Jason felt an intense pain in his heart. He felt faint. He was sure that he was having a seizure.

No! this could not be happening. It must be a nightmare. He was sure he was going to wake from this soon and find that it had all been one hell of a horrible dream.

What was this? How could Rebecca do this to him? Rebecca who he had loved with all his heart and done all that he could to satisfy.

He thought of Terry. They had been friends from high school and then in college. They had been closer than biological brothers. They had shared everything. Okay, almost everything, except of course their girls.

Terry had been his best man at his wedding.That had been the happiest day of his life. The day he made the woman he loved, his formerly.

He had been happy when Terry and Rebecca had got along very well. It would have grieved him if they had not got along but he did not have that to contend with.

He had tried to be the best husband that he could possibly be. Being very attentive and satisfying her every whim.

Maybe he tried too hard.

To think that he had actually called Terry to come to him so that they could see how they were going to get Rebecca to come back. In his stupidity, he had not realised that Terry was the source of all his problems with his wife all along.

He laughed derisively at himself. 'What a fool, I have been'.

Then he clutched his heart. The pain steered in his heart yet again. It felt like his heart had broken into a million tiny pieces and was breaking into smaller bits even more with each painful realization and as the reality of his situation dawned more and more on him.

Terry who had been like a brother to him,could do this to him?

He was the one responsible for the elevated position he held in the firm he worked with. Terry was a. brilliant lawyer,no doubt about that but he had pulled strings to ensure that he was highly placed. How could he not, Terry was his best friend and the brother he did not have afterall.

But Terry had not honoured that sacred relationship. Maybe it was not as meaningful to Terry as their relationship had been to him.

He had to fall in love and elope with his own wife. He who he had gone to to help bring his wife back to her senses without knowing that he was giving them even more opportunity to betray him and plot his downfall.

Jason was sure he was never going to recover from this.

He was in so much pain that he felt sleeping was going to be a remedy. He got up to enter the room but slumped heavily on the settee.

He was having a severe headache. He was not sure now if he had done the right thing by giving his servants the day off. He had asked them to take the day off. Those of them who lived with him had gone to their quarters behind his building and those who came from their houses had gone back home.

He had tried to be a good and considerate employer but maybe he needed someone to be with him right now because he was sure that he was dying.

But then again, maybe it had been the right decision to have asked them to leave because he was not sure he wanted them to see him in this pitiable state.

He had been crazy in love with Rebecca. Their sex life had been great from his estimation and he had thought that she felt the same way because of the way she had always responded and acted. But now, he realised that she must just have been acting and laughing behind him. She was really a great a tress because he never had an inkling about her thoughts and intentions.

He had been faithful to her, not seeing any other woman's beauty but hers. No woman but Rebecca had meant anything to him. He had tried all he could to keep her satisfied and dated. Sexual, financially and otherwise.

Do where had he got it wrong?

The two most important people in his whole life had betrayed him. They had not just betrayed him but had killed him.

Hurt, betrayal, heartbreak didn't even begin to describe what he was feeling.

How? And by the two people he loved and trusted the most?

What was he going to do now? He called one of the male servants, and Bruno came immediately. He lived in the quarters behind the house.

He asked him to make him a hot cup of coffee and as Bruno was about to leave, the sudden stab of pain again on his heart as he tried to rise from the chair sent him reeling and he fell heavily on the floor.

'Sir, sir what is the matter?' Brino asked in his fright and going to his boss, he tried to lift him but he was really very weighty and fearing the worse because his pulse was really faint, he looked around confused, not knowing what to do.

He was frightened and immediately called for the doctor.

'Doctor, It's the Campbell's residence. please come, my master is dying'. He did not know how else to convey the emergency so that the doctor could come immediately and he actually thought that Jason was dying. He had never seen his boss as weak and helpless as that since he had known him.

The doctor came with his bag of medical kit and helped Bruno to carry Jason to the bed.

Bruno picked the letter he saw lying on the floor and put in his pocket after going through it.

He was filled with rage for the madam who had caused the good master to feel this type of pain that had made him as helpless as this and put him in this state. He did not want any other person to see this letter. So he kept it safe to give back to his boss when he recovers and he sincerely prayed that he does.

The doctor, Dr. Manuel, examined Jason after giving him something that revive him. He was a renowned doctor and Jason had always employed his services. In fact, he was the family doctor of the Campbells.

He checked Jason's eyes, heartbeat, blood pressure as well as other things.

Jason's heartbeat was erratic and his blood pressure was high. He gave him some drugs to bring down the blood pressure.

'Have you been stressing yourself out lately?' the doctor asked.

Bruno looked at his master sympathetically.

'No, my boss has not been stressing himself but a Jezebel in angel's clothing had done this dreadful thing to him', He thought to himself.

Jason sighed. He could not trust his voice so, he just shook his head.

'You will have to take it easy. Your heart isn't very healthy at the moment. Something must have happened to give you a shock But you don't have to say anything if you don't want to but as much as possible do not encourage anxiety or entertain any painful thoughts. Try to forget about anything that makes you anxious or pained.

You will have to take care of your heart and allow it to heal. If you don't, it could lead to paralysis or cardiac arrest which is tantamount to losing one's life because once the heart starts having problems, it is quite difficult to manage it. Except a heart transplant is performed.

So, whatever it is, ask yourself if it is worth your losing your life over'. Dr. Manuel counselled wisely.

Jason nodded to show him that he understood.

Jason listened to him and heard the wisdom on those words but it was easier said than done.

The doctor gave him some drugs and put him to sleep immediately.

Bruno stayed by his boss's side all through. attending to him,and his every need.

Every time, he woke, he looked round to see if Rebecca was back but his head always fell in disappointment. He tried to follow the doctor's advice but found that it was extremely difficult.

Rebecca had been his life. And what had the doctor said again, that he should consider if what was causing him such anxiety and pain was worth losing his life for?

He laughed at himself. What the doctor does not know is that I have already lost my life. I lost my life the moment Rebecca left with for my best friend. There is no more hope'.

Later, the next day, when he was feeling up to it, and his servants were all at their duty posts, he called his office and told the manager to take charge of the firm like he had always done whenever he was not around.

'But what is the problem? We waited for you to come back yesterday but you never did. Is it something serious? Something we should know about?'

'It is a serious matter but it is personal butit is being taken care of. Just take charge of all the operations. I have never found you wanting in the way you handle the firm in my absence. I trust that it would be the same this time as well'.

'You do not have to worry sir. It would be as though you were the one handling it yourself, I promise'.

'Tight then, see you soon'.

After hanging up. He went to the bar for a little drink but everything seemed to remind him of her.

He remembered how they would come to the bar and he would mix her a drink and they would toast to their happy life together.

He wanted to hit something because he could not deny the fact that he would miss her terribly. In fact, he was already missing her something awful.

He took a sip, the dry gin went down his throat hot and scalding.

That was just what he wanted. He wanted to inflict more pain on himself. Maybe, it would help counter the pain he was already feeling and which he could do nothing about.

After a while, he found that he just needed more of the gin and he kept taking.

By lunch time when the cook came to invite him to the dinning table, she found him slumped on a chair drunk.

That started his dinking hobby. He found that he could escape his pain by drinking and felt that if that was how he was going to cope with this betrayal, hurt and bitterness, then he was going to continue.

Jason became a drunk. He was always in a drunken stupor. He was often not aware of his surroundings or what was going on around him.

He always woke with a headache, a hangover but after coffee or lemon juice took care of the hangover and he ate a little,he now eat less than usual and had grown emaciated, he would go into his room to his drink.

It was better for him than dwelling on the pain that seemed not to want to go away.

He felt that the world would blame him for his wife's infidelity and abandonment. They would say that he was not able to keep his wife in check or that he had not been able to satisfy his wife and the poor woman had eloped with a better man who also happened to be his best friend.

Just considering the gossip which must be making the rounds and he was sure the news had spread even through his company and all his employee must know about it.

He didn't think he could face the world and felt that they were right. There must be something he hadn't done right.

Maybe he had not been able to satisfy her sexually despite his sexual prowess. So maybe Terry had been a better man than he. The thought was so painful that he had to drink so as not to dwell too much on it.

He was having psychological trauma and blaming himself for his wife's elopement.

Sally Whitman was Jason's elder sister. Bruno called her and briefed her on the condition of her brother.

Bruno had tried to stop his boss from drinking. But he could do so much without risking losing his job. His boss would in his state not feel that he was having his interest at heart but might think that he was now becoming too presumptuous.

He had taken away all the alcoholic drinks and hidden them away but Jason thinking that he had run out of drinks had sent for more. When Bruno had tried to refuse, Jason had been very angry his voice thunderous.

'Get me the drinks I ordered you to get me right away!' he had ordered thunderously.

The servants whispered amongst themselves. They were sorry for Mr. Campbell, their employer but they knew their place and did not want to do anything to displease him.

Bruno had called the doctor to come for a check up, which he did and found out the pitiable state of Jason. He gave him an elixir which brought him to her s senses and made him sober. He gave him counsel about the dangers of excessive intake of alcohol.

'I have now realised that your wife left you but I must assure you that is not the end of the world. You are lucky she eloped with her lover

What if she had continued to pretend that she was with you while carrying on her lascivious activities, then what would you do when you eventually found out? Believe me it is better this way.

There are cases of wives killing their husbands for their wealth so that they could live a good life with their lovers. But yours just picked up and left. She made no demands as bout money though we shall be sure of that we hen she files for rt divorce and asks for alimony. Though, the court may not grant her that since she is going away of her own Accord and with a well to do Lawyer but being a lawyer, one should expect anything. But you should still be thankful that it was not worse than this.

It would definitely hurt you awfully now, but be determined to get over it and not drown in it. You have your life ahead of you. There are still many women who would give anything to be married to you. You might ask about love but if you give yourself a chance, you shall definitely fall in love again.

Nature abhors a vaccum, you know. Once you empty your heart of the feelings you had for Rebecca your wife, and allow yourself to feel again without fear, you shall be surprised at what would happen. I can assure you, you would be the one being happy that Rebecca left you because you would at that time be experiencing a better kind of love that is equally reciprocated.

I am speaking to you not as a doctor now bit as a friend with experience'.

'Thank you so much doctor. I shall try my best to heed them', Jason said ashamed of himself and determined to make amends.

He gave him some stabilizing drugs and left.

It was easier said than done though because as soon as the doctor left, Jason was his old self trying his hardest to look happy and carefree.

His meal was brought him and he ate but immediately he was left alone, the servants happy to have their master back, the loneliness filled the whole house and his whole being and he remembered the times he had spent with Terry his friend and how they had shared each other's problems and laughed at each other's fears and he rembered how he had shared the problem he was having with Rebecca with him, thinking that he was sharing with the friend he had known all his life, only to be back stabbed.

The pain tore through him again.

He remembered the intense intimate moments he had shared with Rebecca and how he had considered those moments precious and the happiest moments of his life, her moans of pleasure, the frenzy with which she had caressed him and responded to his touch and stroking and how she had told him in her letter that she had never loved him but had been after his money and what it could get her. At least she had been sincere at the end. He guessed, he should be grateful like the doctor had said. But it did not reduce the pain at all

Not by a long shot.

He had to forget. So, he took a sip and from a dip, to a gulp and then he was back where he started.

Before taking the sip, he had called for Bruno and asked of he saw his letter.

Bruno knew immediately the letter he was referring to. It was the same that had broken his boss'heart and he excused himself to get it, though he wondered if it was the right thing to do in the circumstance.

He came back with the letter to find his boss's speech slurred.

'So where is the letter?' Jason asked.

'Here it is'. Bruno said handing it to him, disappointed at the state he found him.

He was determined that this must cease. He had done this once the doctor and everyone had left him but if someone was to keep him company consistently, someone he cared deeply for and respected, he may lay of drink for a few days and after that it might just be difficult for him to go back to it.

So Bruno who had been with him for longer than the other servants, called Sally Whitman, his sister. He had never seen siblings being as close as they had been. Marriage and distance was just what stopped them living together.

He wondered why Jason himself had not called Sally to tell her of his heartbreak but it was not late yet because he was going to do just that.

He explained the situation to her and she promised to take the flight early next morning from London to Lake District to see her brother.

When she arrived, Bruno heaved a sigh of relief.