Chapter 97: Mrs. Hani sided with Desi, accusing Ansel
“You’re claiming that I am the father of the pregnancy you’re carrying. So when exactly did we sleep together? I remember that from the time we started dating until today, I have never laid a hand on you.” After a moment of silence, Ansel asked seriously.
“Two weeks ago, on Aunt Hani’s birthday night,” Desi whispered softly. Her head was slightly bowed, pretending to be ashamed. “That night, we were together.”
“That happened, huh? Why don’t I have any recollection of it?” Ansel questioned.
“At that time, you were drunk.” Desi offered a clumsy explanation. “Maybe that’s why you don’t remember the details clearly. But it’s true that we, you and I,
“That’s not true,” Ansel objected. “I remember you weren’t even present at the party that night. So based on what grounds do you dare assert that we were together?”
Ansel presented a sharp argument that left Desi flustered and Mrs. Hani unsettled.
“Perhaps you’re mistaken. I did attend the party,” Desi insisted firmly.
“But I didn’t see you there, and I didn’t even talk to you.” Ansel recounted the events of that evening. “After the party ended, I left the hotel and went to Erica’s place. So how could I have been with you?”
Faced with Ansel’s challenging question, Desi found herself in a difficult position. She didn’t know how to respond to Ansel’s sarcastic inquiry.
“It’s true that we didn’t talk to each other, but I did attend the party. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Aunt Hani,” Desi explained, dragging Mrs. Hani into the conversation.
“Let’s assume you were present at the party, but that doesn’t prove that we were together that night. And it certainly doesn’t prove that I got you pregnant,” Ansel said, reaching a highly convincing conclusion. “As I mentioned before, I left the hotel and went to Erica’s place.”
“I admit that on that night, both of us were not in a sober state, but the fact remains that we slept together,” Desi continued to extend her unconvincing lies.
“Is that so?” Ansel asked teasingly, playing along with Desi. “Why don’t I remember any of that? Are you trying to embroider the truth?”
Ansel’s persistence surprised Desi. Despite her mental preparation and having persuasive and believable answers, Desi had to admit that dealing with Ansel wasn’t easy. Recognizing Desi’s disadvantage, Mrs. Hani intervened to offer her assistance.
“Ansel, on that night, you were heavily intoxicated, and it was I who advised you to go to your room and rest. Perhaps due to excessive drinking, you don’t remember what happened that night.”
Desi looked at Mrs. Hani with gratitude, relieved to have her support in this challenging situation. On the other hand, Ansel glanced towards his mother, wearing a skeptical expression on his face.
“That’s right, Ansel.” Desi continued with Mrs. Hani’s words. “You mistakenly entered my room. You were quite intoxicated, and I had also consumed a fair amount. That’s why we engaged in that act unconsciously. I don’t blame you, Ansel, as I am partly at fault as well. However, the fact that I am pregnant is a serious matter. I cannot let this child come into the world without a father. That’s why I came here.
“Should I go to the hotel to verify it?” Ansel interrupted Desi’s carefully crafted speech with a vague tone. “I feel like something isn’t right.”Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.
“Don’t pretend anymore, Ansel Brown. You’ve evaded enough,” Mrs. Emily exclaimed in frustration. “You have stolen Desi’s innocence, and now you’re trying to deny it as if nothing happened? That won’t be acceptable. If you refuse to take responsibility and marry Desi, I won’t let you escape the crime. I will make the whole world aware of your despicable actions. I will sue you for the crime of raping Desi. Your reputation and career will undoubtedly crumble.”
“Go ahead if you want to,” Ansel declared boldly. “I haven’t done anything wrong, and I’m not afraid.” Ansel smirked, as if provoking the other party.
“Ansel, this is a very serious matter. Please don’t joke about it,” Mrs. Hani pleaded, almost coercively. “Think carefully and do what you need to do.”
“What do you mean, Mom?” Ansel asked, surprised and at the same time naive, not understanding the implication of Mrs. Hani’s words.
“My son, you should take responsibility for your actions. It will be better that way. Don’t ruin your future or your prospects,” Mrs. Hani advised gently.
“Are you saying that you don’t believe me, Mom?” Ansel asked sadly. Disappointment was clearly visible in his eyes.
“Mom believes in you,” Mrs. Hani said. “But I don’t want you to become a deceitful, irresponsible person. I didn’t teach you to live a life like that.”
“Why are you saying such absurd things, Mom? You’re making it seem like I’m the one at fault,” Ansel objected, expressing his dissatisfaction. “While the truth is not like that,”
“Ansel, you stop that attitude right now,” Mrs. Hani demanded sternly.
“I’m telling you that I didn’t get Desi pregnant; do you believe me, Mom?” Ansel unexpectedly posed a challenging question to Mrs. Hani. Ansel hoped that his mother would stand by his side, but no, Mrs. Hani remained stubborn in her obstinacy and foolishness.
“Ansel, please don’t shirk your responsibility anymore,” Mrs. Hani pleaded in anguish. “Be a man that your parents can be proud of.”
“Why is that? I’m your child; shouldn’t you believe me?” Ansel looked at his mother with a wounded and deeply disappointed expression.
“I really want to believe you, but Desi has no reason to lie,” Mrs. Hani said in her argument. “Desi loves you, and you two were dating, right? Moreover, that night, it was I who asked someone to take you to the room. So there’s no way you left the hotel.”
Ansel listened attentively, wanting to know what his mother had come up with to confront him.
“And there’s more. The morning after I came to find you, I happened to come across Desi looking distressed. I went into Desi’s room to check and found the bed in disarray, and I noticed bloodstains on the sheets. You took away Desi’s virginity. Furthermore, in the room were your jacket and wristwatch. All of these things indicate that you two slept together.”
Mrs. Hani gave a logical and convincing explanation that resonated with the listeners, gaining their agreement. However, Ansel persistently shook his head and denied it.
“Are you suggesting that I’m a liar? What could be the reason for me to do such a thing?” Ansel asked in a wise manner. “I’ve already said that I left the hotel; don’t you believe me?”
“Ansel, you know better than anyone the reasons behind it. You have done it multiple times.” Mrs. Hani didn’t speak directly but instead looked towards Erica, implying that it was all Erica’s fault.
Erica felt a bit confused but quickly understood the meaning behind Mrs. Hani’s behavior. She felt sad and miserable about being falsely accused. However, she couldn’t show it openly, as it would make her look pitiful. As for Ansel, he also understood and felt a growing anger, wanting to explode.
“What does that look toward Erica mean?” Ansel asked, but Mrs. Hani brushed it off, refusing to answer.
“Speak up!” Ansel shouted loudly, startling Mrs. Hani. Ansel’s eyes were filled with an uncomfortable, fiery glare.
“Do you see that? Your attitude and reaction say it all,” Mrs. Hani responded with a triumphant expression.
“What are you talking about?” Ansel stepped forward, ready to argue with his mother, but Erica intervened. Erica gently held Ansel’s hand, enough to help him regain his composure.
Ansel looked over at Erica and immediately received a nod from her. In response to Erica’s concern, Ansel nodded slightly.
Once again, people were amazed at Erica’s influence on Ansel. In the solemn and tense atmosphere, no one noticed the discreet smile on Mr. Brown’s face-he had been silently observing the unfolding events. Mr. Brown refrained from intervening because he believed that Ansel could handle the situation. Regardless, the trouble is because of Ansel, so it is Ansel who has to handle it. Mr. Brown only spoke up when it was truly necessary or when Ansel sought his help. Witnessing the interaction between Ansel and Erica, Mr. Brown was delighted and satisfied with Ansel’s choice. Erica was a good girl for Ansel.
In contrast to Mr. Brown, Mrs. Hani continued to display her annoyance towards Erica due to her envy of Ansel listening to Erica more than his own mother. In Desi’s family, Mr. Ethan remained silent, while Mrs. Emily openly harbored hatred for Erica. It’s possible that Desi was feeling guilty, remorseful, or contemplating alternative solutions to compel Ansel to comply with her wishes.
The diverse reactions of everyone seemed to foreshadow an increasingly complex and challenging situation, making it even more difficult to resolve.