house with no resident. If he went through the main door and straight to back, he'd find a large backyard with a tended garden. He called a gardener to make sure there were always blooming flowers there in any weather and season, so it would be ready to welcome Ivanka if she came home one day.