“Ethan, could you get me another glass of wine?” Sophia’s mother, Mrs. Chang, said with a dismissive wave, not even bothering to look at him. Her eyes remained fixed on the glittering crystal chandelier above, as if it was more deserving of her attention than the man standing before her.Ethan clenched his jaw but said nothing. His fingers tightened around the stem of the empty glass he held, his eyes scanning the lavish dining room. Guests in their designer suits and gowns laughed and chatted, their voices blending with the clink of silverware and the soft murmur of classical music.He was nothing more than a shadow in this house, a servant in the home he once thought would be his. "Ethan!" Sophia's voice cut through the air, sharp and cold. She was standing near the long, polished table, her back turned to him. "Don’t forget my father’s whiskey." His heart pounded in his chest. He could feel eyes on him, mocking gazes that made him feel small, like a child caught doing something w

"Ethan, you can't just walk away," Sophia’s sharp voice echoed behind him, making him pause mid-step. His hand tightened on the door handle as he turned slowly, locking eyes with her."Why not?" Ethan asked, his voice low and controlled, though a tremor betrayed his attempt at composure.Sophia smirked, stepping forward with Lucas close behind. “We’re not done yet,” she said, holding up his keys—the ones to their shared home. “You won’t be needing these anymore.”Ethan’s jaw clenched. "You're throwing me out? Just like that?"“You’re lucky I let you stay as long as you did,” Sophia replied with a condescending tone. “But it’s time for you to go. Lucas and I need the space.”Lucas, standing smugly next to her, shrugged with faux sympathy. “It’s for the best, really. Sophia and I have plans.”The pit in Ethan’s stomach grew heavier. The casual cruelty of their words stung more than the act itself. His entire life was being dismissed as if it were nothing."You can't just erase everythin

"Is this him?" a deep voice cut through the rain, startling Ethan from his thoughts.He turned, squinting through the downpour. A fleet of black cars, sleek and polished, had appeared out of nowhere. The headlights sliced through the storm, and men dressed in sharp suits began stepping out. Ethan's heart pounded in his chest as he watched them approach, their movements precise and coordinated.The man who spoke was tall, his suit perfectly tailored. His eyes locked on Ethan with an intensity that made the hair on the back of Ethan's neck stand up.“Are you... Young Master Ethan?” the man asked, his voice low and steady, though there was no mistaking the respect in his tone.Ethan stared, speechless. He hadn’t heard anyone call him that in years. He wiped the rain from his face, unsure if this was real or if the storm had finally gotten to him.Another man, shorter but just as impeccably dressed, stepped forward and bowed. "We have been sent for you, Young Master."Ethan blinked. "Sent

“Ethan, it’s been too long.” The voice came from behind him, familiar but sharper than he remembered.Ethan turned around slowly. His heart raced at the sight of a figure stepping out from the shadows. “Victor?” His voice was filled with disbelief.Victor Chen, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, smiled, though his eyes didn’t quite match the expression. “Surprised to see me?” he asked, walking closer, his hands casually resting in his pockets.Ethan blinked, trying to make sense of it all. “I... I didn’t think you were still around. After all these years...”Victor chuckled softly. “You think I’d just disappear? No, Ethan. I’ve been keeping an eye on you. Quietly, of course.”Ethan frowned, stepping closer, feeling the weight of their history. “Why didn’t you ever reach out?”Victor raised an eyebrow. “And what would I have said? That your so-called perfect life was about to collapse? That your wife would betray you, and you’d lose everything?” He shrugged. “You wouldn’t have

"You think I need you?" Ethan’s voice was sharp, cutting through the cold silence of the room.Reginald sat behind his polished oak desk, his face unreadable. He leaned back in his chair, watching his son with a calm, almost amused expression. "I’m offering you a lifeline, Ethan. Don’t be a fool."Ethan’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. "You’re not offering me anything but chains. I’m not coming back under your control."Reginald raised an eyebrow. "Control? This is about survival. Without my help, you won’t last long in this world. You’ll drown."Ethan took a step forward, his eyes burning with anger. "I’d rather drown on my own than be trapped under you again."For a moment, Reginald’s face twitched, a hint of frustration breaking through his calm exterior. He stood up, walking slowly around the desk until he was face-to-face with Ethan. "You don’t understand the stakes here, Ethan. This isn’t about pride. It’s about power. Without it, you’ll be crushed."Ethan met his gaze,