Chapter 5: The Worthless Brother-In-Law

After leaving my office in Jake’s capable hands, I’m headed to meet James Davenport, a well-known, eminent movie director and producer, and my brother-in-law in his mid-thirties. In terms of business, James isn't a rotten apple, but when it comes to fame and social life, his reputation is no better than common trash.

When Chloe told me that she wanted to marry James, I had the man investigated inside out. Sleeping around was his hobby and the words faithfulness and loyalty weren’t in his dictionary.

He initially thought that he’d be able to get away with dating Chloe. That was before he found out about her full name. After marrying Chloe, I strictly banned him from partying. 

He didn’t take me seriously until I promised to relieve him of his manhood if he ever proved to be unfaithful to his wife.

The driver pulls over before the studio. I get out of the car and find the usually bustling spot to be uncommonly quiet. Outside, not a single person can be spotted and on top of that, the gate is not guarded or locked.

I don’t ponder on the possibilities and go inside without announcing myself. 

The moment I walk inside the studio, the smell of rum and beer hits me hard. The place is a mess: snacks on the couch, drinks on the floor, popcorn stuck on the wall and the TV is on... Is that por–?

I turn my head away and head further inside. I swear if James isn’t here, I’ll do a good number on him for wasting my time. 

I follow the sound of running water and head towards the bathroom. The closer I get, the better hold I get over the conversation going on inside. It sounds like James... and he has company.

“Please, I’m begging you! Don’t do this!” The muffled sounds come from a crying woman.

“Who told you to come here and blackmail me with someone else’s seed? You should’ve seen it coming.” After James finishes, the woman cries out in agony.

Deciding I’ve heard enough, I barge into the bathroom.

The first thing I see is a woman not a day older than twenty-five years of age, lying face down on the tiled floor. Blood is dripping out from between her legs and she’s crying while holding her stomach. 

And in a corner, I see James, who stinks of beer and party. He’s watching the woman closely, without blinking. 

I sprint to the woman and lift her in my arms. I call my driver and take the woman to the car. Instructing the man to bring her to a hospital, I give Jake a call.

He picks up after the third ring. “Miss me already?”

“Shut up and listen.” 

I instruct Jake to go to the hospital and wait for my call. Leaving the woman in Jake’s care, I can let out a sigh of relief. But it doesn’t last long.

My anger blinds me as I walk back inside the house. James is sitting on the couch in the living area, lost in thought whilst staring at his hands as if he’s noticed them for the first time.

A closer look at him and I can conclude that he isn’t just drunk. His eyes are bloodshot and his eyelids are droopy. His hands are trembling if one looks at them for a moment long.

“James!” I storm towards where he’s seated. I don’t do him harm for the moment. I need to know first what just happened. Even if I have a hunch.

“Who was that woman?” I decide to ask one question at a time. He’s so drunk that it’s hard to consider he’d lie.

“A model. Lisa Martinez.” 

“What was she doing here?”

“She said she was pregnant. She said it was mine. But she was lying. I was always careful to–” 

My fists ball firmly to the point my hands whiten. I want to mess up his drunken face. But I calm myself. 

Chloe would be mad. Chloe would be mad. Chloe would be mad.

“Did she have proof?” I try again.

“She brought a piece of paper. As if I’d ever fall for that trick.” He starts laughing maniacally.

I search around to look for it and sure enough, I find it lying down in front of the bathtub. When I look it up, I see it’s a DNA test that certifies James to be the father of that woman’s unborn child.

And he killed it.

But that can’t be right. It means he’s not infertile.

He cheated on Chloe.

All these thoughts crash down on me at once, and I don’t know how to sort them out. I drive away my attention from James because my blood boils whenever I see his face. 

I’m going to have to clean up this mess I want to throw James in. So, the first thing I do is call Jake. When he picks up, I ask about the woman’s condition.

“She lost the child.” 

I’m seconds away from widowing my little sister.

“Try to solve the matter with money. She names it. She’s a model—use this information to negotiate.” 

I hang up when I see an incoming call from Chloe. But I can’t take it right now. I feel guilty for not protecting. I need to relieve my guilt first.

I put my phone away and take off my blazer. I fold up my sleeves and take off my tie. 

James is sitting on the couch like an obedient dog, lost in another world. I grit my teeth at his calm expression. He shows no remorse. I won’t show leniency as well.

Walking up to him, I grab him by the collar and bring my fists down to meet his face. My guilt releases and the frustration of half a day comes out freely. I pounce on his face, nose, and jaw continuously with my fist until I’m sure something is broken.

When I pull back, his face is bruised, and his nose is broken and bloodied. And he’s no longer drunk, he’s wide awake.

He holds his nose together in pain and screams like that model from earlier. He must’ve been drunk when I called him earlier. After venting my anger on my least favorite person, I felt much better. However, not the closest to feeling happy.

“What the hell?” He screams and I land another blow on his face. He doesn’t question again.

I wear my tie and roll down my sleeves. I retrieve my blazer and look back at him. 

“This is the last time I’m letting you off the hook, James. Cross me again–”

“What will you do, huh?” James rises from the couch and storms forward furiously. “You can’t kill me since your sister is head over heels for me.”

He’s bluffing. His quivering lips give him away.

I don’t waste a moment before pinning him to a wall by his throat. I use all my might, choking him.

“Don’t underestimate me. I can make you disappear from the face of the earth. Chloe will never know what happened to you, and I’ll let her marry someone much more deserving of her than you’ll ever be!” 

I hurl him away from myself and he falls face-first on the floor. “Clean your mess up! Don’t let Chloe see this.”

Not trusting myself another moment alone with him, I make my way out of the so-called studio. Another car is outside waiting for me.

I get close to the car and the driver comes out to hold my door. “I’ll drive,” I dismiss him and get in the driver’s seat.

My phone rings from another incoming call from Chloe. I let it ring. I don’t want to pick it up, because I don’t want to break this news to her.

My screen pops up from a text.

‘Doc says everything’s fine with me. What bout Jamie?’ 

I read it again and again, but it doesn’t make sense. Was James telling the truth when he said the child wasn’t his? That can’t be. If nothing is wrong with either of them, can it be that they...

‘He’s okay too.’ I type back. ‘Congrats, you still have a chance to be a momma!’ 

I don’t want to hide James’ infertility from Chloe, but it’s better and more peaceful without her knowing. I’ll give James this last chance to be a better husband and if he still doesn’t rectify his actions, I’ll keep my word to him.

I start the ignition and the car comes to life. I’m about to turn around out of his property when my phone lights up once more.

This call is from an unsaved number. But I know this number by heart. It’s my key to getting what I want.

I pick it up. 

“I’m ready, boss. I’ll wait for your signal.”

“Good job, Z. If everything goes well, you’ll soon receive your reward.” 

“Trust me, boss. I’ve never failed a job before.”

The call ends. I drive out of the parking lot and into the driveway. My body ultimately relaxes and my lips stretch to form a smirk. 

I’ve been planning for this for a whole week. It’ll be fun to watch the turn today takes.