Chapter 3 Three

“Just a minute, Mr. Winfrey," the doctor said, rummaging through his drawer.

Jacob sat in the sterile, white-walled doctor’s office, his leg bouncing nervously. The faint hum of the air conditioner and the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock only amplified his growing unease.

He had spent months feeling unwell, brushing it off as stress or fatigue. But when the symptoms persisted, he had decided to undergo a series of tests. Tests he had kept secret, even from Elena and Sheila.

Now, the doctor sat across from him, his expression a mix of concern and hesitation. Jacob hated the look on his face. It was the kind of look doctors gave when the news wasn’t good.

“What's wrong doc? What's wrong with me?” he asked, finding it hard to ease into the look on his face that clearly tells another story.

“You’re fine,” the doctor began, his voice measured. “Physically, there’s nothing life-threatening. But I have to ask why haven’t you been coming to the clinic for treatment alongside your wife?”

Jacob’s jaw tightened, irritation flaring. “What are you talking about?” he asked, his voice curt. “Sheila doesn’t come here anymore, and she’s no longer my concern. I’m here for myself, not her.”

They did come together in the past. Taking rounds of tests on her to see what was wrong.

The doctor leaned back, his brows furrowing. “That’s... surprising. I specifically advised Mrs. Winfrey to bring you here regularly for follow-ups. She even insisted on taking your prescriptions to ensure you were following through with treatment.”

There was a time she kept nudging him to take drugs. And when he asked what for, she only said something like for futility. Why would he take drugs when she's the one with infertile womb.

Jacob scoffed. “I don’t need her meddling in my life. Besides, she’s no longer my wife in any meaningful sense. I’ll be bringing Elena here instead. She’s pregnant with my child.”

The doctor froze. His pen slipped from his fingers, clattering onto the desk. “Elena?” He furrowed before adding”Pregnant? With your child?” His voice was incredulous, disbelief etched into every word.

Jacob smirked, leaning back confidently. “Yes. Unlike Sheila, Elena can give me what I deserve a family.”

The doctor shook his head, his shock turning to something resembling pity. “Mr. Winfrey,” he began carefully, “I’m afraid to say that’s not possible.”

Jacob’s smirk faltered. “What do you mean?”

The doctor opened a drawer and retrieved a file, sliding it across the desk. “You’re infertile, Mr. Winfrey. There’s absolutely no chance you can father a child. I informed your wife of this months ago. She was supposed to bring you in for further evaluation and treatment.”

The words hit Jacob harder than he could take. His world tilted as he stared at the report, the damning words glaring back at him. Infertile. No chance of fathering a child.

“What... what are you saying?” he stammered, his voice hoarse. “This can’t be true. My girlfriend is pregnant. She’s carrying my child.”

The doctor’s expression softened, but there was no room for doubt in his tone. “It’s impossible, Mr. Winfrey. I’m sorry, but the tests were conclusive. I strongly advised your wife to make sure you adhered to your medication regimen. It’s clear you haven’t. You can't make a woman pregnant with your state of condition. There's zero chance of it.”

Jacob’s grip tightened on the edge of the desk, his knuckles white. “Sheila never told me,” he muttered, anger simmering beneath the surface. “That wretched woman!”

The doctor sighed. “She tried. I insisted she bring you in, but she said you were too busy and wouldn’t listen. She took the burden on herself and even said I mustn't tell you that you are the problem, but it seems her efforts went unnoticed.”

The truth was suffocating. Elena’s pregnancy wasn’t his. It couldn’t be. A sickening realization began to creep into Jacob’s mind as he stormed out of the office, the doctor’s voice calling after him, but he couldn’t hear anything beyond the pounding of his heart.

—

Sheila sat across from Mr. Allison, her lawyer, in his cozy office lined with bookshelves. He smiled warmly, his voice tinged with admiration. “I told you then, didn’t I?”

Sheila nodded, her expression unreadable. “You saved me, Mr. Allison. If I’d gone through with willing my properties to Jacob, I’d have lost everything.”

Five years ago, blinded by love, Sheila had been ready to sign over her company and assets to Jacob. But Mr. Allison had intervened, convincing her to delay the process and create a safety net. A fake.

Now, sitting here, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of gratitude.

“I want a divorce,” she said firmly. “As soon as possible.”

Mr. Allison smiled, already prepared. “I thought you’d say that. The papers are ready. All you need to do is sign.”

Sheila took the pen, her hand steady as she signed the documents that would sever her ties to Jacob. It was the first step toward reclaiming her life.

She picked up the paper and shook hands with the older man seated behind the desk.

“Thank you.” she muttered before walking out of the office towards her car.

The moment she stepped in, chaos erupted in Jacob and Elena’s bedroom. The one she had once shared with him before being chased out by his mother.

It wasn't closed, both staring daggers at each other.

Funny his mother could only stare and watch without saying anything. If it was her, she would have scoped her hair away by now.

“Pathetic.” Sheila blurted.

Whose child is it, huh? Whose child is it you Whore!” he demanded, his voice shaking with fury.

Elena crossed her arms, defiant. “What does it matter? You couldn’t give me one anyway.”

The words struck like a dagger. “You lied to me,” Jacob accused. “You made me believe—”

“I made you believe what you wanted to believe,” Elena interrupted, her voice cold. “Did you really think I’d pin my future on a man who can’t even father a child?”

Sheila wanted to laugh as she watched them. So good he had to find out today of all day. She loved how things were turning out.

Jacob’s fists clenched at his sides. “Get out,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Elena smirked, grabbing her purse. “Gladly..” she replied, picking her stuff. “I was going to end it anyway. Thank you for the funds.”

“What.. what are you talking about?” he asked, unable to comprehend what she was saying.

“The papers of collaboration you signed, and the funds you gave for the enlargement of your new company, the very one your wife wasn't aware of is now in my name. Don't you dare come near.” She said and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Jacob sank to the floor, his head in his hands. The truth was inescapable. He had destroyed his marriage, alienated Sheila, and now he was losing everything to a woman who never truly cared for him.

Elena watched Sheila as she made her ways upstairs while she went downstairs. “He's all yours now.” She said, and brush pass her downstairs

Sheila said nothing, but only continued walking upstairs to her room when the despicable and shameless voice of her mother-in-law rang out.

“Sheila, thank goodness you’re here,” Mrs. Winfrey said, desperation in her voice. “Your husband has been through hell.”

Sheila didn’t respond. Instead, she walked past her mother-in-law and headed upstairs to her room. The shouting grew louder as she closed the door behind her, blocking out the noise. She had no interest in their drama.

In the privacy of her room, Sheila picked up her phone and dialed Mr. Addison. “Can you do me one more favor, lawyer?” She asked, her lips twitching. “I want my house put up for sale.”