The Broken Heir

“Faster, August! Faster! Aaahhhh!” Screams and muffled moans echoed throughout the small apartment bathroom. Paula sat perched atop August, her coworker and childhood friend, who had just returned to the California Medical Center a few days prior from a doctor exchange program in Australia. After August gave Paula a diamond ring and confessed his feelings, their long-suppressed longing and love finally found release. Their pent-up passion erupted, causing Paula to forget she was engaged to Nicholas Hamilton. Nicholas, who also worked as a doctor at the same hospital, stood frozen behind the apartment bathroom door, a mix of emotions churning within him, his rage barely contained. He had just finished his shift and planned to rest before taking Paula out to dinner after several failed attempts. However, upon arriving, Nicholas was shocked by Paula’s loud moans. The sound of running shower water made the sight of their frantic coupling even more agonizing for Nicholas; it soaked both their bodies until they glistened. Nicholas’s hands clenched tightly, his nails digging into his palms until they bled. But the pain in his hands paled in comparison to the agony in his heart at that moment. His heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vise, and it seemed as if half his soul had fled his frozen, lifeless body. His throat burned intensely. Perhaps if his body weren’t bleeding from being cut by a knife. His eyes also felt hot. Tears welled up, and he struggled to hold back his sobs, which made it hard to breathe. Even after their passionate struggle ended and they were both submerged, Nicholas remained rooted in place. He wanted to break in and attack August for daring to touch his fiancée. But his resolve faltered when he heard Paula’s confession, which was even more painful. “I’m sorry for not waiting longer for you, dear,” she said to August. “I know you’ll regret it!” August replied. The man gently stroked Paula’s face and let her rest on his wet chest. “Regret...” Nicholas softly murmured, pounding his chest, which felt even tighter. Their two years of happiness and Paula’s words of love were now nothing but regret. It was as if everything Nicholas had done for their relationship meant nothing to her. “He kept pursuing me. I feel sorry for him, too,” Paula said again. “Besides, you left me for your new title. That’s why I accepted him, even though I had to!” Nicholas felt as though a sharp blade had pierced his heart. His heart seemed to stop beating, and his entire body went limp. He nearly stumbled and fell but managed to steady himself by pressing his hands against the wall. Tears streamed down his face uncontrollably, mirroring the pain spreading throughout his body. “So you were just using him?” August asked, chuckling at Paula’s confession. “Of course!” Paula replied. “You see this apartment, right?” she said. “He paid the rent and met all my needs. I saved my entire salary to buy you that car!” Paula sounded immensely proud of her accomplishments for August. “You’re truly amazing, Paula!” August praised her. “Of course, dear! And you know what?” Paula replied, her eyes sparkling. Nicholas, eavesdropping outside, continued listening, dreading the extent of the betrayal. “He’s never touched me!” Paula exclaimed. August straightened his back and turned toward Paula. “Really?” Nicholas knew August must be shocked by the truth. After all, they had made the agreement not to touch Paula after she confessed that August, her childhood friend, had harassed her. The incident had left Paula with such deep scars that she was terrified and sought help from a psychiatrist. She told her story so convincingly that Nicholas felt sorry for her and wanted to protect her. The fact that their relationship had been strained before August left for Australia also reinforced Nicholas’s belief in Paula’s story. Unbeknownst to him, Nicholas had been protecting the snake that would destroy his life and break his heart. He didn’t even know how to face his mother, who loved Paula and had high hopes for her. Nicholas tried to steel himself again. He didn’t want to lower his self-worth by begging Paula for forgiveness. He would resolve this deception and betrayal another way after he calmed down and could think clearly. That’s why he decided to leave quietly. He left them engrossed in their affectionate banter. But August’s question stopped him in his tracks. “Wait a minute! Isn’t Nicholas a descendant of the Hamilton family?” August asked. “His mother is Giselle Hamilton, right?” The mocking way August said Nicholas’s mother’s name burned Nicholas’s heart. “Yes, you know the Hamilton family, the one known as the Doctor family?” Paula said. August nodded. “Of course I know!” August replied. “But it’s good you weren’t touched by Nicholas. His mother was expelled from the family and is no longer recognized as a member.” Paula agreed with August. “Yeah, his mother. I heard she got pregnant by a poor man whom the family opposed.” “Yes, you’re right!” August replied. “I’ve heard their story, and it’s crazy! His mother was foolish choosing to give birth to Nicholas and abandon the Hamilton family. If she had aborted him while he was still in the womb, her life wouldn’t be so poor and disgusting!” Brakk! Nicholas couldn’t take it anymore. He could endure the betrayal and humiliation aimed at him but not at his beloved mother. Paula’s lies must have hurt his mother’s heart. Now, their insults compounded the pain, making Nicholas’s ears burn and his emotions explode. He burst into the bathroom, startling them both. They jumped, and Paula screamed before hiding behind August. They were both naked. “Traitor!” Nicholas shouted. “Watch your mouth about my mother!” He pointed furiously at both of them. He kicked August, sending him falling into the bathtub. “August!” Paula screamed. She helped him stand up. “Get out, Paula! This is my business!” August said. Wrapping a towel around his waist, he stepped out of the bathtub and walked toward Nicholas. “Why?” he asked. “Are you offended?” With a mocking expression and a smirk on his lips, August taunted Nicholas again. He tapped Nicholas’s shoulder and whispered, “You shouldn’t have been born so your mother wouldn’t have lost her precious life!” Nicholas’s fury ignited, and he raised his arm, ready to strike August. Unfortunately, his movements were too slow. August struck Nicholas’s stomach hard and kicked him in the groin, causing him to collapse instantly. Unsatisfied with Nicholas’s collapse, August continued to beat him repeatedly until his face and body were covered in blood. His ribs seemed broken as well, and he struggled to breathe before losing consciousness. August immediately left the apartment with Paula without a second glance. They were unaware that the bracelet Nicholas was wearing had sent a signal to someone who came to save his life. ***