Growing up, she had always wished to be in the higher class. Her family was comfortable and wealthy but she wanted more than that. She had always wanted to become part of the most famous families in the country. She had finally achieved it and had stepped into luxury and fame. All thanks to that one night. She was just going to wait for him to propose, then she will broadcast the news to all her friends and enemies too. She couldn't wait to inform them that she was now way above them in social status. She took a tour around the house and kept smiling to herself. She had been so smart. She spent a greater part of the afternoon testing and checking out the clothes on the wardrobe. They were the latest brand from the best fashion designing company. Just the way she had always wanted it. Now that she had Noah by her side, she was going to hold him and guard him jealously. She knew she was in an enviable position where any woman would give up anything to be.
Noah opened his drawers and pulled out the divorce papers Emily had sent to him via mail. She had sent via mail and E-mail. She had probably wanted the divorce so desperately. He studied the divorce papers closely for the umpteenth time. He hadn't signed it even after two years. He still found it difficult to believe and accept the reality that a mere woman, whom he married and proposed a two year contract had the guts to terminate the marriage and the contract before the two years elapsed. He sighed and put it back inside the drawer. He was going to sign it very soon. He remembered how he met Emily and his hatred for her increased. She had almost ruined his reputation and it cost him his bachelor hood to salvage it. Then she divorced him. He had also left USA to avoid any form of contact with her.
"And she sent me divorce papers and vanished. Emily, pray I don't get you."
He always remembered the incident with a new level of anger. He sighed again and shut the drawer.
They were both seated and ignoring each other. It had been thirty minutes since he arrived home. After sometime, his father said to him,
"Noah, what about your marriage? It's been four years. When do you hope to produce an heir?"
"I am divorced, Father."
His mind went back to the unsigned papers in his drawers. Although they were not signed, he was divorced.
"Divorced? When?"
"I did so at my own time. I got divorced a few years ago."
"That's pretty good. Now, you are free from that gold digging pleb. You should always distinguish yourself from the lower class, you are a royalty! You should have told me earlier so that I can get you a lovely girl for a wife."
"Father…" Noah interrupted.
"Yes, you need a wife from the higher class."
"Father, I don't need your help to get a wife," he stated matter of factly.
"You need a wife and an heir, Noah."
"No, I don't. I will figure it out and decide when I need them at my own convenience."
"You need an heir to leave your legacy, son."
"Don't 'son' me," Noah stated coldly.
His father ignored his rude comment.
"Noah, you need a son to carry your name. Why can't you get a wife and bear a son?"
"If you are so much interested in having an heir, why did you put an end to mum and her unborn baby?" Naoh retorted.
"Must you always be silly? You idiot! I am doing this for you and you keep talking nonsense," his father thundered.
"Don't do anything for me. Let me be. I don't know what you want from me as a son. Listen father, it seems you want me to say it in plain words. You lost me and the bond we had the moment mother breathed her last."
"Can you not talk about your mum with the slightest opportunity?"
"If you ever want things to turn out well between us, tell me what you to did mum's baby."
"Are you crazy?" his father yelled.
"Your mother lost her baby."
"No, she didn't. You know something, father. You do…," Noah was saying when his father gave him a deafening slap that made him see stars. Noah opened his mouth and stared at his father in shock. He hadn't expected the slap. He only gave his father a cursory glance and leaned back on his chair. He didn't want to challenge his father this time or the house might be in flames. The slap was loud enough for the household servants to hear and gossip. He didn't want to further impress them and increase their topic of discussion.
"Now, you listen to me, you silly son of mine. I have been ignoring you all these years, not because I don't know what to do with you, but because I have been giving you time to amend your ways. I will only give you the grace of three months to get a suitable wife, after which, I will get you one if you fail to do so. Is that clear?"
"Mmm."
"I said, is that clear?"
"Yes, Father."
Noah was finally convinced that his father was not telling him something about his mother. His father always said the same thing like a rehearsed line each time he asked that question. It was always,
"Your mother lost her baby."
He had always had his doubts but he had no proof. He was going to revisit that issue.
They had dinner in silence and Noah was good to go.
"Spend the night, Noah," his father pleaded as he stood up go.
Mr. Joshua loved his son dearly and it ailed his heart to see him drift off farther and farther. He didn't want to loose his only child to acrimony.
Noah hadn't spent a night in that house since his mother died. He had been too angry with his father to do that. He didn't do so all those years, so, he was definitely not going to start it now.
"Noah?"
"No. I am leaving."
"It's been years since you last spent the night here." Mr. Joshua observed correctly.
"I don't want to. Good night, father," he answered and walked towards the door.
"Just tonight, Noah," his father pleaded further and Noah got instantly irritated.
"I have said no! There isn't anything you…." he trailed off. He opened the door and disappeared into the dark night.
Mr. Joshua had always tried his best to bring his son back to his side all these years but it seemed he had lost Noah. He lost him after his mother died.
Mr. Joshua was woken up in the morning by the ringing of his phone.
"Good morning sir. Sir, did you order a re-investigation and re opening of your late wife's case?"
"What? Not at all. What's the matter?"
"I was just notified by the hospital management. There is a discreet investigation going on."