Chapter 50
Alaia
I felt a surge of anger in my chest. How could he do that? Wasn’t what he did two years ago enough?
“I’m not in the mood for games, Nick. This must be a joke, and one in very poor taste.” I dropped the papers on his desk.
“It’s best if I wait for you outside,” Ash said and left the office, leaving me alone with Nick.
“It’s not a joke, Alaia. I never finalized the divorce.” He looked at me seriously. I shook my head. It was ridiculous.
“Are you screwing with me?” I asked, and Nick gave me a meaningful look.
“You married Barbara a week after I signed the divorce papers and agreed to it.” Nick vehemently denied it.
“I never married Barbara. It was all a sham. I had to do it p>
I felt confused and upset. I didn’t know what kind of web he had woven to get his hands on his family’s money. It didn’t seem to matter to him that much, but that was too much. It seemed I was just a pawn in his games. It also made no sense that Nick was still living with the woman. he supposedly married if she was not his wife.
“I don’t know what kind of unscrupulous plan you’ve concocted to deceive your family and get what you want, but you asked me for a divorce, and I don’t know what you’re trying to achieve by telling me this, but two years ago you made a decision for both of us without consulting me p>
“Alaia p>
“No, Nick, I’ve had enough. Now I’m making the decision. If what you’re saying is true, I’ll be the one filing for divorce p>
“You’re not going to marry Cedric,” he said forcefully. Selfish bastard. I’m not going to play his games.
“I’m going to marry Cedric, and you can’t stop me, just like I didn’t stop you when I saw you marry Barbara.” Nick’s expression changed, and he looked confused. “That’s right, I was there. I went to your house on your wedding day, and I saw you smile at your blushing bride.” For some reason, I felt that same unpleasant feeling I felt that day again.
“What you saw wasn’t real. I don’t love Barbara, and I never did. I won’t let you go, Alaia, not again.” He looked at me with that look in his eyes from before, when he swore he loved me. I shook my head and laughed humorlessly.
Paint
“Everything about you is a lie. Expect to hear from my lawyer,” I said, turning to open the door. I heard him say my name, but I ignored him. I walked out of Nick’s office, the annoyance and anger still lingering. It’s unbelievable that he thinks he can interfere in my life after the way he walked out of it.
“What happened?” Ash asked, walking with me to the elevator.
“He’s saying we’re not divorced and that the wedding with Barbara wasn’t real,” I said as the elevator doors closed.
“Is your ex off his rocker?” she asked.
“I’m starting to think so.” I grabbed my phone to call my lawyer. I told her I’d be expecting her at the house this afternoon after filling in on the situation. I needed confirmation.
“I don’t understand any of this. It makes no sense, babe p>
“I know, Ash. I know.” I went straight home. I needed to know what we’re going to do. The wedding is just a few months away.
“Mommy!” My little ones ran towards me as soon as I walked in the door. I rushed to hug them. Luckily, it’s not Nick’s day to visit. I’m in no mood to see him.
“Auntie!” they said to Ash and hugged her.
“Oh, come on! It’s bad enough I’m a gay uncle, and now they’re going to think you guys call me ‘Auntie‘ because of that p>
“Were you good for Uncle Tino today?” I asked them. Tino stayed with them this morning.
“Yesh, Mommy!” Noah jumped up and down, and Alana swung her little feet.
“Oh, my warrior princess, I’d like to confirm the little ones‘ words, but I can’t,” a voice said behind us.
“What?” I wrinkled my nose and turned to look at him. I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing while Ash burst out laughing. Tino was covered in pink glitter.
“What happened?” Ash asked between laughs.
“Well, I fell asleep, but it was only for a second. I guess the jet lag is catching up with me. And it seems that these precious little ones here got hold of the glitter I bought to test out the outfits for your bachelorette party, and well, they poured it all over me.” He placed his hand on his chest. I bowed down to my children.
“No, no, no, no, no,” Alana said, using her favorite word.
“Oh, my goodness. You should always ask before taking something that doesn’t belong to you.
“I took them by the hand.
“Uncle was sleeping,” Noah explained, making the sign for sleeping. My friend doesn’t look angry. On the contrary, he seems amused by my children’s antics.
“If he’s sleeping, you have to wait until he wakes up, okay?” I told them, and they nodded. “Go take a bath. I’m going to wash my little ones‘ hands,” I said, and Tino went up to the guest room. After Tino was ready, I saw Cedric arrive with his mother and Grandma Thea. He greeted everyone, and my children received him affectionately.
“Well, well, well. Look at you, blondeie. More handsome every day.” She approached Cedric, and he hugged her.
“You’re not looking too bad yourself,” Cedric jokes.
“How dare you?” Tino said indignantly.
“I’m the fairest flower in the garden.” We laughed, and the Nordic boy looked at me.
“Princess.” He came over to where I was, hugged me, and kissed me quickly, winking. I greeted his companions and led him to the Jiving room. “What’s wrong, honey? You’ve seemed serious ever since we got here,” Cedric said, sitting down opposite me.
“I may be still married to Nick” I explained after exhaling.
Cedric shook his head. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand p>
“Excuse me, dear. I couldn’t help but overhear. What do you mean you’re still married to that man?” Freya staggered. Tino arrived just in time to keep her from falling and helped her sit down on the sofa.
“Good heavens, woman! How much do you weigh?” Tino said, and Freya glared at him. Someone hands her a glass of water.
“Don’t worry, dear. I’m fine. Go on,” she said.
“Nick never finalized the divorce proceedings two years ago,” I explained, and Tino gasped but didn’t add anything.
“Are you sure?” Cedric settled back into the sofa.
“I don’t know. I called my lawyer to find out and confirm if it was true. With Nick, it’s hard to believe,” I said, and he nodded.
“Our wedding is getting closer and closer, Aly,” he said in frustration.
“I know, we’ll figure it out.” I took his hands. We tried to calm Freya down, who was rather affected by the news, until Viola arrived. I let her into the living room where we all were, except for my children. They’re with Loli. Although the wedding is between Cedric and me, postponing it, if Nick’s words were true, involves both families.
“Good afternoon,” the lawyer greeted us all, and we replied.
“Come in, please.” I pointed to the sofa opposite us.
“I didn’t have much time to get everything, but I was able to find out the most relevant details,” she said, and I nodded. “Indeed, Alaia, you are still married to Nick Garnett.” The lawyer handed me the document and a tense silence fell over the room. “There was never a divorce petition filed. There’s no record of its existence p>
“That bastard!” Cedric jumped to his feet furiously.
“You told me about a wedding between Nick Garnett and Barbara Wright. There’s no record of it. These two people were never married by any of the established means for a union to be legal.” Ash frowned and looked at me.
“I want a divorce.” I looked at Viola.
“I have a wedding in a couple of months. I’m the bride,” I explained.
“Well, if Mr. Garnett agrees to the divorce, it can be done without any problem in a short period,” she said.
“He won’t agree.” I shook my head.
“Then it could take months,” the lawyer explained, and Cedric ran his hand through his hair.
“We’ll have to call off the wedding,” Freya said in terror, and Tino fanned her impatiently. I think we have a new drama queen.
“No, Freya, we’re not canceling the preparations,” I said firmly. “Do everything in your power. They lived together until recently. They must have some kind of agreement. Use all the legal resources and loopholes available. I need to be divorced before the wedding,” I ordered.
“I’ll do everything I can, Alaia p>