Chapter Forty-Four: The Unexpected Shock

It was past seven in the evening, and the office was almost empty. Aboud was gathering his personal belongings, preparing to leave after a long day at work. But before he could head out, Aurora appeared at the entrance to his office, her face carrying a mix of worry and hesitation.

Aurora (in a low and serious tone): "Aboud, do you have a minute?"

Aboud stopped organizing his papers and looked at her in surprise. He hadn’t expected her to speak to him outside of work, especially with such seriousness.

Aboud (surprised): "Of course, what’s going on?"

Aurora seemed to be gathering her thoughts before speaking. She knew that what she was about to say would change many things, not just for Aboud, but for herself as well. She looked at him with eyes full of hesitation and fear.

Aurora (clearly hesitant): "I’ve been thinking… Do you know Gregor?"

Aboud was stunned by the question. Memories of Gregor, the man who had been a significant part of his life in prison, flooded back. Gregor had changed many aspects of his character, but there was always a sense of betrayal lingering in Aboud’s mind, a betrayal he could never quite forgive.

Aboud (shocked and tense): "Gregor? Where is he? That traitor… He lied to me and left me behind."

Aurora’s face reflected shock and disbelief, as if she couldn’t comprehend what she had just heard.

Aurora (in a trembling voice): "A traitor? Gregor, a traitor? That’s impossible."

Aboud looked at her with a mixture of confusion and anger.

Aboud (sharply): "Yes, a traitor. Do you know him?"

Aurora (speaking softly but filled with emotion): "Yes, I knew him… but he wasn’t a traitor. Gregor would never betray anyone."

Aboud’s anger towards Gregor was rising, but at the same time, he realized he knew very little about Gregor’s background. Before he could respond, Aurora dropped the bombshell that changed everything.

Aurora (struggling to stay composed): "Gregor… he’s dead. Shortly after arriving in Germany, he took his own life."

Aboud froze for a moment, unable to process what she had just said. The words felt like a thunderbolt crashing down on him. Gregor? Dead? Suicide? It couldn’t be true.

Aboud (voice trembling, trying to control his emotions): "Gregor… dead?"

Memories began flooding back to Aboud like a torrent. He remembered how Gregor stood by his side in prison, teaching him to be strong and fight for survival. Despite the betrayal he had felt when Gregor didn’t send someone to rescue him, a part of Aboud had always been grateful to this man who had played a significant role in shaping his character.

Aboud (feeling conflicted, tears welling in his eyes): "So that’s why he didn’t come to help me? He promised he would get me out… but he never came."

Aurora (her voice filled with sadness): "I’m sorry, Aboud. I didn’t know you knew him that way. But I want you to understand that my father, Gregor, wasn’t what you thought. He suffered greatly after arriving in Germany. The things that happened to him… they were more than he could handle."

Aboud sat down slowly, the shock hitting him hard. "Gregor... your father?" Tears started gathering in his eyes, but he kept his face stern, trying to remain strong as he had learned. Emotions were building up inside him—anger, sorrow, confusion. How could someone as strong as Gregor end up taking his own life?

Aboud (trying to keep his voice steady): "Suicide? That’s impossible… Gregor wasn’t the type to give up. He always told me that life is hard, but we must fight. How could someone like him do that?"

Aurora (with deep sorrow): "He was hiding a lot of pain. Even I didn’t know the extent of what he was going through until the very end. He was trapped between his troubles at work and the organization that was hunting him. In the end, he couldn’t find a way out."

Aboud began to feel guilt creeping into his heart. He had been angry at Gregor for so long, believing that he had betrayed him, but now he realized the truth was much bigger than he had imagined.

Aboud (in a soft voice): "I thought he betrayed me… but he was suffering. Why didn’t he tell me? Why didn’t he try to reach out?"

Aurora (with tears in her eyes): "He wanted to protect you. He knew things would get more complicated if more people got involved. That’s why he tried to keep everyone away from his problems."

The room fell into complete silence after that conversation, as if time had stopped. Aboud couldn’t speak anymore. He needed time to process everything that had been said. Aurora left him to face his emotions alone, knowing that they had started a new journey together—a journey to uncover the answers about her father’s past and what it meant for their future.

Aboud (thinking to himself): "Gregor… whatever you did, I won’t forget what you taught me. You left a deep mark on my life, and I’ll keep fighting, even if you’re not here."