Chapter 32
Don’t ask how frustrated and hurt Nicole felt when she was humiliated by Aurora over the matter of paying a restaurant bill that amounted to tens of millions. Not to mention when she met Alex, instead of being defended, the man actually asked Nicole to stay away or even end the relationship that she had painstakingly maintained.
It didn’t stop there. Amidst the distress, resentment, and anger that piled up, God brought Nicole into another ironic situation. In one of the mini-markets, she accidentally crossed paths with Aurora.
Are they meant to be together?
Why do they always encounter each other?
Nicole pondered to herself, why couldn’t her cousin, who also happened to be the wife of the man she liked, just disappear or go to hell. Nicole was truly disgusted. Especially when Aurora clearly demeaned her self-worth.
“No matter how beautiful you are. Sexy, or even superior in bed, I bet Alex will still choose me. Why? Because no matter what, Alex can surely distinguish between who he can make a home with, a place to return to. And who the trash is that he should throw away.”
Nicole was heartbroken beyond words. How could her pretty self be compared to trash by her own cousin?
Unwilling to accept all the insults Aurora hurled, Nicole was determined to retaliate. She had one last way to silence Aurora and snatch her cousin’s husband away from her.
That’s why, without any hesitation, after encountering Aurora in the mini-market, Nicole decided to immediately go somewhere. Anyway, today she had to report and seek support from someone.
Luckily when she reached her destination, she was warmly welcomed. Not wanting to waste much time, Nicole just got straight to the point and stated her sudden purpose and goal without prior notice.
“Mom… I’m pregnant.”
Without much talk or small talk, Nicole got straight to the point. It’s predictable that her statement immediately invited astonishment from her interlocutor.
Just imagine, coming to visit in the afternoon. No wind, let alone a storm, and suddenly bringing news that she’s pregnant.
“W-what? You’re pregnant?”
Across from Nicole sat Savana Wildblood. Indeed, it was her house that Nicole visited this afternoon. Nicole was convinced, only Savana could help her get out of this difficult situation.
“Yes, Mom. I’m pregnant with Alex’s child.”
Instead of getting angry, insulting, or even kicking her out, Savana got up from her seat. Smiling, she invited Nicole to tell her story in her room.
And when Aurora and Alex came to visit, Savana was waiting for the right moment to discuss Nicole’s pregnancy. Fortunately, Aurora brought up the issue of infidelity. Deeming the timing right, Savana immediately brought Nicole to sit together. Discussing the continuation of the woman’s pregnancy issue.
“Right now Nicole is pregnant with Alex’s child. Whether you like it or not, Mom will still marry them as soon as possible.”
Across from her, Aurora shook her head in disbelief. She questioned where her mother-in-law’s conscience was. Was there no empathy for her? Yet, upon reflection, she was the victim in this matter.
Likewise, Alex, sitting beside Nicole, could only remain silent. He had been confused about how to express himself since earlier. Did he need to feel happy? Or should he be sad?
“So, Mama wants to approve Alex to marry his mistress? Mama doesn’t even care about my feelings?”
Savana laughed dismissively. She showed no compassion to the daughter-in-law who had devoted her life to her son for the past two years. Instead of being grateful, Savana made Aurora seem like the troublemaker in the current marital issues.
“Do you think Mama considered her own feelings, waiting uncertainly from the beginning, when you would give her grandchildren? Besides… you need to know, Mama initially asked Nicole to approach Alex.”
Both Aurora and Alex were equally stunned by Savana’s recent statement. They discovered an unexpected truth this afternoon.
“W-what?” Aurora stammered. She was sure her ears were still functioning normally, hearing the words that had just come out of her mother-in-law’s mouth. “Mama asked Nicole to approach Alex? Why would Mama be this evil? What did Aurora do wrong?”
Aurora thought Alex was the most despicable figure in the problems that were happening in their household. Turns out, there was another figure just as disrespectful, even seemingly intent on ruining the relationship that she had painstakingly maintained.
Meanwhile, Savana seemed indifferent. She lifted her chin high while looking disdainfully at Aurora.
“Who’s the evil one? From the beginning, since I first met Nicole who worked at Alex’s office, I liked her attitude and personality. She was clever at pleasing me. Obedient. She never once contradicted what I ordered.”
Savana then remembered an incident from a few months ago. At that time, she was extremely desperate because her only child had not yet had offspring. Somehow, she believed it was all because of her incompetent daughter-in-law.
Provoked by the instigation of friends and family, Savana even planned to find a new wife for Alex. Little did she know that she would meet Nicole when she visited Alex’s office several times.
Falling in love with all the kindness that Nicole showed, a month later Savana dared to invite Nicole to meet so they could speak freely face-to-face.
“Do you have a partner?”
“Not yet, Auntie.”
“Just call me Mom. All of Alex’s friends call me Auntie as Mom. Let’s be close.”
Nicole smiled and nodded in agreement.
“Yes, Mom. And about a partner, right now Nicole doesn’t have a partner.”
“If you were to be Alex’s partner, would you?”
Nicole frowned. She had to make sure what Savana had just asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Mom intends to find Alex a partner.”
“Sorry, but doesn’t Mr. Alex already have a wife?”
Savana’s face instantly turned sour. She got angry right away when her daughter-in-law was mentioned.
“He does have one. But she’s useless. She can’t give Alex any offspring. That’s why Mama wants to find Alex a new wife.”
Nicole smiled shyly. Carefully, she responded, “Actually, from the beginning, Nicole has had a crush on Mr. Alex. But she’s aware that he already has a wife. Besides, I’m just a secretary. It seems like I’m not at the same level and not his type either.”
“Who says so? You’re beautiful, polite, kind, and a little bit playful. Your style is the type of woman that Alex likes. If you don’t believe me, just try getting closer to him. I’m sure, Alex will slowly kneel down to you.”
With the green light and encouragement from Savana, Nicole actively tried to approach Alex in any way she could. When the bait she threw was taken, Nicole didn’t waste that opportunity.
Even when Alex and Nicole’s affair was first discovered by Aurora, Savana already knew. At that time, Nicole came to confide in her. Crying, she recounted the problems she faced.
“Aurora forced Nicole to leave Alex’s life. Nicole can’t do it, Mom. Nicole doesn’t want to break up with Mas Alex just like that. Nicole is already deeply in love. Nicole will do anything to be with Mas Alex forever.”
At that time, Savana was also confused. She didn’t want the relationship that her son and Nicole had worked on to just end like that.
“Do you want to have Alex forever?”
Asked like that, Nicole immediately nodded. How could she refuse such a golden offer?
“Yes!”
“In that case, you have to bear Alex’s child.”
Nicole blinked. She processed Savana’s request.
“W-what? Pregnant?”
Savana nodded.
“If you can give Mama grandchildren, I’ll make sure you marry and become Alex’s legitimate wife as soon as possible.”
That’s why Savana wasn’t surprised when Nicole came to the house and brought news of her pregnancy. She was actually happy because in a few months, she could have the grandchild she had been longing for.
“Mama, that’s outrageous!”
Listening to Savana’s explanation at length, Aurora became even more heartbroken. Instead of being defended or supported, she was pushed to the bottom of the abyss. Made to feel hurt and powerless. Damn!
“That’s called effort, Aurora. Mama is realistic. If you can’t give Mama what she wants, what’s the point of holding on. Just consider this natural selection.”
“Ma!”
Aurora shook her head in disbelief once again. What sins had she committed in the past to be trapped in such a toxic family?
Meanwhile, Savana didn’t care at all. She didn’t care if Aurora considered her evil. Indifferently, she turned to Nicole and then threw a smile. She reached for the woman’s wrist and held it gently afterward.
“You should be thankful to Nicole,” Savana continued to Aurora. “She can give Alex what you can’t. Now, if you still want to be considered a wife, support all of Nicole’s needs and her future baby. Have a little self-awareness as a woman. If you can’t fulfill the demand to give offspring, at least you’re useful materially. Don’t just enjoy the benefits!”
Aurora was stunned. How dare her mother-in-law repeatedly belittle her? Yet here, she was the victim of infidelity.
Just imagine, Alex, who was clearly at fault, was defended. While the homewrecker was praised and fully supported. Even Savana had the audacity to ask Aurora to support all of Nicole’s needs and her future baby. Ridiculous! Was she the Department of Social Services now?
“Do you think Aurora is willing to be betrayed like this? There’s no woman in the world who would be content with being a second choice. Don’t expect Aurora to stay silent. As soon as possible, Aurora will file for divorce from Alex.”
Savana suddenly laughed. This was what she had been waiting for since forever.
“Do you think Mama cares? Go ahead and file for divorce from Alex. But don’t forget about the joint assets in your marriage. There are Nicole and her future baby’s rights in there.”
Aurora was left dumbfounded again. How could her mother-in-law bring up assets that clearly weren’t hers?
“Nicole and her future baby’s rights? Don’t joke, Mom. There’s no guarantee that Nicole is really pregnant. She could just be lying.”
“Who says I’m lying?”
Not accepting Aurora’s accusation, Nicole, who had been silent until now, opened her sling bag. She took out several pregnancy test sticks and showed them to Aurora.
“These are the results of tests I’ve done repeatedly. They’re positive. And that means I’m indeed pregnant.”
Aurora pursed her lips and then laughed. She didn’t believe Nicole’s claims or the evidence she showed.
“These test sticks could have been bought by you or belong to someone else. If you want accuracy, let’s have your pregnancy checked together at the hospital with a specialist doctor. I don’t care if after this you want to get married or live forever with Alex. I just want to make sure if there really is a baby in your womb like you’re flaunting.”C0ntent © 2024 (N/ô)velDrama.Org.
Nicole immediately fell silent. Should she accept Aurora’s challenge to have herself checked at the hospital?