His free time lately had afforded him the luxury to think more than he should be thinking and it was always in the quiet of his office. The winds outside his Justin howled, rattling the windows as the city below bustled with activity.But inside the office, everything felt still, as if the world had paused. The documents in his front blurred into unreadable shapes as many more memories surged in, threatening to overwhelm him.He could feel that familiar sting of anger building on his chest, a long held fury he had worked very hard to bury.But how could he?The memory cames in waves, each one crashing over him, breaking down the walls he had spent years trying to rebuild. His father's face, impassive and cold, echoed in his mind. His father had always been a man of calculated decisions, but this one, the one that involved Catherine, had shattered everything Justin thought he knew about loyalty, family, and trust.It was a cold morning when it happened years ago, he had just returned f
His father's expression darkened, and for a moment, Justin saw a flicker of someone he had not seen in years, it was guilt. But it was gone almost immediately, replaced by the hardened mask his father had perfected over the years.“I am not replacing anyone. Your mother is gone, Justin. This is about moving on. You need to understand that,” his father said with a firm voice and unyielding.Justin felt this sharp pang of pain in his chest. Moving on? This was not moving on. This was something else entirely. It was a betrayal of everything his mother had stood for, of everything they had shared as a family. How could his father be so wicked? So quick to discard the memory of his mother as though it were nothing more than a page in a history book?“I can not believe this,” Justin whispered as he rose from his seat. “I thought you were better than this. I thought you…”But his father was already shaking his head, dismissing him with a wave of his hand. “I do not need you to understand. Th
Two days after the discussion with his son in his study, Nelson Drogonuv thought he had given him enough time to process the news of his marriage announcement to his late mother's best friend, Catherine. He needed him to understand that whatever he was doing now was for the good of the family and most especially him, who would need a motherly figure in his life now that she is gone.It was not an easy decision for him to make too, but he had to move on and he expects Justin to do the same. For himself, for the unity of the family and for the continued progress of the company, he is the heir after all.For Justin, he had been inside his room since that day and just got out today for some air.The weight of his father's betrayal still pressed heavily on his chest, making it hard to breathe. He knew his father had been trying to check on him since then but he did not want to see him. He felt their conversation would be strained and he does not want to go through the awkward moment of try
His father's narrowed. “You do not understand. You are too young to get it. This is not just about your mother. It is about moving forward. It is about my future.”Justin felt his hand tremble as the weight of his father's words sank in. What does he mean moving forward? He wanted to scream, to throw something at him, to make his father understand the depths of his betrayal. But he knew it would not matter. His father had made up his mind.“You still do not get it, do you?” Justin's voice was very low now, almost sounding like a whisper. “This is not just about moving on Dad. It is about honoring mom's legacy. You were supposed to be the one to protect that, to protect us. But now,.. now you have chosen her over us and it feels like you are erasing everything she was.”His father's eyes darkened at this point. “I am not erasing anything soon. I am making a decision that is best for me. You need to accept that.”Justin's heart pounded in his chest, the words felt like poison on his ton
Justin's footsteps echoed in the quiet hallway as he walked through the campus, his heart racing with different emotions like excitement and uncertainty. The buildings around him were sleek, modern, and full of life. It felt like a world away from the chaos he had left behind months ago.For the first time in a long time, he felt like he was in control of his life, like he had a chance to redefine his future.After he left home, he had found a small apartment to rent and stayed in. Since he was not doing anything, he decided to continue his tutorials for his college exams. And with sheer luck and his preparations, he was able to get into college. He had taken the decision on time, but it was not without a small amount of fear. He had taken out of his savings, the sizable amount of money that had been his reliance since he left home and proceeded to pay for his college tuition.He had no family support, no one except himself to rely on. But that has always been the case, is it not? Eve
Late one night, after finishing a grueling exam paper on corporate finance, Justin walked back to his tiny, cramped apartment. His headache from the endless studying, but he knew he could not stop, at least not now.He needed this degree, this piece of paper that would prove he could do more than what his father had ever expected. He needed to prove it to himself.The apartment was small, with peeling paint and old furniture that looked like it had been taken from yard sales. It was not much, but it was his, and for now, that was enough. He dropped his bag on the floor and collapsed onto the couch, staring at the ceiling as fatigue crept in.But even in the silence of his small room, a sense of unease lingered in his mind. Money. Bills. Tuition. It was always there, lurking in the back of his mind. There were days when he could not help but wonder if he would make it through.The academic pressure was one thing, the financial pressure was another. Every week felt like a tightrope walk
The hum of the city felt different in the early morning hours. The streets were quieter, save for the occasional honk of a distant car or the sound of footsteps from fellow students rushing to their next class. Justin had grown used to the noise and chaos of college life, but the exhaustion that clung to his bones was something new.He had been awake for nearly twenty hours now. The final draft of his recent project was due in a few hours, but that was not his main concern. No, his focus was on the clock ticking away in the corner of his small apartment, reminding him of the fact his rent was due, and there were other bills that needed to be paid. With each passing day, he felt the weight of the bills and responsibilities getting heavier. The previous day had been another blur of balancing his tasks. He had woken up early for a class on market dynamics, skipped lunch to study for a finance exam, and then worked a six hour shift at the local coffee shop, the same place he had spent co
He quickly grabbed his things, leaving his textbooks behind in the rush. The coffee shop was only a short walk away from where he stays, but it felt like the longest walk of his life. As he entered the bustling cafe, the familiar scent of coffee and pastries filled his nostrils, a strange comfort amidst the chaos.The morning shift was quite busy, and Justin found himself juggling multiple tasks like taking orders, making drinks, and restocking supplies. The hours dragged on as he worked, and his mind wandered, thinking about many things, most especially the pile of responsibilities waiting for him at home. He was starting to feeling like he was constantly running but never getting ahead.Around midday, he managed to take a short break. He sat down in the backroom, his hand shaking slightly from exhaustion. He pulled out his phone and saw that Lilly had called him. He had not realized how much he missed her until now, her smile, and her presence. He quickly dialed her number.“Hey, J
Justin sat on the worn out couch in the living room one night, his head in his hands. Bills were scattered across the coffee table, each one was a reminder of the dwindling finances in his marriage. The hum of the old ceiling fan filled the silence, but it did not do anything much to ease the tension in the room.Lilly walked in with a hesitant look on her face as she glanced at the stack of envelopes on the table. Moving closer to him, she gently opened her mouth to talk.“Any luck today?” She asked Justin softly as she placed a hand on his shoulder.Justin shook his head and sighed. “I went to three interviews, and they all said the same thing. They are all looking for someone with more experience.” His voice was tight and edged with frustration.“I am trying my best Lilly. I really am.”“I know you are baby,” she replied him as she sat down beside him. She hesitated for a moment before continuing, as if weighing her words carefully. “But Justin, maybe it is time we consider anothe
“You mean everything to me too babe,” she would always reply to him whenever she sees such with her eyes glistening with tears.This continued till weeks and months passes by and Justin finally landed a temporary position at a small logistics company. Though the pay was not that much, it gave him a new beacon of hope. He started the job and have it all he have, determined to prove his worth and climb the ladder. However, the long hours and demanding tasks often left him drained.On the other hand, Lilly's own frustrations had started to show. “I feel like we are just surviving,” she admitted one night after work. “I know we said we would get through this together, but sometimes I wonder if we are in over our heads.”Justin took her hand in his with a firm grip but also gentle touch.“We are not in over our heads babe. We are just at the starting line. Things will get better for us, we just have to keep pushing.”She sighed in frustration and resignation.But as time went in and on, t
The sun rose on the tiny apartment Justin and Lilly called their home. It was their first morning as husband and wife, and though the place was small, it felt like their own piece of heaven. Justin woke to the smell of coffee brewing from the kitchen and saw his newly wedded wife, Lilly, humming softly in the kitchen, her smile now brighter than the morning light.“Good morning, My darling wife,” Justin said as he wrapped his arms around her from behind in the kitchen.She laughed as she turned around to face him. “Good morning, my lovely husband. How does it feel to wake up as a married man?”“It feels perfect,” he said in response, with his voice warm with conviction. “No matter what happens, we will make this work.”Lilly nodded with her eyes sparkling with hope. “We will baby. Together.”He leaned in to kiss her softly, she also responded in equal measure as they both share a passionate morning kiss.The first few weeks of their marriage were filled optimism. They had little mone
Lilly turned to face him with her eyes full of curiosity. “What do you mean?”“I mean, we have always known that we wnated to be together, but now that we have graduated, I think it is time to take that next and necessary step,” he said as his heart pounded in his chest.“Lilly, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to build a future with you, no matter what it takes.”Lilly's eyes softened, her expression was that of warmth and love. “I have always known that for a long time, Justin. But hearing you say it….”Her voice trailed off as she reached for his hand, intertwining their fingers. “I want that too. I want to spend forever with you.”Justin smiled brightly as a wave of relief and happiness wash over him. He had spent so much of his life trying to fight for everything he had, but in this moment, everything felt right. They had built something beautiful together, a love, a partnership, and a future.“I am glad,” he said with sincerity in his voice. “Because I want t
The sound of applause echoed through the grand hall as Justin and Lilly stood side by side, caps and gowns in place, their hearts pounding with the weight of the moment. They had made it.After years of struggles, sacrifices, and relentless effort, they had finally reached the pinnacle of their academic journey. The Graduation Day.Justin's eyes met that of Lilly's in the crowded hall, her smile very bright against the sea of graduates. There was a quiet understanding between them , a shared sense of accomplishment that no words could truly capture.This was their moment, the culmination of everything they had fought for, everything they had built together in school. As the ceremony progressed, with speeches and ceremonial rituals, Justin could not help but reflect on the path that had brought him here.He thought about the days he had spent working multiple jobs, the nights he had spent studying while struggling to stay awake, and the moments when he had doubted whether it would all
They both sat in silence for a moment, both of them were lost in thought as they contemplate about the future they could create.They had always supported each other through everything, through the late nights studying, the financial struggles, the pressure from Lilly's family.But at the moment, as they both neared the end of their college journey, it felt like the foundation they had been building for the past few years was finally starting to take shape.“What do you see for us?” She finally asked quietly, her voice almost tentative.Justin looked at her, noticing the faint determination in her eyes. He could see that the she was becoming a woman, the woman she had always been, strong, capable, and dull of ambition. But he also saw the depth of love she had for him, the willingness to fight for those times and what they shared.“I can see us creating a life together,” he answered her slowly, thinking carefully about his words. “I see us working together, building something that is
The sun had barely risen as it casted a golden hue over the sprawling campus. Justin was sitting on the steps outside Lilly's apartment, his girlfriend, waiting for her to finish her morning routine. It was a rare moment of calm for him before the chaos of the day starts.His mind wandered back to the previous months, everything he and Lilly had gone through so far, everything they had overcome. It had not been easy but somehow, they both had managed to build something that felt solid, something that felt real and did not waver under the fears Lilly had.The door creaked open, and Lilly stepped outside, her hair ties backwards in a loose bun, a mug of coffee in her hand. She offered Justin a very tired smile, one that spoke volumes more than any words could.“Good morning,” Justin greeted her, his voice filled with affection as always.“Good morning to you too,” Lilly replied him as she sat down beside him, her body leaning against his in that comfortable way that had become second na
Justin's heart ached as he realized the depth of her internal struggle. He could see that it was not just about her family's disapproval, it was also about her fear of failing, her fear of choosing him and losing everything she had worked for.“Lilly, listen to me,” he said as he took her face in his hands. “I am not asking you to risk everything. I am asking you to take a chance on us. We have got dreams, we have got our ambition. We will figure it out, together. I promise you.”But even as he said those words, he knew it was not just her family that was a challenge. There were also the harsh realities of his financial struggles and hers as a student.Despite his part time job at the coffee shop and the small scholarships he had earned due to his academic brilliance since he got to college, money was always right. He saw the way Lilly pinched pennies too sometimes, the way she hesitated before spending on anything big or small atimes, like a coffee or a new textbook.The weight of th
The sound of raindrops tapping against the windows was the first thing Justin heard as he sat in the dimly lit living room of Lilly's small apartment. He had come to spend the evening with her after a long week of exams, but the atmosphere was not exactly the way he wanted it. There was evident tension in the air. Lilly had not been her usual self lately and it was easily noticeable. She seemed distant, her usual warmth had been replaced by an underlying sense of worry that she herself could not shake off.When she finally joined on the couch in the room, her expression was tired, her shoulders slumped in a way that spoke volumes. She had been quiet ever since she arrived, and Justin could feel the storm that seems to be brewing beneath the surface.He turned to her and asked gently. “Lilly,” he said as he took her hand in his softly. “Is anything the problem? What is going in?”She looked him, her eyes hoping to find some form of understanding in his face. She sighed before replyin