The hum of the engine is soothing, as Olivia gazes out of the passenger window. Edison is talking but nothing registers. He has not stopped since leaving the fundraiser, Olivia on the other hand had not said a word, simply lost in her thoughts.
"I really think I locked in Senator Reston's support, Liv this is really happening. With his backing this is in the bag."
Silence consumed the car as Edison waited for a reaction or response of any kind.
"Liv, did you hear me? I got Reston's support!"
Still no response. Stopping at a red light, Edison turns to Olivia.
"What is going on? Are you not listening to a single word I am saying, Olivia?"
Taking a few calming breaths, apparently this is a now common occurrence, she turns to Edison as the light turns green and the car begins to move again.
"Edison, why do you want to marry me?" There is no emotion in her query.
"What kind of question is that? We have been together for years. We are well suited, a perfect match."
"How are we a perfect match?" a strange sense of peace consumes her body.
"How much wine did you have? Are you drunk? What is with this line of questioning." Edison's patience as far in the rear-view mirror as the Grant Estate.
Olivia chuckles lightly, a small smile touching her lips. She was worried this would be hard for her, ending things. She worried she would second guess herself and back out but now, now she was sure she was making the right decision. Whatever sense of loyalty she worried would hold her back is absent.
"You just had two chances to say that you wanted to marry me because you love me, that you can't picture life without me, that I'm your partner, your other half. You didn't say any of those things… Edison." She pauses collecting her thoughts and words. "Edison, this is a mistake. I love you but this isn't a life I want. I truly believe you'll be an amazing politician, but I can't be a Senator's wife. I can't give up everything in me to be your arm candy. Your perfect political family."
Rage radiates off Edison's body, his body is tense. "What. Are. You. Saying. Olivia." Each word is more clipped.
"I can't do this; I can't marry you. I'm sorry." She quietly responds, worried about the dangerous energy filling the vehicle.
"You would embarrass me like this? Do you have any idea how this will affect my image? I will lose support! You think people will trust a man who can't even keep his woman?"
"Again, you still haven't said you love me." Sitting taller, a new resolve taking over.
Edison starts hitting the steering wheel, letting his rage overtake him. "Damn you, Olivia!"
She now knows the situation can't continue to escalate. "Edison, please pull over."
"Are you kidding me?"
As they approach another red light, Olivia removes his ring from her finger. The moment the car stops, she sets the ring on the console and opens her door, exiting the vehicle.
"Olivia!" he rages.
Edison reaches for her as she climbs out of the passenger seat. His hand grabs her elbow, which she swiftly yanks away from his grasp. Olivia slams the door shut and steps away from the car.
"You'll regret this!" Edison yells from the window as he pulls away.
Olivia breathes in and out, the fresh air bringing a sense of relief to her. This was certainly not the way she envisioned ending things but after her conversation with Fitz she has a new sense of need for her independence.
Fitz. Who knew a short conversation could have such an impact.
Shaking her head, she decided to get an Uber to pick her up. Opening the app, she saw the closet ride was nearly fifteen minutes away. Oh well, what can you do when you're in the middle of nowhere, it could always be worse. Setting the pick-up point a little further down to the road Olivia begins to walk enjoying the crisp night air.
She can't help but smile, a weight is gone from her shoulders. Smiling, alone on a dark road she continues her walk with a sense of pride and excitement for what is to come. She just hopes Edison lets her go without any problems, but for tonight she refuses to worry about him for another minute.
AN: just a short chapter for you. I don't know how often I will able to update but I hope you stick with me.
