Chapter 2: The disturbing Reveal

The drive was quiet for the first few minutes. All I could think of was how Aunt Claudia knew about this and where she even appeared from.

Aunt Claudia was my dad’s younger sister. We weren't that close and we barely spoke. All I remember was that she lived with us for a while when I was much younger but that was it.

She left years later when she finally got a lead as an actress after years of Improv and small movie gigs which eventually paved the way for her and the wealth she has right now.

But the fact that she tried to take me out of the house before my father came meant something.

“I am so sorry about your incident Emily” Finally she broke the silence. Her shades were still on and her eyes were fixed on the road.

I looked down at the envelope I held containing the divorce papers. I couldn't find the words to utter in response and she could observe my struggle from the corner of her eyes as she drove.

“Are you gonna sign the papers?” she asked in such gentle voice like she was trying to avoid triggering my memories.

“Oh well, Aunty. I think I will.”

“At first, when he handed it over to me, I thought I would stand firm and choose not to sign it but I have to. He is completely done with me,” I responded in a low-pitched voice.

“Ever since you were a child, Emily, for the most part, you were such a lover girl. I'm sorry your parents did not portray the genuine love you needed to imitate”

“Well, I guess this was my fate and I have accepted it.” I looked out of the window as I responded.

The ride went silent again for another 10 minutes.

“What really happened my dear? Between you and Eric?”

It felt as though Aunt Claudia took that 10-minute break in communication to summon the courage to ask me this question.

Am I about to tell her the whole thing just like that? When I barely know how she even got here. Or is this part of my father's plan in some way? 

And just at that moment, my phone rang. This time it startled me and snapped me out of my thoughts.

I took a glance at the caller ID... “Dad.” Is this a sign or the answer to the thoughts I just had? I kept asking these questions in my head as I proceeded to pick up.

“Where the heck are you?” he yelled at the top of his voice. I bet Aunt Claudia heard that from her seat.

I turned to give her a quick look and she gave me an intense shush sign not to mention I was with her.

“I will come home when I am ready Dad. Please give me a break” I spoke calmly to him and hung up on him this time. He called again and I declined it.

He might wonder for a minute where I got the balls from, but I was tired and could barely accommodate anyone screaming at me because of my failures. I already felt bad for myself enough.

“So Emily…”

“Yes yes, Aunt Claudia, I remember what you asked just before the call came in.”

“But before I go ahead, I need to ask you some questions because, in all honesty, I don't trust you one bit”

“Fine. What do you want to know?”

“How on earth did you know that I was in the middle of a divorce? And how did you even know the exact time in my life when I was stuck trying to figure out where to spend a night?”

“Well, you deserve the explanation.” she took her shades off as she spoke gently to me.

“The short story is that your dad told me when I casually called to check in as usual.”

“But the long story is that I, for some reason have always wanted to keep an eye on you from a distance”

“While I lived with your family years back, your dad always wanted me to get married fast.”

“He didn't care if I had any dreams or ambitions or if I needed to find a man who cared about me enough to support me through life.”

“I was lucky enough to have gotten the opportunity I got which took me out of the house at that time.”

“Getting to experience that, I figured that he may likely do the same to you.” she turned and gave me this look filled with pity.

“So why didn't you stop me from getting married?” I blurted out in anger at this point.

“I couldn't Emily and I am sorry. I couldn't save or help you then, but I want to help you now and that is why I am here”

At this point, I took a moment to soak in all her words. I was yet to understand what sort of help she meant but I was tired of asking any more questions and I was relieved I didn't have to go home today.

The clouds began to get dark as we gradually approached Aunt Claudia’s house.

She lived within the town but the vicinity she chose seemed as though she strategically didn't want to be easily accessible which made her stay away from the major residential areas.

I stepped out of the car slowly and walked right behind her as we made our way into the building. 

We were greeted by her butler, Richard and she pointed to the car as a signal to him to get my bags out.

Her sitting room was wide enough to accommodate a party of 30 people. A fragile house made with a lot of glass.

I was so in awe of the architecture that I almost for a bit forgot about the mess I was in.

“Can I offer you some tea or coffee? Which would you prefer?” She walked over to the dining as she poured herself a glass of lavender tea.

“Tea please, thank you,” I responded while I took slow paces observing the art in her living room.

“There is something you must know my dear Emily” She handed the cup of tea over to me. My heart skipped a bit at the way she said those words.

All I needed at this time was just a good rest along with some peace and quiet but it seemed like I might be in for a long night.

“Okay, what could that be?” I took a quick sip of my tea.

I noticed Aunt Claudia had gone cold in the way she spoke to me. She sat down with her cup of tea and gave me the gesture to take my seat. 

She barely used words with her butler. I observed as she gave him another signal again and this time he simply ran upstairs and came down with a brown envelope and handed it over to her.

“Now whatever you hear at this point, I want you to remain calm” she said as I watched her carefully open up the envelope.

“Emily…” she took an unexpected pause and took in a few breaths. 

I grew anxious while I waited for her to spill this news to me. Why did she have to keep me filled with suspense? 

I couldn't say anything nor did I want to interrupt her chain of thoughts with my anxiety. I tapped my feet as I waited for her to continue.

“You were betrothed to Eric at age 5 and it was signed by your father that you will wed him once you clock age 27!” 

I let out a sharp breath almost immediately. My heart raced faster than the norm. 

I was struggling to believe what I just heard. My tears came rushing back all over again. I thought I was done with crying at least for the day.

It felt as though different parts of my day came with its bad news. What did I do to deserve this? 

Tears rolled down my cheeks. My lungs felt short of air, I was struggling to breathe.

“What? Why aunty? Could you please tell me why” I spoke with my voice almost in a whisper. I had not a single strength left in me to get angry. 

I just needed to know why my dad could have married me off and kept it a secret all these years.

I broke down in tears. It felt as though my heart had just been broken again but all I really needed to know was why.