The Forbidden Promise (37 page)

"If you’ll excuse me," said Cristobal, kissing her hand and setting
off in the direction that had been indicated, without so much as a glance at
Lucas.
" You’ll be glad that your lover has arrived!" Commented Lucas
ironically, mounting his horse.
"And you'll be glad that tonight you can entertain yourself with your old
lover without having to come and bother me," she replied, shielding
herself from the sun with one hand, in order to look at Lucas sitting in the
saddle.
Lucas held the reins of the animal that already felt the excitement of the
ride, as he stared angrily at Aurora.
" Shall I tell you something? Although I only wear the clothes of a
gentleman and don’t have good manners, I’d never dare say that our marriage has
been consummated in a courtroom, making you look like a liar. Therefore, the
decision whether to preserve or destroy our union forever, is up to you ...
I’ll never return to insist nor demand anything from you. I'm tired of begging
and pleading for your love!" He said, staring at her intently and then with
a sharp kick to the flanks of the horse, he galloped away.
Aurora stood, watching him ride away, while a cloud of dust engulfed her. A
silent tear fell
down the cheek.

     A few days later it
was clear that the emergency was over, and that the volunteers, including
Cristobal, Marisol, Father Julian, Aurora and Dr. Peron could return to
Tampico.
"Thank you so much, a lot of people were saved due to your help,"
said Lucas. He shook hands with Father Julian and gave a nod to Cristobal who
reciprocated.
Cristobal had distinguished himself for having worked hard, never refusing any
task and moving admirably between the heavy work at the field hospital and that
at the mine. Despite the difficulty, through the dust and sweat, he had never
lost his noble European dandy air that always made him stand out. Although he
knew from the beginning, that the real reason for Cristobal’s coming to
Zacatecas was Aurora, Lucas had to admit that he had worked hard and
tirelessly.
"When will you come to Tampico, son?" Father Julian asked.
Lucas hesitated.
" As soon as they notify me of the date of the hearing," he said,
without looking away from Father Julian. He felt that Aurora was watching him
but showed no emotion when referring to the process, nor did he turn to look at
her, he simply ignored her.
"Well, may God protect you, my son," said Father Julian as the
carriages were leaving noisily along the avenue towards the entrance. Aurora
noticed that Yolanda was outside the house and was waving goodbye in her
direction. Aurora smiled and waved back.
At least I’ve earned Yolanda’s trust, only it's too late now, we won’t have
occasion to meet again.
Aurora took advantage of the long journey back to sleep, dozing off and
trying not to think about Lucas back at the
hacienda
and his coldness.
When they arrived in Tampico, it was dusk, Don Cristobal accompanied her and
Marisol to the Vargas de Coronado’s house.
Doña
Viviana was very happy to see them and asked for information about
the tragedy. Don Cristobal said goodbye and left immediately, while the three
women continued to talk about the terrible situation at the mine. The suspicion
that it was a malicious act, deeply surprised
Doña
Viviana. Shortly
after, they retired for the night each to their own room.
Life in Tampico returned to usual with Aurora busy with her work at the clinic.
The new gossip that was occupying the town was no longer the double murder at
La
Virgen del Mar
chapel , but the departure of Marisol from her marital
home and the fact that she was seen more and more frequently in Don Cristobal’s
company.
Don Cristobal often went to the Vargas de Coronado’s house, and when Aurora was
still at the clinic, he entertained himself chatting amiably with Marisol,
which disappointed
Doña
Viviana. Living with Viviana and Aurora, Marisol
was regaining some of her innate contentment and serenity, There had been no
recent news of Federico.
One morning, when Aurora arrived at
La Virgen de la Caridad
convent’
s
infirmary, Dr. Peron informed her that they had a new, very sick patient.
He asked Aurora to administer medical treatment to the patient while he did the
daily medical round.
" What's wrong with her?” Aurora asked as she put on her apron.
Dr. Peron replied, somewhat embarrassed.

"At first glance I
think it's syphilis ... she comes from the brothel. In any case, I leave the
diagnosis to you," he said putting the last pieces of his equipment into
his briefcase.
Aurora walked over to the bed that Dr. Peron had indicated. As soon as she saw
the patient’s pale face, lying feeble on the bed, she gave a start, it was
Alma, the girl she had seen that terrible night in Lucas’ company.
Her heart jumped in her chest and she realized she was shaking.
She’s a
patient like everyone else
! But deep down, she knew she hated her for having
interfered in her relationship with Lucas. She felt jealousy eating her soul,
as she got ready to examine her. Aurora summoned all her strength to remain
indifferent and impartial.
She gave Alma a pelvic examination, at first Alma did not recognized her but
when she approached closer Alma’s eyes widened in surprise.
"Ma'am ... you, here!" She exclaimed in a weak voice.
" Yes, I work here. How are you?" Asked Aurora arranging her tousled
hair.
"Bad! I know that my end has arrived ... but I'm so scared," Alma
said between sobs.
In spite of her jealousy, Aurora was moved by Alma’s tears. The disease was in
fact certainly syphilis, she had it severely and it was in the terminal stage.
" Don’t say that, you'll see that you’ll get better!" Aurora
commented to comfort her.
But Alma shook her head, trying to hold back sobs.
"Let me get a burden off my chest and tell you something," She
whispered, taking Aurora's hands in hers.
" No, later, rest now," said Aurora, realizing what it was about, and
not wanting to reopen old wounds.
"Please, it would make me feel better," insisted Alma.
Aurora did not protest and stayed to listen.
"Penelope ... That witch ... it was she who drugged Don Lucas the evening
that you returned to Zacatecas and then she forced me to go to bed with him.
She’s now hiding in Don Gonzalo’s brothel, for fear that your husband will find
her... "
" I don’t want to know anything!" Interrupted Aurora, trying to
control the pain that the scene provoked in her.
"But you need to know!" Alma pleaded, as her tears welled copiously.
"Your husband, because of the drugs, thought I was you ... He continued
repeating your name ... Then the potion knocked him out ... Nothing happened
between us, you must believe me!"
Aurora remained silent, while an indescribable feeling, a sort of dull emotion,
linked to inexpressible relief, invaded her from head to foot. So it's true, he
didn’t betray me! Her heart began to beat violently in her chest, while her
breath caught in her throat. Lucas, my love, can I really trust Alma’s words?
Do you really love me as you say? My God, if only I was certain!
"I hope that one day you’ll forgive me, I did it for fear of the sorcery
that Penelope threatened me with if I opposed her wish. And also because she
promised to let me win Federico’s love," continued Alma.
Aurora looked at her in amazement.
"Federico? You mean Federico Navarra y Reyes?"
" Yes ..." Alma’s voice became increasingly weak and strained "I
love him so much, I've always loved him ... He even said that he loved me,
instead he abandoned both me and his son and locked me in the brothel. "
" Your son?" Stammered Aurora.
" Yes, he is his son even if he is illegitimate. But I don’t think that he
has ever cared anything about us?" She said between sobs.
" Don’t think about him," said Aurora as a surge of compassion
engulfed her soul. "Now you just have to try to get better, do it for your
son!"
Alma nodded and, powerless, dropped back onto the pillow while Aurora arranged
the covers.
Alma’s words had left her deeply troubled, not only about Lucas but above all
about what she had said about Federico. Was it possible that he was so
despicable?
My God, Federico is a real demon ... I can’t believe that a
person can come to that ...

A week later the trial for the annulment of Lucas and Aurora
Navarra y Reyes’ marriage was held.
When Aurora entered the Ecclesiastical Tribunal’s courtroom, accompanied by
Cristobal and Viviana, Lucas with a serious and hostile expression was already
sitting in the place assigned to him, beside Father Julian. Lucas saw them
enter but did not turn to greet them.
The public benches were filled with onlookers who hoped to hear some spicy
details that they could soon gossip about.
When the President of the Ecclesiastical Court entered, accompanied by the
secretary and two other priest judges, everybody rose to their feet.
"Please Sit," said the President taking a seat in his grand chair.
He opened the folder that the diligent secretary had handed to him, put on his
glasses and began to read.
An eerie silence fell over the courtroom.
After a few minutes of careful reading the president, turning to the secretary
and said, "Today 15th May in the year of our Lord 1901 we are here before
the spouses Don Lucas Navarra y Reyes and
Doña
Aurora Vargas de Coronado
to declare the nullity of a religious marriage celebrated in the parish of
Tampico.
The annulment has already been pronounced in the first instance by Mexico
City’s ecclesiastical court.
The documentation presented in the lower court indicated a pact in which the spouses
stated that it was not their intention to get married but only to simulate a
marriage to reach personal goals that had nothing in common with the sacred
bond of marriage before God. Do you have a copy of the signed document?"
he asked Aurora and Lucas.
"Yes, Your Excellency," said Cristobal promptly, taking out a sheet
of paper from his folder.
Aurora nervously looked out of the corner of her eye at Lucas' face searching
for any signs of emotion. She did not see any, Lucas did not take his eyes off
the tribunal, his eyes dark, his mouth shut tight, his lips reduced to a thin
line.
Cristobal handed the document to the President who examined it carefully, then
continued,
"Now the bride and groom must declare to the Court all the reasons why
they consider that their marriage should be annulled.
Doña
Aurora
Navarra y Reyes will start, represented by Cristobal De la Vega." stated
the President, while the secretary continued to frantically type on the
typewriter’s keyboard.
Cristobal stood up from his seat, clearing his throat he began to walk up and
down in front of the judges’ benches. Self-assured, he confidently assumed the
speaker’s role that he so adored about his profession.
"Honorable Judges, the main reason that we are here today is the presence
of an agreed simulation by the two spouses that means this marriage was
contracted invalidly and should therefore be annulled.
The clear proof of the simulation is the pact signed by them both the day
before the marriage celebration."
Cristobal paused for a moment, then continued his slow, hypnotic and rhythmic
walk before the court.
"The second reason is a mistake, we are not talking about a mistake in the
spouse’s identity, because my client well knew her future husband’s
identity." Here his voice became more intense and increased slightly in
tone.
"I refer to a mistake far more subtle, that
Doña
Aurora came to
discover only after the celebration of the wedding. I am referring to mistake
in the essential qualities of the spouse that is also a reason for the annulment.
If the Members of the Court don’t want to recognize the obvious simulation of
marriage proved by the written evidence with the precise date, they must grant
the annulment for the great deception that my client chanced upon."
Cristobal paused again, everyone waited anxiously to know the second reason, in
the courtroom not the slightest noise could heard, and even Lucas who until
then had looked indifferent and estranged, was now staring at Cristobal with
interest. He reluctantly, acknowledged that he was a very good lawyer.
" Miss Aurora Vargas de Coronado thought she had married, albeit with
simulation, a respectable man, a gentleman ... Honorable Judges, it was not so,
Mr. Lucas Navarra y Reyes who is present here, was arrested and charged with
murder! The person who was killed was
Doña
Aurora’s father, this makes
this shameful crime even more serious in my client’s eyes!"
Cristobal turned to look at the effect his words had had on the judges and saw
amazement and consternation as he had hoped.
"And concluding, I therefore ask that this honorable Court free my client
from this marriage that was not wanted and that is based on a fundamental
inaccuracy. Honorable Judges give this young woman who has suffered so much,
the chance to continue her life with dignity, annulling the marriage before men
and God "
He returned to his seat while his last words still echoed in the room.
Some of those present in the audience nodded ... Cristobal had undoubtedly
convinced them.
The President then turned to Lucas.
"Mr. Navarra it is your turn!"
Lucas stood up slowly, staring at the Court. Then he turned to look at Aurora
for moment, but it was only a matter of a few seconds before he turned his eyes
back to the judges.
" Your Excellency, I have nothing to add," he said.
" That being the case, we’ll re-adjourn in an hour, we’ll retire to
deliberate," concluded the President, standing up.
Father Julian followed the court into the council chamber.
Lucas immediately walked out of the courtroom and lit a cigar surrounded by Pablo
who had accompanied him from Zacatecas and a couple of his other men who had
attended the trial.
Aurora watched him leaving but she remained sitting next to Cristobal while
Doña
Viviana who had been sitting in the front row, went over to her to give her
courage.
" So Don Lucas, you don’t mind that your wedding is going to be annulled?
I thought you loved
Doña
Aurora... She’s so good ... "asked Pablo,
challenging his usual discretion.
" It would take too long to explain," Lucas replied, drawing on his cigar.
" So you’ll let that lawyer steal your woman?" asked Juan.
"This, never," exclaimed Lucas clenching his fists.
His companions understood that it was appropriate to change the conversation
and began asking him how the reconstruction of the mine was going.
Less than an hour had passed when everybody was recalled into the courtroom.
The Court entered, in the silence full of expectation of those present.
The President put on his glasses, he observed that the couple had returned to
their seats and began to read.
"Given what has been presented by
Doña
Aurora Navarra y Reyes’
defense, this Court finds that the marriage can’t be annulled by mistake. From
information in our possession, the investigation for the crime of which the
bridegroom is accused is still in progress and it would seem that Don Lucas’
release took place after his alibi was partially proved."
A buzz traveled through the courtroom.
At these words, Aurora’s heart leaped in her chest and began to beat wildly,
Cristobal put a hand on her shoulder while he remained serene so much was his
confidence in his ultimate victory.
"However," continued the President, "this Court finds that there
was actually a simulation proved by this signed pact. And since, from the
minutes of the lower court, it declares that the marriage was never
consummated, this Court can’t but .... "
There was a brief pause, everybody present waited with bated breath.
Suddenly the silence was broken by a woman’s cry.
" Wait!" Interrupted Aurora unexpectedly.
Cristobal frowned and turned to stare at Aurora who had stood up abruptly, red
in the face from the shame and eyes glistening with emotion.
Everybody’s eyes were now fixed on her. The President stood waiting.
" Forgive me for not having intervened before, for me this is very painful."
She said, looking down. "I thank my lawyer who has done a great job but
the time has come to talk!"
Cristobal stared at her incredulously.
"The pact that has been shown to you is authentic and signed by me and my
husband ... However, the marriage can’t be annulled because ... "
Aurora turned to look at Lucas who was staring at her, then back to the Court.
The anticipation and curiosity in the courtroom became palpable. Aurora looked
down, her cheeks on fire. She continued in a low voice "...because I’ve
been his!"
Surprise snaked through the public and a loud buzz rose from the benches.
Cristobal, infuriated, frantically picked up the papers that he had in front of
him, with abrupt movements put them in his bag and left the room without
deigning to look at Aurora who was still standing beside him.
The President returned to his seat, took off his glasses and he said to the
secretary, "verbalize that after the bride’s spontaneous declaration, this
Court declares the marriage not annullable and is valid before God and
men." The sound of the hammer echoed around the astonished courtroom,
shaking Aurora and Lucas from their immobility.
The judges left the courtroom, while the crowd also swarmed towards the exit.
Doña
Viviana gave a smile of encouragement to Aurora.
"If you’ve followed your heart, you’ve done the right thing my dear!"
She said at last, weary of making a stupid war with Lucas, whom Aurora adored,
just to get it declared before the whole world.
Father Julian shook hands with Lucas, smiling.
"I’ve never said anything to you, but now that everything is settled, I
expect you in my study as soon as possible! You don’t mock the sacraments and
I’ll assign you a good penance so that you‘ll remember it for a longtime!"
Laughing, he left the courtroom.
Aurora and Lucas were the only two left in the eerie silence of the courtroom.
Eventually, she ran to him and threw her arms around his neck, he hugged her
and they kissed passionately for a long time, as they had not done for ages.
" You finally believed me," exclaimed Lucas as he continued to kiss
her lips, face and eyes while hugging her.
" Forgive me for not immediately believing you,” she whispered becoming
emotional. "I shouldn’t have doubted you again ... I was a fool!"
"There is nothing for me to forgive" Lucas said. "We’ve both
been victims of a dirty trick that our enemies have played on us..."
Aurora nodded, hugging him tightly.
"Let's go home," Lucas said, stroking her face. "Now I’ll not
let you run away from me ever again!"
" And I’ll not run away anymore ... kiss me again!" she said,
passionately offering him her lips.
The scandal was not slow to circulate the town and passing by word of mouth,
the story was enriched with more and more new details.
The gossip soon reached even Penelope who waited for darkness to go and report
the incident to
Doña
Raquel.
As usual, she entered through the servant’s door and asked a maid to announce
her.
Doña
Raquel who was still having dinner with Federico, ordered Penelope
to enter.
" What are you doing here?" She demanded sternly, gently wiping her
lips with a fine damask napkin.
Federico continued to strip the flesh off some chicken bones, washing down
everything with plenty of red wine.
"I bring important news ma’am!" Stated Penelope
" Well?" She asked.
"Today the trial for the annulment of Lucas and Aurora’s marriage was
held, but the marriage was declared valid because the bride publicly admitted
that the wedding had been consummated."
The smile on
Doña
Raquel’s face turned into a sour grimace.
" Damn ... and Cristobal, how did he react?" she asked worriedly.
" It seems that he is angry, he left the courtroom after Aurora’s
declaration without waiting for the final verdict ... I think, however, he has
been informed, as the whole town is talking about it."
Federico fiddled with the chicken bones on his plate.
"The saintly Aurora has admitted to having surrendered herself to a man.
And what is the problem?" He asked. "Were they not married?"
" Idiot!" Raquel rebuked him. "If those two get back together,
Cristobal will have no interest in honoring our agreement and may at any time
reveal the truth! We must do something!"
Raquel, angry, left the table and went into the study, followed by Penelope.
She walked over to the lit candles in the large silver candelabra on the table
in the center of the room and passed her palm over the top of them, in that
strange ritual that Penelope had often seen her do. It seemed that she drew an
insane pleasure from the fire and the heat.
An evil smile soon returned to Raquel’s face. She sat down in the big chair
located behind the massive desk and turned to Penelope who was standing by the
door.
" Cristobal has become a danger and he needs to be removed. Hire someone
to kill him without leaving any traces, making it look like a robbery."
" And your deceased husband’s true will?" Penelope asked.
"The secret of the will, he will take with him to his grave," she
said, more to convince herself than Penelope. "The important thing is that
you manage to get rid of him for good!"
"Yes, ma’am," replied Penelope.
"Talk to your friend Gonzalo, the brothel owner, I’ve a little job for
him. He’ll have to kidnap and rape Aurora. If I can’t successfully separate
those two, at least I’ll make them suffer until their last days." Raquel’s
black eyes were reduced to dark slits sparkling with malice. "And if she
gets pregnant, that bastard Lucas will always live with the doubt that the
child might not be his!"
"I'll need a lot of money for both assignments" Penelope commented,
rubbing her bony hands together.
Doña
Raquel opened the drawer of her desk and pulled out a thick wad of
notes.
"Here's also your payment ... but I want a job well done, no witnesses and
you’ll personally make sure Cristobal is dead, you understand?"
Penelope nodded hiding the notes in the neckline of her camisole.
"Now get out of here," ordered
Doña
Raquel.
" If you’ll excuse me," Penelope said, leaving.
Doña
Raquel smiled to herself, anticipating all the pain that she would
cause a little later.
No one will manage to defeat me! As much as they try, it will only be me
that survives, at the cost of leaving behind me a trail of corpses ...