Unpredictable Betrayal : A Sweet of Revenge

“Forgiving, letting go, and then giving a second chance after the betrayal you’ve endured is ‘another next level’ in the marriage you’re currently going through.”

Rayyen’s words of profound meaning that he once uttered were truly fitting for Aurora. After being blatantly betrayed and cheated on by her husband, the woman of Arab descent forgave and generously gave Alex Wildblood a second chance.

Initially, Aurora also wanted to retaliate or teach Alex a lesson. However, seeing his sincerity and the gradual, total change in his attitude, Aurora’s heart eventually melted.

“Even though you don’t have any children with Alex, you can easily free yourself from that toxic man, Aurora.”

Almost every day, Velia never got tired of provoking. She was annoyed by the foolish and naive decision that Aurora had made.

“Enough, Velia. Let this be my family matter. Besides, you can easily ask me for a divorce because you’re not the one involved in this relationship and issue. I’m sure there are many women out there who can’t easily make divorce their last choice for their marital problems.”

“I know,” Velia debated at that time. “Many endure being deceived, oppressed, and just resign themselves to their husbands’ wickedness for the sake of children and material reasons. But your case is different. There are no children to consider. Besides, you are financially independent. For God’s sake, Aurora. I’m worried that someday Alex will repeat his actions.”

“If that happens, I’ll send him to hell myself.”

Aurora had made up her mind. She had also strengthened her heart. Regardless of her fate, she would bear the risks herself.

To hell with her mother-in-law or Velia, who often nagged, protested, and said all sorts of things. This was her marriage. She knew best what was good for her.

“Darling, I’m sorry I’m a bit late.”

After three months of inner struggle, firming up her decision, Aurora chose to make peace with her heart. Slowly, she opened up again and accepted all the good deeds that Alex showed.

For example, this afternoon. After work, Aurora intentionally waited for Alex to pick her up. Well, this wasn’t the first time since their relationship improved. Over the past week, Alex had made a great effort to show his attention by taking the time to drop off and pick up Aurora from work.

Even amid his busy schedule at the office, Alex also tried to invite Aurora for lunch. Sometimes, if Aurora was busy, he was willing to buy food and eat it together in his wife’s office. In short, whatever Alex did was to regain the trust that had been lost.

“Earlier, the guest from Taiwan talked for quite a while. I felt bad rushing to leave.”

After making sure Aurora was seated in the passenger seat, Alex helped fasten her seatbelt. Turning around, he picked up something from the back seat, then handed it to Aurora while softly speaking, “As an apology for being late, I bought your favorite cake and flowers.”

Handing over a bucket of white roses and a box of cheesecake with ‘I Love You’ written on it, Alex looked closely at Aurora. He kept watching, hoping that his apology would be accepted by his wife.

“Oh my, it’s so much,” Aurora said, then accepted each item Alex offered. “It’s okay, Alex. Besides, while waiting, I was busy chatting with Alissa. So, it’s not a problem.”

“So, am I forgiven?”

Aurora nodded.

“Yes.”

“In that case, give me a kiss.”

Both of Aurora’s cheeks instantly turned red. After several months of cold war, this was the first time Alex openly teased her.

Usually, a woman, especially when teased by her own husband, would feel shy. And that’s what Aurora felt right now.

“Oh God.”

“It’s okay, isn’t it? There’s no sin in asking for a kiss from your own wife, right?”

Aurora nodded with a smile. It wasn’t wrong for Alex to ask for a kiss. Rather than him asking for a kiss from another woman, Aurora preferred to be the one kissing him.

That’s why, without much protest or saying anything, Aurora leaned her face forward. A moment later, she gently kissed her husband’s cheek.

“Why just the cheek?” Alex protested afterward.

“What else do you want?”

“Others too.”

“Later. We’ll be late for Papa and Mama’s house.”

Alex immediately patted his forehead. He almost forgot that today was the scheduled visit to Aurora’s parents’ house.

Hastily and without many questions, Alex drove the car. Twenty minutes later, they arrived at Aurora’s parents’ residence.

Entering the courtyard, it was clear that the black Jeep Rubicon was neatly parked. Alex and Aurora were convinced that Asher and Clara must have arrived earlier.

“I thought you had forgotten Mama’s Home.”

Just as they entered the house and joined in the living room, Asher immediately addressed Alex. The words coming from the brown-eyed man’s lips were clearly directed straight at Alex.

After his affair was exposed, in the span of three months, Alex had only visited his in-laws’ house once during Elma’s birthday celebration. Not because he was afraid, but Aurora was reluctant to bring him along. Besides Rayyen, no one else knew the turmoil in their marriage. Moreover, if Aurora wanted, they could have acted affectionate as if nothing had happened.

“Asher…” Elma reprimanded while shaking her head. “Don’t start. Besides, Mama understands if Alex is busy.”

Asher chuckled disdainfully. His facial expression clearly showed mockery.

“So busy? What kind of tender are you handling that you don’t have time to visit? Are you building a supermarket for the month?”

Clara, who sat right next to Asher, immediately pinched her husband’s waist fondly. She was self-aware that Asher had always been critical, and when he spoke, he liked to hurt the feelings of whoever he was talking to.

“Asher, that’s enough.” This time Joshua intervened, trying to mediate to prevent the atmosphere from heating up.

“Yes, Pa.”

Joshua then turned back to Alex, who was already sitting in front of him. With a friendly demeanor, the middle-aged man invited his son-in-law to have a conversation.

“Alex, how have you been? Healthy?”

“Healthy, Pa,” Alex replied promptly.

“How’s the company? Running smoothly?”

Alex nodded again.

“So far, Lumire is running smoothly and experiencing significant growth.”

“Good.”

Joshua nodded with a proud expression. Without needing a lengthy explanation, he knew that Lumire, the subsidiary given to Alex, had indeed experienced rapid development.

“I hope you can continue to focus on developing and maintaining Lumire’s stability so that it continues to progress and succeed in the future.”

“Sure, Pa. Alex will do his best.”

“And, how’s your relationship with Aurora?” Asher suddenly asked. This question immediately shifted the attention of everyone in the living room. “All good, right?”

Asher clearly emphasized the phrase ‘all good’ that he just uttered. From the beginning of Aurora’s marriage, he had doubts about whether Alex could make his sister happy.

“Asher… that’s enough.” This time it was Aurora who intervened. She shook her head, signaling her younger brother to stop his banter.

“Why? I’m just asking. If everything is fine and there’s no problem, just relax.” Asher then turned his attention back to Alex. Staring intensely. The man’s expression was like a lion ready to pounce on its prey. “I hope you treat Aurora well. But if something happens to her because of you, I’ll be the one to settle the score.”

Alex tried to smile while nodding. He felt a chill from the clear threat Asher directed at him.

***

“I hope you understand what Asher said last night.”

The next day, during breakfast, Aurora brought up what Asher did to Alex when he visited her parents’ house. Aurora just didn’t want her husband to feel pressured or uncomfortable.

“It’s okay, Honey. I’ve known from the start that Asher doesn’t like me.”

Alex reached out and gently held Aurora’s wrist. Although there was concern and a bit of fear, and Alex was self-aware that Asher was a strong and serious man who didn’t like to joke around, he still had to reassure his wife that he was fine. Alex didn’t want to appear weak in front of Aurora.

“Besides, Asher has no idea what happened in our marriage. So, you don’t have to worry.”

Alex nodded. He kissed the top of Aurora’s wrist lightly.

“By the way, are you sure you don’t want to join me on my business trip to Singapore?”

Aurora shook her head. Today was the scheduled departure for Alex to Singapore for a few days. For the past two days, he had been pleading, asking Aurora to accompany him on his overseas trip.

Aurora would have agreed to join him. However, considering her own schedule, she couldn’t just cancel her commitments.

“I can’t, Alex. I have a seminar to attend.”

“Can’t you reschedule?” Alex asked to confirm. “Moreover, the business meetings are only for two days. The rest of the time, we can go sightseeing. Let’s consider it a honeymoon.”

Alex put on a pleading expression, hoping Aurora would grant his request.

“I’m really sorry. But this time, I really can’t. How about we plan a vacation to Europe later?”

Alex took a deep breath and nodded. What else could he do? If Aurora had work that couldn’t be postponed, he couldn’t force her.

“Okay. But next time, promise me you’ll make time for a vacation, just the two of us.”

“Yes, I promise.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

After breakfast and before heading to work, Aurora intentionally accompanied Alex to the airport. She bid him farewell and made sure he entered the waiting area before leaving for the hospital.

Meanwhile, Alex and his two colleagues seemed to be enjoying their business trip to Singapore. Upon arrival, he headed straight to the meeting place and returned to the hotel only in the evening.

“Honey… I just arrived at the hotel. I’m on my way to the room to take a shower and then get ready for dinner with Adrian and Rafael.”

Alex appeared to be contacting Aurora, updating her on all his activities.

“I’m still at the hospital. Maybe I’ll be home in 30 minutes,” Aurora replied on the other end.

“Don’t tire yourself out. I’m far away, and there’ll be no one to give you a massage.”

Aurora chuckled.

“Don’t worry. Okay, you go ahead and shower. We can continue our chat tonight.”

Closing the call from Aurora, Alex, who was already in front of his hotel room, decided to enter. Walking slowly toward the bed, he found a familiar figure.

“Have you been waiting long?”

“Even if it’s a thousand years, I wouldn’t mind waiting for you, Honey.”