Unpredictable Betrayal : A Sweet of Revenge

Aurora gazed silently at Alex as he packed his clothes into the suitcase. Last night, after sulking for a few days, her husband finally approached her, though his tone still sounded cold. He spoke to Aurora, asking for permission to go on a business trip out of town until Monday.

Being reconciled, Aurora felt relieved. Regarding the out-of-town business trip, she chose not to comment much, letting Alex go to avoid prolonging the argument.

“I’m leaving now,” Alex said, rising. He walked slowly towards Aurora, who was sitting on the edge of the bed. “I might be home by Monday afternoon. I’ll pick you up from work.”

Alex then lowered his face, kissing Aurora’s forehead and both cheeks in turn, then hugged his wife before leaving.

“Take care on the road. Let me know when you reach your destination.”

“Sure. I’ll definitely let you know. Also, sorry for getting angry with you yesterday.”

“I’ve already forgiven you,” Aurora replied promptly. After all, she was naturally the type to forgive easily. But when it came to forgetting, especially unpleasant things that disturbed her life, she would remember them until her dying day.

“You take care at home. See you again on Monday.”

After seeing her husband off and ensuring his shadow had truly disappeared from view, Aurora hurried off to work. She had to rush to the hospital because there were scheduled visits to patients in the PICU and NICU this morning.

There was a baby who was barely a year old but diagnosed with a heart condition and needed intensive care and treatment from the medical team. That’s why, for the next few days, Aurora had to be on standby and willing to go back and forth to the hospital to ensure the patient’s condition herself.

“Velia… How’s the baby’s condition progressing?”

Arriving at the hospital’s PICU and NICU, Aurora found Velia already there. Her colleague looked serious as she examined and took samples to be discussed with other specialist doctors.

“The condition is fluctuating. You can check the vital signs yourself. Now, we just have to wait for the heart doctor’s examination to determine what action needs to be taken.”

Right after that, Alden appeared from the door of the room. The man briefly acknowledged them, then focused on his tasks.

Truly, as if hypnotized, Aurora couldn’t divert her attention at all. She continued to watch Alden as he focused on conducting various examinations and medical procedures. A fleeting thought crossed Aurora’s mind. Why didn’t she have a little more patience back then? Instead of rashly ending the relationship without first listening to Alden’s explanation.

“He’s handsome, isn’t he,” Velia whispered deliberately, teasing her friend after catching Aurora glancing at Alden discreetly. “Imagine if he had married you yesterday.”

“Tsk!” Aurora clicked her tongue while placing her index finger in front of her lips. She gestured for Velia to stop chattering, then pulled her out of the PICU and NICU room.

“You’re crazy!” scolded Aurora as they walked down the corridor towards their workspace.

“Why crazy? What did I do?” Velia put on an innocent look. Yet she knew exactly the meaning behind Aurora’s recent words.

“You just casually talk nonsense in the NICU. What if Alden overhears?”

“Why, what’s wrong if he hears? I was just asking and expressing my opinion. It’s not wrong, is it?”

Aurora sighed and frowned. Upon reaching the room, she immediately pulled a chair and sat down. Taking a deep breath, as if exhausted from arguing with Velia, who often joked on the brink of disaster.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Actually, Aurora didn’t mind Velia joking around or expressing her opinions. It’s just that she worried Alden might not like it and become uncomfortable. She feared that this reckless behavior might disrupt their work. Especially since Velia’s words often lacked a filter. They were straightforward and uncensored.

“It’s not wrong for you to admire him or describe him however you want. But, consider the place too. What if Dr. Alden starts thinking differently?”

“What’s wrong with me?”

The one they were discussing suddenly stood in front of Aurora’s room. He entered with a smile, then handed over a document that he had in his hand.

“These are the results of my examination this morning. After thorough checking, the patient indeed needs to undergo surgery as soon as possible.”

“In that case, let me discuss it with the parents, doc.”

Velia chimed in. She also took the document that was originally in Aurora’s hand.

“Just chat with Dr. Aurora first, Dr. Alden. Besides, it’s almost break time. Maybe you’d like to invite her for lunch.”

Aurora immediately glared sharply. But Velia didn’t care. She intentionally left Aurora and Alden alone in the room, intending to give them time to greet each other or perhaps have small talk.

Although they had only known each other for a few days, for some reason, Velia felt that Alden had a very positive aura. Honestly, Velia even preferred it if Aurora had more meetings and conversations with Alden. Who knows, the seeds of love might sprout again between them.

Regarding Alex. Although she knew divorce was something God detested, Velia thought that a jerk like Alex was very unworthy of someone like Aurora. Even if the man had supposedly changed, she still didn’t believe it one bit.

“Your friend is funny too.”

After a brief silence, Alden initiated a conversation, trying to ease the tension between them.

Especially Aurora. The woman had been diligently maintaining her composure all this time. She was extremely afraid that Alden would notice her nervousness.

“Just bear with her. Velia is always weird and unpredictable.”

“Must be nice to have a funny friend like her.”

Aurora nodded in agreement. She admitted that Velia’s presence had indeed made her life more colorful. Although often annoying, only Velia was there whenever she felt difficult or needed someone to talk to.

“Absolutely. Sometimes it’s comforting when you’re feeling bored or sad.”

Alden, who had been standing near the table, then pulled out a chair. Sitting down, he stared intently at Aurora. Observing her closely, as if trying to read something from the former lover’s facial expressions.

“Sad? Have you ever felt sad?”

Aurora blinked. She realized she had misspoken.

“Y-yes. Everyone must have felt sad at some point, right?”

Alden nodded in agreement. It couldn’t be denied that everyone in this world had experienced both joy and sadness. However, the causes and solutions for each person were undoubtedly different.

“Agreed. But may I ask, what has made you sad?”

Aurora didn’t immediately answer. Pausing for a moment, as if carefully choosing her words to avoid misspeaking again. She didn’t want this light conversation to veer off into unwanted territories.

“Many things.”

“Do you have a lot of problems?”

Aurora hurriedly shook her head. Did Alden understand what she meant?

“Not like that. Sometimes, there are everyday things that suddenly make me feel sad. Like work matters, problems with patients, coworkers, family, and also-”

“Marriage?”

Although Aurora didn’t want to touch on this issue at all. But, as if reading her mind, Alden openly asked about it.

“What?”

“Yes,” nodded Alden. “Do you have any marital problems that have made you sad?”

Aurora gave a bitter smile. She wanted to affirm Alden’s question, but she realized that she didn’t need to clarify it, especially to someone who clearly had no business knowing. Aurora was afraid that her marital problems would become public consumption.

“Why do you ask like that?”

Alden realized that Aurora seemed uncomfortable. Instead of ending it there, he asked another question while looking directly into Aurora’s eyes.

“Aurora… after leaving me, are you living happily?”

The question Alden asked this time was laden with deep meaning. As if asking for confirmation whether Aurora was okay after their separation.

“I am happy.”

Aurora affirmed. Once again, she didn’t want Alden to know what had happened to her and her marriage.

“Are you happy?”

Aurora nodded firmly. Convincing herself that the answer she gave Alex was indeed true.

“Thank goodness for that. I’m glad to hear it.”

Alden then rose from his seat. He bid farewell, then quickly left the room. Meanwhile, Aurora remained silent. Her feelings were in turmoil after the brief conversation between her and Alden just now.

***

Alex was on his way back to the apartment. Earlier, from noon until evening, he deliberately took Nicole to shop for some furniture and other necessities.

“Honey, buy me some cooking equipment tomorrow, okay?” Nicole sounded whiny. Even though today Alex had already bought her so many expensive items.

“For what?”

“Well, to cook, of course. Why else?”

“You don’t need to cook. I don’t like women who smell like onions or cooking spices. That’s why I told you to order ready-to-eat food when we get to the apartment later.”

Nicole smiled coyly. Approaching Alex who was driving the car, she cuddled up affectionately.

“But, I want my kitchen to look aesthetic like Aurora’s kitchen. When I visited your house the other day, I was jealous seeing Aurora’s beautiful kitchen. I’ve never had expensive and nice things before. Only when I started dating you, I slowly began to experience what other people feel. That’s why I’m really grateful to have you, handsome, understanding, and caring.”

“So, you want kitchen furniture like Aurora’s?”

Nicole nodded repeatedly. Basically, she had to get what she wanted no matter what.

“Please, can I?”

Alex didn’t immediately agree. He was still considering what Nicole was asking for.

Feeling ignored, when they arrived and passed through the lobby, Nicole started whining again. Trying to persuade Alex again until he finally relented to what she asked for.

“How about it? Buy it for me, please. When we get to the room, I promise I’ll do anything you ask. I won’t leave the room until Monday, I swear.”

Alex smiled. In the end, he gave in to all of Nicole’s persuasion. Especially since the woman was so good at praising and winning his heart.

“Okay. Tomorrow afternoon we’ll buy what you want. But, after buying the items, we’ll head straight home. I have a teleconference with a client from Germany at four in the afternoon.”

Nicole cheered happily. Even without any embarrassment in front of the people around, she gave Alex a kiss on the cheek.

And both of them didn’t even realize that for the second time, someone had caught and even heard their intimate conversation.