The man approached Scarlett, a stack of documents in hand, and extended his hand in greeting. "Hello, Mrs. OHara, I presume. Im Edward Cullens attorney, Mr. Finch."
Scarlett turned her head, gazing at the familiar silhouette of Edward Cullen, feeling for the first time an overwhelming sense of estrangement. She numbly took a seat at the table, her eyes lifeless as she stared at Edward, who seemed farther away than ever.
On the other side, Mr. Finch droned on about the unsustainable nature of their marriage, the irreparable damage, and the various documents detailing the breakdown of their relationship. Every instance, no matter how trivial, was used as evidence against her, including a visit to her family over the New Year, which was twisted into an indication of a fractured union.
"So this is what youve been preparing for the entire week!" Scarlett muttered to herself, her hand not reaching for the documents laid out before her. She cradled her forehead, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. It seemed a man could be as diligent in ridding himself of a woman as he once was in pursuing her.
"Mrs. OHara, this is the divorce agreement. Please review it. If there are no issues, kindly sign it," Mr. Finch requested, placing the document in front of her.
Scarletts pale hand flipped through the agreement, her eyes catching on the phrase "custody of the child to the father." She shook her head vigorously and said with determination, "I will not sign it."
"Then you should immediately seek legal counsel. However, I must warn you, we already have evidence of you with another man. If this goes to court, you wont be entitled to as much property as stated in the agreement," Mr. Finch threatened.
Scarletts body trembled, and she turned to look at Edward, noticing a flicker of disturbance in his otherwise calm eyes. It was all for the divorce settlement!
Scarlett stood up, her gaze boring into Edward. "Then lets meet in court!" she declared, her voice echoing with a newfound strength.
She retreated to the large double bed, exhaustion overwhelming her. Sleep, she needed sleep to escape this nightmare, even if just for a while.
She didnt know how much time had passed before the sound of whispers outside her door stirred her from her slumber. Her eyes, red and swollen, were filled with a deep weariness.
Scarlett opened the bedroom door and walked into the hall, only to find Edwards parents visiting and engaged in a hushed conversation with him. Upon her appearance, they abruptly stopped talking.
"Mom, Dad," she greeted them, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Scarlett, dear, come sit with us," Edwards mother said, patting the seat beside her.
"Scarlett, such a significant decision like divorce, and you didnt think to inform us? If it werent for spending time with Charlie and hearing about your recent discord, we would still be in the dark," Edwards mother sighed, launching into a lecture.
Scarletts eyes welled up with tears, but she was too choked up to respond.
"You have our full support. Weve already given Edward a piece of our mind. As a father, how can he speak of divorce so casually?"
"Thank you, Mom," Scarlett managed to say through her tears.
Beside them, Edwards father was berating Edward, who stood before them like a scolded child, his head hung in silence. But Scarlett knew that whatever Edward had decided, no one could change his mind.
"Ive made up my mind. This marriage is over," he finally spoke, his voice resolute.
"How dare you speak like that? What about Charlie? What will happen to him if you divorce?" Edwards father thundered.
"Ill hire a nanny to take care of him," Edward replied nonchalantly.
"No way," Scarlett shot up from her seat, her voice firm. "Ive been the one raising our child. If were getting a divorce, I must have custody of him."
She knew Edward was lost to her, but she would not, could not, give up her child.
"What are you talking about, Scarlett? Charlie carries the Cullen blood. He cant possibly be left in your care," Edwards mother interjected, her tone suddenly cold and biting.
Scarlett looked at her, shocked. "But just now, you said you were on my side!"
"Of course we are, dear. Were considering your best interests. Raising Charlie would be quite a burden for you," Edwards mother softened her tone, trying to placate her.
"You have no job, Scarlett. Even if you were to raise Charlie, how would you provide for him? You cant expect him to forgo an education. Remember, youre just a housewife. This family has been able to sustain itself only because of Edwards efforts," Edwards father added, his words as cold as ice.
Their words cut Scarlett deeply, each one a fresh wound upon her already battered heart. She laughed bitterly. Housewife? It was they who had implored her to give up her high-paying job at a foreign company for the sake of their child, for the family, and now it was thrown back in her face as a reason to disdain her.
Scarlett watched as the Cullens switched from coaxing to pressuring, employing every tactic to make her relinquish her claim to their grandchild. Her heart grew cold.
Unable to bear their callous words any longer, she walked out, her spirit as lifeless as a hollow shell. Sometimes you have to accept that no matter how kind you are to strangers, when it counts, they will only look out for their own kin.
She had been there for Edwards parents through their illnesses, caring for them with more devotion than their own son. But in the end, what did it get her?
Taking the bus, she mechanically made her way back home.
Looking at the familiar house, her eyes moistened. She was about to knock when she heard voices from inside.
"Mom, I heard that sis and bro are having marital issues," her brothers voice, White Minghui, echoed through the door.
"Where did you hear that?" her mothers worried voice responded.
"Its not just hearsay. Bro has found himself a pretty woman. I saw them together the other day."
Scarletts eyes widened in shock. It seemed that bad news traveled fast, and she never expected that her own brother would witness such a thing and not tell her.
Then she heard her mothers tirade against Edward, but her heart was already numb, and she was about to enter.
"But it looks like a divorce is imminent. Minghui, you must quickly find a suitable match for your sister. Once shes divorced, shell be a second-time bride. If she doesnt act fast, how will she find a good man?"
"Mom, dont worry. Ive already started looking. Theres a Mr. Lee nearby, a manager at a company. Hes not worse off than Edward, although he is a bit older, just turned fifty this year."
"Fifty, thats a bit old, isnt it? Your sister may be divorcing, but shes only twenty-six!"
"Mom, you dont understand. My sister cant earn money, and shell be a second-time bride. To find a wealthy man who can ensure her well-being for the rest of her life is more than what she deserves. To be honest, I cant stand my sisters weak and incompetent nature. Fortunately, shes still young and can remarry."
...
The last thread of tension within Scarlett finally snapped. She pulled her hand back and walked away in a daze.
Her own brother was already looking for her next husband before her divorce was even finalized.
Stepping outside, she dry heaved, the bitterness overwhelming.
Its said that when one reaches the depths of despair, theyre unable to cry, and Scarlett was living that reality.
The willow by the river had just sprouted new buds, and a gentle breeze wafted through, carrying a faint scent of freshness.
Scarlett took off her shoes, stepped onto the lush green grass with her bare feet, and walked towards the distance.
What had she done wrong in her life that the heavens treated her so poorly?
The morning sun was rising in the distance, and Scarlett let out a bitter smile, tiptoeing, and leaning forward...
"Splash!"
The river burst into a large splash, ripples spreading out slowly.