Unpredictable Betrayal : A Sweet of Revenge

“Why the long face? What’s the matter? I’ve noticed you’ve been quiet since yesterday.”

Velia looked puzzled. Currently, she was with Aurora in the hospital cafeteria, enjoying their lunch break.

Since earlier, when she tried to engage in conversation, Aurora had been more silent than usual. Usually, Aurora was always chatty and enthusiastic. That’s why Velia was convinced there must be something going on with her friend.

“Tell me if there’s a problem. It’s not good to keep it to yourself. Even if I can’t provide a solution. At least, I can help lighten the mood as usual.”

Aurora frowned even more. Annoyed, she pinched Velia’s arm a little too hard.

“Ouch!” Velia complained genuinely. She truly felt the pain. Judging from her expression, Aurora was genuinely irritated.

“Let it be! Besides, instead of comforting me, you’re making me more upset.”

“How am I supposed to comfort you? I don’t even know why you’re sulking. So, spill it, Aurora, you’re the daughter of Mr. Joshua Harperwood. I’m not a mind reader. So, I can’t read your thoughts.”

Aurora grunted in frustration. She was getting even more annoyed.

“For the past two days, Alex has been giving me the silent treatment.”

Velia immediately pulled a face. Disgusted, she made a face as if repulsed. Although, Aurora hadn’t said anything vulgar or dirty.

“Excessive. Why is he giving you the silent treatment anyway? It’s not like a guy like him should be sulking with you.”

Aurora sighed as if tired. She already expected Velia’s response. No matter how Alex behaved, he always seemed wrong in the eyes of that beautiful woman.

“It’s all because of Asher.”

“Asher?”

Velia’s eyebrows furrowed instantly. Why was Asher being dragged into this? What else had that man done?

“What about Asher?”

“Do you remember Mr. William’s wife’s birthday party the day before yesterday?”

“Of course, I remember. We were all invited by him. But, I couldn’t make it because of my work schedule.”

“So, that night, I accidentally bumped into Alden.”

Velia nodded. She wasn’t surprised by the information Aurora was sharing. Since William and his wife were famous businessmen and VIP patients at Santa Monica Hospital, almost all the doctors were invited to their wife’s birthday party.

However, a question arose in Velia’s mind: what did the accidental encounter between Aurora and Alden have to do with Asher and Alex suddenly sulking?

“And then?”

“One of the guests accidentally bumped into me so hard I almost fell. Since I was close to Alden at that moment, he—”

“He helped you?”

Aurora nodded. What happened to her that night was exactly like a scene from the Korean dramas she often watched.

“Alden reflexively caught me. Unfortunately, Alex saw the whole thing.”

“And he got jealous?”

This time Aurora shook her head. Denying Velia’s guess.

“No. At first, he was okay with it. When Alex saw and came closer, he was also indifferent.”

“So, why did he suddenly sulk if you say Alex was okay with it? That’s strange!”

Aurora sighed. She hadn’t finished her story yet. Velia’s bad habit was just like that. She liked to interrupt people’s conversations even when they were clearly not finished.

“Just listen.”

“Okay… okay.”

“All of this started because of Asher, the troublemaker who suddenly appeared.”

Aurora then remembered the incident that night. She was about to leave, but because Asher approached, her steps stopped once again.

“Doctor Alden, thank you for your help in assisting Doctor Aurora,” Asher expressed at that moment. Whether it was genuine or just small talk, nobody could tell. “If it weren’t for Doctor Alden rushing to help, Aurora would have fallen and been embarrassed.”

Alden nodded and smiled thinly in response to Asher’s usual statement.

“No problem, Doc. Besides, it was just a reflex because she happened to be close by.”

Asher smiled, turning his gaze towards Alex, who had been silent all this while.

“Have you met Doctor Alden yet? You should thank him for helping Aurora.”Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

“Asher,” Aurora interjected, shaking her head. She didn’t want her brother to worsen the situation.

“Now that she’s been helped, ideally, she should say thank you, right?”

Asher was right in a way. No matter how small someone else’s help might be, it should be appreciated.

Being lazy and not wanting to argue with his brother-in-law, Alex complied. With reluctance, he extended his hand towards Alden, intending to introduce himself.

“Alex, Aurora’s husband. Thank you very much for your assistance.”

“You’re welcome,” Alden responded warmly. He shook hands and politely introduced himself. “I’m Alden. I —”

“First love, ex-boyfriend, and now working at the same hospital as Aurora.”

Asher continued. He uttered the lengthy sentence with meaning and emphasis, as if to tell Alex that his brother-in-law had a serious competitor who could snatch Aurora away from his side at any moment.

Asher’s openly meaningful words acted as a warning, leaving Alex silent all the way home from the party. Even until this morning, during breakfast and before going to work, he remained silent, expressing his disappointment to Aurora.

“How long are you going to stay silent like this, Alex?”

This wasn’t the first time Aurora had asked. The day before, she had even sincerely apologized to her husband if she had done something wrong. But Alex seemed to still be angry, feeling unappreciated.

“Until you’re willing to be open and honest with me. Besides, how could I not be disappointed? How could you not tell me at all that you now work at the same place as the man who was clearly your first love?”

“Why should I tell you? I don’t consider Alden anything special. He’s just my ex. There’s nothing significant enough to mention.”

“But the problem is he’s more than just an ex, Aurora. He’s not an ordinary man. You two were almost married, right? If I hadn’t proposed first, maybe you’d be living with him now. And again, remember his gaze that night. He looked like someone still hoping for you.”

Aurora sighed. Why was she the one cornered like this?

“Don’t exaggerate. However, I never had any intention of betraying you. Besides, if I did have intentions with him, why didn’t I just divorce you immediately when there was a problem yesterday?”

Listening to Aurora’s explanation, Velia immediately grumbled. She, who had been curious about what had happened, now felt annoyed and angry with Alex’s behavior. Velia couldn’t accept Alex acting foolishly, let alone getting angry at Aurora for everything. She thought her friend’s husband was not entitled to do such things.

“Typical clueless husband. He’s mad at you, doesn’t he reflect on himself first? Even though his previous behavior was much worse.”

Aurora remained silent. If she responded, Velia would surely continue her long complaints. Especially when it came to Alex, Velia couldn’t be patient.

“So, are you going to persuade him so he won’t be angry anymore?”

Aurora shook her head. Since she didn’t feel wrong, and had already given the explanation as she should have, she didn’t intend to do anything else.

“No. I’ll just leave it.”

“Good. Just be careful not to apologize or persuade Alex in any way! I won’t accept it. I’m not teaching you to be a disobedient wife, Nicole. But your husband is going overboard.”

Aurora smiled thinly. Ending the conversation, she chose to return to enjoying her lunch.