Chapter 87
Aurora decided to go to Luna's house.
"Sorry for showing up without giving you a heads up, Luna."
Luna laughed and replied, "I appreciate it, actually! The men in the house are all out right now, and when that happens, I'm stuck here, bored out of my mind." Observing the younger woman's distressed face, she realized something was wrong. "What's going on? You seem nervous."
Aurora explained, "I need to talk to you."
Luna nodded, concerned, and promptly settled down on the living room couch with the young woman.
"Go ahead, speak."
"After I went to New York, did Tristan... did he say anything to you? I mean, did he ask about me?"
Luna chuckled, but her mood faded when she saw Aurora's worried expression. "Seriously? Oh yes, he asked about you all the time."
Aurora's heart raced, a good feeling she hadn't experienced in a while.
"Really?"
"Klaus told me that you two got back together at his wedding. I thought he had already told you."
Aurora laughed at her friend's gossip, but then her expression turned serious again. "No, Tristan didn't tell me anything."
"Did he at least mention that he went to see you?" Aurora pretended not to understand and shook her head. "Ugh, that Callahan... as proud as ever. But yes, he went to London. I found out once, but I wouldn't doubt if he went other times. It was on your birthday. I didn't approve; I thought he might manipulate you into coming back. Violet, however, told me that he didn't show up there, he just left a bouquet."
Aurora blinked, surprised. She remembered Violet handing her a bouquet of red roses and had thought it was a gift from her coworkers. But it had been from him all along.
"Mama!" A young boy in a school uniform threw his backpack on the floor and ran into Luna's arms.
"Hi, sweetheart. How was school?"
"It was fun. I played soccer with my classmates during recess!" He said with an innocent smile.
"Hi, Aurora," Alex entered the room, taking off his coat. "Good to see you." He gave her a peck on the cheek and then briefly kissed Luna. Ken disappeared into the house after receiving Luna's instruction to take a bath.
"Are you staying for dinner?" Luna asked.
Before Aurora could respond, her phone started ringing; it was a call from Violet, asking her to come back home because there was a girl in the apartment.
"Sorry, I have to go. I'll leave the invitation for another time." Aurora smiled and bid Luna and Alex a brief farewell.
***
Aurora entered her apartment and was surprised to see the girl that Violet had mentioned on the phone.
"Amelie?"
"I need to talk to you!" She quickly got up from the couch and rushed towards Aurora. "Please, it's urgent!"
"Alright, calm down." Aurora softened her expression to calm the girl. "First, tell me: how did you find out where I live?"
"I asked Christian, who asked Ken, who asked Luna."
Over Luna's shoulder, Aurora could see Violet on the couch, furrowing her brow, finding the girl somewhat strange.
"Okay, Amelie, you can tell me. What's so urgent?"
"Can we go somewhere else?" Amelie turned to Violet, who was clearly uncomfortable with her presence.
Aurora held her hand and led her into her room. Once the door was closed, the nanny quickly produced a pregnancy test from her bag.
"Oh my God." Aurora was taken aback.
"It's not certain yet! I started suspecting this morning and rushed to buy the test at the pharmacy." Amelie explained anxiously. "Can I take the test here? I can't do it at Xavier's place; it's full of gossiping staff. Please, please, please..." She begged with her hands clasped in front of her chest. "I promise to be quick; I have to pick up Christian from school soon."
"Sure." Aurora agreed, making way for Amelie to enter the bathroom.
The redhead sat on the bed, waiting for her to come out. Minutes passed, and Violet appeared at the bedroom door, curious.
"Where's the crazy girl?"
"In the bathroom."
"What does she want?" Violet sat on the bed with her legs crossed.
"She thinks she might be pregnant and came to take the test here."
"But who would be the father?"
"Xavier."
"Again?" Violet was incredulous. "Wait, is this the girl you said you met at the wedding? My nephew's nanny?"
"The very same."
Both were startled by the high-pitched scream that came from the bathroom. Amelie came out of it pale, with tears in her eyes, holding the pregnancy test in her hand.
"It's positive. I'm going to be a mother..." She announced, starting to panic. "Damn it! I'm going to be a mother!"
"Calm down." Aurora got up and held her hands. "Come, sit here." Aurora settled Amelie in the desk chair and knelt in front of her, still holding her hands. "Xavier just asked me to be his girlfriend... What if he breaks up with me now that I'm pregnant? Damn it... I don't want to be like that cow Genevieve!"
"She's my sister!" Violet said indignantly.
"Cows are sacred in India!" Amelie retorted to avoid making another enemy.
"Look, Amelie, Xavier is not like that. I've never seen him in a relationship before; if he asked you to be his girlfriend, it's because he's serious about it. When Genevieve got pregnant, they had nothing, and still, he stepped up and took responsibility. He won't let you down." Aurora reassured her. "Do you like him, don't you?"
"Yes, very much."
"Then you should tell him."
"Should I?"
"You should. Go right now."
Amelie's mouth corners lifted, and she stood up, filled with hope. She thanked Aurora quickly and rushed out. Aurora laughed at the nanny's excitement and then looked at Violet, who was staring at her in an odd way.
"What's wrong?"
"You should take your own advice. Your love life would thank you."
"I've had a long day because of this. I already know about the flowers on my birthday."
"And have you talked to him?" Aurora shook her head. "Do you know how Harry confessed his feelings to me?" She asked. The sudden topic change surprised Aurora, who again shook her head. "It was the cutest and purest thing I've ever seen. I was enchanted by his nervousness while saying the things on his mind. I'm so thankful I met him and was loved by him. And all this happened because he came to me."
Aurora smiled, recalling the times she had told Harry that she didn't like Violet very much. He hadn't paid attention because he knew what he was feeling and had fully committed to the relationship.
Ironically, this situation made her think of Kai, who initially claimed not to like Tristan. Just like Harry, she hadn't listened to him or to her sister. Both were concerned for her, but there was a difference. Adelaide cared so much that she disapproved of her relationship with Tristan, thinking it wasn't the best for her. Kai, on the other hand, always kept an eye on them, but he didn't disapprove. He said she should do what she wanted, what she thought was best for herself.
She wished the same for Adelaide: a life without regrets. She knew her sister had worked tirelessly after their parents' death, focusing on raising and educating her younger sister, leaving behind one of life's greatest pleasures. Love. If it weren't for Aurora, who pushed her in Griffin's direction and sometimes had the audacity to send him a message, pretending to be Adelaide, setting up a date, what would have happened?
Adelaide wouldn't have gotten close to Griffin. She wouldn't have had a wonderful year by his side, and she would have continued in her bubble. One of the best things that had ever happened to her sister was only possible because Aurora was there, encouraging her to approach the love of her life.
And that's exactly what Violet was doing for Aurora at that moment.
"I'm going after him," Aurora whispered to herself, raised her head, and said decisively, "I'm going after Tristan."
"Now?" Violet got up, ready to jump with joy and clap her hands.
"What are you waiting for? Go already, woman! Go, go, go!" She didn't need any more rushed orders from Violet and left the room, grabbing her purse and car keys on the way. She was surprised that she still remembered the way to Tristan's house, which had once been hers too. What if he didn't live there anymore? She was anxious about that possibility, but she didn't back down and continued driving.
She laughed, thinking that it seemed like a cliché scene from a soap opera, something the elderly lady at the front desk liked to watch. But that was her cliché moment, which she was going to make the most of.
She parked the car in front of the mansion in a hasty manner and got out. She ran to the door and rang the doorbell, almost breathless.
Tristan opened the door minutes later. She felt her stomach churn.
"Hi." He furrowed his brow slightly, giving a small smile.
Aurora released the breath she had been holding in a long sigh.
"Hi."
***
"Surprise!" Genevieve exclaimed, amused, in front of her sister's confused face.
"You didn't warn me you were coming."
"It wouldn't be a surprise if I had." Genevieve entered the apartment with a bunch of bags in her arms. "Christian is with Xavier today, so I went shopping and bought a few things for you."
Violet crossed her arms, scrutinizing her older sister.
"What do you want?"
"Well, can't I spoil my little sister a bit?"
"Not without a purpose."
Genevieve put a finger on her chin, thoughtful.
"How about an all-you-can-eat sushi treat, on me?"
"Hm... Sounds fair." Violet observed the bags with expensive brand logos. "First, try on these clothes. I'll be here waiting." Genevieve handed over the purchases to Violet and settled on the couch. "Where's Aurora?"
"She just left, and she definitely won't show up here today, not tomorrow, maybe not the whole week." Violet smiled mischievously, paying more attention to the contents of the bags. "Did you buy a pair of boots?"
"Two."
Violet was thrilled with excitement and rushed to her room, eager to try them on.
As soon as she heard the door slam, Genevieve dropped her rehearsed smile and went into action. She had at least fifteen minutes to search Aurora's room, knowing that when Violet received new clothes, she got too excited and lost track of time admiring herself in the mirror.
She entered Aurora's room and began her search, starting with the desk, then moving on to the wardrobe and drawers.
"That girl can't be perfect." She grumbled. "She must be hiding something."
She crossed her arms and looked around until she noticed the small trash can next to the bed, filled with crumpled papers. Right at the top of the pile of papers, Genevieve spotted something different.
"No, no, no..." She squatted in front of the trash can and picked up the pregnancy test that showed two lines. Her legs gave way, and she fell to the floor, in disbelief. "She's pregnant... pregnant with Tristan's child."












