ROCKY - Operation Vengeance

Chapter 5- The other side

The man strode into the library with the same casual ease he carried everywhere.

His polished shoes clicked softly against the marble floor.

The old man turned at once.

His expression shifted.

Controlled.

Calm.

But there was a flicker—just a flicker—of something else in his eyes.

He bowed his head.

“Welcome, sir.”

The man barely acknowledged him.

His gaze drifted lazily across the grand room before settling on the large couch.

“I want lemonade,” he said, stretching his arms.

“Yes, sir.”

The old man moved swiftly, preparing the drink.

Meanwhile, the man lowered himself onto the couch, sinking into the plush cushions.

He crossed one leg over the other.

Exhaled slowly.

Then—

A complaint.

“I swear…” His voice carried a note of exhaustion. “Everything’s so boring now.”

The old man handed him the lemonade.

He took it without looking, bringing the glass to his lips.

“Ever since my brother died, nothing excites me anymore.”

A slow sip.

A deep sigh.

Then his eyes flickered toward the old man.

A slight frown.

“You have a strange look on your face,” he said, voice smooth but sharp.

The old man stilled.

Then, quickly—

“It’s nothing, sir.” He forced a tired smile. “Just stress.”

A pause.

The man studied him.

Silence stretched between them.

The old man didn’t blink.

Then—

The man hummed.

Leaning back.

Throwing the thought away.

“How did the coronation go?” he asked, swirling the lemonade in his glass.

The old man clasped his hands together.

“The governor and all his men came,” he said carefully. “The president sent his best wishes.”

CRACK—!

The glass shattered in the man’s grip.

Lemonade dripped between his fingers.

The room tensed.

The old man didn’t move.

Didn’t breathe.

The man chuckled.

Low.

Amused.

Then, slowly—

“Time to pay the president a visit.”

HONK—!

A car blared its horn, startling Rocky as he stepped out of the shop.

Laughter followed.

“Watch where you’re going, beggar!” someone jeered from inside.

Rocky didn’t react.

Didn’t look back.

He adjusted the bag in his hand.

Then—

He smiled.

Not at them.

Not at their words.

But at himself.

Today, he had a reason to smile.

He walked down the street,until he arrived back at the mansion.

Home.

Not by blood.

Not by choice.

But still—home.

He entered.

Silence.

The house was empty.

Nobody back yet.

Too quiet.

He climbed the stairs, until he reached Melissa’s room

The door creaked open.

Inside—

She was on the bed.

Still.

Like always.

But this time—

She was holding something.

A picture.

A memory.

Of when she could stand.

Her legs.

Whole.

Working.

Tears streaked her cheeks.

Then—

She saw him.

Her fingers clenched around the frame.

“Why are you here?”

Her voice was small.

Not cold.

Not angry.

Just… tired.

Rocky hesitated.

He looked down.

Then, softly—

“I have something for you.”

Melissa frowned.

Still silent.

Rocky stepped forward, placing the bag gently beside her.

A pause.

Then—

Curious, she took it.

Opened it.

Her breath hitched.

Inside—

Flowers.

And a heart-shaped cake.

For a moment, she didn’t speak.

Didn’t move.

She just stared.

Then—

“Where… did you get the money for this?” she whispered.

Rocky smiled.

“Luck clicked today,” he said lightly. “Got dashed ten grand.”

Melissa’s lips parted slightly.

Disbelief flickered in her eyes.

Then—

She looked at him again.

Really looked.

Her gaze fell to his hand.

The bruises.

The faint streaks of dried blood.

Her heart clenched.

“Your hand,” she whispered.

Rocky tucked it behind him.

“It’s fine.”

A lie.

A big one.

But today—

Today wasn’t about him.

It was about her.

He should’ve gotten himself treated.

Should’ve spent the money on his wounds.

But if there was just one day—

One moment—

Where he could make her happy—

Then nothing else mattered.

Melissa exhaled shakily.

Her fingers brushed over the flowers.

The cake.

Then, finally—

A small, fragile smile.

Rocky’s chest tightened.

And then—

Softly—

He whispered,

“Happy birthday, Melissa.”

Melissa’s voice trembled as she looked at Rocky.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her eyes still lingering on the flowers and cake.

But before she could say anything more, the door swung open.

Elizabeth entered the room, her sharp gaze immediately landing on Rocky.

She stopped in her tracks, eyes narrowing.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice cool and unamused.

Rocky stiffened but didn’t speak.

Elizabeth continued, as if dismissing him altogether.

“I’ll deal with you later,” she muttered.

Her voice softened the moment she looked at her daughter.

“Happy birthday, my dear,” she said in a saccharine tone, her eyes bright with false cheer. “I have a special gift for you.”

Melissa’s confusion grew.

Her mother had been distant, cold, almost cruel since the accident. Ever since she lost the ability to stand, Elizabeth’s warmth had disappeared—replaced by sharp words and a lack of care.

But now…

Now, her voice was laced with sweetness, a different side of her.

The door opened again, and **Sophia** entered with a strange object—something wrapped with a red bow tie.

The heavy, cumbersome shape looked out of place in the room.

Sophia smiled widely, too wide, and placed the gift in front of Melissa.

“Here’s your gift. Happy birthday, sister.”

Melissa blinked.

The smile on Sophia’s face looked almost cruel.

Her heart pounded.

“What… is that?”

Sophia’s eyes glinted with something cold, something mocking.

“It’s a wheelchair,” she said casually. “A new one. Your old one must be tired of being… defecated on, right? This one has a nicer touch and smell, at least.”

The words hit like a slap.

Melissa’s chest tightened.

Her lips parted, but she couldn’t speak.

How could they…?

Her mother looked at her sharply.

“You will accept it, Melissa,” she snapped. “It’s from your husband.”

Her heart sank.

Her husband

The bitterness stung her throat.

But she wanted to ask, to shout, to demand…

Why was her mother treating her like this?

Why was everything about her brokenness, her disability, a burden to them?

She looked at Rocky, silently pleading for understanding.

But it wasn’t him.

Sophia smirked, eyes narrowing.

“Not him,” she sneered, referring to Rocky with disgust. “It’s from Jerry. You know, the one who’s been running things in the city.”

Melissa froze.

Jerry?

A notorious gang leader?

Her stomach turned.

Rocky looked at Melissa, confusion flashing across his face.

Melissa wanted to scream, to ask what kind of sick joke this was.

But her mother spoke again, her words cutting deeper than anything.

“You’re going to marry Jerry, Melissa,” Elizabeth said, her voice matter-of-fact. “You’re a liability. We’re drowning in debt, and you’re the only way out. You’ll marry him and make this family whole again.”

Her eyes turned cold.

“You’re not married to Rocky anymore.”

She handed Rocky a piece of paper.

A divorce.

A sign here, and it’s over.

“Sign it,” Elizabeth commanded. “And… you need to pack up. Leave the house. Now.”

Rocky’s legs turned to stone.

He stared at the paper.

The world around him blurred, the words making no sense.

He couldn’t breathe.

Melissa’s just looked at him quietly

This… this wasn’t happening.

“What is the meaning of this?” she whispered.

Her voice was a fragile disbelief.

But Elizabeth’s eyes hardened.

“Don’t question me, Melissa. You’ve been a burden long enough.”

Rocky’s heart shattered.

Her words.

Her cold, calculated indifference.

And then—

He saw the truth in their eyes.

He wasn’t wanted.

Not in this house.

Not in her life.

Not anymore.

But he can’t leave Melissa in the hands of a notorious man like Jerry.