1 – THE PAIN OF BETRAYAL

Alex was a twenty five year old orphan.

Although his parents were probably still alive and well somewhere, he chose to call himself an orphan because those same parents had abandoned him and his little brother to fend for themselves the day after his fifteenth birthday.

He still remembered that day like it was yesterday. He still remembered coming home from high school to meet an empty house and a letter addressed to him where his parents explained that they were too young to spend the rest of their lives taking care of two useless children.

Worse still, Jayden, his brother who was just seven years old then, was diagnosed with brain cancer a year later.

With no parents in sight, Alex had to grow up pretty quickly and take multiple jobs so he could pay his brother’s expensive hospital bills.

But sometimes, no matter how hard he tried, things got so tough that he could barely afford to feed.

It was during one of those dark times that he met his girlfriend turned wife, Melissa Baron at the hospital.

At first, Alex was shocked that a beautiful woman like Melissa would ever pay attention to him.

Turns out, her father owned the hospital where his brother was being treated and she loved to bring him food.

Alex and Melissa fell in love and although her family was staunchly against their union because he was dirt poor, they got married anyway.

Melissa even begged her parents to take up the payment of Jayden’s hospital bills and they obliged.

But Alex's life became a living hell the very moment he said “I do.”

Worse still, a year after their marriage, Melissa changed. She was no longer the sweet and caring woman he’d married. She became cold and distant.

Both Melissa and her parents taunted him and looked for every little opportunity to insult and belittle him. Gradually, he became a workaholic, fearing to even go back home sometimes.

The situation became worse about a year ago when his in-laws decided to slash his allowance in half.

Now, he had to work like a dog to make up the rest of the money for his brother’s treatment.

With shaky fingers, Alex packed his stuff into the box and rummaged through his pocket, hoping to find some spare change to pay a taxi back home.

Walking back to the mansion in the New York sunshine was out of the question…coupled with the fact that his stomach was completely empty.

He sighed dejectedly when he came up empty, suddenly recalling that he’d spent his last cash on buying his brother’s special food.

Downcast, he got to his feet and slowly trudged down the street. He’d barely taken two steps when his phone rang.

One glance at the caller ID revealed that it was his wife calling. His mood immediately lifted as he hurriedly answered the call.

“Hello, Melissa. How are…”

“Where are you?” She interrupted, sounding as cold as ice.

Alex was momentarily confused.

“Uh… I…”

“Look, I honestly don’t care where you are. Mother requests your presence in the mansion immediately. Don’t keep her waiting.”

Without giving him the chance to respond, she ended the call.

Alex’ mind was already reeling as he wondered why his mother-in-law was suddenly searching for him.

He pressed his box against his chest and hurried down the street.

His mother-in-law hated lateness. And she already hated him.

***

“What took you so long, you snail!” Mrs. Baron snapped the moment he walked through the door. “Do you enjoy keeping me waiting or have you forgotten your place?”

Alex lowered his head in respect.

“I’m sorry, mother…”

Before he could react, Mrs. Baron shot to her feet and landed a stinging slap against his cheek.

Thwack!

A groan of pain slipped from his throat as he lifted his hand to massage his throbbing cheek.

“How dare you speak when I haven’t given permission, you slobbering buffoon. Who the hell do you think you are?”

Alex wanted to apologise but he held himself back in time.

Mrs. Baron lifted her phone and played a recording. As soon as she clicked “play,” Alex’s voice came over the speakers.

““I did it, everyone. I stole Susan’s wallet. I’m a thief. Please don’t suspend me, sir. I really need the money. Please forgive me.”

Alex’s head shot upwards at the sound of the video, his eyes widening with horror.

“How did you get that…”

“Keep your mouth shut. I haven’t authorised you to speak yet.” Mrs. Baron sneered.

“Now, do you realise that this video is already making waves on social media? Do you realise the kind of shame you’ve brought upon yourself and this family?”

Alex's heart nearly beat off his chest at the sight of his furious mother-in- law.

“How can you be so stupid, Alex? I mean, I always knew you were good-for-nothing, but stealing from your co-worker? This is just outrageous.”

He kept his face lowered to the ground as she continued to pour insults on him for a crime he knew nothing about.

Just then, the sounds of footsteps coming down the grand stairs reached his ears and he looked up to the sight of his beautiful wife.

Sadly, Melissa did not share the same sentiment. From afar, Alex could already see the disgust written all over her face.

“I regret the day I met you.” Melissa cursed, poking her fingers against his chest. “I regret the day I begged mum and dad to let me marry you. I wish we never got married!”

Alex swallowed the pain burning in his guts as the woman he loved the most broke his heart into pieces with her words.

“Melissa, please let me explain…”

“What exactly do you want to explain?!” She seethed. “There’s a whole video of you confessing to the crime. Do you realise that all my friends have seen that video? Only God knows what they must be saying behind my back!”

Luke shook his head in resignation. He was not surprised that no member of the Baron family had inquired after the wounds on his face. They were just after his humiliation.

“I’m sorry.” He muttered.

“A worthless piece of trash like you does not deserve our forgiveness!” Mrs. Baron squealed. “You’ve ruined the image of our family and I will punish you for this. Trust me.”

Alex’s stomach dipped nervously. He already knew that Mrs. Baron was never lenient with her punishments. The woman was evil.

“Because of what you’ve done, you will not be paid any allowance for three months.” She deadpanned, no trace of warmth in her voice. “For three months, you’ll be completely responsible for yourself. The Baron family will not feed, clothe nor house you for the next three months. Do you hear me?!”

A sliver of dead shot through Alex’s chest.

“Mother, please. Please, you can’t do this. My boss already cancelled my salary until my suspension is over. How will I feed my brother? How will I pay his hospital bills? Please have mercy.”

“Don’t you dare touch me!” She screeched, stepping backwards. “For your information, I don't care about you or your worthless brother. It appears that you have a PHD in stealing. I’m pretty sure you’ll do just fine.”

Alex shook his head.

“Please, mother. If not for me, then please think about my brother. Please…”

Mrs. Baron bent forward and pushed him so hard, he landed on his arse with a grunt.

“Leave my house!” She commanded coldly. “Leave. Right now!”

***

It was thirty minutes past the hour of seven at night and three hours since Alex had been kicked out to the cold streets of New York.

He’d already contemplated suicide a thousand times.

“Why do horrible things always happen to me? Why me?” He asked himself.

The only thing that stopped him emptying a bottle of pills down his throat was the thought of his little brother in the hospital.

If he killed himself, what would happen to Jayden? He would be helpless.

Finally, two hours after thinking of the hopelessness of his future, Alex was just about to start his long trek to the hospital when his phone beeped twice, signifying an incoming message.

Startled, he pulled the phone out of his pocket and clicked the attached video. It was sent by an unknown number.

Three seconds later, he wished he’d never opened the message.

His pulse pounded wildly as he stared at his phone, completely horrified.

The video showcased a high class club probably tucked somewhere in the luxurious parts of New York. But that wasn’t the main gist.

In the video, a couple were locked in a hot, passionate embrace. The woman sat on her partner’s thighs while he held her tightly, repeatedly shoving his tongue down her throat.

“It can’t be.” Alex whispered.

That silky blonde hair, that wedding ring…

Alas, his horrors were confirmed when the woman came up for air.

Her lipstick was all smudged but it was clear and pretty obvious that that was Melissa Baron. His wife.

Still trembling, Alex raised his finger to shut off his phone when he realised that he recognized the man’s tattoo.

As if to confirm his horror, Melissa moved her head to the side and her good-looking partner appeared in the video.

Alex froze, blood whooshing loudly in his ears.

“Isn’t that…”

He couldn’t say the words. No matter how hard he tried, Alex could not bring himself to say his name.

He could not bring himself to accept that his wife was cheating on him with no other person than his own boss.

Mr. Derek Hunter.