Unexpected Inheritance

Chapter 1

David had always considered himself lucky. His life wasn't glamorous, but he had something money couldn’t buy—his wife, Lara. She was everything to him. Beautiful, charismatic, the kind of woman who lit up a room just by walking in. And despite their differences in social status—her family being wealthy and influential—she had chosen him. That was all that mattered.

They had married secretly, away from the prying eyes of her family who couldn’t care less about David. They thought he was just a factory worker with no prospects. But Lara had never cared for their opinions. To her, David was the man she loved, the man who treated her like she was worth everything.

Their little house was their sanctuary. David worked long hours, sometimes 20 hours a day, making sure everything ran smoothly. He couldn’t afford luxuries, but he never let it show. He kept up appearances, made sure their friends and neighbors never saw them as anything less than a happy couple. After all, if his wife loved him, what else mattered?

But today was different.

David had been called home early from work. A machine had malfunctioned, and they needed him to handle it. He wasn’t supposed to be home at this hour, and Lara hadn’t expected him either. He walked through the door, expecting to find her sitting in the living room, maybe reading a book or scrolling through her phone.

What he didn’t expect was the noise coming from the living room.

At first, it sounded like a muffled conversation, but the more he listened, the more he realized it wasn’t just one voice. Lara’s voice was unmistakable, but there was another—deeper, more masculine. His heart skipped a beat.

This can't be true right?

David’s hands tightened into fists as he slowly crept toward the living room. He could hear her laughter, soft and light, followed by a low chuckle from the other voice. It sounded like they were... having fun?

He pushed open the door. 

The scene before him was something he could never have imagined. There, sitting on the couch, was Lara, his beautiful wife, a smile on her face as she rested comfortably against another man. He wasn’t just anyone—he was young, vibrant, and exuded confidence. The man’s hand was wrapped around Lara’s waist as she sat on his lap, laughing at something he had said.

David felt the world around him go still. His chest tightened, the words he wanted to speak caught in his throat.

Lara turned, sensing his presence before she saw him. Her eyes widened in shock, but only for a moment before her expression shifted, a mixture of guilt and anger clouding her features. The man beside her didn’t even seem fazed by David’s arrival. He just smiled, his posture relaxed, as if he owned the space.

David’s voice broke through the tension, shaky but firm. “Lara... what’s going on here?”

Lara stood up quickly, pushing the man off her lap, her face flushing with embarrassment. “David, I—I didn’t expect you home so early.”

“You didn’t expect me?” David’s voice cracked, disbelief lacing every word. “You didn’t expect me to find you with another man?”

Lara’s gaze shifted, unable to meet his. She took a deep breath, gathering herself. “It’s not what you think, David.”

“Not what I think?” David felt his chest tighten further, the betrayal hitting him harder than any physical blow. “What is it then? What do I think?”

The man beside Lara stood up and walked towards David, offering a hand. “Let me introduce myself. I’m Alex Thompson, president of Thompson Industries.”

David froze, staring at the man’s outstretched hand but not taking it. He felt a rush of anger flood his body. “I don’t care who you are. I want to know why my wife is sitting on your lap, laughing like this is normal.”

“What's wrong with you, Lara? Say something! What's going on!?”

"I can't believe what I'm seeing Lara, tell me this is a joke, explain this to me. I'm your husband Lara, you can't be doing this" David raised his voice.

Lara finally spoke up, her voice cutting through the silence. “David, you need to understand. Alex and I…I…I owe you no explanation David" Lara then said, as her expression changed, as though she didn't regret what she did.

"What are you saying! You are my wife Lara!" David shouted in anger.

“David—” She paused, her words heavy with the weight of what she was about to say. 

Suddenly Alex stepped forward. “I and Lara are getting married. And don't worry I'm going to pay you $10,000,000 for compensation of the divorce.”

“Divorce?”

"Yeah what he said David, you can leave" Lara added with no sign of emotions.

"What happened to you Lara, I can't believe this is you" David asked.

"What happened is, you are nothing but a poor and wretched husband, I was stupid leaving my wealthy family to marry a scumbag like you" Lara blasted.

"But I thought we loved each other"

"Yes. I did, but you're not worth it, you can't take good care of me David. I mean look at my skin, it's all dark and filled with spots, one year with you was more than hell. Alex here is the president of Thompson industry. He makes hundreds of thousands monthly, that's like your yearly income.”

“How long —how long has this been going on?”

“We’ve been seeing each other for two months.”

David staggered back, as if he had been punched in the gut. “Two months?” His mind raced, trying to wrap itself around the betrayal. “You’ve been... seeing him behind my back?”

Lara nodded slowly, her eyes avoiding him. “I never wanted to hurt you, David, but... but I needed more. I needed someone who could give me everything I’ve ever wanted.”

David’s mind flashed back to the days when he’d come home exhausted, his hands rough from hours at the factory. He’d always tried to make things work, to show Lara he could provide for her. But now, hearing this, it felt like everything he had given was worthless.

“You think he can give you more than I ever could?” David’s voice was low, barely controlled.

Alex stepped forward, his tone smooth. “David, let’s not make this harder than it has to be. Lara and I are getting married. She’ll be divorcing you soon.”

The words hit David like a slap. His stomach churned. He turned to Lara, his eyes searching hers for something, anything that would make sense of this.

She took a step back, her voice cold now. “I’ve made my decision, David. I can’t stay in a marriage where I’m not happy. And you should be glad, he's offering your ten million. You haven't earned that ever since you became a factory worker.”

David’s chest felt tight as if the air had been sucked out of the room. He had loved her—truly loved her. And this was what he got in return? A man who could offer her more than the life he had worked so hard to build for them?

Without another word, Lara grabbed her coat, walking towards the door. Alex followed, his confident stride making it clear he had no doubts about the future.

David stood in the doorway, frozen, as they both walked out of his life. The door slammed shut behind them, and for a long moment, David stood there, unable to move.

Was he dreaming? Was this some cruel nightmare he couldn’t wake up from?

He didn’t know how much time passed before he finally moved. His legs carried him back to the living room, where he sank onto the couch, staring at the empty space where Lara had once sat. His mind buzzed with questions—questions he knew he’d never get answers to.

How did it come to this? What had he done wrong?

But as much as he wanted to scream, to shout at the injustice of it all, he couldn’t find the strength. All he felt was an overwhelming emptiness—a hollow space where the love he had given had once lived.

And for the first time in years, David wondered if he had ever truly known his wife at all.