Chapter 590 - Sixth Commandment III

[Continuation of the flashback]

Three days later at the huge Kwan Mansion where Sarah resides…

"Did you really sign the divorce paper, little Sarah?" The old Madam Kwan stared at Sarah apologetically. 

Sarah was sipping a cup of tea while enjoying the mild breeze of the garden. She only produced a low tune and smiled at her mother-in-law.

"I can't force Zach, Mother." She softly answered while putting the cup of tea on the saucer that was on her lap. "If that is what he wants, then who am I to stop him?"

Old Madam Kwan frowned as she released a heavy sigh. She shook her head, feeling sorry for her kind daughter-in-law and rage at her son at the same time.

"No, dear. You're the wife -- the legal wife. You can't just let them be! I'm sure Zachery will come back. He can't live his life without enough money to fund his studies." Old Madam Kwan encourage as she reached for Sarah's hand.

However, Sarah shook her head lightly and beamed her a subtle smile. "Mother, I know all that. But, they are having a child while…"

Sarah's words trailed off as she hung her head low. Seeing this, the old madam Kwan sighed. The latter knew that Sarah loved her son dearly. 

Old Madam Kwan could imagine the pain of Sarah. She had been there. Her husband, the late head of the Kwan Family, had numerous affairs in the past. However, she was determined and didn't give up on her title.

Despite knowing that her husband didn't love her, she didn't accept the humiliation of defeat. Thus, even if the late Mister Kwan didn't return home and the entire household lacked love, she fought hard.

In the end, her husband came back to her. He realized that all he needed was his wife -- no one else. So now that her daughter-in-law was in the same situation, the old Madam would surely side with Sarah.

"Mother…" Slowly, Sarah looked up, biting her lower lip as the side of her eyes welled up. "...but, how can I compete with a child involved?"

Sarah's hand tightened, the cup of tea she was holding trembled. Upon hearing Sarah's last remarks, Madam Kwan's eyes widened in disbelief.

"A child?" She asked, her brows furrowed as she leaned back a little.

"She's pregnant, I heard." Sarah uttered under her breath, looking away as she wiped her tears. "Today is our first anniversary, but never for once he touched me. I thought he was just tired and tried to understand him. But…"

Sarah couldn't finish her sentence as she covered her lips by her palms. Not long after, tears began rolling down her cheeks.

The old Madam Kwan was rendered speechless. She was unable to speak momentarily as she didn't see that coming. Or rather, she didn't see that coming that soon. She had been in that situation; her husband's mistress announcing they were pregnant and the father was her husband.

"That… fool!" Through her gritted teeth, the old madam's hand curled into a fist as they trembled.

"But it's fine now, Mother. I signed the divorce papers and…"

"Make her abort the baby." Before Sarah could finish her sentence, the old madam's cold voice interrupted her.

Sarah raised her head, puzzlement plastered across her entire face as she stared blankly at her mother-in-law. She blinked her eyes as the latter's words sank into her head ever so slowly.

When their eyes met, there was not a bit of remorse or hesitation beneath old madam kwan's eyes. "Make her abort the child. We're not welcoming a bastard in our family."

"But, Mom…"

"Sarah," Old Madam Kwan didn't let Sarah argue as she called her name out firmly. "If your husband doesn't touch you, seduce him. If seducing him is not enough, drug him. Use any means to produce a child. That woman wouldn't let go of a man of his status. We won't let that kind of woman benefit from all the Kwan's generations' hard work."

Sarah was rendered speechless as she didn't expect to hear such remarks from her mother-in-law. She was willing to give him up. Even if Zachery hurt her from his infidelity, she knew her worth and knew that she didn't deserve this kind of pain.

"Do you really believe that that woman loves my son as much as you do?" Old Madam Kwan queried with her right brow arched. "Maybe. But if she truly loves him, she would choose what's good for him."

In a matter-of-fact tone, old Madam Kwan shrugged. As what said above, she had been through all these. If Beth, Zachery's mistress, knew that Zachery was a married man, she would have avoided him when she fell in love with him.

Sure. One couldn't dictate someone's heart. However, a person should know what was right and wrong. Beth knew Zachery was already married and yet, she got herself impregnated.

What else would the old madam kwan think? In her beliefs, Beth used this trick that was done by many women Madam Kwan encountered in the past to tie Zachery. That trick wouldn't work against Old Madam Kwan, though.

Sarah went silent as she hung herself low. She stared at her knuckles on her lap, pondering deeply over her mother-in-law's words.

"Sarah, you have to try any means to keep your husband. Once you bore a child, you will surely understand what it means to protect your family at any cost." Old Madam Kwan uttered firmly as she watched the delicate Sarah in silence.

****

Hours later…

"Hey, I'm sorry I was late." In front of the Kwan Mansion's front door, the house where Zachery used to live with his wife, Sarah, Zachery sported an apologetic look on his face.

Sarah smiled gently. "It's fine. You're just in time for dinner." 

Zachery just smiled awkwardly but said nothing while Sarah gestured to him to come inside. And so, the two headed inside with Zachery a little anxious as it was late and Beth was alone in their humble home.

Sarah glanced at Zachery's shoulders briefly, noticing his anxiousness which didn't please her.

"I'm sorry to call you in suddenly. But the divorce lawyers left out a document. I thought we should read it and sign it now so I can send them tomorrow.".

Yet, she didn't mention it and went on to explain the reason for her sudden call. 

"Oh… you could have mailed it to me." 

"Come on, Zach. We're about to officially get separated.." Sarah turned to him, offering him a playful smile. "Shouldn't we talk for a while since I think we've become friends during our one year of marriage?"