My Cuckhold System

"For being here," Yelena’s voice cracked slightly.

"I don’t know how I would’ve managed these last few weeks."

West shrugged. "You would’ve figured it out."

She laughed weakly while her eyes glistened. "No... I really don’t think I would’ve."

The grief she had been holding together all evening finally started slipping through the cracks.

West moved closer without saying anything.

Yelena rubbed her eyes. "I’m supposed to be the strong one."

"You are."

She shook her head. "I don’t feel strong."

West rested a hand on her shoulder. "Most people don’t."

The woman laughed quietly and then, the laughter turned into quiet tears... the kind that came when someone was exhausted from carrying too much pain.

West gently rubbed her back while whispering soft words of consolation in her ears.

Yelena leaned back with a calmer expression, looking slightly embarrassed. "Sorry."

West smiled. "Don’t apologize."

Another silence followed as Yelena sat on the couch staring at nothing in particular while tears occasionally rolled down her cheeks.

Eventually Yelena wiped her eyes. "I keep expecting him to walk through the door."

Her voice cracked. "Every time I hear a car outside..."

West moved even closer and gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Yelena leaned into him without thinking and soon they were locked in an embrace.

West slowly rubbed her back while speaking softly. "It’s okay."

Those two words alone almost made her cry again.

She hated how weak and vulnerable she felt but West continued comforting her while activating a small amount of his Radiance.

Warmth spread through her body and the tightness in her chest eased.

The anxiety that had been clawing at her thoughts began to soften while her breathing steadied.

For the first time all day, she genuinely felt calm.

Soon afterwards, another sensation followed.

Yelena suddenly froze but West didn’t seem to notice... or at least pretended not to.

A dangerous heat slowly spread through her body and her heart began beating faster.

She became acutely aware of how close he was to her... how his arm rested around her... how attractive he was... and how safe she felt whenever he was nearby.

The realization made her immediately tense up.

’No... no... no...’ her thoughts became chaotic.

This wasn’t right... her husband had only recently been buried... she shouldn’t be thinking about another man.

She definitely shouldn’t be noticing how handsome he was... or how comforting his presence felt... or how easily she could imagine simply staying in his arms for the rest of the night.

The thoughts horrified her.

Yelena stood a little too quickly causing West to look up. "You okay?"

She nodded immediately. "Y-Yes."

West studied her briefly while Yelena avoided eye contact... because if she looked at him right now, she wasn’t entirely sure what would happen.

She hated herself for even having those thoughts.

Yet at the same time... part of her didn’t want to leave.

"I should probably get some sleep."

West nodded. "Good idea."

Yelena smiled weakly.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

As she walked upstairs, she found herself strangely relieved... and strangely disappointed.

Both emotions confused her.

•••

•••

Elsewhere in Misty High City, Jax was having the complete opposite kind of day. "Money is amazing."

The declaration came while exiting yet another store.

His arms were loaded with bags and yet his wallet remained disturbingly healthy.

His mood was phenomenal.

For most of his life, he had never possessed this kind of money and now things were different.

With Shadow Reapers payments, bonuses, dividends, operation rewards, ruin profits and various other payments... he had made quite the sum.

He checked his account again.

~ Balance: 2.3 million dollars ~

Jax stopped walking and whistled.

He checked again and noticed it was still there. "That is so stupid."

A passerby looked at him strangely but Jax ignored them.

"Who gives an eighteen-year-old this much money?"

He laughed before answering himself. "West apparently."

He continued wandering through the city, buying things and enjoying himself.

At some point, he stopped walking and stood before a juncture. His eyes were fixed on a car dealership up ahead...

A very expensive car dealership.

Rows of beautiful vehicles sat beneath showroom lights.

Jax stared with stars in his eyes and the cars stared back. A dangerous relationship immediately formed.

"Oh no,"

He recognized what he was feeling right now... It was the feeling that always preceded terrible decisions.

Jax checked his account again and the 2.3 million stared back.

He looked at the dealership and then back at his account before staring at the dealership again.

A battle took place inside his soul.

Responsibility versus stupidity.

Financial wisdom versus impulse.

Unfortunately, the impulse side was winning.

Jax folded his arms. "I’m really trying to be responsible right now."

He nodded. "Really trying."

Then he looked through the glass windows again, noticing a black sports car beneath a spotlight.

His eyes widened. "Oh that’s beautiful."

Several seconds passed before he sighed dramatically. "Fuck it."

He pointed at himself. "I’m eighteen."

He pointed at the car. "That’s a sports car."

He spread his arms. "No jury in the world can convict me for making irresponsible decisions under these circumstances."

The logic was flawless... to him.

With complete confidence, Jax adjusted his jacket and marched toward the entrance.

The dealership doors slid open, a salesman immediately noticed him and smiled.

Jax grinned. "Oh this is going to be a terrible financial decision."

•••

•••

~ The Next Day ~

The atmosphere inside Shadow Reapers headquarters had been unusually lively all morning.

A large portion of the newer recruits had gathered near the parking section of the base.

They weren’t gathered because of training or an operation briefing... They were gathered because of Jax.

Or more specifically...

Because of the ridiculous sports car parked right in the middle of the compound.

The vehicle looked like something straight out of a luxury advertisement.

Its smooth black body reflected sunlight like a mirror with rims that looked expensive enough to buy a small house.

The engine sounded aggressive even while idle.

Several recruits circled it like cavemen discovering fire for the first time.

"Damn."

"That’s beautiful."

"I didn’t even know cars like this existed."

One recruit crouched beside the wheel. "I think this wheel costs more than my entire apartment."

Another nodded. "I think this wheel costs more than me."

The group burst into laughter while Jax stood proudly beside the car.

His hands were behind his back with his chest puffed out and a wise expression beyond his years... or at least... that’s what he was attempting.

He looked more like an idiot trying very hard to look wise and the recruits were eating it up.

Jax slowly nodded. "Children."

Several people immediately laughed.

"Gather around."

The laughter increased but Jax continued anyway.

"You stand before greatness today."

One recruit pointed at the car. "Or debt."

The crowd erupted while Jax clutched his chest dramatically.

"Such disrespect," he then pointed at the car. "Remember this moment."

The recruits leaned forward.

"One day..."

He raised a finger toward the sky. "You too can be like me."

A dramatic pause followed. "If you’re diligent."

"Loyal..."

"Hardworking..."

"And blessed with incredible talent..."

The recruits immediately booed him.

Jax laughed. "No no, listen."

He slapped the roof of the car. "This beauty didn’t appear out of nowhere."

"I fought monsters."

"I cleared ruins."

"I nearly died."

Several recruits nodded since this part was actually true.

Jax grinned. "So if you work hard enough..."

He pointed at the car again. "...one day you’ll make terrible financial decisions too."

The entire group burst into laughter... Meanwhile Nina stood nearby looking unimpressed.

She folded her arms. "Or..."

Everyone turned. "...you could spend your money on something useful."

Jax immediately rolled his eyes. "Here we go."

Nina pointed at the vehicle. "You spent an absurd amount of money on a sports car."

Jax looked offended. "An absurd amount?"

"Yes."

"It’s an investment."

The recruits started laughing again while Nina nearly choked. "An investment?"

"Absolutely."

"How?"

Jax opened his mouth before pointing at the car. "Look at it."

Several recruits nodded.

To be fair... it was pretty impressive.

Nina pinched the bridge of her nose. "You’re hopeless."

Jax smirked. "And what exactly would you have spent the money on?"

Nina immediately answered.

"Equipment."

"Training."

"Resources."

"Materials."

Jax looked horrified while the recruits laughed.

"That’s the most boring thing I’ve ever heard."

Nina narrowed her eyes. "At least it would’ve been practical."

Jax immediately fired back.

"Practical?"

"Yeah."

"Like buying paint?"

The recruits lost it. Several nearly fell over laughing.

Nina pointed at him aggressively. "Painting is useful."

"For who?"

"For artists."

Jax nodded seriously. "Exactly."

Then pointed at the car. "This is useful for everyone."

"How?"

"People can look at it."

The argument immediately descended into back and forth chaos including, insults, teasing and sarcasm.

Several recruits started placing imaginary bets. One even started acting like a sports commentator.

"And Nina counters with practical financial responsibility!"

"But Jax responds with crippling stupidity!"

The crowd exploded again.

Meanwhile Jax continued making exaggerated hand gestures while explaining why sports cars were the peak of human civilization.

"...and that’s why every successful person eventually buys one."

The recruits nodded along dramatically as Jax pointed at the sky. "Remember kids—"

He suddenly stopped when he noticed something felt off.

The laughter had vanished and the reactions had stopped.

Everyone was looking past him with serious expressions.

Jax slowly lowered his hand and turned around in confusion.

The moment he did, he nearly jumped out of his skin. "DAMN!"

Several recruits burst into laughter but swiftly placed their hand over their mouths to stiffle it.