Chapter 5: To Marry Young
As Olivia stepped out of Richard's office, leaving Emma and him alone to discuss the intricate details of her impending divorce, the air hung heavy with unsaid words. Emma fidgeted in her seat; her discomfort was evident as she glanced around the office. The polished mahogany furniture and the muted color scheme amplify the situation's awkwardness. It was like being in the principal's office.
Maintaining a professional demeanor, Richard leaned forward, his hands clasped together. "Emma, let's start by gathering all the necessary documents. Every financial record, every medical file related to injuries, pictures; anything that can support your case."
"Okay, I'll do that. I'll send you everything I can find." Emma nodded, her gaze fixed on a framed law degree on Richard's wall.
"Good," Richard continued. "Do you have a copy of the prenuptial agreement?"
"Yes," Emma replied, her voice barely audible. "I still have it."
He glanced up at her coldly. For some reason, he did not believe her.
"Excellent. We need to build a solid case to ensure your well-being and your son's. Compile everything- financial records, medical documents, the prenup- and send it to me. Here's my work email." Richard wrote it down on a piece of paper and handed it to her. His voice sounded like a well-designed machine.
Taking the paper with a hint of embarrassment, Emma muttered a quiet "Thank you."
The colleague, Mr. Kent, could not help but look between them. One acted like a robot, cold and unfeeling; even his words would have been typed out by AI, while the other looked shy, as though the robot was about to kill or laugh at her. He would not believe it if anyone said these two had no history.
"Now, about legal fees," Richard began, and they entered the core of the financial aspects of the divorce proceedings. Emma still did not dare to look Richard in the eye.
Meanwhile, Olivia paced outside the office, her mind racing with her own concerns. Taking a deep breath, she tried to compose herself before reentering the office.
As she walked back in, she caught the tail end of their financial discussion. Richard and Emma seemed to have reached an agreement, and Olivia could sense the lingering discomfort in the air. It was so suffocating that someone could choke on the history. She and Mr. Kent locked eyes, and they both seemed to be thinking the same thing.
"Thank you, Richard," Emma said, her voice tight. "I'll gather everything and send it to you."
Richard nodded. "I'll contact you once I review the documents. We'll take it from there."
Emma stood up, and as she turned to leave the office, Olivia could see the embarrassment etched on her face.
The situation seemed to have taken a toll on Emma; she looked tired, so Olivia placed a supportive hand on her sister's shoulder.
"Let's go, Emma. We'll figure this out together," Olivia said, reassuringly smiling.
As they left Richard's office, Emma's shoulders slumped, whether from tension or depression, one could not tell. They walked down the hallway silently until they were outside the building.
"Emma," Olivia began to say cautiously, "I know this is a lot to take in, but we'll get through it. Richard is a good lawyer, and he's on our side. You are strong, right?"
Emma, her eyes cast downward, nodded silently. They needed not say these words to each other, and Olivia could sense her sister's internal struggle.
"Emma, there's something else I need to tell you," Olivia said, choosing her words carefully. She knew this was not the time, but she had no choice.
"What is it?" Emma looked up, her gaze meeting Olivia's. The moment she saw the look on her face, she braced herself.
After taking a deep breath, Olivia dropped the bombshell. "I'm getting married."
Emma's eyes widened into globes. This news was catching her completely off guard. News, how was this news? This was a groundbreaking discovery. "Married? To whom? When did this happen?"
Olivia hesitated before explaining, "It's happening quickly. I met someone, and we've decided to get married. We're going to the courthouse tomorrow."
"Tomorrow!" Emma exclaimed before holding her head in pain. She felt a headache coming.
Emma's emotions seemed to fluctuate between surprise and concern. "Olivia, are you sure about this? It's so sudden. Do you even know him well?"
Olivia nodded, "I kind off…" she trailed off.
"How long?" Emma asked.
"A few hours...ish months," Olivia answered. Emma then returned to holding her head dramatically.
"Em, I have my reasons, Emma. It's a complicated situation, but I must do this for our family and myself. I hope you can understand," Emma looked into her eyes and saw that her determination was evident.
"I just want you to be happy, Liv. If you think this is best, then I support you."
"Of course,"
"Don't do something more stupid than I did."
"I won't. Thank you, Emma," Olivia replied, pulling Emma into a hug.
Still processing the unexpected turn of events, Emma offered a hesitant smile, just in time to be dragged away by Olivia.
"Come! Let's go shopping. My hubby gave me his card." Olivia pulled a card from her bag to fan her face, showing off.
"Fine, fine. You will buy me a costly dress." Emma insisted.
"Yes,"
"And a set of costly jewelry," she said.
"Yes,"
"Hurry up and make a list," Emma ordered in a huff.
"Yes, ma'am."
"And tell your fiancé I want to see him today!"
"Today?" Olivia asked.
"What did you say?"
"Yes, Ma'am!"
Olivia immediately started calling Eric while they were in the taxi. After three rings, he picked.
"Wifey," his voice echoed in the taxi, and she blushed and looked away from Emma.
"My sister wants to meet you. Are you free?" she asked.
"Where are you right now?" he asked.
"In a taxi going shopping for my wedding dress," she whispered into the phone.
"Why are you whispering? Is she there?" he asked. Emma gave Olivia a dirty look as though she had heard their conversation.
"Stop whispering. What are you whispering for? Is there something both of you are embarrassed about?" she asked, and Olivia cleared her throat.
"Are you free now?"
"Text me the wedding dress shop. I will come pick you up when you are done," he said, and they said goodbye.
Olivia and Emma sat in their taxi, the air thick with anticipation. The revelation of Olivia's imminent marriage hung between them, a delicate thread connecting their past and future. Emma, ever protective of her sister, couldn't hide her concern.
"Olivia, are you sure about this?" Emma asked, her brow furrowed. "You know I made the mistake of a marriage of convenience. I don't want you to go through the same thing."
Olivia, anticipating Emma's reservations, took a deep breath before responding, "Emma, he's not a stranger. He's a friend. And I'm doing this for a reason, not just for convenience."
Emma's eyes lingered with suspicion. "What reason could make you agree to get married so suddenly?"