“Leopold has stepped up to the plate in a way that put others to shame. To avoid having bastard children, he would consider getting a vasectomy after we have a couple more kids, a promise of true fidelity. Fredric, by contrast, you haven't shown a fraction of that commitment to Jelena. You still dream of keeping your wife home while seeking pleasures elsewhere. You better get back with Sheryl. I'll get a decent guy for Jelena, who knows how to love and cherish her and who'll stick with her through thick and thin."
Fredric's face turned pale.
He was thinking, “Leopold had the guts to consider a vasectomy. No wonder he had swooped Aurelia away from Arnold.”
"I can assure Jelena that any kids I have will only come from her," Fredric stammered, trying to salvage some honor. "I've never made promises to a lady, but Jelena's the exception."
Aurelia snorted, "But you can't promise she'll be the only one. You'll still be out there, living it up and playing the field."
A twitch flickered across Fredric's face. "No man is above temptation," he countered. "I'm not the type to go chasing skirts, but women tend to throw themselves at a guy like me. If I had one too many drinks and ended up in a hot mess, it would happen. And your precious Leopold's no different unless you plan on tailing him day and night, keeping every Jane Doe at bay."
Aurelia was speechless.
This guy was using Leopold as a shield to cleanse his image, which was low.
"Here’s the thing. Jessica and Leopold likely side with Sheryl, and Leopold will possibly wield a veto. What’s your game plan if the divorce doesn't go through?"
Fredric's lips tightened.
"Why can't you just take my side and Jelena's?"
He'd hit the nail on the head, piercing the crux of the dilemma.
On one side, it was about morals and principles. On the other, it concerned personal gain.
It was a tough call.
If Jelena became the matriarch, she'd run a tighter ship than Sheryl could. If things went south, at least Jelena would have Aurelia's back, securing a place for Kane and William within the Stirling fortress, a feat Sheryl could never pull off.
Fredric saw her wavering and pressed on. "Aurelia, you've been on and off with Leopold enough times to know he's not an impervious rock. You know men can stray when a woman ages and loses her charm. Leopold's no saint. You've got to plan ahead of time. You're his legal first wife and the matriarch of the house, but it doesn't mean you are irreplaceable. Dad never got his divorce because he wasn't the head of the family. The grandfather had the last say. But you've got no one to cast a deciding vote on your behalf."
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