The next morning...
Aura was having her breakfast when Lionel entered with a bag of snacks."What did you buy so much for?" Aura asked."Some snacks in case you get hungry.""Why buy so much? Didn't I could leave the hospital today?""Who said you could leave the hospital today?""I'm not sick, Lionel! Just tired," protested Aura irritably."Well, that's exactly why! I want to make sure you get complete rest here!""But yesterday, the doctor said I was fine! There's no need to stay in the hospital, but because you insisted, I had to spend the night here!" grumbled Aura in annoyance.Yes, the doctor didn't actually require Aura to stay overnight in the hospital yesterday, but Lionel insisted! Aura wanted to argue but decided against it. She didn't want to debate. Just let it be. However, after just one night, Aura already felt bored! Restless!"I just want to make sure your body is truly fit after leaving this hospital," Lionel patiently explaiAxel stepped into the hospital and immediately noticed something odd. The hospital seemed deserted, whereas it’s usually bustling with people as hospitals never run empty with patients coming in every day! Adding to that, there were several men in suits guarding the hallway, as if someone important had arrived. Axel recognized some bodyguards who always accompanied daddy Charles everywhere. At that moment, Axel realized that daddy Charles had found Aura! Axel’s heart filled with anxiety! He feared daddy Charles might do something to Aura and their baby! Axel wouldn’t allow it! Axel burst open the door to Aura’s hospital room with a strong jolt, startling everyone inside, but Axel didn’t care. With determined strides, Axel approached Aura, who looked fearful and anxious in the presence of daddy Charles. "Why is Daddy doing here? Why did Daddy come to Berlin?" Axel asked, his breath ragged, ignoring the fact that his question seemed impolite, even rejecting daddy Charle
Unable to help but wonder, daddy Charles pondered how Axel could behave so mature now? Just a few months ago, his son was still behaving like a child, acting recklessly and squandering money! What caused this fundamental change? Did Aura truly make such a significant difference in Axel’s life? A positive change of course! "Surprised?" Axel asked with a small smile, when seeing daddy Charles's expression, trying to dispel any negative thoughts about daddy Charles's change in attitude, even though it wasn't easy."Well, a bit.""Lately, I've been thinking about many things, one of which is my attitude all this time. I realize that I've always been a burden to Daddy, not even thinking the Xavier family at all, as if Xavier was just a name for me. All this time, I've been busy running away from one country to another to forget the past. I even forgot that it's not just me who felt devastated by that incident, but Daddy also suffered as much as I did, maybe even worse," Axel
"Daddy won't take custody of the child from Aura, will you? Because Daddy has already approved of us, so that agreement is no longer valid, right?" Axel asked, a little tense. Afraid that daddy Charles might get angry and use the Xavier family's 'power.'Daddy Charles raised an eyebrow upon hearing Axel's question."So, you also know about the agreement? How is that possible?""Well, I have a reliable informant!" Axel dodged without mentioning a name. He didn't want Damian to be in trouble. Poor his loyal bodyguard. "Who? Clay?""How does Daddy know Clay?" Axel asked back."Do you think Daddy would stay silent when seeing the only son of the Xavier family wandering alone anywhere? Of course not! Daddy has always been watching you, even if you don't realize it! And Daddy must know who is in your circle of friends.""Is that so? Fortunately, Daddy didn't know when I investigated about Mommy back then!" Axel exclaimed and immediately covered his mouth, real
"What about the preparations? Is everything okay?""Don't worry, I've taken care of everything. You just need to get dressed beautifully and wear a gown to look like a queen, okay?""Hmm... And what about your parents?""They will come two days before our wedding. Just like your parents. The same goes for Ji Hwan and Young Seo.""Is there anything I can help with? It seems like you're doing everything alone, even though this is our wedding together," Aura complained with a guilty conscience."Don't worry about that, I’m happy to do it, and I don't want to inconvenience you. You don't need to worry about anything, all the preparations are done and going smoothly, okay?""But...""Obey your future husband, can you do that?""Fine. I will obey.""Good! Now I'll go home, let me know if you need anything, okay?" Lionel said after placing all her belongings in their respective places."Okay. Thanks, Lio!""Why are you still thanking me?"Aur
Mommy Erika gazed at Aura, who was sound asleep. It was her second day in Berlin, and ever since then, Mommy Erika could only see sadness in Aura's eyes. There was no joyous glow of a bride-to-be. In her daughter's eyes, Mommy Erika only saw a sense of pressure. Although Aura tried to conceal it, as a mother, Mommy Erika knew exactly what her daughter was feeling. Forced, that's what Aura felt right now.Daddy Daniel knocked on the door gently, inquiring through eye contact. Mom Erika covered Aura with a blanket, making sure her daughter was sleeping comfortably."How is she?" Daddy Daniel asked, though he appeared more indifferent, in reality, he also couldn't bear to see Aura, it was evident that she didn't want this marriage."That’s it. Honestly, I hope Aura changes her mind. It might sound cruel to Lionel, but I don't want Aura to suffer for the rest of her life because she's trapped in a marriage with a man she doesn’t love," Mommy Erika lamented with a soft v
Twenty minutes later...Aura stood in front of the church door, her arm linked with Daddy Daniel’s. Allowing the middle-aged man to accompany her to meet Lionel at the altar. Allowing her dad to lead her to meet her life partner.Aura's heart pounded. Her hands felt cold. After this, she couldn't escape anymore. After entering this church, Aura would come out with a new status, as the wife of a man named Lionel Kim."Are you sure?"Once again, that question echoed in Aura's ears. A question filled with concern."I’m sure, Dad!" Aura lied. Yes, she had heard that question too many times, so Aura had become accustomed to answering it. Although her heart wasn't sure, but Aura didn't want to worry her parents. This was her life, and Aura had to take responsibility for the decision she had made. She had to be responsible for her own life."Pray, Aura," Daddy Daniel said with a comforting smile.Seeing the stress on his daughter's face, even though Aura tr
Ji Hwan and Young Seo stood, ready to be witness this sacred marriage. Honestly, Ji Hwan felt guilty towards Axel, but what else could he do? He had already promised Lionel and agreed to be a witness. So now, Ji Hwan had to fulfill his duty, right? Ji Hwan couldn’t do anything else but keep his promise. Maybe this is indeed the best for Axel, Aura and Lionel. And certainly for the little one. Axel strengthened his heart as the time for Aura and Lionel to exchange wedding vows. Vows of lifelong commitment before God, the priest, witnesses, and parents. "Aura Gracesyella Park, are you willing to accept Lionel Kim as your husband, to be faithful and obedient to him, in joy and sorrow, in sickness and health, for better or worse, in times of scarcity and abundance, as required by a believing wife in Christ?"Axel bowed his head, his heart pounding so hard until his chest hurt. Axel had to prepare to hear Aura's answer. In a moment, that woman would declare her willing
Right after saying that, Lionel pulled Aura down from the altar, leaving Lionel's parents in shock! Their faces even turned red from embarrassment at their son's unexpected actions. They couldn't believe their son could do something like this. Cancelling the wedding at the last moment? Lionel must be out of his mind!"Forgive me, Mom, Dad. I will explain it to you later," Lionel said, disregarding the shock, anger, and disappointment directed at him. He didn't want to waver, even though his heart was resisting, confident that he would regret this decision immediately. After that, Lionel turned to Aura's parents."I’m not trying to shirk my responsibility, but I feel there's another man who is more suitable to accompany Aura than me."Mommy Erika nodded, embraced by Daddy Daniel, understanding the meaning behind Lionel's words. Her face was wet with tears, not out of sadness but out of emotion. She never expected Lionel to be so magnanimous and have such a broad hear