RESTORED HEIR

Today, the Carl's family organized a surprise party for Grandpa Carl who had just returned back home after spending fourteen months in coma.

Everyone connected to the Carl’s were present ranging from the oldest to the youngest.

“Grandpa, it is good to have you back. I missed you a lot.”

“Grandpa, I have prepared your favorite meal. I will ensure I make up for all the days you spent in the hospital.”

The Carl’s expressed their gratitude.

Grandpa Carl smiled and scanned the mansion. Everything was in place as he had left it months back. He was grateful that he had another chance to live.

Just then, Francis, the Carl’s live-in-son-in-law walked out of the house looking tensed.

“Grandpa, I need two million. I just got a call that Aunt Anna has been rushed to the hospital. She has been battling with a disease for a long time and now, it has gotten to a critical stage.”

The Carl’s couldn’t help but gasp, they were shocked and irritated by Francis audacity.

Don’t Francis know how and when to place a request?

He didn’t follow the family to pick Grandpa Carl from the hospital. They had just arrived, yet to enter the mansion and the miserable boy greeted them with a request for a huge amount of money.

Two years ago, Grandma Carl returned home with Francis and insisted that her eldest grandchild must get married to him. She didn’t explain why neither did she say where she picked him from.

From his appearance, they could tell that he was a pauper with nothing good to offer to the family.

The month they got married was the month that grandma died. That gave the Carl’s the effrontery to treat Francis the way they deemed fit. He did all the chores, ran errands and was responsible for all the dishes prepared in the house.

They had tried to throw him out of the house but Francis tolerated all their excesses.

Francis just received a call about Aunt Anna’s critical health condition. He was at a crossroad and he had to ask Grandpa Carl for financial assistance.

He felt since Grandpa had spent a long time in the hospital, he would understand what it means for one to be at the verge of losing his or her life. Because of that he would be willing to assist him with Aunt Anna’s hospital bills.

To his shock, Grandpa Carl’s expression darkened. He pointed at Francis and yelled.

“You fool! Do you even care about my health? Is this the right time to place a request? You couldn’t even welcome me into the house with gifts yet you are asking me for money.”

“He doesn’t think properly.”

“This live-in-son-in-law is a disgrace to us.”

“I don’t blame him. He is from the trenches and doesn’t know what courtesy entails.”

The Carl’s threw insults at Francis.

Just then, Jacelyn quickly intervened. “Enough! Don’t talk to him in that manner. Aunt Anna means a lot to Francis, she had been his caregiver for a long time. For him to have made this request at this point means it is urgent.”

“Oh, please cut it! Are we the reason for his misfortune or poverty? Why are you defending him? He has never contributed a dime to grandpa’s hospital bills yet he has the courage to ask for money.”

That was the cold voice of Yusi, Jacelyn’s younger sister.

“You have to divorce this thing. He is not fit to dwell in our midst.”

“Aren’t you ashamed to call him your husband?”

“Aren’t you ashamed that you are the one footing all his bills?”

“Now that he has a huge need beyond your capacity, he has shifted his needs to Grandpa. My dear, that won’t happen.”

Francis crossed his arms over his chest as goosebumps formed over his body. He was in dire need, he respected his in-laws so much that he doesn’t talk back at them.

But they always took his simplicity for granted!

Francis sighed and said, “I am sorry but please save her life.”

“You still have the guts to talk?” Clara, Jacelyn’s mom flared up. “You are counting your last days in this house. I can’t take it anymore.”

Clara had never liked Francis since the first day he stepped into their house. She felt her daughter deserved someone better than Francis.

“Mom.” Jacelyn yelled, “If we can’t help him then the least, we could do, is sympathize with him and hope he finds a way to get the money.”

Grandpa Carl cleared his throat and was about to talk when the gatekeeper and a tall man approached him.

“Grandpa Carl, good day.”

The tall man who happened to be Fred Santex greeted with a broad smile.

The Santex family were a top-class family in Kentic City. They were far more influential and wealthier than the Carl’s family. Every member of the Carl’s family including grandpa wanted Jacelyn to get married to Fred because of the benefits they stand to gain.

“Good to see you, my dear Fred.”

Grandpa uttered happily.

“I was so glad when I heard you were out of coma. Here is a little token of five hundred dollars, accept it as my gift.” Fred uttered as he kept a brown envelope before Grandpa Carl. “But I will like to make a request.” Fred spoke.

“Go ahead,” Grandpa Carl was eager to hear him.

“I will like to propose my marital intentions to Jacelyn. I love her so much but she has been proving hard to get. That must be because she is still married.”

“Married, you call that marriage.” Clara interrupted abruptly.

Fred was the kind of man she wanted to be her son-in-law. Someone who was well connected, influential and wealthy enough to spoil her with gifts.

Grandpa Carl was also interested in Fred getting married to Jacelyn. Then he looked at her.

“Jacelyn, what do you say to Fred’s request? If you accept and divorce Francis, I will give him the money he requested.”

“I can’t get married to Fred and I won’t divorce Francis.” Jacelyn replied confidently.

“What do you mean?” Grandpa Carl yelled, with a cough following afterwards.

“Grandpa are you alright?”

The Carl were frightened at Grandpa’s expression because he was just recovering.

“Francis, leave here now!” Grandpa sneered.

Jacelyn looked at Francis who had a sad look on. “Francis,” she mumbled.

“Don’t worry about me, Jacelyn. If you divorce me, I will understand and move on.” Francis said with a fake smile.

“He is ready to accept the divorce so accept Fred.” Clara advised.

“I won’t divorce him.” Jacelyn reaffirmed.

“You have no idea what you stand to gain from this union.” Yusi uttered.

“Jacelyn, I have to visit aunt Anna now.” Francis uttered and turned to leave.

“Should I come with you?” She asked.

“You wouldn’t dare! Fred is here because of you yet you are choosing a nonentity over him. Don’t dare me, you this girl.” Clara warned.

“No, I will be back for you.” Jacelyn could hear Francis faint voice as he left.

“He had better not think of engaging in anything illegal to raise the money. If he is found guilty, I won’t hesitate to throw him behind bars.”

“Francis? He is not skilled in anything. All he would do is beg on the street and gets little or nothing in return. He would be out there walking aimlessly. What a pauper?!”

The Carls gave a loud outburst of laughter.

***

The moment Francis entered the hospital and approached Aunt Anna’s ward, he met a nurse.

“I want to see the patient in this room.”

“Congratulations, your patient’s surgery was successful. However, you still have a debt of a million.”

“There must be a mix-up somewhere.”:

The nurse stood akimbo and said. “I know what I am saying.”

The nurse left leaving Francis confused as he tried to decipher who must have paid the hospital bills.

Just then, Francis phone rang. He looked at it and the caller ID was unknown.

Reluctantly, he picked the call.

“Young Boss, I have tried to reach you severally. It is time for you to claim your inheritance, we have to meet now.”