RISE OF OLIVER WILSON

Chapter 05

Oliver arrived late the next day to the court for their divorce proceedings.

Emma was already seated in the front with her mother, Victoria Taylor, Aunt Margot and their family lawyer, Mr. Carter flanking her like bodyguards. Both women made no effort to hide their disdain for Oliver.

The courtroom was already packed with a lot of people with one case or another.

The judge presided from the bench with her gavel at the ready.

Oliver was asked to take a stand-alone at the defendant’s table since he had no lawyer or witnesses, while Emma was asked to sit beside her lawyer and witnesses, her mother, and her aunt, Margot.

The proceedings began with the judge asking the couple to state their reasons for divorce.

Emma’s lawyer stood first and began to speak. “Your Honor, my client by the name Emma Taylor has endured emotional neglect and financial manipulation throughout her union with Mr. Oliver Wilson. We are here to seek a divorce.”

Oliver swiftly replied. “Your Honor, I have no intention of contesting the divorce but wish for the truth to be acknowledged.”

Victoria was the first witness called to the stand. She clutched a handkerchief dramatically as she testified. “Your Honor, Oliver was never a good husband for my daughter. He married her only for her money. My poor Emma sacrificed so much for him, only to be met with ungratefulness and cruelty.”

Oliver clenched his jaw but remained silent.

Next, Margot took the stand. “Oliver treated Emma terribly. He spent her money recklessly and never contributed a dime to their household. He’s nothing but a gold-digger and a woman beater,” she lied with a smirk.

The judge raised an eyebrow, turning to Oliver. “Mr. Wilson, do you have anything to say in response to these allegations?”

Oliver replied calmly. “Your Honor, I won’t argue with lies. I just want to move on with my life. They can say whatever they like—it doesn’t change the fact that I came into this marriage with nothing and intend to leave with nothing.”

The judge nodded and continued with the case. Oliver didn’t defend himself. He could see the trial was more about saving Emma’s reputation than finding the truth.

When the verdict was finally announced, the judge ruled in favor of the divorce, with no division of assets since Oliver hadn’t sought any claims.

Immediately the judge finalized the divorce, Victoria stood up abruptly, and walked towards Oliver. Before anyone could react, she raised her hands and slapped him hard across the face.

“You were never good enough for my daughter,” she spat, in rage. “Stay out of her life for good.”

Aunt Margot wasn’t one to hold back either. Crossing her arms, she glared at Oliver and added, “You’re a disgrace. You used this family for your benefit and brought nothing but shame. Don’t even think about showing your face around us again.”

Oliver remained calm, refusing to engage with their insults. He glanced at Emma once, but she avoided his eyes, guilt evident on her face.

Without saying a word, Oliver turned and walked out of the courtroom, ignoring the murmurs and the satisfied smirks from the Taylor family.

Once outside, Oliver checked his watch again, feeling restless as he stepped out of the courthouse. The divorce proceedings had dragged on far longer than he’d expected, even with no assets to split.

He wanted nothing to do with the Taylors—not their wealth, not their influence. Still, they had spun the story in their favor, branding him as a gold-digger trying to leech off Emma’s “hard-earned fortune.” Oliver hadn’t bothered to deny it. Let them say what they wanted, so long as it meant he was free from the marriage.

Emma, on the other hand, felt crushed by guilt. Part of her wondered why he hadn’t defended himself; another, more selfish part, was relieved he hadn’t exposed her affair with Paulo. When the divorce was finalized, she couldn’t shake the hollow ache in her chest.

As Oliver walked away, he didn’t spare her a second glance.

“Oliver?” Emma’s voice stopped him. He turned to face her, his expression blank.

“Since, uh… we’re divorced now, I thought maybe…” Her words trailed off uncertainly.

“Go marry Paulo. Isn’t that what you wanted? What’s holding you back now—your wedding dress still at the dry cleaners?” he asked coldly.

Her face flushed in embarrassment. “There’s no need to be rude. I just wanted to offer you a ride,” she muttered.

Oliver hesitated, looking her over with a weary expression. Sharing a car with her was the last thing he wanted, but hailing a cab would waste his precious time.

“Fine,” he said flatly.

The drive was suffocatingly quiet. Emma stole glances at him every few seconds, trying to form the right words in her head. Oliver noticed but didn’t care; he kept his gaze on the window, ignoring her completely.

Out of nowhere, the car jerked to a halt, throwing them both forward slightly.

“What the—did you hit someone? Are you alright?” Oliver asked, quickly unbuckling his seatbelt to check.

“No, no, I didn’t hit anyone.” Emma’s trembling hand touched his arm, making him freeze. “I just… I needed to apologize.”

His face remained forbearing, though his patience was wearing thin. “You couldn’t do that without slamming on the brakes?” he muttered.

Emma swallowed hard and rushed out her words. “I know I hurt you, and I am so, so sorry. You were an amazing husband, Oliver…”

“But Paulo was better,” he snapped, brushing her hand away.

Emma winced but pushed forward. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, but I want to help you. Here.” She handed him a sleek credit card. “This should be enough for a fresh start—an apartment, groceries, everything you need. Please, just leave this city.”

Oliver didn’t even glance at the card.

“I don’t want your money, and I’m not running away just because you or Paulo think I should. We’re done. Focus on keeping him happy and maybe try being faithful this time.”

Emma flinched at the jab. She wasn’t heartless—just ambitious, willing to do whatever it took to get the life she wanted. And Oliver? He was a roadblock she had to clear. But hurting him in the process… that still weighed on her.

“Oliver, I’m begging you. Take this money and leave. Paulo won’t forgive what happened between you two, and he will retaliate. I don’t want you to get caught in the crossfire.”

“Not my problem anymore,” Oliver said coolly. “Worry about your new fiancé, not me.”

Desperate, Emma reached for his arm. “Wait, just hear me out! I want to make things right. Let me…” She hesitated before lowering her voice. “Let me give you something I couldn’t before. Let’s have sex one last time.”

Oliver recoiled as if her words burned him. “Are you serious?” he barked, his voice dripping with disgust. “Cheating on me with him wasn’t enough—now you want to cheat on him with me? You’re unbelievable.”

Tears welled in Emma’s eyes, but Oliver didn’t care.

“Don’t touch me,” he hissed, shaking off her hand. “You make me sick.”

“It’s not what you think!” she cried. “I never slept with anyone else while we were married. I swear, I didn’t!”

Oliver’s expression didn’t soften. “Save your excuses, Emma . We’re done here.”

As she leaned in, trying to kiss him, he turned away sharply, rejecting her. The sting of his rejection made her throat tighten. How had things crumbled so quickly? Only days ago, she’d thought he couldn’t live without her.

Now, she wasn’t so sure.

Without another word, Oliver opened the door and stepped out, slamming it shut behind him. He didn’t look back.

Emma sat frozen in the driver’s seat, tears sliding down her face as she watched him walk away—away from her, away from the love they once shared.