Cheers To Comeuppance
Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Third Person

Feeling as though she had been tarred and feathered, Sadie barreled towards her car with her friend, Agatha, in tow after being ousted from the store like a criminal. Never once had she felt so publicly humiliated, and what was worse, the reason she suffered such abuse was on account of Jeffrey’s wife. But it didn’t stop there; no, to add insult to injury, Leon decided to announce in front of everyone that she had been banned, and for someone of her stature, the term banned was not one she was accustomed to hearing.

“UGH!” Sadie screamed after entering the backseat, closing the door with such force it rocked the entire car. Agatha cautiously slipped in from the other side, at a loss for words and clueless on how to proceed because she was no actual friend of Sadie’s. Agatha wasn’t poor per se, but she wasn’t well off enough to be a trust fund baby and part of the Gentry Club in New York the way Sadie was, and the only reason Agatha associated with her was because of her status and money.

“Who was that woman? You seemed to know her?” Agatha carefully asked while gauging Sadie’s response.

“Someone who is unimportant but thinks she is.”

“Care to elaborate?”

“Care to shut your f*****g mouth!?” Sadie snapped. Agatha immediately sat back and kept mum, for she knew better than to stir the pot at a time like this. Sadie rolled her eyes and huffed in annoyance before she instructed her driver to drop off Agatha at her place so she could visit Jeffrey at his office. Normally, Jeffrey would be furious if Sadie appeared unannounced during work hours and had strictly prohibited it because he was terrified of the consequences. They could not afford to be seen by the wrong people, for it would blow the cover on their affair with a whirlwind of hell to pay. It was late in the day, and the offices were mostly empty by the time she arrived, so rather than checking in with the receptionist, Sadie barged straight into Jeffrey’s office, startling him as she did so.

“Sadie, what the hell are you doing here?” he gritted his teeth as he quickly scanned the hallway to ensure no one was there to see their exchange.

“What are you doing?” she asked as she witnessed this abnormal behavior.

“Making sure you weren’t followed and that no one is here. Are you out of your mind, coming here at this hour?” Jeffrey scolded Sadie, who was unable to withstand his harsh reaction. The moment he noticed the tears glistening in Sadie’s eyes, his stern façade dissolved and was replaced with concern as he gently grabbed her shoulders. “Hey, what’s wrong? Why are you so upset?”

“Your wife humiliated me in public!”

“Again? What happened? Where did this occur?”

“At a boutique at the mall. I wanted to buy some rare clothing items that only came in my size. But that stupid ex of mine was there and stole all of my thunder. I was ignored and treated like a commoner, but the worst part of it all? He had me banished from the store right after our divorce!”

“I thought you said that Annika humiliated you. Why are you bringing Leon into this?” Jeffrey asked, needing more context.

“SHE AND THAT STUPID DOCTOR OF MINE WERE HIS SPECIAL GUESTS! HE KICKED ME OUT FOR THEM!” Sadie fumed with anger and embarrassment as she stomped her feet.

“What? How would Annika and Leon even know each other?” Jeffrey’s confusion, coupled with his immense curiosity, grew by the second.

“Remember when I said your wife humiliated me last time?” she began to explain, and Jeffrey nodded in response. “Well, it happened when I went to the doctor for an annual check-up. I know you don’t want me anywhere near Annika right now, but she doesn’t know about me either way. Land and Mall is the best family practice in the city; you even said so yourself. So, I figured I could go there to keep an eye on her while getting medical care.”

“Sadie, that’s so reckless of you. Annika is already suspicious enough as it is!”

“But she doesn’t know me or what I look like! Even if she does suspect you’re having an affair, you said so yourself that she can’t prove it either way. So, why does it matter? And besides, I said I was seeing her friend as my doctor, not her. I’m not that careless.”

“Okay. Fine. What happened that day?”

“Leon was there too, and I just so happened to cross paths with him as he was leaving. I speculated that he was there to follow me, but he told me he was there for a doctor’s appointment. When I accused him of stalking me, that’s when your wife intervened on his behalf, so I’m guessing that’s how they know each other.”

“I see. Well, that makes sense in a way, but didn’t you say that Leon usually has his own private doctor?” he asked, still trying to grasp the situation at hand. Is Annika stepping out on me with Sadie’s ex? Jeffrey thought to himself. He had never considered the possibility of Annika cheating on him, and although he wanted to feign indifference, the sudden thought caused a sharp pang in his heart.

“He does. That’s why running into Leon at Land and Mall didn’t make sense. But seeing as how he seems buddy-buddy with your wife and Dr. Malloy, there might be more to it. Leon is a picky-a*s person; he doesn’t associate himself with just anyone. Either he has feelings for your wife, which I wouldn’t even be able to understand, or they’re sleeping together.” Hearing those words come out of Sadie’s mouth made Jeffrey’s heart leap into his throat. I don’t care. I’m going to divorce her anyway, Jeffrey reasoned inwardly. However, the notion of his beloved wife of seven years suddenly being in bed with another was a dagger in his heart and instilled fear within him. Was this retribution for stepping out on Annika? “Jeff!” Sadie shouted, snapping him out of his thoughts.

“Huh? What?”

“Did you not hear a word I just said?!”

“Sorry, no. I got sidetracked while thinking about a case I was reading over earlier. What did you say, baby?”

“I said if they are actually f*****g each other, you can use that against her!” Hearing those words again made Jeffrey’s heart clench as though he were suffering from angina pectoris, but he couldn’t deny that Sadie had a valid point.

“You think we can prove that she’s been having an affair?” he asked hesitantly.

“Sure. Your wife may be a doctor but being caught with Leon today wasn’t very smart, and to be honest, everything that happened today felt like some huge setup. Leon has already been labeled a cheater, so maybe we can make your wife out to be his mistress that he cheated on me with. That would only solidify my closed case with him and allow you to divorce Annika while suing her for everything she’s got—the penthouse, the practice, everything you want. Cheating should be something you guys came up with in your prenup, right?”

“We don’t have a prenup.” Sadie looked aghast when she heard his reply because, in her mind, it was inconceivable that Jeffrey and Annika did not have a prenuptial agreement in place.

“But you’re … you’re the D.A., baby. Why wouldn’t you come up with one when you guys got married?”

“Angel, the two of us have been married for over seven years. Been together for well over 11 years. We met in high school and got married at 19, and neither one of us had money at that time, so there was no reason to sign a prenup.”

“Oh. My. God. So, you’re telling me that even if we can prove that she cheated on you during your marriage and frame Leon again, you won’t get anything from her?!”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying. Most of our assets are joint, excluding the penthouse and her practice’s office building. Annika owns the majority of the practice shares, so if our divorce hearing goes to court, I’m sure her having an affair would work in our favor. I could get the penthouse in full or half her shares of the practice, maybe even both. Either way, her status as a family doctor can only get her so far. Annika comes from a poor background like me, but she doesn’t have the resources I have now. You don’t have to worry,” Jeffrey reassured her as he held her securely in his embrace. However, throughout the entire time he told Sadie those words, the slightest flash of guilt riddled his face, pricking his conscience. He quickly tried to conceal it, but it didn’t matter; the seed had already been planted within him. Jeffrey was no longer certain he would be able to face Annika if she was sleeping with Sadie’s ex-husband. What kind of sick and twisted fate awaited him if it were true?

“I knew you were more than capable, baby. Soon, all of our dreams will come true, and we will have the best life together. Just wait and see,” Sadie said as she hugged him. All Jeffrey could do was simply nod in response as his thoughts were a million miles away. Was he genuinely ready to give up eleven years of his life for a one-and-a-half-year fling? He loved Sadie, there was no mistake about that, and sure, he was sick and tired of his mundane marriage to Annika, but he couldn’t deny that he still loved her. A sudden burst of reality descended upon Jeffrey and threw him into disarray, shaking him to his core. Did he really want a divorce?

After their shopping spree was cut short, Annika and Kenzie decided to call it a day and rescheduled the rest of their plans for another time. True to her word, Kenzie held her tongue and didn’t bring up Leon anymore, and even though Annika was quiet throughout the drive to Kenzie’s and back home, it was clear that her mind was running a marathon.

Annika unceremoniously threw her shopping bags onto the couch and dragged her feet upstairs once she arrived home, a sense of relief washing over her now that all the locks, passcodes, and RFID scanners were updated. As expected, her family continued to pester Annika for details regarding her sudden change in attitude. They weren’t naive, and the Silverton family knew something extreme must have occurred for Annika to lash out in this way. Despite their concerns, her family would never question her motives or decisions because Annika was a competent person, and this was something her entire family viewed as an indisputable fact.

Annika decided to soak in the tub to wash away the drama that unfolded earlier that day. While partially submerged in the water’s warm embrace, the tension in her body melted away, and fatigue took its place as she pondered what Kenzie had told her earlier. After soaking for an hour and much deliberation on what to do about her unrequited feelings for Leonardo Von Doren, her phone pinged with an incoming text notification. This prompted Annika to get out of the tub finally, and she wrapped herself in a towel before strolling toward her nightstand to retrieve her phone.

A*****e: Annika, why can’t I get into the penthouse?

Annika: What do you want?

A*****e: What do you mean, what do I want? I’m trying to get into my house, so why can’t I get in? Did you change the locks and passcodes? Even my car is being denied entry into the garage!

Annika: Yes, that’s exactly what I did. Why do you care? Why aren’t you off f*****g your mistress?

A*****e: Annika, I don’t have a f*****g mistress! Why can’t you just f*****g believe me!?

Annika: Leave the premises, Jeffrey. You’re not welcome here. Leave now, or I’ll call security to remove you forcibly.

A*****e: YOU CAN’T DO THAT!!! WE’RE MARRIED!!!

Outside the front gate of the penthouse garage, Jeffrey sat in his car with a bruised ego, becoming increasingly irritated that Annika went as far as to change the locks and passcodes to keep him out.

Annika: Of course, I can. Hunter should have sent the separation agreement to your office, and you also walked out of here with your own two feet, if I remember correctly.

Annika’s words felt as though he was metaphorically kicked in his groin, and the implications of his actions last night finally dawned on him. Jeffrey did voluntarily walk out of the penthouse with his belongings. Despite Annika telling him to leave, this would still be interpreted as a verbal dispute in front of a judge, and it was in his authority as her legal spouse to not follow through with it. But since he did leave of his own accord, Jeffrey realized Annika knew her right to change the locks. Although one could argue she kicked him out, it was an argument full of holes, and CCTV in the building would show him leaving the penthouse with his suitcases with a smile on his face. Jeffrey wanted to leave, and that’s what he did without considering the possibility that he would not be able to return.

A*****e: Annika, honey, don’t do this. Come on. Let’s talk about this like grown-a*s adults. I promise you; I’m not cheating. I only left because you asked me to. I was just trying to give you space as requested, but it’s been a few days now. Don’t you think you’re being rash, changing the locks and passcodes?

Annika: Nope. Leave now. You have one minute.

Jeffrey was in denial that he was dealing with the same Annika he had married seven years ago. He was confident in his ability to manipulate Annika at will, which explained his complacent attitude over her cheating allegations. Still, Jeffrey had never expected Annika to give him the cold shoulder and show zero remorse for leaving him homeless. All he wanted was to come home and spend a night with his wife to determine if he was making the right decision by divorcing her, but he was denied an opportunity to do so. Jeffrey tried to text her back but to no avail. All his messages were bouncing back, and when he tried to call, he was sent straight to voicemail. After multiple attempts with no luck, it finally registered that Annika blocked his number.

Unbeknownst to Jeffrey, Annika decided to keep an eye on him from the security room in the penthouse, and she could see everything as clear as day. After his minute was up, Annika spared him no mercy and called building security to have him removed. She passively observed as Jeffrey’s eyes filled with disbelief and disdain at being told to leave by building security. Although his driver’s license showed that his physical address was indeed the penthouse, because his car was no longer registered and his information was removed from the system, he had no choice but to surrender and leave.

Jeffrey finally experienced a taste of what Sadie had felt every time she had a run-in with Annika—utter humiliation. But rather than eat his humble pie, Jeffrey was feeling aggrieved, as if somehow what Annika was doing was unfair and that he was the victim. Jeffrey sped off with a renewed sense of determination while plotting his next move, blissfully unaware that Annika already had substantial evidence of his affair. He was even more oblivious that he was being tailed constantly. And all the while, the information gathered on his whereabouts, and his frequent rendezvous with Sadie were being recorded, saved to a hard-drive, and sent to the two scorned individuals he and his mistress had betrayed.