After his wife’s funeral, the husband and his mistress went to the notary to receive his wife’s inheritance

Nick married Jolie three years ago. To be honest, he wouldn’t have married her if she hadn’t become the sole owner of the business after her father’s sudden death. Her father, a seemingly young and strong businessman, had died unexpectedly from a stroke.

Jolie was Mr. Macmillan’s only child, and she was the sole heiress to his fortune. That is why Nick, handsome slacker, who was used to living at the expense of women, paid attention to her. Jolie was captivated by Nick’s charming promises, while he planned to stay with her until a more profitable opportunity arose.

But it soon turned out that the most favorable option, the jackpot of his life, was Jolie. She inherited her father’s colossal wealth, and Nick knew exactly how to take advantage of it. He believed he could easily manipulate her deep affection for him to control her fortune.

And everything was going as well as possible for Nick. The girl was deeply grieving, her father had been her pillar of support and the most significant person in her life, so Nick quickly surrounded Jolie with care and support at such a hard time. The young and naive girl was unaware that the worst moment of her life had spurred Nick to hide his true nature even more.

At least until their wedding, he maintained his good behavior, ensuring there was no turning back. After the funeral, he proposed marriage, of course, suggesting they wait until her mourning period for her father was over. Nick was adept at deception, manipulation and pretense.

He could become whoever he needed to be and do whatever was expected of him. With his wealthy girlfriends, he typically didn’t put in much effort, thinking there would always be another wealthy woman. With Jolie, the name was worth it, the efforts would not be in vain and the cunning man clearly understood it.

But the first hurdle for him came unexpectedly from a source he couldn’t have foreseen. Jolie’s father had a best friend, he was also his main deputy in the company and godfather to Jolie. Mr. Chinland understood right away that Jolie was head over heels in love and wouldn’t be dissuaded from marriage.

Her grief over losing her father made her seek a replacement. But as an intelligent and shrewd man, Mr. Chinland categorically insisted on the prenuptial agreement and he managed to win Jolie over to his side. Nick, it’s for business, is it that hard? Jolie asked, repeating what Mr. Chinland had told her.

This is humiliating. Do you think I need your money? The man retorted, indignant at this turn of events. Honey, it’s just a formality.

We only need it in case of divorce. My godfather really wants us to sign it. He’s always been like a second father to me.

Jolie may have been naive about financial matters, given that she’d never had to worry about money, but she wasn’t a fool in other respects. When she set a goal, she achieved it no matter what. Nick was pinned against the wall and had to agree to all of Mr. Chinland’s terms.

The marriage contract formulation was standard, but it curtailed Nick’s rights completely. It was evident that the business and all other property inherited from Jolie’s father could not become joint property of the spouses. Nick assumed he would receive a share in the dividends, acquire new property and assets.

However, the contract, drafted by a top-class lawyer, prevented Nick from having this opportunity. Despite this, Nick believed the marriage was still beneficial to him, as he would access his wife’s finances without control and build up capital for the future. He was going to take money from the common budget on a daily basis and transfer it to his name.

But Nick was mistaken in this regard too. Mr. Chinland was a dedicated, decent and responsible person who not only controlled Jolie’s financial flows in business, but also her personal finances. Nick had limited funds for personal expenses, but nevertheless he remained optimistic about the future and waited to see how the situation would develop.

And soon it turned out that his patience was indeed rewarded. Jolie had been trying to conceive since their wedding day. She desired motherhood, but each new cycle brought bitterness and disappointment.

Initially, she attributed it to nerves and stress caused by the frantic pace of life. She took business into her own hands and learned a lot on the go, which was naturally exhausting. After more than a year of unsuccessful attempts, the woman sought help from specialists, underwent a full medical examination and identified the cause of the failures.

Jolie’s symptoms, which she had attributed to a busy lifestyle, turned out to be alarm bells. Her body was warning her of problems, but she had ignored it, and finally the doctors diagnosed her with cancer. She underwent almost two years of treatment and suffering, but with little success.

All this time, Nick played the role of husband only nominally. His vested interest was that Jolie simply did not exist, and he had not managed to hide it well enough. Although they never openly discussed it, Jolie was aware of the numerous women her husband had cheated on her with.

But Nick believed he was adept at conspiracy and manipulation. He believed he was successfully playing the role of a dying wife’s husband without arousing suspicion. He felt lucky and thought he only needed to endure a little longer to achieve his desired outcome.

However, Nick’s behaviour was condemned and discussed by everyone, from the nurses in the hospitals where Jolie was cured, to Mr. Chinland. The man was furious and helpless. He couldn’t comprehend why Jolie would desperately want to preserve her marriage on the brink of the grave.

He also was worried that Jolie had no will. As a result, her husband automatically became her only heir. That scoundrel inherits everything, including the fruits of Jolie and her father’s also contributed to.

All of their hard work would be for nothing, an exercise in futility. Mr. Chinland was sure that Nick, this wastrel, would squander all the property within a few years. However, the elderly man was at a loss on how to broach such a delicate subject with his goddaughter, who until yesterday emanated health and youth and now had no chance…

I don’t even want to speak about him. This man isn’t worth getting upset about. «‘And what about the baby?’ «‘That’s what I wanted to discuss with you,’ Jolie hesitated, which was quite unusual for her since she was usually fearless.

«‘I don’t know how to broach the subject delicately. Maybe there is no delicate way. In short, I would like you to be the father of my child,’ she exclaimed in a high-pitched voice.

«‘Are you joking? You have a husband?’ Kurt clearly wasn’t prepared for this. «‘Yes, I do have a husband, and I will have him until the day I die. I’ve already made that decision, Kurt.

Of course, we won’t sleep together. It’s impossible given my current condition. I can’t carry the baby myself, unfortunately.

I had my eggs preserved. Now we need the biological material from the future father. Naturally, I also need a woman to carry and give birth to him, but luckily such services are available now.’ At first, Kurt thought it was absurd, the nonsensical ramblings of a desperate woman, yet she had an entire logical plan in her head, and it turned out that she had already completed a significant amount of preparatory work, researched the legal aspects, arranged for a reproductive clinic services, and even found a mother for the future baby.

«‘Kurt, I could use the services of a donor for a father for the baby. I really want to leave a piece of myself behind. But when you think about it, who will the baby be with? I’ve been thinking a lot, but you’re the only one I can rely on.

I am sure of you. Knowing you for so many years, I believe that you will be a great father. I understand that you want to create your own family, get married and have children naturally.

It’s logical. But please think about it. Don’t answer me right now.

For me, after what happened with Nick, it is critical that the money, someone who won’t exploit my assets. I’m not as naive as I was before marriage. Nick taught me a lot.

Now I have a lot of life experience. As for you, you don’t need any money at all. You have plenty.» «‘My father has,’ the man replied, correcting Jolie’s reasoning for the first time.

«‘You know you’re going to get it. You work tirelessly to keep the family company thriving. You’ve never been needy.

Now, I know for a fact that a man who grew up poor will never stop thinking about having enough to eat. And if his decency is also lacking, there will be a big problem. I have experienced that firsthand,’ the woman sadly added.

«‘To be honest, I’m completely confused. I had an entirely different idea of becoming a father. I need to consult my parents.

Understand that I can’t make such a decision alone. I will need the help of close family members when I become a father. So I have to inform them and ask for their opinion.’» Jolie had no objection, so she only requested that Kurt promise to keep in a secret that information.

The conversation with Kurt’s parents was very difficult. His father neutrally accepted everything that was said, listened to all the explanations, and assured that he would support his son’s decision and would help as much as he could with his grandchild. His mother, however, was not as open-minded.

Like all mothers, she wanted him to marry a good woman and have children together. She felt immense sympathy for Jolie. She had known her from childhood and thought highly of her.

But this request, it was very difficult for a mother to accept that her potential grandchild’s mother was dying and that the child would be carried by another woman. Can’t the child get the disease? The woman dreaded this question, finding it awful, awkward, and out of place. However, how else could she ensure her grandson’s safety? «‘Jolie does not have a hereditary form of the disease,’ Kurt answered.

This reassured the anxious woman to some extent, though not completely. Nevertheless, after careful consideration, she expressed her support for her son’s decision. Kurt himself also struggled with indecision.

Jolie’s proposal caught him off guard, but after some period of contemplation, he concluded that there was no reason to refuse. When he conveyed his approval to Jolie, she was overjoyed, and they began implementing her plan step by step. While Kurt sat and reflected on the life-altering story, Mr. Chinland reminisced about the conversation with Jolie a little over two months ago.

Starting from afar, she said that she honoured Mr. Chinland as a second father and hoped he wouldn’t refuse, and then she blurted out that she wanted him to become the guardian of her son. Initially, Mr. Chinland thought his goddaughter was delirious, but as Jolie shared the full story, the godfather was left in shock. Not only had Jolie and Kurt made such a bold decision, but they had also hidden it for so long.

«‘How old is the baby now?’ Mr. Chinland asked. «‘Robert is eight months old,’ Jolie smiled. «‘You both truly know how to surprise,’ Mr. Chinland explained, still processing the shock…

He was just a poor drunkard, living in delusions of grandeur. It was very difficult to come to terms with that reality. His dreams of wealth and success, largely contingent on his ex-wife, crumbled like a house of cards.

His aspirations to be a successful businessman were dashed. Blinded by his ego, he failed to see his own part in his downfall. Instead, he blamed his deceased wife, who he saw as the root of all his problems.

Nick spent nearly two weeks in a drunken stupor, seeking escape from reality, and his resentment grew stronger each day. During one bleak, hangover-filled morning, he decided he had had enough. He realised that he wouldn’t achieve success or revenge on Jolie by drinking.

Nick felt deeply humiliated. A few days prior, men from Mr Chinland had arrived and practically forced him to hand over his car keys, tearing up the power of attorney Jolie had given him. «‘Didn’t you know the power of attorney loses its legal force after the death of the person who issued it?’ one of the men said in a derogatory manner.

In his mind, Nick saw himself as a saint, who never left his sick wife’s side. He conveniently overlooked his endless intrigues, gambling, alcohol abuse, and dismissive behaviour towards his wife. «‘What a pity that she’s dead, and I can’t hit her,’ he thought.

So many times I barely restrained my impulse, encouraging myself that my patience would be generously rewarded.’ He began to ponder how he would like to take revenge on her, and what he should do now. At first he wanted to desecrate her grave. But then, contemplating what was dear to Jolie, and what harm would cause her the most suffering, he saw another answer which was lying on the surface.

«‘Rob it!’ Nick was literally struck by electricity when this idea came to his head. He laughed viciously, having finally devised his revenge plan. Of course, there were many issues to resolve and structure, but he had decided on the main thing.

He was not going to hurt Robert. What’s a mother’s worst nightmare? Not being able to help her child in trouble. That’s precisely what he decided to do.

The plan of his inflamed imagination was simple—to kidnap the baby, take him far away, and leave him at an orphanage after a week. Thoughts of revenge and fantasies of it warmed Nick’s soul—if he had one, of course. He hadn’t smiled like this for a long time.

True, such a grimace looked rather intimidating and scary, but Jolie’s husband didn’t care at all. You could even say that he was happy. As he thought through all the details, he experienced euphoria.

The object of his hatred was not nearby, but Nick eagerly imagined how Jolie would have suffered from her inability to help her child. Once he had settled on a plan theoretically, he began to think about the practical side. He needed to find out everything about Robert’s movements, and those with whom he leaves the house, to perfectly select the place and time for his crime.

Nick had known Kurt well in his past, and was even familiar with his parents, having visited their house. He also knew that their elite suburban settlement had enhanced security. As Nick began to contemplate his plan, he realized the challenges he would face.

He couldn’t predict how much time he would spend observing from the forest with binoculars, studying the child’s daily routine and movements. Is the game worth the candle? Absolutely. Nick reasoned with himself.

His mental state had been noticeably affected after the announcement of the will. She ruined my life, and I will ruin the life of her child. A rich heir? He will live off the state’s readiness, and his mother will watch from the other world, realizing she is to blame for everything.

The man laughed maliciously. If an indifferent person had been near Nick at that moment, they would have noticed the changes in his mind and taken him to a doctor. Unfortunately, history doesn’t entertain hypotheticals.

Nick was unmatched in achieving his goals. If he had a plan, no matter how foolish it seemed, he saw it through to the end. He spent two full days not watching, but preparing the necessary conditions for it.

Nick scouted the entire territory to find the perfect vantage point. He needed a spot that overlooked the entire settlement, especially the Turgisson house, while remaining hidden. The man devoted all his effort and time to finding a place that he deemed perfect in every aspect.

For over a week Nick rose at dawn and hurried to the cottage settlement, remaining there until late evening. He kept a watch with binoculars, recording every activity in the house, who arrived and when they departed. He diligently maintained a notebook to ensure he didn’t miss anything…

He had been eager to share it with someone, seeking an unbiased perspective from an outsider. He questioned if they had driven Nick into a state of madness and revenge, and if it were just about himself, Kurt wouldn’t suffer so much reflexivity, but everything he and Jolie did went back to their boy. After concluding his story, Kurt turned to Mr Mayo, an impartial observer, and asked, Do you think we pushed him to this point? Are we responsible for his entire desire for revenge? Oh boy, are you serious? You’re an adult and you’re talking such nonsense.

That Nick of yours always found a reason. He doesn’t even need one. He married for money, cheated shamelessly, mistreated his sick wife, and convinced himself it was all her fault.

What’s her fault? For retaliating once? For losing patience? For not enduring it? Oh, she hit the most painful thing for him, the wallet. On the contrary, well done, the woman has thought up such a plan and put it into practice. This harsh truth from a strange man’s perspective truly uplifted Kurt.

He deeply pondered every word Mr Mayo had said. Now, I also owe you for your good advice, Kurt smiled. In response, the gamekeeper merely waved his hand at him.

They parted as friends, and Mr Mayo promised to check in on the boy. I heard somewhere that the Chinese have this belief or wisdom, God knows what to call it, that if you save someone’s life, you’re responsible for that person forever. So don’t worry about your Robert, I’ll look after him here too, the gamekeeper said as a farewell.

True to his word, he regularly visited Kurt’s house and was always a welcome guest. In him, the boy found another loving family member. The court sentenced Nick to several years of imprisonment.

During this lengthy period, everyone in the house managed to calm down and return to their usual quiet life. The family could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Mr Chinland regularly visited and babysat the boy, diligently fulfilling the duties assigned to him by his goddaughter.

Kurt met a single mum, whose daughter attends the same kindergarten group as Robert. The children get along well, and Kurt’s parents hopes that this time, their son’s personal life will flourish, and Robert will have a loving stepmother and sister, perhaps even more than one sister. But of course, as Kurt promised Jolie, he will never allow Robert to forget his own mother.

He always talks about her, showing the boy pictures and videos. He constantly reminds him that his mother loves him very much, and she is always with him, protecting and watching over him, even if he can’t see her.