Kapitel 3: The Betrayal
A few weeks ago...
Nora walked towards her home in a whirlwind of emotions, unaware of her surroundings. She had just finished finalising everything with the caterer but the woman's passing comment had shaken her somewhat. Even though the woman had only casually pointed out that she was too young and had no worldly knowledge, Nora had been unable to give a suitable reply. How did age matter when it came to loving someone? She and Antonio loved each other. They would learn about the world together.
But now doubts started to creep in and she could not help but feel a bit insecure, and she questioned whether they were rushing into this decision too hastily. They'd been together for so long and they could continue to be together in the future as well without the need for giving a specific label to their relationship.
Thankfully, her logical side chimed in, reminding her that she and Antonio had known each other and there was also no need to prove anything to outsiders. Since Antonio was ready to take their relationship to the next level, she had no problem with that.
Why should it matter whether they got married now or later? After all, they were going to the same university for their further studies, and being officially wedded wouldn't change that. She was probably feeling all this because she had not been in touch with him since the past week.
Pushing aside her doubts, she dismissed them as wedding jitters and took a calming breath to clear her head. She needed to remind herself of all the good times they'd had. Of how they had cheered each other through the years over small wins and failures.
She smiled softly when she thought of how he had asked her out. He'd been shuffling on his feet, unable to look at her even as he gave her the simple rose before burying his face into the history book. Maybe she should give him a surprise.
What if she recreated the scene where he had proposed to her? She had the keys to his house. All she needed was the textbook and the rose. And then she would ask him out on a date. As the idea struck her, Nora nodded to herself and happily started to plan everything.
First, she needed to go get the spare key from her house, and then
***
Soon, Nora stood outside Antonio's house, her heart fluttering with nervousness. As she saw the house's upper floor illuminated, she wondered if she was late and he had already arrived. It was only as she had been making preparations that she realised she only knew Antonio's date of return and not the time.
She wondered if her surprise would be ruined but then grinned. She would simply have to change things up a bit. Inserting the key, she opened the door and slowly sneaked in, excitement running through her veins.
However, she had barely taken a few steps when she heard the sound of someone crying loudly. Nora paused midstep. There was a woman in Antonio's house and she was crying. Had Aunty Kimaya returned with Antonio? But why would she be crying? Antonio's mother was a jovial person who was always unflappable. Only something drastic would cause a reaction like this. Maybe it was a friend of Antonio's who needed help. After all, Antonio loved to play the Knight for everyone.
However, before she could calm herself, Nora recognised the voice that spoke the next words," Antonio, please you have to tell her."
Nora froze on the spot. It was Sara's voice. Sara, her little sister was supposed to have gone to her best friend's house for group studies. Her heart pounded in her chest as she stood frozen, listening to the devastating revelation unfolding before her. Her mind struggled to process the truth
Through the thin walls, she heard Sara pleading, "Antonio, you have to tell her. We can't go on like this, hiding our feelings. She deserves to know the truth, and we need to be together. I want to tell the entire world that we are in love. I want to be by your side rightfully and not like some dirty secret. Please Antonio..."
Whatever excuses she had been trying to come up with for Sara's unexpected presence here disappeared. She stilled and waited for Antonio's reply. He would refuse Sara, she knew. He would deny loving her and tell her that it was all her imagination.
But then, "Sara, it's not that simple. Breaking up with Nora will hurt her so much, and I can't bear to see her suffer."
Nora's heart sank even further, realizing that Antonio was not only cheating on her but also conflicted about whether to end their relationship. Her breath caught in her throat as the weight of the situation bore down on her.
"I see. Antonio, I have already told mother everything. She is willing to support us. Only you need to come clear with Nora....Antonio, you can bear to hurt me and watch me suffer, the girl you claim to love but..."
Antonio's silence spoke volumes and in that moment Nora understood. He really did love Sara and not her. And he was hesitating because of his own conflicting emotions. "Sara, give me some time..."
Nora stepped back and wiped away her tears. She needed to leave this place and get away from the painful reality. All the memories of their time together that she had shared with Antonio seemed to be mocking her now.
Turning on her heels, Nora quickly left the house, the things she had brought for the surprise still clutched tightly in her arms. As the cold air outside hit her face, Nora only felt suffocated. The pain of betrayal, the confusion and heartache made her disoriented.
Aimlessly, she wandered the streets, wondering how she had been so clueless. Hadn't Antonio always said that he loved only her? He'd vowed to always stay by her side and yet, he had let whatever feelings she had for him crumble under the weight of his deceit.
She was so foolish. She should have remembered that no one would love her. After all her own family...
As she would have spiralled under the negative thoughts, her ringing phone broke through her thoughts. Distracted, she pulled out the phone and looked down at the name of the caller...
Kapitel 4: A Pre-Nup
Nora wiped her tears slowly and cleared her throat before answering the call, "Grandpa William? Is everything alright?"
Even though William Doughby was not her real grandpa, the old man had always treated her like his granddaughter, and she had always treated him like her grandfather. Seeing his call, she could not help but worry about his health.
As she was met with silence on the other end, Nora wondered if her voice had sounded upset. Wondering if she should ask again, she was jolted a bit when he finally spoke, "Nora, are you at home?"
Frowning, Nora shook her head and spoke, "No, Grandpa. I am outside. I'd come to... I'd come out."
She could hear him sigh and wondered what this call was about, "Nora, come to my office right away. And there is no need to tell anyone about this."
Confused about his curt tone, Nora sighed deeply and straightened her appearance. She could not let anyone know anything as of yet, especially Grandpa William. He was protective of her and would probably charge Antonio's house to question him.
As she opened the app to book a taxi, she glanced at the flowers and the book still in her hand. Inadvertently, her eyes moistened once again, and she angrily threw the things into a bin nearby. Wiping her tears, she decided that she would not think about this for now. Later, in the night, she would examine all her feelings and then decide what to do. As she boarded the taxi, her phone started to ring again. This time it was Antonio.
Her heart clenched, and she yearned to pick up the call. Maybe hearing his voice would make her realize this was all just a bad dream. No. She wouldn't talk to him until she had sorted out all her emotions.
Declining the call, she took another calming breath and gave the driver the address.
The office was dimly lit, and Nora could not help but wonder why Grandpa would call her into the office at this hour. After all, he was also strict about not doing overtime. Glancing around the otherwise empty office, Nora made her way to his cabin.
Inside, the old man seemed to be have been waiting for her as he immediately stood up to welcome her into the office. As she was engulfed in his arms, Nora almost broke down but quickly stepped away and questioned, "Grandpa? Is everything alright?"
While the old man was usually jovial, he could also be very cunning and straightforward. It was what had made him a top business lawyer in the country. Nora could see that he had his business face on and continued to think about the purpose of this meeting.
Grandpa William sighed and spoke softly, "Oh, everything is fine, my dear. I just wanted to have a little chat with you. You know, I've been thinking about your upcoming wedding."
Nora felt her stomach flip. She remembered when she had first mentioned her intention to get married, Grandpa William had not been very happy with her decision. Though he had said nothing, she had been aware of his displeasure. She wondered if he too had sensed Antonio's disloyalty. She kept quiet and waited for him to continue. Would he too warn her about the perils of getting married too early? It was already too late for that talk, though. And should she confide in him? She knew she could not tell anything to anyone else.
"Nora, I trust your judgment despite your youth. However, I have also seen the world change. The world and the future are unpredictable. You and Antonio love each other, but there are forces that might change the direction of your lives in the future. And so, I have only one request of you. I want you to sign a prenuptial agreement. It's not that I am doubting your love for him or his love for you... it's just that both of you come from considerable wealth. While he has his now, and you will inherit yours later, it still is better to form an understanding..."
Nora had stopped hearing everything Grandpa William had to say after he spoke of a prenuptial agreement. If he had warned her against Antonio, maybe she could have kept quiet. If he had told her that she should think again, she would have endured. But his trust in her and his concern for protecting her despite his misgivings made Nora break down, and she started to cry miserably.
Assuming that he had hurt her with his proposal, Grandpa William patted her back and tried to find words of comfort, but before he could say anything, Nora spoke between sobs, "I don't think we will be getting married, grandpa. There will be no need for a prenuptial agreement."
"Nora, dear child. has something happened, or are you just getting cold feet? Stop crying, child, and tell Grandpa."
Nora took a deep shuddering breath and tried to speak, "Antonio is in love with someone else, Grandpa. I just saw him..."
In broken words, Nora explained everything that had happened to the old man who listened intently without revealing his thoughts. While Nora had remained oblivious to many truths, he had been able to see things around her. The child had suffered at her mother's hands all these years and yearned for love. And that Antonio was a good boy, but he had no spine. Even though he liked Nora, he had never been worthy to stand by her side. William Doughboy had expected this to happen, just that he had not expected it to happen so soon.
"I am going to call him now and tell him that he can be with Sara if he loves her so much! I won't stand in their way."
Before she could make the call, however, the phone was grabbed out of her hand, "He is in love with Sara?"
Nora could only give a small nod while the old man confirmed, "Your sister, Sara?"
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