"Wh-what did Papa say just now? Divorced?"
James Franklin Harald seemed to nod. Confirming the question Aurora threw at him. If necessary, after this he will reinforce the question of the sentence that had escaped from his lips.
After failing to convince Mario, James deliberately ordered his assistant to arrange a meeting with his son-in-law. James plans to talk privately with Aurora and if possible persuade his son-in-law to accept his request for an immediate divorce from his son.
Evil indeed. But, James had no other way. Instead of the good name of his extended family, especially his son, having to be tarnished due to the scandal that Aurora made, it's better to just separate them. Before later, other allegations emerged that were getting out of control and in the end, they even dragged their extended family back.
"I'm sure you heard it well, Aurora. Papa wants you and Calvin to divorce immediately."
Aurora didn't budge. Digesting deeply what his father-in-law conveyed. Then after muttering to himself, should he just comply with the order's request?
"Why do I and Calvin have to divorce, Pa?"
"Why? You asked the reason why you two had to divorce?" James then chuckled. The grin that the man showed was obvious as if he was mocking. "Are you pretending to be blind or deaf, Aurora? Don't you realize that the news that was widely circulated has tarnished the good name of the Harald family? How could the son-in-law of a James Franklin Harald be involved in an embarrassing immoral scandal? You..." James pointed after . "You're pregnant, you might even have an affair. You're not even ashamed to show affection. Worse, you're even kissing another man. And maybe, if Calvin hadn't caught you at that time, Papa is sure that you and your lover would have ended up in bed. That's as cheap as is that you?"
"Pa... it's not like what you imagined and accused you of. I'm not like that," said Aurora. Trying very hard to deny the heinous accusations leveled against him.
For God's sake, once again Aurora cursed the stupidity she had done. Then it crossed his mind, is this all karma because previously he wasted too much on Mario? But why does it have to be this painful.
In fact, at that time the goal was just to have fun. Why in the end instead stuck in stupid actions which are now slowly destroying him?
"So what kind of woman are you, son? Papa even thought about it, maybe before having sex with Calvin, you were already pregnant. You could have deliberately framed him because you don't have anyone to take responsibility for. Is that true? like that?"
Again, Aurora shook her head. The sentence that came out of the lips of the father-in-law, really sounded sick like a sharp knife that was deliberately cut into his heart. How could it be that when she was heavily pregnant like this she was instead showered with such heinous accusations and slander.
"That's not true, Pa. The baby I'm carrying right now is Calvin's child. Of flesh and blood, and a descendant of the Harald family. For God's sake, I've never slept with another man except Calvin once in my life."
"You think Papa will believe you?" protested James, genuinely not believing it for a second. "You think people out there will believe what you say, Aurora? It's useless to want to defend yourself no matter what. Still, the public will look negatively at you. You want your family to stop the news or arrest the person who has spread the news, it feels it still doesn't have any effect. The videos circulating have shown how you behaved. That's why, I don't want Calvin, my beloved son to be dragged into any further trouble."
"But how can I divorce Calvin, Pa," Aurora refused once again. Trying very hard to defend himself so that his parents-in-law do not necessarily separate him from his husband.
"Why can't it be? You just have to agree and say 'Yes' and after that, let Papa take care of everything," said James reassuringly. "You shouldn't be selfish, Aurora. Think about Calvin's fate in the future. Do you have the heart to let a man as good as Calvin waste his time enduring the shame of continuing to be your husband? Calvin has the right to be happy, Aurora."
"Then what will happen to me and the baby in this belly, Pa? How can Papa let Papa's grandson be born without a father by his side."
James didn't care. Instead of pity, the man returned to smiling casually. In fact, the tears that fell down Aurora's cheeks, did not stir her heart in the least.
"You can find another man to be the father of the baby. Don't worry. Papa will give you a lot of money, Aurora. But, after this, please go far away. If necessary, disappear from Calvin's presence. Let him start a new life. Happier than now."
Aurora looked down. As if he had run out of vocabulary, he chose to remain silent because he really didn't know what to say anymore.
"The decision is yours, Aurora. Papa will give you two days to prepare yourself. After that, just say where you want to go. Papa will send you to that place and make sure you and your baby will live in peace, peace and certainty. more than enough."
Finished at length conveying his point, James chose to go with his assistant. Leaving Aurora who could only sit pensively, thinking about what her future should be.
***
Papa-in-law : Think carefully about Aurora. All decisions are in your hands. If you really love Calvin, better leave him as soon as possible. Let Calvin be happy with another woman.
Aurora took a deep breath. Just got home, he already received a text message that his father-in-law sent. Indeed, the old man seemed to be desperately trying to get him as far away from Mario as possible.
For a moment, Aurora seemed to think hard. Should he obey the order? But it's not easy. Just now he was enjoying the real company with Mario. Why should they be separated again? Is this also a sign that she is not destined to be with that man?
"What should Mama do, honey?" whispered Aurora while gently caressing the surface of her stomach. Deliberately asking her future baby to talk as if the innocent creature inside her stomach can help give her answers.
"Do you think we should just go? Will you ever be able to be born and live without a father figure?" whispered Aurora again. "Actually, if you think about it carefully, for now Mama can't live without your Papa. But, it will be even more difficult to see your Papa suffer because of what Mama has done. Really, Mama is confused now."
Engrossed in talking to himself, there was a knock on Aurora's bedroom door. When he looked up, he found Sophia's figure there.
"Aurora ..." said the woman then came in, approached Aurora who was sitting on the bed. "What are you doing? Aren't you getting ready for dinner? Soon everyone will be going home and gathering."
Aurora smiled. He patted the surface of the mattress next to him, asking Sophia to sit side by side with him.
"Come here. I want to ask you something first."
"Ask about what?"
Aurora took a deep breath. Staring closely at Sophia while thinking, what words would be right for him to convey to the woman next to him.
"I want to ask, do you really love Tristan?"
Sophia's brow furrowed in reflex. Confused. But, then continued to answer what Aurora asked him.
"Of course I love Tristan very much, Aurora. So what? Besides, what kind of question is this?" complained the woman.
"If you really love him, are you willing to do anything for him? Do whatever it takes to make Tristan happy?"
Sophia nodded again.
"Whatever it is, I will do it as long as Tristan can be happy, Aurora. Even if I have to risk my life, I will do it for him."
"For example, if one day Tristan meets another woman, and that woman is able to make him happier than being with you, are you willing to let Tristan go?"
Sophia chuckled this time. To be honest, how could he just let Tristan go with another woman. After all, he and Tristan had gone through many struggles to maintain their relationship.
"On this one, I don't agree. If possible, I will defend Tristan with all my might so that he returns to my side. I'm not the type of woman who will easily let someone else take what is mine, Aurora. Except, Tristan himself asked me to leave."
Aurora nodded in understanding. Now, he got an important point that he could later make into consideration.
"Thanks for your answer, Sophia."
"Why do you ask like that?" asked Sophia with narrowed eyes. Also suspicious of Aurora's unusual behavior.
"Nothing. Just wanted to ask." Then Aurora got up and grabbed Sophia's wrist. "Come on, let's get ready. It's almost time for dinner, right?"
Sophia nodded in agreement then followed Aurora's steps towards the dining room with a questioning and curious feeling. He believes that Aurora is hiding something from him.