Options
Author: EL JHAY
last update2025-03-20 19:22:01

The distant hum of engines rolled through the estate’s gates, growing louder as the cars approached the mansion. My stomach twisted. I didn’t need to look outside to know who had arrived.  

Mr. and Mrs. Prestwick.  

Christopher smirked, the sharp edge of his amusement returning as he tilted his head toward the entrance. “Perfect timing,” he mused. “Mother’s going to be furious when she finds out you’re refusing to sign.” He let out a soft chuckle, as if he was already savoring what was about to unfold.  

I clenched my jaw, my hands tightening into fists at my sides. He wasn’t lying.  

Mrs. Prestwick hated me.  

Despised me, even.  

From the moment Eleanor had married me, she had made her feelings clear—I was nothing. A stain on their family name. An embarrassment she wished she could erase. If given the chance, she wouldn’t just throw me out of the house; she’d have me locked away somewhere, completely erased from Eleanor’s life.  

The only reason I was still here was because of her husband.  

Mr. Prestwick.  

Unlike his wife and son, he didn’t treat me with outright disdain. He was cold, distant, but not cruel. And more than anything, he was the only thing standing between me and the family’s complete rejection.  

But even he wouldn’t be able to protect me forever.  

The heavy doors swung open, and the guards ushered them inside.  

Mrs. Prestwick was dressed in an elegant, wine-colored dress, her heels clicking against the marble floor with precision. Her presence alone commanded attention, but it was the icy sharpness in her gaze that sent a chill down my spine.  

Her husband followed behind her, his suit neatly pressed, his expression unreadable.  

The moment Mrs. Prestwick saw us, her eyes narrowed, her lips pursing in immediate suspicion. She scanned the room, her gaze flicking between me, Christopher, and the divorce papers still on the table.  

Then, in a voice as sharp as a blade, she demanded,  

“What is going on here?”

A suffocating silence filled the room.  

Mrs. Prestwick’s cold, piercing gaze locked onto me like a predator sizing up its prey.  

Her sharp heels clicked against the marble as she strode further inside, the scent of her expensive perfume thick in the air, suffocating. Mr. Prestwick followed behind her, his presence more subdued but no less imposing. He didn’t speak, didn’t react—not yet. His unreadable gaze lingered on me, assessing, waiting.  

But his wife had no patience for silence.  

She turned to Christopher, her voice razor-sharp. “I asked a question.”  

Christopher smirked, shoving his hands into his pockets with an ease that made my skin crawl. He was enjoying this—every second of it.  

“John refuses to sign the divorce papers,” he said, his tone light, almost amused. “Eleanor’s already signed, but it seems her devoted husband isn’t quite ready to let go.”  

Mrs. Prestwick’s expression darkened instantly.  

Slowly, she turned to me, and in that moment, it felt like the temperature in the room dropped.  

Her hatred wasn’t loud. It wasn’t explosive. It was something far more chilling—deep-rooted, absolute, a disgust she didn’t even try to conceal.  

“You refuse?” Her voice was calm, but there was venom beneath it. “Are you under the illusion that you have a choice?”  

My throat was dry, but I swallowed down the unease clawing at my chest. “I won’t sign the papers,” I said, forcing the words out, steady despite the dread curling in my stomach. “I love Eleanor. I won’t give up on my marriage.”  

A sharp, mocking laugh burst from Christopher, but it was Mrs. Prestwick’s reaction that made my pulse hammer.  

She smiled.  

A slow, cruel smile.  

Then, in an instant, the facade cracked, and fury bled into her eyes.  

She stepped forward, closing the distance between us so quickly that I had to fight the instinct to step back. “Love?” she spat, her voice dripping with contempt. “You think this is about love?”  

She let out a sharp, humorless laugh, shaking her head before her gaze snapped back to mine, deadly and unrelenting.  

“You are nothing, John,” she said, her tone like ice. “Nothing but a leech that latched onto my daughter and drained everything from her. You don’t belong in this family. You never did.”  

Her voice rose, each word cutting deeper.  

“You are a mistake, John. A pathetic, spineless parasite who should have never had the audacity to believe he was worthy of the Prestwick name.”  

My fists clenched at my sides. I should have been used to this by now—the insults, the humiliation, the endless reminders that I was unwanted. But it never stopped cutting.  

It never stopped burning.  

“Mother,” Christopher sighed dramatically. “I think you’re being too kind. A parasite at least serves some purpose in nature. John? He’s nothing but a stain.” 

Mrs. Prestwick let out a slow exhale, composing herself as she straightened. But the look in her eyes was worse than her words—it was final.  

“Sign the papers,” she ordered. “Do it now.”  

I didn’t move.  

I didn’t speak.  

I wouldn’t do it.  

Mrs. Prestwick’s nostrils flared, her patience snapping like a thread.  

Her lips curled in disgust. “If you think for a second that you can fight this—if you think that my daughter will ever accept you again—you are more pathetic than I thought.”  

She turned to her husband then, her voice laced with bitter resentment. “Say something. Tell him to sign those papers and walk out of this house like the disgrace he is.”  

A tense silence followed.  

All eyes turned to Mr. Prestwick.  

Unlike his wife and son, he didn’t sneer, didn’t glare. He simply sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as if this was nothing more than a mild inconvenience.  

And then he finally spoke.  

“Let him stay.”  

The room froze.  

Mrs. Prestwick snapped her head toward him, her expression twisting in disbelief. Christopher’s smirk faltered, and even Eleanor finally lifted her gaze, brows furrowing.  

“What?” Mrs. Prestwick’s voice was eerily quiet.  

Mr. Prestwick met my gaze for a long, unreadable moment before he turned back to his wife. “Forcing him out like this will cause a scandal. The media will eat it up—‘Prestwick heiress divorces husband, throws him out of the mansion.’” His gaze flickered to Eleanor. “Do you want that kind of attention?”  

Eleanor frowned, clearly considering it.  

Mrs. Prestwick was fuming, but Mr. Prestwick wasn’t done.  

“He’ll sign the papers when he’s ready.” His voice was firm, unwavering. “But for now, let him stay.”  

I knew better than to mistake his words for kindness.  

He wasn’t doing this for me. He was doing it for their reputation.  

But it didn’t matter.  

Because in that moment, for the first time that night—I had won.  

Mrs. Prestwick’s jaw clenched, her nails digging into her palms. She wanted to protest. To scream. To destroy me.  

But she couldn’t.  

Not when her husband had made his decision.  

The air was thick with unspoken threats, with hatred.  

And then, finally, she hissed through gritted teeth,  

“This isn’t over.”  

Her voice was quiet. A promise.  

And as she turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, Christopher right behind her, I knew one thing for certain.  

She would make me regret defying her.

“John, follow me,” Mr. Prestwick said, and I nodded.

The night air was cool against my skin as I followed Mr. Prestwick outside. The mansion’s grand exterior lights cast long shadows across the courtyard, making everything feel colder, heavier. The quiet hum of distant traffic was the only sound besides our footsteps on the stone path.  

He stopped near the garden, his hands in his pockets, gazing up at the darkening sky as if searching for the right words. I stood beside him, waiting.  

After a long silence, he finally spoke.  

“I never regretted you marrying my daughter, John.” His voice was calm but firm, carrying the weight of something deeper. “You’re the kind of son-in-law I always wanted.” He turned his head slightly to look at me. “But not the kind my wife wanted.”  

I swallowed hard, my chest tightening.  

He sighed, shifting his gaze back to the horizon. “I don’t want to be in a position where I have to choose between you and my family, John. That’s why I’m giving you an opportunity.”  

I remained silent, listening.  

“Tomorrow morning,” he continued, his voice low but steady, “I want you to sign those papers. In return, I’ll arrange for you to leave the country. I’ll provide enough cash for you to start over—a private flight, a new beginning. You can go anywhere you want and build something better for yourself.”  

I exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of his words pressing down on me. He wasn’t threatening me. He wasn’t trying to hurt me. In his own way, he was offering me an escape—a chance to free myself from this family, from this prison.  

But even so…  

I shook my head. “I appreciate what you’re offering, sir. Really, I do. But I can’t.” I looked him in the eye, my voice unwavering. “I love Eleanor too much.”  

For a moment, he didn’t say anything. And then—he chuckled.  

Soft, almost amused, as if he had expected this answer all along.  

“Love is blind,” he murmured. “But sometimes, it leads to foolish decisions.” He turned fully toward me now, his expression unreadable. “I don’t want you to make a foolish decision, John.” His voice dropped slightly. “Think about it before tomorrow morning.”  

His meaning was clear.  

By tomorrow, he wouldn’t help me again.  

He reached out and patted my shoulder, his grip firm but not unkind. “I hope you make the right decision.”  

With that, he turned and walked back toward the mansion, leaving me standing there alone.  

I looked down at my hands, at the faint traces

of soap and dirt still clinging to my skin from the hours of work I had done today.  

The reality was crushing.  

I had no power here.  

No allies.  

And now, I had a choice to make.

Related Chapters

  • REBIRTH OF THE PATHETIC HUSBAND    A Deal With The Devil

    Hours later, I lay on the narrow bed in the guest room, staring at the ceiling. The room was dark, save for the faint moonlight filtering through the curtains, casting long shadows across the walls. The house was silent now, the kind of silence that felt heavy, oppressive, like the calm before a storm. The rest of the family had retired to their rooms after dinner, and Eleanor had made it clear—I was no longer welcome in our shared bedroom. To her, we were already divorced even though I hadn’t signed the papers yet.I exhaled slowly, rubbing my hands together as Mr. Prestwick’s words echoed in my head. "Tomorrow morning, sign the papers. Take the money. Start over." It made sense. It was the logical choice. If I signed, I could escape this miserable existence, leave behind the humiliation, the suffering. I could start a new life—one where I wouldn’t be treated like a servant in my own marriage. But I didn’t want to. Despite everything… despite her cruelty, her coldness, her b

  • REBIRTH OF THE PATHETIC HUSBAND    A Second Chance

    I slowly opened my eyes, the brightness of the room piercing through my consciousness like a blade. A groan escaped my lips as I shifted, my body feeling heavy, my mind foggy. The light was harsh, almost blinding, and I squinted against it, trying to make sense of my surroundings. The first thing I saw was a golden chandelier hanging above me, its crystals catching the light and scattering it in a thousand tiny rainbows across the ceiling. It was beautiful, opulent, and entirely unfamiliar.I blinked, my mind struggling to catch up. Where was I? What had happened? My thoughts were a jumbled mess, fragments of memories swirling like shards of glass in a storm. And then, like a bolt of lightning, it all came rushing back.Christopher. The drinks. The car ride. The gun.My eyes widened as the memories flooded in, sharp and vivid. Christopher had shot me. Three times. I remembered the sound of the gunshots, the searing pain, the way my body had crumpled to the ground. I remembered the blo

  • REBIRTH OF THE PATHETIC HUSBAND    A Visit From Lucifer

    I stood there for a moment, my mind still reeling from Lilith’s words. The question burned in my chest, demanding an answer. “Why?” I finally asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “Why did Lucifer offer me a second chance? Why me?”Lilith paused at the door, her hand resting on the handle. She glanced back at me, her crimson eyes glinting with something unreadable. “That,” she said, her voice smooth and deliberate, “is a question only Lucifer can answer. And soon, you’ll get that answer. But for now…” She gestured toward the bathroom door. “Go take a bath. Clear your head. You’ll need it.”She walked back toward me, her movements fluid and hypnotic, and before I could react, she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. Her lips were warm, her touch almost tender, but it sent a shiver down my spine. “Don’t think too much, darling,” she murmured, her breath brushing against my ear. “You’ll drive yourself mad.”And then she was gone, the door clicking shut behind her, leaving me

  • REBIRTH OF THE PATHETIC HUSBAND    My New Life

    I stood there, staring at my reflection, my hands gripping the edge of the sink so tightly my knuckles turned white. The face staring back at me was mine again, but it felt different now. Tainted. Changed. The weight of Lucifer’s words hung heavy in the air, and I could feel something stirring inside me—something dark, something primal. Something that had been buried deep within me, waiting for the right moment to rise.Revenge. Power. Darkness. The thoughts swirled in my mind like a storm, each one more intoxicating than the last. The Prestwicks. Eleanor. Christopher. Mrs. Prestwick. They had taken everything from me. My dignity. My love. My life. And now, I had the power to make them pay. To make them suffer. To make them regret ever crossing me.But it wasn’t just about revenge anymore. Lucifer’s words echoed in my head, a dark promise of something greater. *Together, we could rule.* The idea was terrifying, but it was also… thrilling. The thought of wielding that kind of power,

  • REBIRTH OF THE PATHETIC HUSBAND    Chapter 8: Revenge

    With a powerful beat of my wings, I shot forward, closing the distance between myself and the maid in an instant. I wrapped my arms around her just as she was about to hit the ground, the force of my momentum sending us skidding across the grass.For a moment, everything was still. The maid lay in my arms, her eyes wide with shock, her body trembling. I stared down at her, my own heart racing, my wings still spread wide behind me.I had done it. I had saved her.Lilith’s voice cut through the stillness of the night, sharp and melodic, like the chime of a bell laced with poison. “Nicely done,” she said, her tone dripping with amusement as she clapped her hands slowly, the sound echoing in the vast, moonlit compound. I turned to see her standing a few feet away, her crimson gown shimmering like liquid fire under the pale light, her crimson eyes glowing with a mix of pride and mockery.I carefully placed the maid on her feet, my hands steadying her as she trembled like a leaf in a storm.

  • REBIRTH OF THE PATHETIC HUSBAND    The First Stage Of My Revenge

    I took a deep breath, forcing the fire in my veins to cool. The flames on the television flickered and died, leaving behind only a charred, smoldering ruin. The scent of burnt metal and melted plastic hung in the air, but my rage had settled into something colder, sharper—calculated. Lilith stepped around me, her crimson gown whispering against the marble floor. She picked up one of the drinks she had poured and handed it to me, her fingers brushing mine deliberately. The glass was cool in my grip, the liquid inside swirling like molten gold. "The perfect revenge," she mused, tilting her head, "isn’t just about killing them, darling. It’s about making them suffer. Making them know it’s you. And then, when they’re broken and begging, you take everything." I took a slow sip, the liquor burning down my throat like hellfire. "Tell me," I said, my voice low, steady. She grinned, her fangs glinting in the dim light. "First—they think you’re dead. That’s your greatest advantage. You

  • REBIRTH OF THE PATHETIC HUSBAND    Chapter 10: The Serpent In The Garden

    The black Bentley Mulsanne glided to a stop beneath the porte-cochère of the Prestwick Estate, its polished surface reflecting the golden light of a hundred flickering torches. I inhaled deeply, the scent of expensive leather and my new cologne - something dark and smoky with a hint of blood orange - filling my nostrils. "Remember," Lilith purred from beside me, her crimson nails tracing patterns on my thigh, "tonight you are Nikolai Volkov, Russian oil heir and recent acquisition to their precious inner circle." She adjusted the black silk pocket square in my Brioni tuxedo with a possessive tug. "Let them adore you first... before you destroy them."The door opened, releasing a burst of orchestral music and champagne-laced laughter into the night. I stepped out, my new Berluti shoes crunching on the crushed marble driveway. The humid summer air clung to my skin as I offered Lilith my arm. The transformation was absolute. My new body moved with predatory grace, each step measured an

  • REBIRTH OF THE PATHETIC HUSBAND    The Perfect Illusion

    Eleanor's lips parted slightly, her breath hitching as the weight of my words settled over the table like a veil of tension. Her mother’s smile widened, slow and calculating, a queen contemplating her next move on the chessboard. It was almost amusing—how easily they fell for the illusion, how seamlessly they accepted the existence of Nikolai Volkov, the wealthy heir with an insatiable charm. They had no idea what lurked beneath this mask. Eleanor tilted her head, studying me, searching for any trace of insincerity. “You… would love to replace him?” she repeated, her voice soft yet laced with intrigue. I smiled, allowing a hint of amusement to slip through. “Why not? A woman like you shouldn’t be alone for too long. It would be a shame.” Mrs. Prestwick let out a delicate chuckle, sipping from her wineglass as though she had just witnessed a winning hand at a high-stakes game. “Well, Mr. Volkov, you certainly don’t waste time,” she mused. “I must say, it’s… refreshing.” Eleanor

Latest Chapter

  • Lucifer's Son

    I smirked, stepping closer to the mirror, placing my palms flat against the cold glass. Lucifer’s smirk mirrored mine, but there was something deeper in his expression—something unreadable.I tilted my head. "You sound bitter, Lucifer. What, did you think I wouldn't touch her?"His smirk widened, slow and deliberate. "Oh, I expected it." His voice was deep, velvety, laced with amusement. "Lilith is… indulgent. She enjoys beautiful things. And right now, you happen to be one of them."I chuckled. "Glad to know I have your blessing."Lucifer’s red eyes gleamed. "Blessing?" He let out a dark laugh. "I don’t deal in blessings, John. Only contracts. And you, my dear boy, are bound to me in ways you don’t even understand yet."I leaned in slightly, my reflection doing the same, our faces nearly touching through the glass. "Lilith mentioned there are other reasons why you bought my soul. Why you gave me a second chance."Lucifer gave a slow nod, his gaze never leaving mine."That’s correct."

  • Daring Lucifer

    The moment we were inside, the air seemed to thicken, charged with anticipation. I set her down, but only for a moment, because the next thing I knew, her lips were on mine, hungry and demanding. Her kiss was fierce, her tongue tangling with mine as her hands clawed at my shirt, tearing it open in her haste. I didn’t stop her. I couldn’t stop her. I was too far gone, too consumed by the fire she’d ignited.I pushed her back against the nearest wall, my hands roaming over her body like I was starving and she was the only meal. Her dress was a hindrance, and I wasted no time in pulling it up, baring her to my gaze. Her skin was flawless, her curves a temptation I couldn’t resist. I pressed my lips to her neck, her shoulder, her collarbone, tasting her, memorizing her with my mouth.Lilith moaned, her head falling back against the wall as she arched into my touch. “John,” she breathed, her voice thick with desire. “Don’t stop.”I didn’t intend to. My hands slid down to her thighs, pushin

  • Lilith's Seduction

    Lilith swirled the deep red wine in her glass, her sharp eyes never leaving mine. The dim lighting inside the limo cast shadows across her face, making her beauty seem almost otherworldly. She took a slow sip before setting the glass down, leaning closer, her voice a soft purr. “So,” she murmured, tilting her head. “What exactly do you have planned for your revenge, John?” I smirked, running a hand through my perfectly styled hair as I let my head rest against the seat. “Oh, Lilith,” I said smoothly. “Revenge is a dish best served cold, but I intend to serve it frozen. Painfully frozen.” Her red lips curled, intrigued. “Mmm… I love the sound of that. But specifics, darling. Give me something juicy.” I exhaled slowly, letting my fingers drum against my knee as I thought about my next moves. “Eleanor,” I said, her name tasting bitter on my tongue. “I loved her once. I loved her enough that I refused to divorce her, even when she begged for it. And what did I get in return? Disgu

  • The Perfect Illusion

    Eleanor's lips parted slightly, her breath hitching as the weight of my words settled over the table like a veil of tension. Her mother’s smile widened, slow and calculating, a queen contemplating her next move on the chessboard. It was almost amusing—how easily they fell for the illusion, how seamlessly they accepted the existence of Nikolai Volkov, the wealthy heir with an insatiable charm. They had no idea what lurked beneath this mask. Eleanor tilted her head, studying me, searching for any trace of insincerity. “You… would love to replace him?” she repeated, her voice soft yet laced with intrigue. I smiled, allowing a hint of amusement to slip through. “Why not? A woman like you shouldn’t be alone for too long. It would be a shame.” Mrs. Prestwick let out a delicate chuckle, sipping from her wineglass as though she had just witnessed a winning hand at a high-stakes game. “Well, Mr. Volkov, you certainly don’t waste time,” she mused. “I must say, it’s… refreshing.” Eleanor

  • Chapter 10: The Serpent In The Garden

    The black Bentley Mulsanne glided to a stop beneath the porte-cochère of the Prestwick Estate, its polished surface reflecting the golden light of a hundred flickering torches. I inhaled deeply, the scent of expensive leather and my new cologne - something dark and smoky with a hint of blood orange - filling my nostrils. "Remember," Lilith purred from beside me, her crimson nails tracing patterns on my thigh, "tonight you are Nikolai Volkov, Russian oil heir and recent acquisition to their precious inner circle." She adjusted the black silk pocket square in my Brioni tuxedo with a possessive tug. "Let them adore you first... before you destroy them."The door opened, releasing a burst of orchestral music and champagne-laced laughter into the night. I stepped out, my new Berluti shoes crunching on the crushed marble driveway. The humid summer air clung to my skin as I offered Lilith my arm. The transformation was absolute. My new body moved with predatory grace, each step measured an

  • The First Stage Of My Revenge

    I took a deep breath, forcing the fire in my veins to cool. The flames on the television flickered and died, leaving behind only a charred, smoldering ruin. The scent of burnt metal and melted plastic hung in the air, but my rage had settled into something colder, sharper—calculated. Lilith stepped around me, her crimson gown whispering against the marble floor. She picked up one of the drinks she had poured and handed it to me, her fingers brushing mine deliberately. The glass was cool in my grip, the liquid inside swirling like molten gold. "The perfect revenge," she mused, tilting her head, "isn’t just about killing them, darling. It’s about making them suffer. Making them know it’s you. And then, when they’re broken and begging, you take everything." I took a slow sip, the liquor burning down my throat like hellfire. "Tell me," I said, my voice low, steady. She grinned, her fangs glinting in the dim light. "First—they think you’re dead. That’s your greatest advantage. You

  • Chapter 8: Revenge

    With a powerful beat of my wings, I shot forward, closing the distance between myself and the maid in an instant. I wrapped my arms around her just as she was about to hit the ground, the force of my momentum sending us skidding across the grass.For a moment, everything was still. The maid lay in my arms, her eyes wide with shock, her body trembling. I stared down at her, my own heart racing, my wings still spread wide behind me.I had done it. I had saved her.Lilith’s voice cut through the stillness of the night, sharp and melodic, like the chime of a bell laced with poison. “Nicely done,” she said, her tone dripping with amusement as she clapped her hands slowly, the sound echoing in the vast, moonlit compound. I turned to see her standing a few feet away, her crimson gown shimmering like liquid fire under the pale light, her crimson eyes glowing with a mix of pride and mockery.I carefully placed the maid on her feet, my hands steadying her as she trembled like a leaf in a storm.

  • My New Life

    I stood there, staring at my reflection, my hands gripping the edge of the sink so tightly my knuckles turned white. The face staring back at me was mine again, but it felt different now. Tainted. Changed. The weight of Lucifer’s words hung heavy in the air, and I could feel something stirring inside me—something dark, something primal. Something that had been buried deep within me, waiting for the right moment to rise.Revenge. Power. Darkness. The thoughts swirled in my mind like a storm, each one more intoxicating than the last. The Prestwicks. Eleanor. Christopher. Mrs. Prestwick. They had taken everything from me. My dignity. My love. My life. And now, I had the power to make them pay. To make them suffer. To make them regret ever crossing me.But it wasn’t just about revenge anymore. Lucifer’s words echoed in my head, a dark promise of something greater. *Together, we could rule.* The idea was terrifying, but it was also… thrilling. The thought of wielding that kind of power,

  • A Visit From Lucifer

    I stood there for a moment, my mind still reeling from Lilith’s words. The question burned in my chest, demanding an answer. “Why?” I finally asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “Why did Lucifer offer me a second chance? Why me?”Lilith paused at the door, her hand resting on the handle. She glanced back at me, her crimson eyes glinting with something unreadable. “That,” she said, her voice smooth and deliberate, “is a question only Lucifer can answer. And soon, you’ll get that answer. But for now…” She gestured toward the bathroom door. “Go take a bath. Clear your head. You’ll need it.”She walked back toward me, her movements fluid and hypnotic, and before I could react, she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. Her lips were warm, her touch almost tender, but it sent a shiver down my spine. “Don’t think too much, darling,” she murmured, her breath brushing against my ear. “You’ll drive yourself mad.”And then she was gone, the door clicking shut behind her, leaving me

Scan code to read on App