Lucas Foden: The Hidden Legacy

Unworthy Leech

Lucas regained consciousness about thirty minutes later only to realize that he was in the middle of flames that were consuming the building.

Some of the chemicals he used for medication were flammable, causing the fire to erupt rapidly and blocking any means of escape.

But he found a way to run out of the building without getting burnt while he coughed so rapidly due to the smoke that got into his lungs. He managed to take his wife’s present while he staggered out of the building.

He was loved by so many people in the City that it was difficult for him to know if he had any enemy who would have been capable of committing such atrocity.

Even in his predicament, Lucas decided to head home to his wife with the gift he bought for her tightly held in his hands.

The fire had alerted a lot of people who came out that night, bewildered at how massive and fierce it was.

Many thought that the Divine Healer was dead since no one saw him leaving the building, and the fire was already done devouring the building by the time they arrived.

Lucas was already close to Springfort Villa where he lived with his wife alongside her family. It was the inheritance left by his wife’s grandfather Lord Orson before he died.

With his staggering steps decreasing while he held onto his remaining breath, Lucas managed to get into the building.

His attention was drawn to the sound of Jemima’s voice, and he moved toward that direction at once.

“Jemima?” Lucas gasped as soon as he saw his wife in the arms of another man. They were so engrossed in the euphoria of the moment they didn’t realize that he had walked into the living room.

Dumbfounded by the sight before him, he made a move at once, taking a few steps toward them with his heart tromping vehemently.

“Shit! Lucas?!” Jemima pulled away from the grip of the man at once, staring at Lucas like he was a ghost.

“How…How are you still alive?!” Jemima’s breath was shaky, and the patches of guilt on her face were so visible that she had to cough to shake off the cringe that besieged her.

“The news! They said you were dead!” Jemima pointed at the 325-inch television by the corner of the room. The news of the fire incident was being broadcast.

“What have you done?” Lucas realized what was going on.

“Is this your leech of a husband? The one your grandpa forced you to marry?” The man standing close to Jemima grabbed her waist.

He had a scornful look on his face and jeered at Lucas with intense contempt.

“Yes, he is the one. That’s the gold digger.” It didn’t take Jemima any form of hesitation to admit that she detested Lucas and wanted to get rid of him so badly.

“I thought you said you had taken care of him. How is he still alive?” The man still holding onto Jemima frowned in displeasure, looking at Jemima for an explanation.

“It seems those men underestimated him. They have failed, and they are not getting their balance.” Jemima scoffed, her eyes rolling at Lucas in severe hatred.

Lucas was struggling with both the pain from the smoke that had gotten into his body, the pain from his fall, and the pain from what his wife had done to him.

“Why did you want to kill me, Jemima? I loved you like the only thing that mattered in this world.” His voice was laced with so much agony, and the tears that trickled down his face were laden with hot affliction.

“I guess it’s time to put an end to this. This is Caius Rivera, Lucas. We have been seeing each other for over two years…”

Jemima’s confession was devoid of any form of regret, and she chuckled softly the moment Caius kissed her on her left cheek before turning to face Lucas with a smirk on her face.

“You were right, love. This dude is surely from the past. Look at his shoes, his clothes are so worn out."

They both laughed so loud, pointing their fingers at Lucas who stood in the middle of the room, watching as they made fun of him with their words and gestures.

The words he heard from Jemima cut through his chest like a sharp blade, and more tears poured from his glands.

“Tonight is our third anniversary, Jemima. I got you this…” He showed her the necklace in the box he saved from the fire.

“Well, this is the end of this godforsaken marriage, Lucas. I only married you because Grandpa wanted me to. Take that cheap necklace out of my face!” Jemima huffed in annoyance, totally unmoved by the gift Lucas got for her.

“Caius here has promised to take me on a trip to see the world. He is ten times more capable than you are. He owns a big company.”

“Yes, she is right, Lucas. I am rich as well.” Caius bragged, grabbing the two glasses on the table.

“Here you go, love.” He handed one to Jemima, and they clinked before they each took a sip.

“I have something for you.” Jemima grabbed her purse and pulled out an envelope which she threw at Lucas. It landed on his chest and fell to the ground.

“I forged your signature, but since you are here you can have a copy. That’s the divorce paper! Caius and I are getting married in three days, and you are not invited!”

Lucas picked up the envelope and confirmed the words Jemima said.

“After everything I have done for you, Jemima. This is how you choose to repay me.”

“Oh, please! The only thing you did was save me from dying. Any Doctor would have done that. You should have just asked my grandpa to give you money, but you decided to be a leech by agreeing to marry me.”

Jemima was still devoid of any form of remorse, but what she didn’t realize was that Lucas was the reason why her family business had been prosperous over the years.

“You ungrateful bitch! You will pay for this!” Lucas snarled and marched toward Jemima.

“I think I have had enough of this bullshit!” Caius interfered before Lucas could get to Jemima.

He whistled and three hefty men appeared at once.

“Take him outside and make sure he dies for real this time!” He ordered and the men grabbed Lucas without hesitation.

“Let go of me, you fools!” Lucas tried to struggle with the men. But they overpowered him and dragged him outside.

He was already weak due to the fire accident and couldn’t fight them.

They beat him under the rain until they were certain that he was no longer moving. They pushed him into a gutter and left him to die.

As his vision became blurry, and his breath left him, Lucas struggled to stay awake, but his blood was almost drained, and his bones were broken.

It wasn’t long before his eyes shut completely, and the last sound he heard was that of raindrops splattering on his dying body.