31
MYKEL
My wife was pissed, like really, really pissed at me right now—about to burst into flames. So did I. “Do you think this is a joke? Well, I can handle this, but I chose and agreed with Grandpa because we trusted you, and I respect you as my other half. You can politely decline our offer and move on, and I will take the position for his sake.”
I stared at my wife in shock. I couldn’t believe what I had just heard. Days ago, she was adamant about a payback. Right now, she was like another person that I had just met.
“Why me?” My gaze flew between them.
“I have no easy way to say this, but I trust you can handle two seats, CEO of both major companies. Because I can’t throw it at someone, not my blood, and I don’t fully trust. Call it nepotism, but this corporation is my sweat and blood.”
“I am missing something here. And I don’t even have a share in your company.”
“Once I get my inheritance, I’m selling it to you.”
I glared at my wife. “Are you crazy?”
“Better with you than others.”
“Jesus, my head is gonna explode.” I leaned back, massaging the back of my neck before I focused back on this mindless debate. “What change, baby?”
“Grandpa—”
“I’m sick.”
My world stopped. I glanced between my wife and Lex—they seemed not fooling around. Suddenly my stomach twisted painfully. I grabbed a glass of water and drank it. I rewound and thought of it for a while until a wave of clarity hit me harder.
“I have an ESRD.”
“What’s that even mean?” My voice dropped.
“End Stage Renal Failure. In layman’s terms, my kidneys are not working properly.”
“And just now, you’re fucking telling me this.” I narrowed my eyes at him before I asked my wife. “And you, when did you find out?”
“Yesterday.” Her face suddenly fell, and those eyes filled with profound sorrow. “I came here, which he didn’t expect me to appear after a few tries. He didn’t want me to know, but I found it anyway. He’s treating himself with dialysis three times a week, here at home, with his doctors.”
“Jesus Christ.” I rose from my seat and walked away. I propped my hands on my hips and tried to do a breathing exercise, but it made breathing harder even more.
“I’m sorry, Mykel.”
I pulled Adley into my arms and hugged her tight. It seemed that was the only rational thing to do at this moment, and this was the time that we needed each other.
“Can we go back now?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
I sat back. Lex’s nurse brought those bottles that felt like someone had just twisted a knife into my heart. It felt like a Deja Vu all over again with my mom.
“Should you do something invasive?”
“That’s the plan, but I’m not planning on coming back as the CEO. I know I’m selfish—”
“That’s not selfishness.” I cut in. My voice suddenly broke. He may be my mentor, but he was more of a father to me than my own. “You’re doing the right thing.”
“I should have listened to him when he told me to work with him years ago.”
“Don’t blame yourself, Adley. I, myself, did not even expect to get this disease. I still feel terrible for putting you into this situation, but I also know that it’s your birthright to run this business.”
“You did what you think was right. Don’t ever regret wanting to follow your dreams,” I told my wife.
“Even if we disagreed with your life choices, and if I only have another choice, I’d rather watch you enjoy your life.” He took a deep breath before he looked away at the landscape.
“Let’s discuss this when she receives the documents of her inheritance.” I stayed silent for a while and didn’t know Adley was watching me.
“I’m sorry if I didn’t tell you.”
“Let me guess. Lex put you in a difficult situation again.”
“It’s my fault.”
“Enough of this blame and arguments. Let’s put this to an end. Right now, I want to know if you found a kidney.”
“This may sound insensitive and immoral, but I found someone willing to give his kidney.”
“What’s the catch? College plan for his daughter and cash for his family?” My question came out intrusive and unsympathetic.
My wife looked away, wiping her tears. “Would it be possible I could be your donor?”
I was in pure shell shock. I couldn’t argue with her and put my life first because I was in love with her. That would be too selfish, but I was selfish. “No way, Adley. I still need you.”
“I’m not gonna die. This is just a kidney. I will still have another.”
“You’re still young. It won’t work, and I’d rather spend all my money to buy a kidney or die rather than receive yours.”
“Grandpa!” she cried out.
“Look, you’re the only one I have left. So no. That’s not an option.” Lex looked at me. “Talk to your wife, for God’s sake.”
I squeezed my eyes shut. I’d never thought I would be in this position before coming over. I deeply inhaled before I faced my wife. “Baby, his donor has agreed, and I will make sure to help him as well. That’s a promise.”
“I still don’t like it, Mykel.” She walked away, and I watched her back fade inside the house.
I faced Lex and changed the topic before I burst into crying. “I wanna know who’s the guy you hired to look after my wife.”
“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I frowned at his answer, casting him an inquisitive look. “Have you implanted a tracker chip into my wife?”
“That’s madness,” he grudgingly replied to my accusation, but he neither confirmed nor denied.
“Is it Blaze?”
“No.” Lex fell into his solitude.
After that stressful conversation, we retreated to her room. I took off my suit and shoes and joined Adley curled into a ball in bed.
“You don’t have to do this alone. I’m here with you.” I slipped my arm under her pillow and pulled her into my arms. “Lex is strong. He can pull this off.”
She turned to me. Our noses were merely an inch apart; I could see clearly the specks in her eyes and those emotions lingering in.
“Talk to me.” I reached out, swiping the hair away from her face. “You are so beautiful, Adley.” I ran my thumb on the point of her nose, trailing my finger to her cheek down her neck.
“Did you mean what you said?”
“Yes, all of them.”
“Okay.” It should have shocked me, yet I froze like a moron for a moment as I felt her lips against mine. Adley took a leap and kissed me. I kissed her back and shoved her lips apart to give me more access.
As I slipped my tongue into her mouth, she let go of a moan. All my restrains came crashing down to my dick. My needs soared, and my greediness took over my remaining sanity. I wrapped my arms around her, rolled us over, and took over completely.
I had anticipated this. These had been days of tensions and aches, and right now, it was happening.
I could have her the way I wanted, the way I had been yearning for nights. I could finally feel my wife, see her as the ecstasy rolled through her, yet it didn’t feel right.
I stopped. Even my cock told me how it felt so good to graze against her, but I stopped.
Her eyes were wide in shock. “Why did you stop?”
“This isn’t right. Not like this. Not when you are emotionally vulnerable.”
