The Billionaire’s Creed

MYKEL

Jax was always hyperactive, as if he just received his sugar rush-he never ran out of energy. After we played in his room, I felt like running miles while he was still zestful. His laugh was so rich, and how he looked at me with so much innocence warmed my heart.

He was full of life. Deep in my heart, I loved this kid and wanted to protect him from this cruel world as he explored and learned about life.

“Let me check on your new friend and mommy, okay?”

“Adley.” he nodded, still beaming. The mind of kids still fascinated me. They remembered almost everything, even their first encounter.

“I’ll be right back.” I dragged myself out of bed.

I found Adley and Jade still talking. Adley looked like she had been crying. I knew this situation I put her in was immensely difficult.

“Is everything okay?”

They turned to look at me.

“We were just talking about her pregnancy and college days,” my wife replied.

“And how Jax instantly likes her,” Jade added.

“Yeah, I noticed that.” I smiled. “And he remembers her name.”

Jade stood up. “Can I talk to him first?”

“Sure.”

She drew a deep breath before she went to my kid’s room.

I sat beside Adley. Something was bothering her, and lately, she had changed. She was more secretive and distant.

I couldn’t blame her. I blamed myself for what I put her through over a short time. Once this was over, I intended to do everything to earn back her trust. There was nothing I would do for my wife.

I squeezed her hand. “Forgive me, baby.”

Her gaze flew at me. “Let’s get this over with.” She rose from the chair. Jade came back and gave us a go.

“It’s okay if I come?” Adley asked.

“Of course, I want him to know he can trust you.”

We entered the room. Jax was sitting on the bed, playing with his car. His eyes lit up as soon as he saw us.

“You’re back!”

“I will always come back, Jax.”

“Honey.” Jade sat in front of her son. “Remember your friend downstairs. His name is-”

“Matt,” he answered.

“Yes. Matt. You remember when you met his mommy and the other guy.”

“Um-hum.”

“That’s his daddy.”

He lifted his gaze from his toys to his mother and me. My heart nearly stopped. Somehow, he might feel our connection.

“Well, Mykel over there is like Matt’s daddy.”

Jax stared at me for a couple of seconds before he smiled at his mother.

“And he wants to talk to you. Is that okay?”

I let go of a shuddering breath.

Jax nodded.

“You can also talk to Adley. She can be your friend.”

Jax looked at Adley and beamed. It was hard to explain the connection between them. It puzzled me-it was like they had a bond together. They just magnetized.

Adley and I joined him in bed. Jade went to the chair as she tried to hide her tears. I knew she was scared of Jax getting hurt and introducing strangers to her son.

“Just a sec, baby,” I excused myself. “Let me just talk to your mommy,” I told Jax.

I went to Jade. “I know you’re scared, but you don’t have to. I will never hurt him. He’s my son, too, Jade. I know you’d been alone raising him, and I owed you everything. But you’re not alone anymore. If you are going to give me a chance to spend some time with Jax, I’ll make sure he’s gonna be safe with me, and I will protect him with my life-”Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

A rich laugh erupted from the bed, causing us to look at my wife and Jax playing.

“You like Wonder Woman, huh? She’s quite a bad-strong and bold. She’s strong like your mom.”

“And you.” Jax pointed at her.

“He really likes Adley.” I felt the uneasiness in her voice.

“You will always be his mother. I’ll make sure of that. Nothing can replace you in his heart, even Adley. You don’t have to be worried.”

I enjoined Jax and Adley in bed.

“Mykel.” Jax launched into me. I caught him quickly and wrapped him in my arms securely.

“If you are always this excited to see, buddy. I have to come very often.”

***

We had to leave even if I felt like I had left half of my heart in LA. All I could do was promise to visit sooner. I had to trust Jade as well.

I gave her a bank account for my child support. I wanted to provide my son with a good life the way he deserved. I may not always be present in his life every day, but I made sure to give him enough love and support.

We landed back in New York. Adley was back as withdrawn.

I longed for my wife. I missed her in my arms, her kiss, her touch, the feeling of being with her, in her, and I missed the warmth of her voice, her laugh. I missed Adley.

Then I just received a call from Lex’s doctor.

“Baby.” I looked at her next to me as she was staring outside the window in the car.

“Yeah?” She didn’t even bother looking in my direction.

“Lex just underwent the transplant.”

She gasped in shock. Her head snapped in my direction with her eyes wide in shock.

“He’s gonna be okay.”

“And you’re telling me just right now?”

“I just found out in that call. His doctor was calling you, but you did not answer.”

She went on checking her bag, searching for her phone. Her hands were shaking, and tears were pouring down her face.

“Baby, Lex is gonna be okay. He’s in good hands.”

“You kept telling me that, but nothing’s okay, Mykel. My life is in a complete mess!”

“That’s not true.” I unlatched my seatbelt and went closer to her. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her head. “I promise you. You’re gonna be okay, your grandpa, and us. I will see the smile I missed. I will hear your laugh again because I know you’re not a quitter. You’re stronger, and you’re my Wonder Woman, baby. Just hang tight for a little while.”

Adley was running inside the hospital to see her grandfather. That old man knew how to put his grandchild in fear.

“Baby, just calm down.” I managed to hold her hand.

We met the doctors who had just come out of the recovery room.

“Where’s my grandfather?”

“He’s recovering right now.”

“Is he okay? Can I talk to him?”

“He just came out of the operating room. He’s still groggy, but he’ll be up in a few hours. You can see him, but let him rest. You can talk to him once the drugs go off.”

“Thank you, doctor.”

Adley went to his grandfather’s side, holding the old man’s hand. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

There you go again. I had never seen her this emotional. It fucking split my heart in two just watching her burst into crying, and I was helpless right here at this moment.

“I’ll be waiting outside, Grandpa. I love you.” She kissed the old man’s forehead before she left.

Once we were outside the recovery room, she stared at me. “I can’t believe he did this on his own without telling me. Did you know about this?”

“I would never take you with me if I knew he underwent a transplant today. I was shocked too.”

She sighed deeply.

“Are you okay, baby?”

“What do you mean?”

“I feel like you’re under too much stress lately. You’re not yourself. You’re emotional, moody, fickle. Is everything okay?”

“Yay, thanks. As you said, I’m under a lot of stress. But I’m fine.”

“Will you tell me if something is going on?” I knew she was hiding something; I just didn’t know what it was all about.

“I’m not going to see a shrink. So, yeah. I’d rather share it with you.”

I smiled. “Come here.” This time she did not resist. I hugged her tight.

She let go a long sigh. “I didn’t know I needed this much.”

“I can give you more than this.”

“Not happening.” She quickly pulled away.

“You’re overthinking,” I smirked. “I was talking about giving you a bath and shoulder massage.”

“Do I stink?” She wrinkled her nose.

“No. I just wanted you to relax, soak in a bubble bath with wine. But you’re not drinking wine lately. May I know why?”

“It gives me palpitation. Lately, alcohol and I are not on good terms.” Her answer was a little defensive, but I accepted it.

We went to see the man who donated his kidney to Lex. Apparently, Lex pulled some strings and used his connection to help the man’s family. He gave them a resident visa, a home, jobs, and money.

“I couldn’t thank you enough for doing this to my grandfather.”

The wife spoke English but not fluently. “He gave us more than enough. Mr. Kross is a good man.”

“Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything,” Adley said to the wife.

“Thank you, ma’am.”

After thirty minutes in the waiting area, Adley yawned. She looked exhausted.

“Baby, let’s go home.”

“I’m not going home. You go. I’ll wait until Grandpa wakes up.”

“Look, baby. You can’t do anything if you can barely keep your eyes open. You need to sleep. I promise I will wake you up once I receive a call from his doctor. You need your strength if you wanna visit your grandfather. He would appreciate it if you look fresh.”

“Fine. Let’s go home.”

***

I also joined Adley in bed. She instantly fell asleep after her hot shower. Then I woke up after a few hours and called Elise to free my schedule for today.

Adley slept like a baby. Her tits were barely covered, her tummy exposed. I wondered what it felt like to have a baby with her, but she may not appreciate having a kid right now. I did, however, like the idea. I always wanted to have kids with her. She would be a great mom.

I wiped the hair away from her face. I felt terrible that all I could give her was nothing more than heartache. I knew in my heart that she still cared about me despite all she showed me hatred.

“I love you, Adley. More than you ever know.” I kissed her on the nose, her chin, down to the swell of her tits. I planted kisses on her tummy.

“No!”

I stumbled back, shocked at what had just happened. She just screamed the hell out.

“Baby? Adley, it’s me.”

“What happened?” she asked. She might be dreaming.

“You just screamed.”

She sat on the bed, rubbing her face with the palm of her hands.

“Were you dreaming?”

“What were you doing when that happened?”

“I was kissing you.”

“You were kissing me?” She seemed offended as she asked back.

“Yeah. I was kissing you.” I smooched. “Like that.”

She flinched. “Why were you kissing me?”

I rolled my eyes. “Jesus Christ! Can’t I also kiss you? You didn’t mind it before.” Now I was the one offended. “You are my wife, and I can’t even touch you? What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“You’re kissing me in my sleep, Mykel.”

“What’s wrong with kissing you while you’re asleep. We did that a thousand times. It’s not that I raped you.”

She glared at me.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean it like that.” I raised my hand to surrender. This conversation would only lead to another argument, and I was tired of it.

“Where did you exactly kiss me?”

“Does it matter? You hate me.” I threw my hands in the air.

“I don’t hate you, jerk!” She spat.

“You clearly do. I can’t talk to you, I can’t touch you, and now I can’t kiss you. How did we get here, Adley? Yes, I made terrible mistakes. I was an awful ambitious man. But I’m trying hard to be a better person to everyone, to be a good father and a husband to you, but you kept pushing me away. I’m done.”