The Forbidden Promise

by Helena Rose

  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’ benche
s. 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!"

&nb
sp; " 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.