Chapter 8

When the guests left and the party ended, Uncle Henry called for a family meeting inside the mansion and purposely allowed Sherry to participate. “There’s more to my condition that I have yet to clarify. But it’s getting late so I’ll get the most important point over with. We can continue the rest tomorrow.” Martha was shocked as there was more. Henry was an impossible man!

“Phillip, starting with you, you must get your life together and find a good wife. I understand if you want to marry outside of the Chinese seeing that we spent most of your childhood in France. Your mother and I have no problem with that. We just want you to finally mature and show us you care about others too. That’s the only way you can cater to people in the business.”

“James,…You are not allowed to divorce Hannah.”

Martha shot up from her seat, “Brother! Don’t you think you are going overboard?”

James sat indifferently and cold while everyone saw the disappointment and unease in Sherry’s face.

“I’m sorry you have to hear this, Sherry, but right now this is a family matter and Hannah is family first. So, James, you are absolutely not allowed to divorce Hannah.”

James clenched his fist and his knuckles turned white. He only looked at Henry and interrupted angrily, “What exactly are you trying to do?” Sherry’s grasp on his arm tightened while she frowned and looked very pitiful.

“Come back tomorrow, James and Martha. We’ll finish this talk concerning the details.”

Uncle, Aunty…What are you two trying to do? My heart is trembling so much. It’s really going to burst out of my chest. Don’t you understand? You’re going to make mom and James hate me even more than this.

After walking them to the car, Martha pinched Hannah’s arm tightly and reproached her, “You better not try to take advantage of the situation. Do your best to convince your Uncle to undo this. Say you don’t want James either no matter what.”

James closed the car door after Sherry and added, “Hannah, please do what’s right. That’s all I can asked for.”

She stood there lost and hurt. Ha. Do what’s right? Or are you just asking me to do what you want? What a waste liking and waiting for you all these years, James. I don’t want you anymore either.

***

Back at Martha’s, Sherry pouted her mouth while hugging James in his bedroom. “Babe, please, I don’t want to be alone tonight. It’s been such a bad couple of weeks. I really don’t see a silver lining for us.” She tried to sweet talk him into sleeping with her. James gently pulled her hands away and softly said, “Not now, please. My mother is literally in the other room.” Immediately, Sherry became furious and furrowed her brows. She screamed, “James! I’m tired! Tired of all this drama. Is what I’m asking for too much? We’ve been together for so long and you won’t even treat me well.”

James tried to hold his composure calmly and responded, “I just don’t think it’s time yet.”

“What do you mean ‘not time yet’? How much longer do you need?!”

“Sherry,..”

“What?! You still don’t trust me? James, it’s been almost a year.”

“It doesn’t take away that it’s affected me. It’s affected us. It’ll take time to rebuild the trust we had.”

“It’s. Been. Almost. A. Year!” Sherry shouted.

“Sherry,” James stepped away from here a little farther. “You cheated on me with my close friend. What do you expect from me? I can’t give you what you want right now and if you’re not happy about it, then…I don’t know what to say to you. I’m trying my best to get the divorce.”

Sherry looked remorseful and came back in for a tight hug. “I’m sorry, baby. I won’t pressure you again. I still want to marry you. You’re the best to me. I’m sorry!”

James stood still not looking at her. He couldn’t fully process the stability of his relationship with Sherry, but felt the need to remain since they’ve known each other for so long. It was a secret that James kept to himself: Sherry’s previous cheatings.

Early in the morning, the family had gathered to discuss on details excluding Sherry.

James suddenly felt annoyed when he saw Phillip accompanying Hannah joyfully down the stairs to the living room. The two almost didn’t notice James standing at the doorway leaning on the doorframe with his shoulder looking gloomy until Hannah saw him. “Good morning, James, “ she said with a soft smile and continued into the room with Phillip who ignored James. He only nodded surprised that Hannah would still greet him kindly after last night.

I guess she’s not angry after all. She seems different from many others. James thought.

“Hannah, there’s a new sushi restaurant near downtown. Let’s go there after this,” Phillip stated to Hannah who happily nodded back.

Henry was already seated with a serious frown. “We’ll see if you have time afterwards since you might have to start applying to find a wife soon, eh, Phillip?” Hannah dashed laughing eyes at Phillips.

Martha and James looked like they had not been getting enough rest since Uncle Henry returned. It was important for them to find a way to turn the tables for their own advantage but it looked dim at this point.

Esther handed a manila folder to Henry whom extracted some papers from it. He handed each copy to everyone. “We’ll wait until lawyer Kit gets here. He should be arriving any time now.”

The family lawyer, Kit, finally arrived and too a seat next to Henry.

“First off, as I mentioned last night. Phillip and James, the first to give me a grandchild will inherit the company as the next president. Phillip, that’s it for you. Sign your name at the bottom and leave your contract with Mr. Kit.” Phillip looked extremely confused but afraid to trigger his father’s temper so he quickly signed his short contract and retreated upstairs.

With just James, Martha, and Hannah left, Henry directed them to look at the terms of the longer contract specially drafted. “We’ll go over, revise, or add on anything reasonable.”

Martha interrupted while James and Hannah began to look overwhelmed. “Brother, don’t you think this is going too far? This is coercing two people who don’t love each other to…have a kid! Have you thought about what would happen if a child comes into the picture of an unloving couple?”

This made Henry indifferent since he’s seen how she was capable of treating Hannah like an animal. He simply responded, “Actually, you might find this pretty reasonable. Lawyer Kit, please began emphasizing the main points.”

The middle-aged man in black frame glasses and black suit took the contract from his leather suitcase and began reciting.

“James, you are required a new property or utilize your father’s old villa an move Hannah, JUST HANNAH, into the home. No other person(s) will be allowed to reside there for the time of the contracted timeframe other than servants. This must take place within the next two days.

Hannah will be allowed to work as usual.

James is required to return home every night.

James and Hannah are required to share the same bed.

A specialist, OBGYN, will be assigned to Hannah and James for the time being. Hannah will be required to take a pregnancy test at the end of every month.

This contract will only be valid for the next five months. After that, if you two have not conceived and desire to separate, Henry Chen would approve of it.”

Martha shrieked afterwards, “What?! How could you come up with something so…..so manipulative, brother in law?!” Her hands trembled with dissatisfaction.

On the sofa, James and Hannah sat across from each other still staring at the conditions unbelievably. James rubbed his eyes and Hannah running her temples. Esther tried to comfort the two, “It’s only for five short months. If you were really don’t have any reserved feelings for each other, you’d be creative after this to avoid each other easily, correct? Afterwards, you’ll be granted the divorce you want so badly and still have all the time in the world to start new.”

“Uncle, and if I don’t agree to this?”

“The you can sign to surrender the position to Phillip.”

“Can we have a moment to ourselves?” James abruptly grabbed Hannah’s wrist and led her outside of the lobby.

She stood helplessly while he began pacing back and forth with one arm on his waist.