Getting ready, Aria left her room and moved towards her parents who were waiting in the living room.
Spotting Aria, James and sophia also stood up.
"My sunshine looks as pretty as always. Lets go." James said as he came forward to pick Aria up buy she simply ignored him and ran off to Sophia.
"I want stay with Mom."
"But sunshine....." James was very confused at Aria's sudden change of behavior but realising that Aria won't be seeing her mother again and might be sad because of it, he let it be.
Sophia was also confused but still happily picked her daughter up as the family of three made there way to the Mayor's house.
The mayor's house was surrounded by many people who came to watch the free show. Afterall, it's not evryday, someone gets a divorce in their small town. Infact, they can't even remember the last time someone had a divorce in their town. Even if the couple had a problem, they solve it together and never include the mayor in it.
Parents from both the sides were also present. Watching James and Sophia coming with little Aria, everyone got on side, making way for them. The Mayor also came out as a table and chairs were arranged infront of the house for everyone to be a witness.
Settling themselves down, the Mayor gazed at the couple infront of him and sighed. Who would have thought that the most envious couple in the town will get divorced and that to infront of everyone. It was actually James idea to bring evryone as a witness and Sophia didn't bother to fight with him.
"Are you both sure you want to divorce?" The Mayor asked the final time.
"Of course they have to divorce. It had been six years to their wedding but they still don't have a son. How can our Thomas family's lineage be continued like this. They must get a divorce." the old lady Thomas said from the side.
James also nodded in agreement with his mother.
Sophia and her parents didn't even bother to reply as they have already tried to talk it out with the Thomas family but they wouldn't bugde from there decision. Arguing now is just a waste of time.
"Ok. The divorce is final. Who between the both of you will take the child's custody." the Mayor asked the parents.
Sophia's hold tightened around Aria as soon as the question was asked.
"Of couse Aria will live with me. Afterall, she is my daughter. Moreover, she had also agreed to it. Right, Aria?" James replied as he turned towards Aria.
Looking at the expedient faces of the Thomas family, Aria snorted at them and replied,
"No! I won't go with this bad daddy. I want to stay with my mom." shocking the entire family.
The Wilson family was pleasantly suprised upon hearing that; especially Sophia couldn't control the tears of happiness when her daughter choose her.
"What are saying sunshine? Didn't you want to stay with daddy?" James asked, totally confused by the sudden turn of events.
"No I don't want to go with daddy. You go back to that bad aunty. I don't like daddy anymore. I don't want her to be my mommy. Only mom will be my mommy." Aria exclaimed, shocking everyone with her words.
"Which bad aunty are you talking about? Aria, tell me" The Mayor asked, astonished by the words the five tears old has spoken infront of him.
"Mayor uncle, Yesterday I missed daddy so I went to the factory to meet him. But when I reached there, I saw daddy hugging and kissing a bad aunty and telling her that he will separate with mom and bring her home along with her dayghter and son in her tummy." Aria replied as tears started to fell down cheeks, gaining everyone's sympathy.
"What!"
"James has a mistress outside?"
"OH my god!"
"He even got someone pregnant while being married to Sophia."
"Poor Sophia. Not only she ad to deal with such unreasonable in-laws but even her own husband cheated on her."
In reality, Aria was lying when she said she went to the factory but she wanted justice for her mother. In the previous life, what not her mother had heard because of the divorce. This time she will protect her mother.
Sophia on the other hand, upon hearing her daughter's word is completely dumbfounded. She can't believe her husband cheated on her.
James was also shocked by the words Aria has spoken. The divorce was completely into his favor till now but after Aria revealed the truth, the sides have completely turned against him which he can't happened. Afterall, it is very critical time in his career. He had 99% chance of becoming the deputy director of the factory. He can't afford any stain on his reputation at the moment. He even wondered when Aria really saw him with Charlotte.
"You had misunderstood something sunshine. I didn't meet any aunty yesterday." James said, trying to settle down the situation for himself.
"Yes you did. Look, the aunty is even present here." Aria said, not leaving any way out for James, pointing at Charlotte.
Being pointed out like this infront of everyone, Charlotte panicked.
"Wow! isn't she a worker in the factory as well."
"Yes she is."
"I heard she even got pregnant before marraige and later gave birth to a daughter."
"What can you expect from a S***. Didn't she seduce James as well, causing him to divorce his current wife."
"What does James does even see in her that he even got willing to accept her bastard daughter."
"Didn't you hear what Aria said. She seem to be pregnamt with James child and it is even a son."
Hearing the such comments about herself, Charlotte anxiously try to explain herself.
"No. She is lying. I didn't do any such thing."
Snapping out of shock, Sophia bend on her knees infront of Aria.
"Aria. Tell mommy the truth. Did you really saw daddy with this aunty?"
"Yes mommy. I promise I did." Aria said, pouting adorably.
"You beast. How dare you blame my daughter when you are cheating on her yourself. I must have been blind to marry off my daughter to a cheater like you" The old lady Wilson bawled out as she flopped down in the middle of the road, beating her forehead.
"So what! It is true that your daughter didn't give birth to son for James. Now that he finally has a male heir to continue his bloodline, he should definitely divorce your daughter." Old lady Thomas shrieked out without thinking.
"Mom!" James roared in panick. His mother's word just proved that he really cheated on Sophia.
"OMG! So it's true."
"Shamelessness really runs in their blood."
"No...No, it is not like this." James tried to explain himself but Sophia forcefully opposed him.
"That is enough! What else is left to say? Since you want to divorce me and marry that loose woman, you can, but I will never let you take my Aria."
"Exactly. I will stay with mom." Aria exclaimed, hugging her mother tightly.
Looking the scene getting out of hands, The Mayor interjected,
"You have really disappointed me James. I will finalize your divorce this instant and Aria's sole custody will go to her mother, Sophia. Furthermore, you will provide 20,000$ compensation in the form of child support to Sophia as well."
The Mayor declared his decision.
"No! The divorce must go through but why should my son provide compensation." The old lady Thomas cried out in alarm. Afterall, this money is equal to two months salary of his son and moreover her grandson will be born soon and they will need money for him as well. Charlotte also nodded in agreement.
A displeased look appeared on the Mayor's face for being questioned like this infront of everyone.
"The compensation must be given. First of all, the one in the wrong is your son. He cheated on his wife. And moreover, Aria is his daughter. He should provide child support. This is my final decision. Both the parties, kindly come forward and sign the divorce paper."
"Fine. I will give the compensation, but this will be the time I am willy to give money. After this, Sophia can't ask any form of child support from me." James compromised in the end.
"Fine by me but you also will not come to see Aria ever again. From today onwards, you have no relationship with me and my daughter." said Sophia, drawing a clear line between them.
In the end, both, James and Sophia, agrred to each others condition and signed the divorce paper infront of them.