THE CONSORTIUM HEIR'S RECKONING

Nicolas entered the house, with a flower in hand and a wide smile on his face. The flower was meant for his wife. It was their wedding anniversary.

Their relationship hasn't been good recently but Nicolas planned to set everything right that day. He was going to make her food and surprise her. Then, they would talk things out.

Nicolas couldn't wait.

Just as he entered the noise, a soft moan reached his ears. He hesitated, perhaps his ears were playing tricks on him. No one was supposed to be at home. He decided to come home earlier so he could prepare everything before she gets back home.

He listened again. A female moan was mixed with a male groan. And it was coming from the bedroom.

With his curiosity piqued, he headed towards the bedroom.

As he approached however, the voice became even clearer. There were definitely two opposite individuals in the room.

"Oh, you so sweet, Sarah," a deep rich baritone muttered, with a tone of satisfaction. 

Nicolas froze in his tracks at the mention of his wife's name.

A feminine voice laughed. Now that he thought about it, it really sounded like Sarah.

"Oh really? That was actually the best one ever!" 

A wave of betrayal washed over him. Sarah was cheating on him?

“Best one?” The voice sounded shocked. “What about your useless husband? Does he not satisfy you?”

There was a brief moment of silence and Nicolas found himself moving closer to the bedroom again.

“That one? He's as useless as he looks.”

The man laughed, the sound of it triggering Nicolas. 

“When was the last time we had anything together? Don't even talk about it.”

Nicolas's heart broke into a million pieces as he listened. How could this have happened between them? This wasn't how it used to be with them. Sarah used to be the sweetest thing that has ever happened to him.

Though, the whole thing started after his pet hospital closed down. Sarah became indifferent towards him. He actually thought it was because the bankruptcy really affected him financially and he stopped doing what he used to do.

So, he has always planned on getting better. All he has always wanted to do was get her approval back.

Even with that, he tried his best to care for her, despite struggling financially.

He thought Sarah was merely angry at him for being financially handicapped. How could she cheat on him?

The flower he was holding dropped to the floor as the blade in his heart switched. There was nothing else to wait for. He came home for nothing. He got a flower for nothing.

But nothing hurts more than finding out one's wife was cheating on their anniversary.

He turned to leave, his mood soiled.

“Is the promotion secured?” Sarah said suddenly, forcing him to a sudden stop.

His head twitched. A promotion? Was that Sarah's boss?

The deep voice laughed. “Sure thing sweetheart. You will receive a promotion letter tomorrow morning,” the voice assured.

Nicolas stared, shocked. That was definitely Sarah's boss. How could that be?

“But that is if you can come over to the hotel tonight,” his voice sounded teasing.

Nicolas couldn't believe what he was hearing. His wife was cheating on him with Alex,her boss? A well-known playboy? It was unbelievable. 

How could Sarah stoop so low?

He turned towards the door again as realization dawned on him.

There wasn't in fact any issues in their relationship. Apparently, she was being like that because of the favour she wanted from her boss. She was being like that because of a promotion.

Nicolas felt a stab of annoyance just thinking about it.

“Sure! That's a little thing.”

“Really? Won't your husband say anything about that?”

“I don't care about him actually because we are getting a divorce soon.”

What!

“Or what do you say? Won't you like to be with me officially?”

“I_” Alex laughed and Nicolas could sense his hesitation. “That's nice though.”

Nicolas scoffed. He couldn't believe Sarah wanted to divorce him for her boss that was just playing around.

“I mean we get to do all these things in the open without having to bother that someone will see us.”

“But you know your husband is still there, he might not want to divorce you," his voice sounded indifferent as if he was up to convince her.

Nicolas had no idea why she couldn't see through his deceit. 

Sarah's voice was venomous. "Who cares about that loser, he’s so pathetic he can't even provide for himself, let alone me. He's been leeching off me for years, sucking me dry."

“What! He can't provide for himself?” Alex sounded surprised.

“Yes! Since his hospital went bankrupt, I have been the one taking care of our homes. I buy everything for him including his underwear!”She said mockingly. 

Pain filled Nicolas' heart and he wondered what he had done to deserve such hatred from a woman he would have immediately died for without a thought.

To think there was once a time he was in love with this woman made him sick. This definitely wasn't the woman he fell in love with and married.

Alex scoffed. “And he's being that pompous? I have told you several times that he's not up to your standard. I have no idea what you saw in him.”

“He used to be caring but now he's even demanding! He doesn't do anything in the house, yet he's always wanting to spend time with me!” Sarah sounded annoyed now.

Nicolas' heart went heavy with sadness. Was he now at fault for wanting to be with his wife? How can she say he was asking for too much?

“Does he also ask for sex?” Alex asked, with a mocking tone.

Nicolas was fueled with anger at this. Everything she has done for him, he thought it was love but that wasn't it?

“Yes! And what happens? He even overdoes it! He sucks me dry financially and still wants to do it sexually? And you ask me why I want to divorce him? He's the greatest fool_”

Nicolas burst into the room at this moment, putting a stop to the words Sarah was saying.

He had no idea how he even got closer to the door but the anger in him had turned to rage and his feelings were muddled up in some sort of crazy confusion.