LEGACY RECLAIMED

Adrian stood motionless, his tall as the cold wind Whispered through the cemetery, rustling the brittle, dry leaves scattered across the ground. His breath came out in visible puffs as he stared at the gravestone before him.

The words on the gravestone blurred as tears welled up in his eyes. He slipped his trembling hands into his pocket.

“You were the only one who cared. When everyone else turned their backs, you saw something in me I didn’t even see in myself. I wish you could see what’s happening, it doesn’t feel the same without you here.”

Adrian held his tears from dropping; he was standing above Roman Lockwood’s grave. The only man who believed in his ability and who brought him into the Lockwood mansion.

He turned to leave and when he got home, he found his mother-in-law peering at him as if she wanted to kill him.

“Where the hell are you coming from?” she bawled.

“I am coming from the cemetery,” he replied.

“What? I have warned you time without numbers not to step foot in that cemetery, but you aren’t listening. Did you go there to report to my husband how we have been treating you after his death, and what was his reply?” Mrs. Delilah said, rolling her eyes in disdain.

Adrian’s jaw tightened, but he kept a calm demeanor. He wasn’t ready for her. Most times, he wondered how a good man like Roman ended up with an evil woman like her.

“I am going to the company; make sure you clean the house before I return, or else you will be sleeping in the dog cage.” She sneered as she walked out of the room.

Adrian shook his head, then walked to do the house chores. Mrs. Delilah had other maids who could do the chores, but she always wanted him to do them. The family members weren’t the only ones who ridiculed him; because of the constant humiliation, even the maids didn’t respect him.

When he was through, he got tired and decided to rest. It was late, with no sign of his wife, Ava, around. He tried reaching out to her, but she wasn’t answering any of his calls.

He thought about going to his room after he had freshened up. He lay on the bed but was taken away by sleep.

Adrian woke up in the middle of the night; he noticed something on his bed; he jolted out of the bed in fear only to find his wife, Ava Lockwood, naked; she was standing before him.

His eyes popped out in disbelief. They had been married for three years, and this was the first time he had even seen her naked. He felt a little movement between his legs, which he tried to hold.

Adrian was left in bewilderment and awe; Ava was standing on his side of the bed. He thought he was dreaming not until she placed a kiss on his lips.

“You are drunk?” He murmured.

“I want you,” Ava said.

Ava was drunk, Adrian couldn’t believe his eyes. They had been married, and never had she kissed him or even allowed him to sleep close to her. Their marriage had never been the way people thought.

Ava came closer, pushing him onto the bed. Adrian lay down with his eyes fixed on his naked wife, he watched her do her magic, and without hesitation, he was lying naked with his body entwined with hers.

He moved in and out of her slowly, their bodies moved in harmony. Her hands moved behind his back, and every touch pulled them closer to the moment Adrian had always dreamed of.

Her breath hitched as he kissed her neck. Her voice was low and raspy. “You’re incredible “, she whispered, her lips brushing his ears.

He nodded with a soft sigh, her finger gripping his shoulders. But then, in a sudden whisper, Ava did the unexpected when she whispered, “Wesley.”

Adrian froze; he thought he had misheard her, but he continued. They both played on the bed, breathing heavily, when she moved closer to him, “I love you, Wesley.” She muttered the name again.

This time, Adrian's heart shattered. His heart was hammering in his chest. He moved his gaze to her face. Ava was fast asleep.

Ava just mentioned the name of her ex-boyfriend Wesley Westfall. That wasn't good.

Adrian lay on the bed with his expression mixed with anger and sadness. Throughout the night he was restless and couldn’t sleep. They had just made love, but she called the name of her ex-boyfriend, and she even confessed her feelings for him.

The following morning, When Ava woke with a throbbing headache, a sharp pang of light sliced through the gap in the curtains, making her groan. She shifted, her body heavy and uncomfortable, only to realize she wasn’t alone.

Her eyes snapped open, and Adrian was lying beside her naked, with his arms across her waist. Her stomach churned, and her heart thumped in her chest. She quickly pulled away, yanking the sheet around herself, like it would shield her from the confusion.

Adrian stirred, blinking groggily, “Good morning,” he said softly.

“What have you done?” Ava's face flushed in anger.

“What.” she stuttered, her voice trembling in disbelief. She looked down at herself. She was lying on his side of the bed. Her breath tightened, and her expression darkened.

Slap.

Adrian’s eyes fluttered open in disbelief and shock.

“What did you do to me?” Her voice was sharp and firm

“Ava, what’s wrong?” He asked with his face reddish and frowned. The slap felt like an eye-opener for Adrian.

“How dare you, you damn know what’s wrong!” She shouted, while still wrapped in the sheet. “What did you do to me? Did you drug me? How did I get here?”

Adrian’s face froze in shock, “What? No, of course not. Ava. I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Don’t lie to me, Adrian? How did I end up in your stinking bed?” Her jaw tightened and his fist clenched in fury.