Rise and shine

Chapter 2

Tom's POV

As the night draped itself in a cloak of darkness, I remained on my knees, enduring the searing pain and the crimson stains of blood.

Cradled in my arms, my son, Liam slept soundly, oblivious to the turmoil unfolding around him. My determination held strong—I refused to rise until they reconsidered their decision.

"You're still here, but this changes nothing. The verdict has been passed," Ariana uttered with a mix of frustration and resignation.

"How could you do this? I placed my trust in you, and yet you... you abandoned our son," I mustered the last remnants of energy within me to speak.

"You are despicable. You are poor. My love for you remains, unchangeable. But I cannot bear being dragged down into the mud," she responded, tears streaming down her face.

"Can't you plead with your father on my behalf? I'm certain he will listen to you," I implored, desperately grasping at any sliver of hope.

"Listen, you just don't understand. My father has already forced me to choose sides. If I side with you, he will disown me. I can't live with you. I'll become nothing but a burden," she explained, her voice filled with a mixture of sadness and resignation.

"What about our son? Please, let him stay with you. I have nothing to provide for him," I pleaded, my own voice trembling, aware that my time on this earth was slipping away.

"Fine, I will talk to him about it. But know that you can never be my husband again," she reluctantly agreed, tears glistening on her face.

"Okay, I have accepted my fate. I was born into poverty, so there is nothing left to fear," I whispered, and in that moment, I knew it was truly over.

Memories flooded my mind, the reminiscence of the days when Ariana and I were inseparable. She was the one who had asked me out, back when she slipped with the word "date."

"Let B**E" she had said.

Since then, we had been playing this delightful game of love. 

I recalled the day we first decided to meet her family, a mixture of excitement and apprehension coursing through our veins.

The butterflies in my stomach danced, as we walked hand in hand towards their home.

The hopes and dreams we shared intertwined with the nerves that tightened their grip on our hearts.

We were embarking on a new chapter of our lives, a chapter that would soon unravel into a twisted tale of shattered dreams and broken promises.

"Do you think they will like me?" I asked nervously. Ariana planted a reassuring kiss on my lips and expertly tied my tie.

"They will definitely like you," she affirmed, her voice filled with confidence.

"And even if they don't, remember that I have you, and I will always love you," she added, her eyes filled with affection.

"I B**E you," I playfully teased.

"I B**E you too," she playfully replied. L

Little did i know that those playful exchanges were merely illusions, masking the betrayal that would unfold before me. 

Today I discover that she has chosen her family over me.

*****

Ariana stood before the door, her gaze fixated on it as if it were the gateway to the underworld. She took three deep breaths before summoning the courage to knock.

"Who's there?" her mother called out from inside.

"It's me, Ariana," she responded, her voice tinged with apprehension.

"If you're here to talk about him, you might as well pack your things and follow him," her father grumbled from behind the closed door.

"Please, Dad, can't you let Liam live with us? He is your daughter's son, my own flesh and blood," she pleaded desperately.

"Ariana, I don't want to see a trace of that imbecile in my surroundings ever again. If it weren't for your mother, I would send you away as well," he retorted, his words cutting through the air like a sharp blade.

"Dad..." She began to protest, but my mother intervened.

"Ariana, go to your room," she commanded, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

"But..." She tried to plead my case.

"If you say anything, I will disown you, just like I did to your sister," her father threatened, silencing any further objections.

Ariana wiped away the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes and retreated silently to her room.

*******

TOM.

As the night wore on, the darkness gradually gave way to the gentle embrace of the morning sun.

Liam continued to sleep peacefully in my arms, blissfully unaware of the tumultuous events unfolding around us. He could never live with me, not in these circumstances.

Mr. Ray, a man in his sixties, entered the room—an influential figure in the country, with ownership of three different companies.

Politicians sought his assistance and support, and I had been fortunate enough to become his in-law. However, I was about to lose that title.

"You're still here, but it won't change anything. The divorce papers will be sent to you, and I expect you to sign them without hesitation," he stated matter-of-factly.

My eyes were swollen from hours of weeping, and there were no more tears left to shed.

"Please, let Liam live with you," I pleaded one last time, desperation evident in my voice.

"Your son cannot live with us. I cannot allow that," he declared, his tone unwavering.

"I will do anything, I mean it. I will do whatever it takes. Please, just let my son live with you," I implored, my voice laced with desperation.

"Anything?" he inquired, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

"Yes, anything," I responded, understanding the weight of my words and the sacrifices they entailed.

"In that case... be my driver," he suggested, his smile widening. I looked up at him, shocked and humiliated. 

How could he offered me to such a degrading position?

"You can't be serious?" I managed to utter, my voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and indignation.

"Oh, I am quite serious," he replied, his tone filled with amusement.

"You are nothing more than a dog, and that's how you should behave."

I nodded incessantly, realizing that survival meant submitting to his demands, even if it meant stooping as low as a dog.

*******.

"Dad, why did you do this? Why?" Ariana's voice rang out in the house, filled with anguish and frustration. 

Her father remained engrossed in his reading, refusing to acknowledge her presence.

"Dad, why? Are you intentionally trying to torment me?" she continued to question, her voice cracking with emotion.

"He chose to be this way. He wants his son to be with us, and he offered to exchange something in return.

So, he will become my driver instead," her father finally responded, his voice laced with a cold indifference.

"Dad!" Ariana cried out, her voice a mix of sorrow and anger.

"Ariana," he barked, cutting her off abruptly.

"I told you to choose sides, and you chose to be part of this family. If you have nothing else to say, remain silent," he commanded.

Ariana could do nothing but shed tears, her heart breaking under the weight of her father's decision.

___________

TOM

He casually tossed the car keys at me, which I hurriedly caught. 

The family sat together, engrossed in their dinner. Ariana focused intently on her plate, avoiding any eye contact.

Liam, oblivious to the complexities of the situation, continued to eat, blissfully.

"Dad, can he drive me too?" Jeremy, the younger sibling, jokingly asked.

"Yes, my baby," Mrs. Ray replied with a smile.

Just as we settled into the routine of the evening, a knock echoed through the house.

"Should I have to inform you before you check who it is?" Mr. Ray quipped, his tone laced with irritation.

I hurriedly rushed to the door, anxiously swinging it open to reveal Max, my closest friend since childhood.

He was not only more successful than me but also a respected prosecutor.

"Max!" I exclaimed with genuine delight, relieved to see a familiar face amidst the chaos. We exchanged pleasantries, but his gaze lingered on me, as if silently questioning my presence in this situation. 

Panic coursed through my veins—what would I do now? He would undoubtedly learn about everything that had transpired. What was he even doing here?

"May I come in?" Max politely asked, his curiosity apparent.

"Oh, of course," I stammered, quickly stepping aside to allow him entry. Max walked past me, his presence adding an extra layer of tension to the already strained atmosphere.

My mind raced, replaying the conversations I had overheard.

"My son-in-law is here," Mr. Ray announced, warmly embracing Max.

"Good morning, Father," Max greeted him with a pleasant smile.

I stood there dumbfounded, struggling to comprehend the implications of what I had just witnessed.

"How are you, my dear?" Mr. Ray turned his attention to Ariana, who kept her gaze fixed on her plate.

"Fine," she responded monotonously, devoid of any warmth or emotion.

"My wife is becoming even more beautiful. Thank you, Mother, for your handiwork," Max commented, expressed.

The words echoed in my mind, leaving me bewildered and disoriented. Wife? Did I hear that correctly? No, it couldn't be.

I refused to believe it. Max, my best friend, the one who had helped me choose the engagement ring, the one who had always lent me clothes to help me look presentable.

How could he betray me in such a callous manner?

Max turned towards me, a devilish smile playing on his lips. It suddenly became clear—the truth behind my predicament, the reason I found myself in this position.

It was all part of Aiden and Max's grand plan, meticulously orchestrated to bring about my downfall.

"Hey, Tom," Mr. Ray called out to me, shattering my fragile composure.

I stared at him, my gaze filled with a mix of anger, frustration, and desperation.

"Tom," he called again, his repeated attempts to gain my attention intensifying the fiery rage within me. I felt a surge of anger coursing through my veins, a burning desire to lash out and seek revenge against everyone responsible for my suffering.

"Tom!" he bellowed once more, his voice demanding my immediate response. I couldn't bear it any longer.

I couldn't let this situation consume me. Summoning every ounce of strength within me, I sprang forward, determined to fight for my survival.

"Give him something to drink," Mr. Ray commanded, his tone betraying a sense of entitlement. 

I moved slowly, my every step weighed down by the burden of my circumstances, until I reached the wine cabinet.

With a trembling hand, I grabbed a bottle, preparing to open it and drown my sorrows.

"I don't drink that," Max suddenly interjected, his voice filled with an air of authority.

"Bring me LL," he continued, his words leaving me baffled and confused.

I returned the wine bottle to its resting place and embarked on a frantic search for the elusive "LL" labeled wine.

Minutes passed, filled with futile attempts to locate this mysterious bottle, but my search proved fruitless. 

Defeated I returned to the dining room, my confusion evident on my face.

"I couldn't find it," I admitted, my voice tinged with a mix of frustration and bewilderment. Much to my surprise, the entire family burst into uproarious laughter, their amusement filling the room.

Angered by their callousness, Ariana stormed off to her room, seeking solace away from the mockery.

Confused by the laughter and its underlying meaning, it took me some time to unravel the puzzle. And then, it struck me—a realization as painful as it was devastating. 

LL stood for Low Life, a derogatory term they had used to demean and humiliate me. It became painfully clear that they viewed me as nothing more than a pathetic individual, unworthy of their respect or consideration.