47. Joy & Pain

While Luna Viviana was away shopping, Alpha Callum went to the master's bedroom and put the brown envelope on the dresser table containing the divorce papers. He grabbed three bags from the bottom of the closet and put all his clothes on the bed and started arranging them in the bags. While he was putting clothes in the bags, he sighed deeply. Although his wife is already pregnant with their child, he can no longer stay with her and pretend their marriage is still intact and smooth sailing. That's a big lie! He loves Clarice and his son Caden. He's a much happier man when he is with them. Their glorious presence completes him. After one hour, he was done packing. He informed his beta in mind link to take charge of the house and pack affairs while he was away. He closed the closet door, turned off the light, grabbed the bags and teleported to the rental house. A few minutes later, he landed in Clarice's room. She was brushing her hair in front of the dresser mirror and looked at him, smiling sweetly. That's when she noticed the bags on the floor. "Oh, what's inside the bags?" she asked, standing up. "My clothes and personal stuff," he answered. "Starting today, I will be here every night. We will become one happy family," he said and planted a kiss on her head. Her eyes twinkled joyously. "I'm happy!" she said in elation. "But what about Viviana? Did she already agree to the arrangement? That you would no longer stay in the mansion with her? Did she already accept the divorce?" Alpha Callum fell silent. "Um, when I packed my bags she was not in the house. She went shopping for baby clothes in the mall with her best friend. I put the divorce papers on her dresser table and when she arrives home later she will definitely see them," he answered casually. "OK," Clarice murmured, lowering herself to the edge of the bed. Alpha Callum settled into a chair, facing her. His face was serious. "Regarding the divorce... she will come around. She might refuse to sign the divorce papers, but later on, when she realizes we are not going to be together again, she will eventually give up. The reason why I packed my things is that I want her to accept the truth that our marriage can no longer be saved. The earlier she accepts the truth the better for all of us," he explained. Clarice nodded her head. "You got a point. I was about to suggest to you to only hand the divorce papers to her after she gives birth. But since you already left the papers in her dresser room, let's hope she will sign them soon." Alpha Callum took a deep breath. "Babe, are you willing to take care of my baby with Viviana?" he asked. "I plan to take custody of the baby." "No problem," Clarice replied. "I'm willing to take care of your child with Viviana, but don't force her to give up the baby. You have to understand that mothers will never abandon their babies unless it's a matter of life and death situation. If Viviana wants to keep her baby, you have to agree on co-parenting with her. You must respect her wishes because it's very painful for a mother to be separated from her children. I experienced it first hand," Clarice said, teary-eyed, remembering the pain she felt when she handed her baby to her cousin. It was like experiencing a thousand deaths over and over again. "But it's my child as well. I want all my children to grow up together in the same house," he insisted. Clarice looked deeply into his eyes. "No, her baby is the only happiness she has left in this life. You can't take away her baby if she doesn't want to let go of her baby willingly. Period!" she adamantly said, hoping he understood where she was coming from. Alpha Callum nodded his head. "Alright, let's stop arguing about this matter. I understand what you are trying to tell me. I won't take the baby away from Viviana unless she willingly hands the responsibility to me. You have my word." Clarice finally smiled, glad that he was not insisting on using force to get the baby after it was born. She looked at the bags and stood up. "I'll unpack the bags and put your stuff in the closet." "I'll help you." Alpha Callum picked up the bags and put them in front of the closet. Together, the couple folded the clothes on the bed, arranged them in the closet. After they finished unpacking, Clarice looked at him and asked, "How about the change of identity I mentioned before? Is it possible?" "Yes. You can file a late registration. I forgot to bring the fill-up form. I'll bring it later," Alpha Callum answered. "Where is Caden?" he asked. "He's swimming in the pool right now. Lorey was attending to him," she replied. "Nice. I'll join him. Why don't you join us?" He grabbed his swimming trunks from the closet and quickly changed his attire. "OK. I'll follow in a moment," she responded, opening the closet, grabbing her rash guard. Alpha Callum left the room to join his son in the pool. Clarice discarded her clothes and put on her swimwear, then left the room wearing a bright smile on her face. Family bonding always puts a happy smile on her face. She arrived at the pool and saw the father and son frolicking in the water, erupting into boisterous laughter. Clarice smiled upon witnessing such a wonderful scene. Beautiful moments like this create memorable memories that can last a lifetime. She lowered herself into the water and joined the two most important people in her life. Life is good, and she wishes this was the start of long-lasting happiness for her and her loved ones. Two hours later, Lorey brought a delicious snack of homemade pizza and a pitcher of refreshing cold cranberry juice to the pool. Meanwhile... Back in the mansion, Luna Viviana and Mia arrive at the mansion with their shopping bags. When they entered the master's bedroom, the first thing they noticed was the brown envelope on the dresser table. Luna Viviana's brows creased. She picked up the brown envelope and looked at what was inside. When she read the first page, her face turned sour instantly. Enraged, she immediately threw the brown envelope onto the floor. Mia looked at her friend. Viviana's eyes flashed with anger. She picked up the brown envelope and skimmed through the contents of the paper. "Oh, it's the divorce paper," she murmured sadly, and put the papers back in the envelope. "Put it in the trash can. I don't want to see it. I don't want to sign it!" Luna Viviana ordered vehemently. Her voice quivering, eyes filled with tears, she sat on the bed trying to stay calm. Mia sighed deeply and dropped the brown envelope into the trash can. Despite wanting to stay calm, Luna Viviana burst into tears, tired of holding back the pain and anger she felt inside. "I hate him! I hate that woman!" Mia went to bed and gently rubbed her friend's back. "No need to think about divorce papers right now if you are not ready yet," she said. Her voice was gentle and soothing. "I'll get you a handkerchief," she said. Mia walked to the closet and opened it. She rummaged through her friend's clothes. "Where are your handkerchiefs?" she asked. Luan Viviana glanced at the closet and noticed instantly that her husband's clothes were no longer where they used to be. Dammit! He had already removed his things and brought them to his mistress! Her husband is determined to leave her and there's nothing she can do about it. Her world crumbles around her, plunging her into deep sorrow as depression begins to sink hard into her system. She can only cry a river to let her frustration and anger out. Her body trembled as she wept hard. The room was filled with her distraught cries as the pain of separation was too much for her to endure. "Let's go bar hopping tonight. I want to drink drums of liquor to drown my sorrows away," she told her friend between tears. Mia shook her head. "No! You can't go to the bar and poison your body with hard liquor. You will only bring harm to your unborn child. Let's just stay here in your room, order pizza, eat ice cream, chocolates and watch movies together all day and all night long. It's a better alternative to clubbing. Besides, the guards outside the room won't allow us to go to the club," she reminded her distraught friend. Frustrated, Luna Viviana wept even more.