C3 The Beginning of Suffering Part 2

"Hurry up and get her out of here, and immediately get on with your wedding. I will try to help you by keeping the pregnancy a secret," said the healer with a sharp glare at Maxy. Indeed, in the village of Tussand, ancient customs and traditions are still highly respected by the inhabitants. Pregnant women out of wedlock will be considered a source of disaster and will receive severe punishment. If the man who got her pregnant is not responsible, then the woman will never get married in her whole life and will be ostracized by the entire village.

"At least leave us here until she wakes up, I beg you," Maxy asked with a sad face, making the healer finally take a deep breath and then nod forcefully.

Ten minutes later, Clara finally opened her eyes again. She found herself in a room so foreign to her that she suddenly got up from her lying position. She looked around and felt immense relief when she saw the figure of her fiancé sitting not far from her.

"Max, where are we?" She asked, confused, but the man just stared at him sharply without making a sound. Surprised by her fiancé's attitude, Clara walked up to him.

"Max, did something happen?" She asked again, realizing that her fiancé was indeed acting very strange.

"Who?" The only word that came out of Maxy's mouth made Clara frown in disbelief.

"What do you mean? I..."

"Who is the man who has impregnated you?" Clara's eyes widened at this.

"W-What do you mean?"

"Don't pretend you don't know anything. You are pregnant, and I ask, who is the father of the fetus you are carrying?!" Maxy could no longer contain his emotions. Tears flowed beautifully down Clara's face when she heard Maxy snap at her for the first time.

"I don't understand what you're saying. Please don't scare me like this." Her tears flowed even harder, especially when Maxy's face turned red because of his rising anger.

"I thought you loved me. I think you're a good woman who can properly maintain the trust I put in you. I didn't think you could betray me like this. I am very disappointed in you." Maxy just walked away, ignoring Clara, who was sobbing more and more.

***

That day, the Huston house was quite lively. Everyone was ready to welcome the Walter family, who announced they would visit today. No one knows why the family suddenly proposed a meeting as they said nothing. Unlike Clara, she felt a bad feeling. She felt something terrible would happen in the meeting between the two families.

The awaited moment they finally arrived. The Walter family entourage arrives at the Hustons' residence. Maxy's figure was seen coming, making Clara even more anxious, especially when she saw the man's sharp gaze.

"It's an honour to have a visit from you. We are pleased." The first words came out of Harry Huston's mouth, who was none other than the head of the Huston family when the two families were already in one room.

"We came here to ask for an explanation from your daughter," said Bram Walter, the head of the Walter family and Maxy's father. With emotion in his voice, he didn't even care about politeness anymore.

"Explanation from my daughter. I don't understand what you mean." Harry looked at Bram, then turned to stare at Clara, completely not understanding the situation. Clara only lowered her head while squeezing her hand. She was terrified at this time.

"It seems Clara hasn't told you about her pregnancy yet." Not only Harry but even all the members of the Huston family also stared at him. All pairs of eyes were now focused on Clara, who was already sobbing with her body trembling.

"What do you mean you're pregnant?!" Harry growled with an angry look at his daughter. Clara squeezed her hand even tighter, and her sobs made it clear that she was terrified. Feeling his question was being ignored, Harry walked over to his daughter, who still had her face down. He gripped his daughter's body tightly.

"Answer Clara, what do you mean you're pregnant? Are you pregnant?" Clara didn't dare to look at her father's face, which was very scary because of his anger. Clara was stunned until she nodded her head slowly. Everyone was surprised to see Clara's reaction. Her mother even covered her mouth in disbelief with the tears already flowing down her face.

Harry released his grip on Clara and turned to stare angrily at Maxy. "You must immediately take responsibility for your actions," he said firmly to Maxy, but Maxy only responded with a cynical smile.

"Excuse me. You should first ask your daughter who has impregnated her because, to be honest, I have never touched her once," said Maxy quickly and confidently. Anger was building up inside Harry. He gripped Clara's body tightly again, making her wince in pain.

"Who got you pregnant? Is he, not Maxy?!" He snapped back at Clara, making Clara tremble even more.

"ANSWER, CLARA!" His victorious shout made Clara gasp. Finally, Clara gathered the courage to look into her father's face. She trembled even more when she saw her father's red face. It was apparent he was so angry.

"N-Not Maxy. I-I also don't know what's going on. I wonder why I'm suddenly pregnant," Clara replied hoarsely because her sobs had not subsided. Harry felt his daughter's answer had destroyed his family's pride and honour, which he had worked hard to protect.

"We are very disappointed in your daughter. We feel everything is clear, and our coming here is to cancel our son's and daughters' engagement and wedding plans." Harry heard it. It was so evident in his ears. However, he pretended to be deaf and didn't budge from where he stood. His lips seemed reluctant to utter words to reply to Bram's words.

"There's nothing more for us to talk about. We beg you to resign," said Bram's last words before he and his family got up from their sitting position. They walked away.

Clara gasped when a ring suddenly fell into her lap. She looked up and found a disgusted look in Maxy's eyes, even though those eyes had always radiated love and affection for her.

"I don't want to wear that ring anymore. With this, all ties between us come to an end completely. Goodbye." The man walked away, leaving Clara with a million scars on her heart and a ruin for the Huston family.