The Inheritance Scandal

Chapter 4

“Hello Olivia”, Olivia knew that voice; she had heard it so many times. Olivia looked up, and she was right; he was standing a few feet from her with a half smile on his lips. He seemed different from what she remembered, age had sharpened him. The boyish softness of his jaw hardened into a blade, his brown hair shone golden under the sun and was ruthlessly styled to look “accidentally” perfect. He’d grown into his height, all broad shoulders and predatory grace in an all-black suit that suited his build perfectly, but it was his eyes she got lost in; dark hooded stormy greys that would swallow you up if you dropped your guard and those eyes were beginning to swallow her up at that moment, she looked away immediately, what did he want? “That’s Miss Hamilton to you, Mr Thorne.” A ghost of a smile graced his lips, and she frowned at that “Of course, Miss Hamilton” he moved a bit closer, and she got a whiff of bergamot along with something darker.

“It has been quite some time”, he paused and hesitated. “I probably don’t have the right to say this, but you’re still as beautiful as ever”. Olivia felt warmth in her stomach and was disgusted with herself. He continued, “I’m sorry about your grandfather”. She sighed, “What do you want?” Olivia asked coldly, his poker face slowly fitted into place. “I just thought it would be polite to…” she cut him off again. “Save it! If you'll excuse me, Mr Thorne, I have some other business to attend to” She walked away without even looking back; she just couldn't deal with that right now.

She spotted her mother amidst a few other people, time to steal her away. “Mom!” she waved and closed the space between them. “Mom, you should go in and get some rest now, your sons will handle the rest,” Olivia said with an encouraging smile, letting her know it was okay to retire early. “How about we head to the gardens instead?” Mom whispered. She didn’t particularly want to go to the gardens, but that would be perfect for her mom after being cooped up in her room all this time. Olivia nodded, “That sounds nice, let’s go” In her side vision, she spotted Thomas walking up to them. “We’re going to the gardens, you guys round up here, okay?” She kissed his cheek before taking her mother’s hand and heading out.

They were seated in one of the sheds in the garden after walking and observing the flowers for a bit. Her mom had been silent since leaving the funeral, but it wasn’t awkward, so she didn’t bother breaking it. The air around the garden was as soothing and therapeutic as ever; her mind went back to the times when she played with Rosalia in the garden. They knew every nook and corner of the garden, and every single part had been explored. She cherished those moments because most of her childhood, up until Rosalia was born and began to grow, was spent learning at her grandfather's side and, whenever she was fortunate enough to catch a break, she would spend it in the gardens with her siblings. The memories she had in the garden gave her a fraction of peace. She might begin to visit here every day until she left, just to relive the moments of peace.

“Olivia ?” mom called quietly. Olivia suddenly sensed she wouldn’t like what her mom was about to say. “Yes, I’m listening Mom,” she nervously observed her mother. “Your father is gone, your grandfather too is now also gone.” mom drew in a slow breath. Olivia listened with rapt attention, what was coming next. “This family has stood strong because there was always someone willing to hold it together. To sacrifice." Her mother looked at her now and took her hands. “Olivia, you’re the firstborn, I have a strong feeling your grandfather left the Hamilton estate and enterprise to you, the name, the bloodline, it’s all you” her mother squeezed her hands. “Where are you going with this mom?” she nervously asked, her mother sighed “You remind me so much of your grandfather, you of all my children, were the most like him, and he saw that, that’s why he pushed you so much.” her mom reached up to touch her hair and then back to holding her hands “I know you’ve been doing well on your own so far, you’ve been amazing, but now you’re about to take on the whole Hamilton estate. You can’t do it alone, you will need to get married Ollie” so this was it. Her hunch was right. She took her hands back from her mother's and stood up, get married? She was currently 34 and, of course, the thought had definitely crossed her mind, but she never had the time for socialising so meeting someone naturally was out of the question. Her mom knew that, so that meant her mom was suggesting an arranged marriage. Would she marry some stranger she didn’t know? She would rather remain unmarried than do that. She felt a hand on her shoulder. “A woman alone, no matter how sharp and capable, will drown in the politics coming. We need strength beside you. A male voice" she turned to face her mother. “I have three brothers mom, they are heirs too. What other male voice is necessary?” She was getting angry, and it showed in her tone “You are the firstborn, you are the one your grandfather left the estate to, not your brothers. "It’s your responsi..” She cut her off, “My responsibility? My responsibility to marry a stranger I know nothing about? "You’re asking me to give up my happiness to be stuck in a forced marriage all for the glory of the Hamilton estate?” Her tone had become sharper now “I’m asking you to lead, the way your grandfather did, the way your father tried to lead” her mom took her hands again, she pulled away and turned to leave “Sometimes, leading means bending, It means sacrifice” her mom said in a small voice “I don’t know if i can do that mom” she answered and walked away.