RISE OF OLIVER WILSON

Chapter 02

Oliver stared at the paper in his jiggling hands, his chest tightening with every passing second. His mind spun in a disorganized confusion as he tried to make sense of the words before him. It felt unreal, like a bad dream he couldn’t wake up from.

Emma, his Emma, could never do something like this.

Sure, he wasn’t rich or powerful—everything her family loved to throw at him as an insult—but he had always been a good husband. He gave Emma his heart, his time, his best effort. He couldn’t afford the flashy gifts her friends showed off on social media, but he gave her himself in every way.

They’d been happy…or so he thought. She’d sworn her love, and vowed to stand by him no matter what. Now, staring at the divorce papers in his hands, he felt like a fool.

A part of him wanted to believe it wasn’t true, that there was some explanation. But he recognized her handwriting. This wasn’t a prank. She signed it herself.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking through his haze of disbelief. He hesitated before pulling it out. Earlier that morning, Emma had mentioned a party at Como Grand Hotel, where she worked. She’d said she might get home late, and he hadn’t thought much of it at the time. Now, a bitter feeling settled in his chest. He had to confront her, to hear the truth directly from her.

Without hesitation, Oliver grabbed his jacket, stormed out of the house, leaving his in-laws behind. He  jumped on his bicycle, and pedaled swiftly toward The Como Hotel, where the party was taking place.

The neon lights of the Como Grand Hotel glowed against the night sky as Oliver arrived on his old, rusty bicycle. He parked it outside, ignored the disapproving stares of the valet staff, and walked into the lobby. The chatter of guests, the clinking of glasses, and the soft hum of music hit him as soon as he stepped inside.

Oliver scanned the luxurious space, taking in the tall chandeliers, marble floors, and elegantly dressed people. He felt out of place but didn’t care. Somewhere in this sea of strangers was Emma, and he wasn’t leaving without answers.

Laughter and upbeat music spilled out into the hallway. Oliver continued to peek around, scanning the room for Emma. His heart sank when he didn’t spot her among the crowd.

A staff member approached him with a polite smile. “Sir, do you need assistance?”

“I’m looking for one Mrs. Emma,” Oliver said, showing her a picture of Emma on his phone.

“Oh…she and the CEO went upstairs.”

Oliver’s stomach churned. Mr. Paulo, the CEO of the Como Hotel and Groups, was a well-known businessman with a perfect family image—a wife and two young kids. Was Emma upstairs with him? Doing what exactly?

The thought made his blood boil.

“You mean Mr. Paulo? But he’s married!”

“Doesn’t seem to be any of my business,” the woman said with a giggle. “Would you like me to escort you?”

Oliver shook his head and made his way to the elevators. The ride up felt agonizingly slow, and his mind raced with scenarios of what he might find.

Oliver found the room at the end of the hall. The faint sound of voices drifted through the door. He pressed his ear against it and froze as he heard a familiar female voice and a deep male voice.

“You’re wasting your time with that man, Emma,” Mr. Paulo said smoothly. “He’s not worthy of you. I can give you everything you deserve and more. Just say the word, and I’ll make all your dreams come true.”

“Paulo, I…” Emma sounded hesitant. “I’m still married to Oliver. I—”

“Enough about him!” Paulo snapped. “That loser can’t give you anything. Divorce him and be with me. I’ll make you the happiest woman alive.”

Oliver’s fury exploded. Without thinking, he pushed the door open, and the sight that met him shattered his heart.

Emma was half naked, seated on Paulo's lap.

Paulo looked up, startled, but his expression quickly shifted to annoyance. “Who are you, and what do you think you’re doing here?” Paulo demanded.

Oliver’s eyes locked on Emma. “How long has this been going on?” His voice shook, but his words carried the strain of his anger and heartbreak.

Emma stood, wringing her hands nervously and wearing back her clothes. “Olly, I…I didn’t think you’d—”

“You didn’t think I’d find out? That’s what you were going to say, right?” Oliver’s voice rose, each word laced with bitterness. “All those nights you said you were working late, coming home exhausted—it wasn’t about work, was it? It was about this!” He gestured toward Paulo, who smirked smugly.

“Listen here, kid,” Paulo said, standing. “You’re embarrassing yourself. Emma deserves better, and she knows it. Why don’t you make this easy and walk away?”

Oliver’s fists clenched into a ball. “You think you can buy her, just like you buy everything else? You’re nothing but a pathetic excuse for a man.”

Before Paulo could respond, Oliver lunged at him, landing a solid punch across his jaw. Paulo stumbled back, crashing into the table behind him.

“Olly, stop!” Emma screamed, grabbing his arm.

Oliver shook her off. “Don’t touch me,” he said coldly, his voice breaking. He turned back to Paulo, who was struggling to stand. “If I ever see you near her again, I won’t hold back next time.”

Paulo wiped his mouth, glaring. “You’ll regret this.”

“I already regret trusting her,” Oliver shot back, his stare cutting through Emma. “I gave you everything I had, and this is how you repay me? You disgust me.”

Paulo stepped forward, his smug grin plastered on his face. “You think this is over, don’t you?” Paulo sneered, his swollen lip still evident from the altercation earlier. “You really want to mess with me, boy? I will personally deal with you.”

Oliver didn't respond to him. The threat meant nothing to him. Paulo’s words were empty, just like the man himself. He had nothing left to prove to him.

Emma’s eyes filled with tears. “Olly, please, let me explain.”

“There’s nothing to explain.” Oliver’s voice cracked as he pulled the divorce papers from his pocket. He grabbed a pen from the desk, signed them with shaking hands, and threw them at her. “Happy anniversary, Emma.”

With that, he stormed out of the room, leaving Emma sobbing and Paulo fuming.

Once outside, Oliver felt the pain of what had just happened hit him all at once. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number he hadn’t called in years.

It rang twice before a familiar female voice answered sleepily. “Hello?”

He hesitated for a moment before saying, “Hi, Mom. It’s me, Olly.”

There was a long silence on the other end before she replied softly, “sweetie…is everything okay?”