Mario's ears felt hot. Not to mention his heart felt sliced hearing the request his father had just made.
Instead of being protected, supported, let alone assisted in finding solutions, his father instead gave orders which sounded absurd. How can a James Franklin Harald, a member of Parliament who has been known as Family Man. Once he maintained the harmony and integrity of his family, he even suggested that his son get a divorce immediately. It really sounds like a big joke.
"Don't be crazy, Pa! How can I have to divorce Aurora? She's even pregnant with my child right now. Papa's granddaughter. Future successor to the Harald family!"
James cleared his throat. It was as if those words just made her feel disgusted.
"Nonsense, Calvin! It's not necessarily your son. Who knows, the baby in Aurora's womb is another boy your wife may have slept with. Who knows?"
"Pa!" cried Mario did not like. His jaw tightened. His face darkened. Mixed emotions that seem to have reached the top of the head. His father had the heart to accuse the woman he loved so much of having a child from another man.
Did his father never know how he had struggled all this time to conquer Aurora? Did his father ever know how he felt all this time waiting, harboring love for so long, until finally now they were slowly being together?
"How can the baby in Aurora's stomach be another man's child? If the one who took her virginity for the first time was myself?"
James gave him a deep look. The middle-aged man shook his head and smiled lightly.
"Yes, it's possible that after having sex with you, she's also in a relationship with another man. Don't be too naive Mario. While you're pregnant like now, your wife dares to have an affair. She even commits immoral acts in public places. It's really cheap! Her actions have even tarnished her good name. our family."
"Enough, Papa!" shouted Mario, raising his voice even more. The longer, the more his heart hurt listening to the barrage of insults that his father had been throwing. "Aurora isn't what Papa accuses her of. It's up to you what you want to say. I don't care and I will never ever obey Papa's ridiculous request to part with the woman I love. Never!"
James growled angrily. If you continue to let Mario stick to his choices, we can be sure that Harald's extended family will be embarrassed. Meanwhile, the media seems so focused on watching and waiting for clarification from them regarding this news.
Really, James was so ashamed because he had a family member involved in a big scandal. Especially when it comes to immoral acts. This really tarnished his reputation.
From the first time he learned about Mario's recklessness by sleeping with a woman and causing him to become pregnant, James felt bad. In fact, initially he had prepared a future wife who he considered commensurate with his family.
"It's up to you what you want to say, Mario. Papa doesn't want to know. You have to immediately arrange your divorce with Aurora. If you refuse, Papa will make sure that all the facilities that you have got, Papa will withdraw immediately."
Mario laughed lightly. The threat that his father had just made didn't shake him at all, let alone fear one bit. After all, Mario is an independent man. It's not difficult for him to survive without having to have luxurious facilities behind him.
So far, Mario is used to living independently. Since college, he was even accustomed to working to meet all his needs. So, what is there to be afraid of if he really is removed from the list of the Harald family? So far, he has never used this privilege for any particular purpose.
"You think I care? Go ahead and do what you like. Getting me off the Harald family register won't change my mind one bit."
Thinking that there were no more important things to discuss, Mario chose to leave his father alone.
While James in his seat seemed to be watching the departure of his son with mounting anger. In his mind, he could not accept being refuted, let alone his orders being simply ignored.
"Jerome!" James called his assistant who was always on standby standing not far from his side.
"Yes sir. Do you need anything?"
James took a deep breath. Staring straight with unusual eyes while thinking about the next step he should take immediately.
"You have to do something for me. I don't want my family to be destroyed because of this slut."
"What do I have to do?"
James waved. Asking his assistant to come closer, then conveying orders that must be carried out immediately.
***
Sophia noticed very much how Aurora looked pensive on her bed. Since coming home from work this afternoon, the woman has not moved a bit. Invited to eat the snacks provided seemed reluctant. He knew, there must be something that was raging in the heart of the woman who once loved her husband.
Not wanting anything bad or even stress to approach Aurora, who is now in the middle of her second body, Sophia, full of concern, approaches. While carrying a glass of milk in his hand, he knocked on the door and decided to enter without being invited first.
"Aurora... are you okay?"
The blue-eyed woman turned her head. He smiled, then shook his head at Sophia.
"I'm fine, Sophia. What's wrong?"
Sophia approached. Before sitting next to Aurora, he handed over a glass of milk which he had specially brought for the woman in front of him.
"Drink first. I saw earlier you seemed to be quiet in the room without doing anything. To be honest, your attitude worries me."
Again, Aurora smiled. After receiving the milk and drink it immediately. He grabbed Sophia's wrist so she could sit up and hear what he had to say.
"There's actually a lot on my mind, Sophia."
"Is this about the news that was widely circulated?" Sophia guessed as if sure.
Even though it was released in a matter of hours. Sophia knows that the news has succeeded in causing a stir in her husband's extended family, especially among business colleagues who really know Aurora.
Luckily, Tristan has relations in various places. With the influence and power that exists, he also managed to attract all the news that had circulated. Until finally there was no more print or electronic media that displayed gossip about the scandal that Aurora had done out there.
"That's one of them, Sophia. When I think about it, it turns out that I've always loved throwing tantrums rather than showing achievements to Papa and also Tristan. I know they both must be very ashamed now of the stupidity I've done."
"Don't overdo it, Aurora," Sophia said. "Everyone has a dark past. Everyone can make mistakes too."
"But, the mistake I made this time was fatal, Sophia. Ah, no..." the woman corrected. "After previously being obsessed with Tristan. Then I was stupidly drunk until finally I unexpectedly even had a one night stand with Mario. What's worse, this was done more than once until I finally had to get pregnant out of wedlock. That alone has tarnished papa's good name . Now? My foolish actions have again brought shame to the extended family. Even my husband and maybe his family will also be dragged along. For God's sake, Sophia, I am indeed the source of trouble."
Aurora said that with her head down. Seconds later, the feeling of tightness that was squeezing in the chest managed to make tears finally fall without needing to be asked.
"If I could ask God, I would just leave this world."
"And after you leave, the problem will immediately be solved, Aurora?" Sophia then shook her head. "What is there, you are adding to the sadness of Papa, Tristan and also Mario. They are even currently struggling to clear your name. Can't you appreciate their efforts?"
Aurora fell silent. It's humane if he is sad and lamenting the stupidity he has done. It's just that Sophia's words have a point too. At a time when loved ones are struggling to restore their good name which has been tarnished, Aurora should support this effort. At least help with prayer instead of being busy lamenting fate and drowning in sadness alone.
"Remember, Aurora, there is a child in your stomach that you must also pay attention to its health," Sophia warned once again. "I hope that, no matter how hard the problems that are facing you right now, you can be patient and strong through everything. Remember, you are ours. I, Tristan, Papa, and also Mario are always behind you. So, from now on, stop feeling alone. ."
Sophia then grabbed Aurora's body, then burst into a tight hug. Trying to strengthen and provide support so that Aurora will no longer drown in sadness. Even though this ordeal is hard, Sophia is sure that everything will be resolved properly.