Vengeance of the Ex-Wife

CHAPTER 7

Emma has been with Cristian, but despite that, Sofia continues to complain and speak poorly of her.

"Aaron, I can't believe you're hanging out with that woman," Sofia says, annoyed. "Don't you realize she’s a fortune hunter?"

"Mom, please stop talking about Emma," Matías says somewhat uncomfortably.

"Your mother hasn't said anything untrue. She's a careerist, and she's making a fortune. Don’t you see? She’s dating Cristian Taylor now, right after she divorced you. She’s already with someone else," Silvia says. Aaron, hearing this, is surprised and understands why Sofia treats Emma the way she does. Emma was Matías' former spouse and wasn’t liked by him.

"I don’t think they should judge her for seeking another man. After all, you got her pregnant even while you were married to her," Aaron says. Matías and Silvia remain silent. Even though Aaron is young, Matías has great respect for his uncle, who owns all the family’s businesses. The last thing Matías wants is to anger him.

"Aaron, don't compare Silvia to that woman. They’re not in the same class," Sofia says, trying to justify her son’s absence.

"I don’t want to talk to you any longer. I have things to do and I'm not about to waste time on trivial matters that are none of my business," he says, and leaves, leaving everyone behind.

***

Meanwhile, Emma is meeting with Cristian in the house's library.

"Emma, what's going on? Why didn’t you let me put her in her place and remind her that you're my sister, a Taylor?"

"I don’t think it’s worth arguing with them. Besides, I’m no longer interested in what they think or don’t think of me."

"Every day I thank heaven that you’re distancing yourself from that family."

"Cristian, I would like to ask you a question."

"What do you want to ask me?"

"Do you know Aaron White?"

"Yes, I know him. He’s one of the top young businessmen in the country."

"Do you know that he’s my ex-husband’s uncle?"

"Yes, but he doesn’t have much of a relationship with that family. Why do you ask?"

"Because I’m interested."

"What do you mean?"

"I know you don’t want me to have anything to do with that family again, but there’s something I like, and I’d like you to help me."

"This is serious. He’s your ex-husband’s uncle."

"I know, and that makes it all the more interesting."

"What are you planning?"

"Nothing. I just want you to give me the go-ahead, as my big brother."

"Emma..."

"Just help me this time. With what happened a moment ago, I must have given him a bad impression, and God knows what they’re telling him right now. But if you talk to him, introduce me as your sister, and make him see that you support any relationship we might have, it would really help."

"I don’t see why it would be helpful if I saw you with him looking so close."

"Just do as I ask and don’t question it."

"All right, I’ll help you, but you’re going to owe me one. Plus, I’m not sure how Dad will react when he finds out."

"I’ll handle Dad; you take care of what I’ve asked of you."

"Okay."

"And about presenting yourself to society as a Taylor, I think we should postpone that."

"That won’t be possible."

"And why not?"

"Because our parents won’t agree with that. Now let’s go back to the party; Dad might be looking for you."

"Okay."

The two return to the party and find their father talking to Aaron. They both keep their distance and decide not to interrupt the conversation between the two.

***

Aaron sees Emma next to Cristian and studies her, trying to gauge what kind of woman she is. Her sister-in-law has not spoken positively about her, and the fact that she was Matías' spouse diminishes her standing as a candidate.

"I’d like to introduce you to my youngest daughter," Mr. Hector Taylor says to Aaron.

"Your youngest daughter?" Aaron replies. "I didn’t know you had another daughter."

"I have a daughter who was somewhat rebellious, but she has matured and is with us again."

"I’m curious to meet her."

"Maybe you know her; she was Matías' spouse, although I never agreed with that marriage," Mr. Taylor says. Aaron realizes that the daughter Mr. Taylor is referring to is Emma. If so, she must have kept her family hidden, because knowing her sister-in-law Sofia, if she had known Emma was a Taylor, she would not treat her the way she does.

"I’m even more interested in meeting your daughter now," Aaron says, knowing well who Héctor Taylor is talking about.

Emma approaches where the two are talking while Cristian keeps his distance, chatting with some friends.

"Good evening," Emma says, giving a smile to her father and the handsome man who accompanies him.

"Honey, I’m glad you’re here. I want to introduce you to someone."

"Who is this person you want to introduce me to?"

"This young man by my side is Aaron White. I’ve known him for a while, and I would love for both of you to get along."

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Taylor," Aaron says, and Emma looks at him with a surprised expression as he pretends this is their first meeting.

"The pleasure is mine," Emma responds, playing along.

"I’ll leave you two alone so you can get to know each other," Emma’s father, Hector, tells them.

The two look at each other, and Emma feels somewhat embarrassed around Aaron. Although she intended to get closer to him with the aim of winning him over, her father’s forwardness has made his intention to pair them clear.

"I didn’t know you and my parents were friends."

"More than friends, we are business partners. What surprises me is learning that you were my nephew’s spouse," Aaron replies, indicating that being Matías' spouse is a disadvantage for him.

"We were only married on paper. We never slept in the same bed, and I never even touched him," Emma explains. She watches his reaction, understanding that it’s not pleasant for him to date someone who was once married to his nephew. However, if he can consider her this way, she’s still a virgin.

"So, your marriage was a lost cause from the start?"

"That’s right."

"If I had been the one married to you, I wouldn’t have wasted the opportunity to make you mine."

Emma looks at him, her eyes wide with surprise at his boldness. Despite her shock, she can only manage a smile. After all, marriage implies a commitment to give yourself to your partner. When she married Matías, she was ready to give herself to him, but he never wanted her.

"That’s what marriage entails," Aaron finishes, then takes a sip from his glass.

"Then get your birth certificate and tomorrow at ten o'clock in the morning, I’ll expect you at the office so I can make you my spouse."

"What did you say?" Emma asks, surprised.

"Do you want a big wedding?"

"Not really..."

"Then let’s not waste time and keep this as brief as possible. After all, no matter the timing, the outcome will be the same. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to leave," Aaron says, and walks away, leaving her completely stunned.

She has just divorced, and now she is about to remarry, and it will be tomorrow.