Alexis paced the living room like a caged animal, her mind replaying the caller's words over and over.
"I am Jane, consider this an early introduction before Mikel puts things in place. I am his lover, and I am pregnant with his child."
"No, it can't be true... Right? Mikel would not do this to me, right? It is not possible." She tried to deny it maybe it would make her feel better but that was futile.
Her thoughts transformed into chaos, images and memories flashing before her.
"The picture..." Alexis remembered the picture her friend sent her—Mikel with a woman, which she dismissed as unimportant.
"Now, it all makes sense..."
"The lies. The distance. His coldness..."
Tears welled up in her eyes as anger and heartbreak tangled together, forming a knot in her chest.
"Why, Mikel? Why?"
She managed to drag herself to the bedroom. In there, Alexis collapsed onto the bed, getting her sobs muffled by the pillow.
"Why would you do this to me, Mikel?"
When night came, she barely slept, just tossing and turning as the night crawled by, her heart refusing to rest.
By dawn, she had made up her mind.
"Mikel would not do this to me. No! It is just some homewrecker trying to break us. The argument... Him leaving home, that was just a coincidence with the woman's timing. I just need to get in touch with Mikel and clear everything." She reassured herself.
The phone rang repeatedly as she dialed Mikel's number, her hands trembling with each call, but there was no response.
Her frustration grew, and by the fourth call, she threw the phone onto the bed.
"Fine, Mikel. If you won't pick up, I will come to you."
She showered quickly, her mind focused. She chose a simple yet elegant dress and the fabric hugged her curves in just the right places. Her eyes were swollen but her beauty was unmistakable.
As she walked down the stairs, Ava, the house chef, looked up from her duties and smiled.
"You look stunning, ma'am. You are going to have breakfast before you leave?" Ava asked gently.
But Alexis barely acknowledged her, she was so distracted by the thoughts that filled her mind.
"Take me to Mikel's second company." She instructed the driver firmly when she got outside.
~~~~~~~~~
At the company;
Alexis knew her way around as she had been there countless times before, accompanying Mikel to events, meetings, and late-night work sessions.
The receptionist greeted her with a polite smile.
"Good morning, Mrs. Johnson."
"Morning. Is Mikel in the boardroom?" She asked knowing what his schedule on a Monday was.
"Yes, ma'am. The meeting is still in session."
"I will wait in his office." Alexis said.
"Of course." The receptionist replied.
Alexis got into the office and took a seat in one of the leather chairs, her heart literally pounding in anticipation.
Minutes passed before the door opened.
And she heard laughter first before seeing the figures.
Alexis turned her head, her breath catching in her throat.
Mikel walked in, hand in hand with Jane.
They were oblivious to her presence, as they conversed warmly.
"… I still can't believe I am the head of the company now." Jane was saying, her eyes shinning with excitement.
"Well, you would believe it when the staff start addressing you as Ma'am and you are barking orders at them." Mikel replied, all smiles.
Alexis watched them, frozen in place, her mind struggling to process the scene before her.
"Right! Now, our baby can get a corporate woman for a mother."Jane said and her hand rested on her still-flat stomach. Mikel's hand covered hers protectively.
Then, Alexis cleared her throat, the sound silencing the lovebirds.
Mikel's head snapped up, his eyes widening in shock.
"Alexis…"
Jane's eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't let go of Mikel's hand.
Mikel, however, quickly tried to pull his hand away, but Jane didn't allow it.
"Don't, Mikel. We don't have to hide anymore." Jane said softly, with a sly smile.
Alexis rose from the chair slowly, her gaze fixed on them.
"What… is this?" Her voice was dangerously low.
Mikel hesitated, guilt flashing across his face.
"Alexis, it is not what it —"
"It is exactly what it looks like." Jane interrupted smugly.
Alexis turned her gaze to Jane, her eyes burning with a mixture of pain and fury.
"Stay out of this, stranger." Alexis warned coldly.
"I am no stranger. I'm carrying his child." Jane said defiantly.
Alexis's fists clenched at her sides angrily.
"Mikel, Is this why you suddenly changed and become distant? Is this why you have been treating me like I'm nothing?" She asked.
Mikel took a step forward, his eyes filled with conflict.
"Yes, Jane is pregnant, Alexis. I need to be there for her." He admitted.
The words hit Alexis like a blow. Her vision blurred with tears, but she refused to let them fall.
"And what about me, Mikel? What about us? What about everything we have built together?" She demanded.
Mikel ran a hand through his hair, evidently frustrated.
"Alexis… we have been stuck. You know that. No child, no future. Jane gives me that."
Alexis's chest tightened with pain.
"So… that's it? You replace me because I couldn't give you a child?"
Mikel looked away, unable to meet her eyes.
"It is not just about the child. It is about happiness. And Mikel is happy with me." Jane chipped in sweetly but there was a hint of malice in her tone.
However, Alexis didn't reply to her.
"Is that true?" She asked Mikel instead, her voice breaking.
Mikel finally met her gaze, his eyes cold and detached.
"Yes."
Alexis's knees nearly gave out, but she steadied herself, refusing to crumble in front of them.
"How could you do this to me, Mikel? After everything?" She asked, her voice shaking with anger.
Mikel's expression hardened.
"Alexis… if you can't cope with this… maybe it is time for you to leave." He told her coldly.
Alexis stared at him in disbelief, her hands trembling.
"Are you… asking me to leave your life?"
Mikel's jaw tightened.
"Yes, I believe it's time we dissolve this futile marriage." He blurted.