USELESS HUSBAND?, TRY ULTIMATE GOD FATHER

Chapter Five

Chris woke to warmth beside him and a dull, throbbing ache behind his eyes. For a moment, he smiled into the pillow, comforted by the familiar curve of a body pressed close to his.

The smaller frame of the figure backing him confused him but his mind was still foggy, slow to question anything.

“Charlotte…” he murmured, voice hoarse, reaching out blindly.

His fingers brushed the skin. Smooth. Warm.

He turned lazily, still half-smiling, ready to pull her closer till he froze.

The face of the naked body beside him was not Charlotte’s.

Chris sucked in a sharp breath, panic slamming into him so hard it knocked the air from his lungs. His heart began to pound violently as he scrambled backward, clutching the sheet to his chest.

It was Veronica and she was wide awake now, watching him.

His mouth opened, but no sound came out at first.

“What… what are you doing here?” his voice cracked.

“Where’s Charlotte?” he asked.

Veronica sat up slowly, calm in a way that made his skin crawl.

“Good morning, Chris.” She said,

“No way,” Chris thought, shaking his head. “No, no… Why is Veronica in my bed?” he stopped abruptly, memories crashing back in broken flashes.

The blindfold. The fog. The way his body had felt heavy, disconnected.

His stomach twisted.

He stumbled out of bed, fumbling for his clothes, hands shaking so badly he could barely button his shirt.

“This is a mistake.” He said frantically, more to himself than her.

“Charlotte… she was here. I was with my wife.” He said, confused.

The door burst open.

Charlotte walked in first.

Behind her were Lucas, Bianca, two men in suits carrying briefcases and several bodyguards.

Lawyers. Bodyguards. Chris felt his world tilt.

She looked devastated as she talked, “Chris! You slept with my step mom? You disgusting piece of shit!”

“No, no, no, Charlotte. Please listen to me. I had no idea what happened last night. I swear.” Chris tried to explain but before he could finish, Veronica stood up from the bed abruptly.

“Charlotte… thank God you are here. Your husband… he assaulted.” Veronica said.

“What!?” Chris exclaimed.

“Chris Greene, I want a divorce now.” Charlotte demanded.

“Wait… you gave me a drink last night, and then… wait, did you two set me up? Why? I thought we were fine last night, Charlotte.”

Charlotte smirked. Then she dropped the divorce paper on the table.

“You cheated. That’s all the court needs to hear.” She said with a smile.

Chris stared at the paper in disbelief then threw it on the floor.

“My stepdaughter deserves a man with power. Not… whatever you are.” Veronica said as she looked at Chris.

Charlotte took a cigarette from one of her bodyguards and moved closer to Chris, “You, Mr. fuckup, were never good enough for me.”

Chris picked up the paper, “Fine. You want a divorce?”

He took his pen and signed, “You got it.”

Charlotte and Veronica laughed mockingly at Chris.

“I’ve never seen anybody so happy to be broke.” Charlotte said as she grinned.

“What?” Chris was confused.

“Oh. I take everything. Not that you have much but the five million dollars for the app is mine now. You walk away with nothing.” Charlotte said in one breath.

“No, no, no, no. That’s not happening.” Chris said loudly.

“Boys!” Charlotte called out to her bodyguards.

“Make sure he agrees. Go the hard way if he struggles.” She finally said as she stepped back for the bodyguards to do their work.”

Chris tried to fight back but they outnumbered him.

He was sent out of the mansion, without his phone or clothes, looking badly bashed and injured.

Chris sobbed as he walked.

“Charlotte Wood, you didn’t just set me up. You took everything from me.” He said as he looked up to the sky.

Under a moon glowing with unnatural light, as birds sang at the wrong hour and the wind whispered like it understood him, Chris made a promise,

“Charlotte Wood, I swear on my fucking life. One day, I’m going to have you begging on your knees for what you did to me!”

As his words faded into the night, cars appeared as if summoned, lining up before him.

“That car… that’s the Godfather’s car.” He stared in disbelief as he looked at the car.

Chris stood rooted to the spot while a beautiful woman in a black suit and several men stepped out.

“The Mikaelson syndicate… They run this city and the Godfather, he is the king of every mafia in this city.” Chris muttered to himself in utter shock.

Together, they bowed to him.

Lynda, the beautiful woman spoke. “Mr. Greene, the Godfather wishes to see you.”

Chris stood frozen, his breath hitched as he stared at her in disbelief.

…

The study was lined with dark mahogany panels, the scent of burning oakwood logs rising from the stone fireplace behind him. The fire burned steadily, casting a low amber glow across the room and over the collection of antique brass clocks, ivory figurines, and framed relics arranged with deliberate care.

On the walnut desk in front of him lay two Beretta pistols, placed openly, as though they belonged there.

The Godfather stood tall, a hand-carved briarwood pipe between his fingers. Smoke drifted slowly from the bowl as he exhaled, the tobacco rich and heavy. His golden-grey hair was neatly slicked back. He wore a perfectly tailored black Italian suit, paired with a gold silk tie that caught the firelight.

Nothing about him was hurried. Nothing about him was uncertain.

Even without a word, the room obeyed him.

Lynda walked in and bowed respectfully, “Don Mikaelson, Mr. Greene is here.”

Chris was made to kneel in front of him.

A cold shiver ran down his spine.

What could the Godfather possibly want with a man who had nothing left to lose?