Hollow Matrimony, Unbinding Ties

6 Years Later

As Olivia signed her name on the divorce settlement, she thought back over the past 6 years that had been her marriage. She looked across the table at the man that was now her ex-husband. He had the same expression as when they got married. Mild disinterest.

Theirs had been a loveless marriage from the start. Aside from the proforma of their wedding night, it was basically a sexless marriage. Although she did wonder if Michael was getting something outside the family home.

Occasionally he'd come home after having a little bit to much to drink, and she would fulfill her 'wifely' duty. I didn't really matter to her, as her heart was dead. From the moment she said, "I do," she had resigned herself to this fate.

She had asked her friend Laura at the wedding reception if she had heard how Riley was doing. She wanted to know, but also didn't. Laura informed her that Riley had moved away about 1 month after the break-up.

Olivia hadn't heard anymore about Riley since then, and never asked. It broke her heart to think about it, and knowing there was nothing she could do about it, she buried those feelings deep down.

As part of the 'deal' for Olivia agreeing to go through with the marriage, they were to buy a house away from the city. Olivia needed to get away from everything. This city, her parents, the memories.

Over the years, she woud infrequently return to visit her mother. It took at least two years before she could even stand to be in the same room as her father. Whenever she would see her mother, the woman could never look her directly in the eye.

The fact that Olivia's heart was broken could be seen clearly on her face. She nevered smiled, not properly anyway. Margaret knew that although it wasn't her decision to force the marriage, she did nothing to stop it. She could see on her daughters face that there was no happiness left.

After five years of this otherwise pointless existence, Olivia decided it was time to end this farce and get a divorce. Apart from a few minor points related to money (no suprises there), the divorce went through amicably.

With the money that she had 'earned' from the split, she purchased a small apartment in downtown Naperville. A suburb of Chicago. Laura had mentioned that it's where Riley had moved to.

While she had no realistic expectations that Riley would be available, no doubt she had moved on with her life and found someone else, she held on to a little bit of hope. Riley's image still came back clearly all these years later.

On the morning when she was getting ready to leave Chicago for good, she bumped into Laura at the coffee shop. The last time they had seen each other was maybe a month after the wedding. She knew that Laura and Riley had maintained contact, as they were mutual friends.

"Olivia? I my god! Olivia! How have you been? What has it been, four? Five years?" Laura gave her a warm hug. "So? What have you been up to? How's married life?"

"I'm divorced," said Olivia, "so things are good now."

Laura raised an eyebrow at the remark.

"What have you been up to? You're looking well," Olivia avoiding the topic of her marriage.

"Me? I've been great. You know, the kids are a pain in the ass, the husband is useless. The usual," she grinned. "So where are you living now?"

"I'm about to move to Naperville. I recently bought an apartment there. You know, start fresh," said Olivia as she took a swig from her coffee.

"Oh...To where Riley moved, eh?" The tone of Laura's voice was a little downcast.

"Yeah... She did move there didn't she?" Olivia feigning ignorance. "I wonder how she's doing? She must be married by now, no doubt," said Olivia, forcing a smile.

"She never got married, Liv. She never dated anyone after you," Laura said sadly.

Olivia felt both elated, and heartbroken at the same time. She felt guilty for selfishly thinking that Riley had waited for her.

"She had a daughter though, but you know, since..." Laura watched Olivia, who just stared at her blankly, "you know? Since Riley, left?"

"Left? Where did she go?" Olivia now confused.

"Oh, god. Honey. I'm sorry. I thought you knew?" said Laura, now clearly perplexed.

"Knew what?" Olivia was dreading what was coming next.

"That... she passed. Last summer? From cancer?"

The world suddenly became muted. The coffee cup slipped from her hand and splashed all over the floor. She looked at Laura who was speaking without sound. Laura helped her sit in a nearby chair before her legs gave way.

"She...She's dead?" The tears quickly flowing before Olivia could stop them. Her chest ached. Her heart ached.

"Where is she now?" Olivia asked

"She's in the main cemetery in Naperville."

"And... and her daughter?"

"Last I heard, she was in foster care, but she was being put up for adoption."

*****

In memory of Riley Morgan, loving mother, daughter and friend, read the tombstone.

Olivia collapsed to her knees, and rested her head against the stone. She sobbed and then wailed. She cursed her father, her mother, her ex-husband.

But mostly she cursed herself. How she wished she had made a different decision, but there was no medicine for regrets. She would now have to live with the decisions she had made.

It was nightfall before she eventually left the graveside. She had cried until there was nothing left, the pain of loss pricked her heart like a thousand needles.

She went home to her new empty apartment. Getting as far as the front hallway, she slid down the wall and stared at the ceiling.

It was the sun coming in from the window that forced Olivia awake. She'd ended up lying on the floor. Cold, but not caring.

Olivia remembered the words that Laura had spoken, and the writing on Riley's epitaph. Loving mother. Harper Morgan.

She picked up the phone and found the information on child welfare and adoptions.

Speaking to the women on the other end of the line, "I'm enquiring about a Harper Morgan, daughter of Riley Morgan who recently passed. Mmm hmm... Yes. That's her. Do you know the status of her adoption? Yes? Mmm hmm.... Okay. I'll be there later this morning," Olivia had a resolute look on her face.

"I'm interested in adopting Harper."

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