Married To One, Inlove with Another

Past

Chapter 4

Heath POV

I seethed with anger as I recalled the incident where a careless woman spilled juice all over me. "Was she blind?" I fumed. My irritation led me to take drastic action, and I had her fired.

But my mind wasn't on the incident for long. I had just returned to the country with a two-pronged mission: visit my company and then head home to my wife. Guilt weighed heavily on me; I had left her without a word on our wedding night.

The memory still haunted me. My businesses were on the brink of collapsing, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to salvage them. I had to leave, no matter how difficult the decision was.

Now, all I wanted was to seek my wife's forgiveness and move forward. The prolonged separation must have been unbearable and totally unfair to her.

As I stepped into the compound, my driver efficiently parked the car and rushed to open the door for me. I emerged, taking a moment to gaze around the familiar surroundings. The house looked eerily unchanged since my abrupt departure three years ago. A faint smile crossed my lips, nostalgia washing over me.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the confrontation ahead, and entered the house. Inside, Zara stood tall, her hand resting on her hips, exuding a sense of defiance. Her eyes flashed with a mix of emotions - anger, hurt, and uncertainty.

I approached her calmly, aware that my sudden disappearance had left unresolved wounds. My priority was to explain, to make amends, and reclaim our lost connection.

"Zara," I said softly, my voice laced with regret.

She locked gaze with me, her eyes searching for answers. I'm not good at reading the atmosphere, but the air surrounding us was heavy with unspoken words and I couldn't help but feel suffocated.

"Oh, my God! Look who we have here?" She said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "The man who left his wife on their wedding night and disappeared without any trace for three whole years, and also did me the honors of firing me simply because I spilled juice on him mistakenly."

I was taken aback by her accusations, confusion etched on my face as I wondered how she's coincidentally referring to what transpired in my company earlier. "Wait, that voice..." I trailed off, my mind racing.

Memories flooded back - the incident at the company, the woman's desperate pleas, and my cold disregard. I had never seen her face, but the voice... it was unmistakable.

"Were you the one I fired back there just now?" I asked, my voice laced with incredulity.

Zara scoffed, her eyes flashing with indignation. "You pretended as if you don't know me then, are you still going to pretend like you didn't know it was I whom you just fired?" She spat out each words with so much anger.

"Yes, I didn't know it was you. Gosh!" I exclaimed, hitting my forehead in frustration.

I took a step closer to Zara, but she retreated, her eyes flashing warning signs. I halted, sensing her unease.

Just then, a tiny ball of energy hurtled toward us, shouting "Mum, Mum, Mum!"

I stared, stunned, as the little boy rushed into Zara's arms. He looked uncannily like her.

Mum? What on earth is happening here? Where did this little one come from? How can she have a son while I was away? Did she give up on our marriage and moved on with someone else? I thought, my mind was racing with so many disturbing questions right now.

"Julian, what's it?" Zara asked, crouching to his level.

"You promised to buy me a car toy today!" the little boy exclaimed, pouting.

"Julian, you can see Mummy is busy. Go back inside; I'll join you soon," Zara said gently, yet sounded authoritative.

The boy obediently nodded and scampered off.

My eyes locked onto Zara's, filled with questions.

"Who...?" I began, my voice trembling.

"Are you seriously going to ask me that?" She cut me off, her eyes flashing with defiance.

I clapped my hands together, sarcasm dripping from my tone. "So, you have a son? This is incredible."

My anger boiled over, but I struggled to maintain control.

"What do you mean? Is it a crime to have a child?" Zara asked, her voice steady.

I stepped closer, my grip tightening around her neck. "How could you have an affair? You cheated on me and had a child without me, just because I was away for three years?" I thundered.

Zara's eyes widened, but she remained silent, fueling my rage.

"How could you bring a child into our home, a child that's not even mine?" I demanded.

Zara's gaze locked onto mine, her expression a mix of shock, fear, and indignation.

Just as my anger threatened to consume me, I saw the fear in her eyes and released my grip.

"Good heavens! Heath, how did I even end up with someone as vile and despicable as you?" she spat, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What did you just say?" I growled, my eyes blazing.

Zara's gaze met mine, unflinching. "Do you think I'm scared of you? No, I'm not. What more insults will I take from someone like you?" she yelled, attempting to wrench her hand free.

My grip tightened, refusal etched on my face. "What did you take me for? Someone you can just walk all over?" I snarled.

Zara scoffed, her eyes flashing defiance. "You're the one who walked all over me, leaving without a word. Now you dare question my choices?"

Her words cut deep, but my anger wouldn't subside.

"Answer me, Zara. Who is Julian's father?" I demanded.

Zara's expression turned icy. "Maybe it's none of your business."

"You better start talking now, or I promise, I'll kill you!" I threatened, my voice menacing.

Zara's eyes blazed with fury. "I've heard enough of your empty threats, Heath. How dare you accuse me of infidelity? I mean, what gave you the audacity to question my faithfulness? Who did you think I was?"

She paused, taking a deep breath.

"Listen, I wasn't some slut who you picked up from the club and got married to. That child is a result of the game you played with me three years ago – the day we got married, the very day you left," she revealed, her voice steady.

My hands trembled as I released my grip, stunned.

"You...you can't mean that," I stuttered.

Zara's expression turned cold. "You might think I'm not the same person you married. Yes, I've changed. I've learned to grow alone, to survive without you."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me reeling.

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. The possibility of Julian being my son was unthinkable.

A week had passed, and I couldn't muster the courage to face Zara. My guilt and shame kept me away, hiding behind my work. I left early and returned late, avoiding any encounters.

My PA's call changed everything. "Sir, she's working at a restaurant...as a waitress."

My anger boiled over, and I sprang into action. "Get me there now."

Thirty minutes later, I stormed into the restaurant, scanning the room until I spotted Zara attending to a customer.

I strode toward her, my heart racing. Without a word, I grasped her wrist, pulling her away.

Zara's eyes widened in shock as I dragged her outside.

"What are you doing? This is my workplace, you can't just barge in and do whatever you like!" she bellowed at me, but I didn't say a word.

I couldn't answer. Emotions overwhelmed me – anger, guilt, and regret.

"Why did you have to work here?" I finally asked.

"Let go of me!" Zara shouted, struggling to break free.

"How dare you work in a place like this?" I demanded, my anger boiling over.

"You don't get to tell me where the hell to work," she retorted, her voice firm. "I decide that myself. Leave now."

"No. I'm not leaving without you!" I stated firmly. "I won't allow you to disgrace me like this," I insisted. "You're my wife, and working here reflects poorly on me."

"What?" she scoffed. "Did you think about how I'm going to survive when you left? Did you even stop and think for a second, that my workplace will reflect on you?"

"That's in the past. you will quit this job."

Zara's eyes flashed defiance, but I didn't give her a chance to respond.

I stormed over to the manager's office. "You see that lady over there?" I pointed towards her. "She's my wife, and I want her fired.”