Alexander said nothing.
If Jeruel had any sense left, she'd be on her knees, begging for forgiveness. The Alexander she once knew—the one who tolerated her sharp words and humiliations—was gone. The man before her now had been tempered by fire, hardship, and a will as unyielding as steel. He didn’t need to justify himself to her or anyone else.
He took a step further, his footsteps echoing sharply against the polished floors.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Jeruel’s voice, dripping with bitterness, sliced through the air. "You fool!"
Alexander didn’t flinch. He didn’t need to.
Jeruel’s face twisted with contempt. "Do you think a place like this serves penniless men like you? The consultation f*e alone is $1,500. Do yourself a favor—stop fooling yourself and find a lawyer within your lowly means. Not that it’ll help—you can’t win this case."
Alexander paused, his back still turned. Her words bounced off him like rain against armor. He turned slowly, locking eyes with her.
“Jeruel,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “Your insults don’t matter to me. Save them for someone who still cares.”
She gaped at him, stunned by the calm in his voice. "How dare you—"
Before she could finish, Alexander brushed past her, not even sparing her another glance. His pace was measured, deliberate, as he walked toward the right into the firm.
Behind him, Jeruel stood frozen, her mouth hanging open. Then, in frustration, she turned to Jack, her voice rising. "How did I ever end up with him?" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up. "He's poor, and he'll die poor!"
Jack stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. His voice was smooth, calculated. "Forget him, sweetheart. You've moved on. Soon we’ll have full custody of our child. He’s nothing."
Jeruel smirked, leaning into Jack, her voice dripping with disdain. "You’re right. I just hope he realizes how pathetic he looks before it’s too late."
They turned and walked out of the law firm, their laughter echoing down the corridor, each chuckling a jab at Alexander’s back.
At the reception desk, Alexander approached the secretary, his steps steady, his expression unwavering.
“Excuse me,” he said, his tone polite but firm. “I’d like to book an appointment with Attorney Alfred. Is he available?”
The secretary glanced up from her screen, her gaze sharp. "Did you call ahead, sir? Is this a scheduled appointment?"
"No," Alexander replied, a slight edge to his voice. "I’m a first-time client, but I’ve heard of Attorney Alfred’s reputation. I believe he’s the right man for my case."
The woman studied him for a moment, her professional mask slipping just enough to reveal curiosity. “Mr. Alfred is very busy,” she said, her tone cautious. “But let me see if he has a moment to spare. Please, take a seat.”
Alexander lowered himself into one of the plush chairs in the waiting area. The comfort was a stark contrast to the tension building inside him. He crossed his arms, his thoughts drifting, but never straying far from Zoe.
Her laughter, her curious eyes, the way she clung to him whenever he picked her up from school—it all flashed before him, each memory a precious moment he was determined to protect.
She’s not my biological daughter. The thought clawed at him, but he pushed it aside. Would she still see him as her father when she grew up? Would she search for her real one?
A wave of doubt threatened to overtake him, but he clung to a memory of Zoe, sitting at their small dining table, giggling as she painted a picture of their family—her in the middle, him beside her.
“You’re the best daddy in the whole world,” she had declared, her eyes shining with trust.
That memory was his anchor. It reminded him why he had to keep fighting, no matter what.
“Mr. Alexander?” the secretary’s voice cut through his thoughts.
He stood quickly. “Yes?”
“Attorney Alfred will see you now. Please follow me.”
The office was a monument to success. Shelves lined with thick legal books, certificates hung in polished frames, each one a testament to the man’s expertise. Alfred stood as Alexander entered, offering a handshake that was both warm and professional.
“Mr. Alexander, please take a seat.”
Alexander sat, his posture straight, his gaze unwavering. “Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, Attorney Alfred. I need your help to secure custody of my daughter.”
He didn’t waste time, laying out his story with practiced precision, recounting the sacrifices, the sleepless nights, the constant worry for Zoe’s future. Alfred listened intently, his professional mask not betraying a hint of judgment.
When Alexander finished, Alfred leaned back, his fingers steepled. "Mr. Kane, our legal system is clear. A man who has raised a child as his own is presumed to be the legal father, even if there is no biological connection. You have a strong case."
Alexander’s heart, weighed down by doubt moments ago, surged with renewed determination.
“Rest assured, Mr. Kane,” Alfred continued, his voice firm. “I’ve handled countless cases like yours, and I’ve never lost. You’ve chosen the right man for the job.”
Alexander nodded, his mind set. “Thank you, Attorney Alfred. Let’s proceed.”
The retainer was signed and paid. As Alexander walked out of the office, a weight lifted from his shoulders, replaced by a sense of purpose.
This fight wasn’t just for custody—it was for Zoe’s future, for her happiness, and for her right to grow up in a home where she was cherished.
Outside, Alexander’s thoughts raced. He needed to make sure Zoe had the life she deserved—a safe, secure home, filled with love.
He flagged down a taxi. "Take me to Luxurious Autos."
At the auto dealership, Alexander strode through the door, his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room. The sales representative hurried over, respect evident in his every movement.
“Good day, sir. Please, follow me. I’ll show you our finest options.”
As they walked through the showroom, Alexander’s mind was already focused on Zoe. Every decision he made now was for her. The sacrifices, the struggles—it was all worth it for her future.
A red SUV caught his eye. Spacious, safe, and perfect for long trips. He ran his hand over the hood, nodding.
“This one,” he said, his voice decisive.
The salesperson smiled, nodding quickly. “Excellent choice, sir. Would you like to test drive?”
Before Alexander could respond, he added, “I’ll take two more,” his voice cutting through the air like a command.
The salesperson blinked, stunned. “Two more, sir?”
Alexander nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Yes. One for business, and one for… other things.”
The salesperson, recovering quickly, bowed his head respectfully. “Of course, sir. Right away.”
As he walked off to prepare the cars, Alexander’s gaze remained fixed on the showroom floor, his thoughts momentarily lost in the thrill of the decision. He wasn’t just buying cars. He was buying a future—a future for Zoe, one where she would never have to worry about anything.
The salesperson, still in awe of the man’s apparent wealth, watched him with growing curiosity. "Who is this man, exactly?" he thought. "And what does he do for a living to have this kind of money?"
Alexander completed the purchase of the cars, but instead of taking them immediately, he handed instructions to the dealership. "I’ll send you the delivery address later. For now, I’ll leave without the cars," he said with a casual nod. "Of course, sir. We’ll await your instructions," the salesperson replied, bowing slightly out of respect. Exiting the dealership, Alexander paused. He admired the quiet streets of the upscale neighbourhood but knew there was one essential task left—finding a home spacious enough to accommodate his new lifestyle. He ordered another Uber without hesitation. “Marxist Homes,” he told the driver. “Yes, sir!” the driver confirmed, pulling away from the curb. Marxist Homes was synonymous with prestige, a real estate company catering exclusively to the rich. Owning a property from them was a mark of status, a silent declaration of one’s financial power. The mere mention of their name commanded respect. At their luxurious office, Alexander was greeted
A sharp slap stung Alexander’s cheek, but he didn’t flinch. He had learned not to.“Don’t look me in the eyes when I’m talking to you,” Jeruel spat, her voice like ice. Her glare pinned him in place, daring him to defy her.Alexander dropped his gaze, his jaw tightening. His mind screamed to fight back, to say something, but he swallowed it down like he always did. Words only made things worse. He bent to gather the pile of laundry she’d thrown at his feet, moving slowly as though careful not to provoke her further.“You’re pathetic,” Jeruel added, her tone low but cutting. She stood there for a moment, her arms crossed, watching him with a sneer that made his skin crawl. Then, as if the sight of him bored her, she turned and walked away, her heels tapping against the floor.Alexander exhaled softly, his hands trembling as he clutched the clothes. He didn’t dare look up until he heard the slam of the bedroom door. Even then, he hesitated, waiting for the echo to fade before moving.Th
Jeruel arrived at the hospital drenched in sweat, her chest heaving. She had sprinted furiously, her heels clacking on the pavement, refusing to wait for a taxi. Jack had pulled up beside her halfway, the sleek hum of his car cutting through the quiet of the night. Without a word, she had jumped in, and together they sped toward the hospital. Her mind raced with every passing second.Inside the hospital, Jeruel pushed through the automatic doors, her sharp gaze darting across the waiting room. Fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting a sterile glow on the gray walls. She spotted Alexander slouched in a chair by the secretary’s desk, his head bowed, his shoulders hunched. He looked up as she entered, his eyes tired and red-rimmed.“Jeruel,” Alexander said, standing quickly. His voice trembled with urgency. “I—”She didn’t let him finish. Her gaze dropped to Jack, who had followed closely behind her. Alexander’s eyes widened, lingering on the stranger, his confusion momentarily ec
Alexander spent the night slumped in a stiff hospital chair, his body aching and his mind refusing rest. He stared at the tiled floor, the hum of hospital machines filling the quiet around him. Even as the clock ticked past midnight, his thoughts raced. He wasn’t welcome back at the house; Jeruel had made that clear with her actions. But he couldn’t focus on that humiliation now.His daughter, Zoe, was the reason he stayed. The thought of her small body fighting for breath haunted him. He had failed her, and the guilt pressed down on him like a weight.But beneath the guilt, something stirred. A spark of determination. He wasn’t going to let Jeruel and her family take Zoe from him. He had lost everything once before—his business, his pride—but this? This was a battle he couldn’t afford to lose.At the break of dawn, Alexander stood, his back stiff and his face drawn. He decided his first step: he needed a way to fight back. Money was power in Jeruel’s world, and it was the only weapon
Alexander stood in front of the bathroom mirror, a new man. The once-dull eyes that had been haunted by fear, regret, and humiliation now gleamed with a quiet confidence. The mirror reflected a transformation he hadn't anticipated—a transformation that wasn’t just physical but emotional.The past few years had been spent in the shadows of Jeruel and her family, beaten down by their neglect and scorn. But now? Now, things were different. His phone, vibrating with the buzz of new possibilities, was a reminder of that.He took a deep breath, steadying himself. There were important things to do. First, check on Zoe, his daughter—the only one who mattered in this chaotic mess. Then, he’d pay off the hospital bill. That was a priority. And finally, the divorce papers. He couldn’t delay signing them any longer, but he was ready. After all, the woman who had torn him down had no hold over him now.In the hotel room, Alexander sat on the edge of the bed, the weight of his newfound wealth sinki
As Jack arrived at the doctor’s office, a sense of pride settled over him. His expensive shoes clicked sharply on the hospital's polished floors, a subtle reminder of the power he wielded. With a forced smile, he extended his hand to the doctor, who hesitated for only a moment before shaking it."Good morning, Doctor," Jack said smoothly, leaning against the doorframe as he surveyed the modest office. The walls, though professional, lacked the grandeur Jack was used to. It was fine, nothing spectacular, but certainly not a reflection of the quality he expected.The doctor, still unsure of who Jack was, gave a polite nod, recognizing his outward confidence. “Hello, sir. Can I help you?” He had no idea why Jack was here, but given the man's apparent wealth and stature, the doctor wanted to remain courteous.Jack smirked, sitting down comfortably in the chair across from the doctor’s desk. He looked around the room, his eyes lingering on small details, his posture relaxed yet proud, as i
As Jack stood there, watching the doctor waver, he felt a rush of satisfaction. The man’s hesitation was palpable—fear flickered behind his eyes, caught between the threat of Alexander’s legal action and the undeniable allure of Jack’s money. Jack knew which choice would win out. Who would really believe this “Mr. Poor Alexander” could take legal action?Jack’s lips curled into a sly, almost cruel smirk. He leaned forward slightly, his voice laced with mockery. “Doctor, are you actually afraid? Or is it just the thrill of watching ‘Mr. Poor Alexander’ play dress-up in a thrift store suit?” His words sliced through the air, calculated and precise.The insult hung between them, sharp and stinging. Alexander felt the old instinct to retaliate rising in his chest. He wanted to lash out, to let the anger flood him. But he held it back, his breathing steady, his mind clear. This was not the time.Years of humiliation and betrayals had sculpted him into something different—someone who had le
Alexander’s words were venomous, each one slicing through the tense silence like a blade. He watched Jeruel’s eyes widen in shock as she snatched the phone from the doctor’s hand. Her face drained of color, her trembling hands barely able to hold the device. The truth was sinking in, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. In that fleeting moment, Alexander saw the weight of realization hit her—there were no accusations, no sharp retorts, just the suffocating silence of someone caught off guard.The room held its breath, the silence almost unbearable, until Jeruel’s phone beeped—a sound that broke the stillness with unsettling finality. She hastily glanced at the notification, her face falling further into disbelief as she read the message.Daniella, one of Jeruel’s closest friends, had been at the bank the day Alexander went to apply for the loan. She’d seen him leave the loan officer’s office, and now the truth was staring Jeruel in the face, undeniable.“I think Alexander go