THE ANCESTRAl HEIR SYSTEM

Chapter 4: Let's Get Divorce

The iron gates slammed shut with a clang that echoed through Ethan's bones. Adrenaline still thrumming, he stood up, brushing off the dust that clung to his clothes like a mocking taunt. 

"You'll regret this," he spat.

A guttural laugh from one of the guards cut through the air.

"Get out of here, loser! No one wants you or your threats."

Ethan swallowed the bile that rose in his throat. His mind, a frantic kaleidoscope, ticked away the seconds. 9:46 PM. 59 seconds left. The weight of the timer on his wrist was a physical ache.

He stumbled towards his cab, the world blurring into a smear of neon and honking horns. Every stop sign and every red light felt like a personal attack.

His mission, once a thrilling gamble, was now a desperate scramble for survival.

As he weaved through the city, a flicker of hope caught his eye. A tiny storefront, its window aglow with the warm light of a single bulb. A woman, her face etched with the weariness of a thousand closed doors, sat huddled inside.

Ethan slammed on the brakes, the screech of tires echoing through the quiet street. He could barely breathe, his lungs tight with the fear of time running out. He burst out of the cab, legs burning, and approached the woman with a desperate plea.

"How much for the suit?" he rasped, his voice ragged.

The woman looked up, her eyes dull with surprise. 

"It... it wouldn't suit you," she mumbled, her gaze flitting to his rumpled clothes and wild eyes.

"Doesn't matter," Ethan gasped, his heart hammering against his ribs. "Just tell me the price!"

"One hundred," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Ethan slammed a wad of cash into her hand, the bills fluttering like desperate prayers. "Keep it," he choked out, his voice thick with emotion. "Consider it a head start."

The woman's eyes widened, then softened with a flicker of understanding. As Ethan turned to leave, he felt a hand holding him back. 

He looked down to see the source of the delay, the lady with her head bowed in emotion, kneeling and holding onto his leg.

"Young Master, this is my honor. My generation has been worshiping under your feet," she said, her voice carrying a hit of gratitude.

But her words didn't seem new to Ethan. 

He gently lifted her, touched her shoulder, and said, "It's nothing," before stepping out.

As Ethan exited the lady's store, the system screen flashed before him.

"Congratulations, Young Master!!" Amanda's voice rang out with glee.

"Mission Successful."

"The countdown optimizing reward in processes is at 100%... 0%."

Then, a serene voice appeared on Ethan's face.

"Well done, my esteemed Master. You are rewarded with one coin, which you can use to acquire real-life property. In the system, one coin equals 1 billion dollars, transferable to your VIP Card." 

Ethan's mind reeled with fear at the thought of what his wife would think when she found out he was now a billionaire due to his family legacy. 

With eager anticipation, Ethan walked into his cab and drove off.

******

Arriving at the fourth floor of his apartment, Ethan was surprised to find Maya at home, lounging on the couch, her figure accentuated by a short crop top and a skirt, deeply engrossed in her cell phone.

Without a greeting, she demanded, "Why is there no food in the house!?"

"I was delayed by some taxi customers, but I'm sorry. I bought some groceries," he replied calmly, heading to the kitchen.

After preparing the meal, Ethan returned to his wife and informed her, "Maya, the meal is ready. Should I serve it?"

"Must I spell everything out for you? Can't you use your brain to figure out you need to serve it?" she retorted sharply, waving him off.

Occasionally, Ethan was always the one to take charge of the housework, even when stressed from work.

After serving, he changed into more casual attire before joining her at the dining table.

As he filled his plate, Maya's laughter filled the room, the tapping of her phone's keyboard echoing in the silence.

Ethan gazed at her and said, "Maya, we need to talk."

But Maya remained silent, her attention fixed on the voice echoing from her phone.

"Maya, I need your attention!" Ethan's voice echoed through the room, but Maya's response cut through him like a knife.

"Can't you see I'm busy?" she snapped.

"Whatever you have to say, keep it to yourself. I'm not interested in your nonsense," she added, dismissively.

"Nonsense?" Ethan repeated, his frustration mounting. "You know exactly what I want to talk about!"

With a loud thud, he slammed his hand on the table, sending the spoon clattering to the floor. Pushing his chair back, he stood up. "I'm done with this, especially with this marriage!"

"I just want to let you know that I'm packing my belongings and leaving!?!" he stormed out of the dining room, heading toward his separate room.

For the past three years of marriage, Ethan and Maya have been living separately, and they never shared much in common after the night of their wedding.

"What? You think running away will solve this trivial matter?" Maya followed him into the room, her phone forgotten in her hand.

Standing in the doorway, her hand on her hip.

"So, Adultery is trivial to you, Maya?" Ethan's frustration boiled over. He forcefully opened his wardrobe, grabbed his suitcase, and began packing.

"I can't believe I fell for your lies. You said you were going to your mother's house, but I found you with my boss. How could you?" Ethan's face twisted in disbelief.

Maya didn't bother to explain this time, knowing that no matter the explanation, Ethan wouldn't believe her. Regardless of whatever, she wants to do it as proof. 

With a steely gaze, she retorted, "And what if I did? Am I supposed to grovel and beg for your forgiveness? You've been scrutinizing my every move, and even if I made a mistake that disappointed you, must you broadcast it to the world?"

 

Ethan closed the suitcase with force and said "I don't expect you to grovel, but I do expect you to take responsibility for your actions. It's about you acknowledging the hurt you've caused. I can't just pretend like everything is fine when it's not. 

For three long years, I've endured your family! I've treated you like royalty, but all this time, you've failed to meet my gaze and acknowledge my efforts! You've never appreciated the impact I've had on your life!"

"And what about your mother, Ms. Julia Reynolds, who repeatedly embarrassed me and physically attacked me in front of her friends, hurling hurtful insults that cut deep!?!"

"Should I also talk about your grandmother, Old Ms. Mimi, whom I'll simmer four eggs with coffee for every morning at 6 am? And if I made any slight mistake in preparing the eggs, she would throw the egg dish into my face, and that caused me different injury upon my face!

You all treated me like a mere errand boy. Your uncle and his cousin constantly bullied me, yet none of you bothered to intervene or address their misconduct!"

buzzing!!! 

The sudden vibration of an iPhone shattered the tense atmosphere in the room, prompting both of them to search for the source.

"Is it mine?" Maya exclaimed, grabbing the phone and attempting to answer the call.

"Hello, Mom?" she greeted calmly, poised to listen to whatever her mother had to say.

 

"Why are you not here? Have you forgotten that tomorrow is my day!?" the caller demanded on the other end of the phone.

"No, Mom! It's always at the top of my mind!" Maya reassured her.

Before she could say more, her mother's words carried through the phone loudly enough for the person beside Maya to hear.

"Why isn't that good-for-nothing man here!?" her mother's harsh words cut through.

"Mom, I didn't know. Maybe he's on his way?" Maya suggested.

 

"You guys need to be here on time, especially you, Maya. Old Ms. Mimi has some wonderful information to share with her children and grandchildren tomorrow morning by 9 am. If you're not here, my day won't go well. When you are coming, make sure to invite your friends!" Ms. Julia Reynolds firmly instructed.

"I will, Mom," Maya replied as her mother ended the call abruptly.

"Let's get a divorce," Maya announced, causing Ethan's breath to catch in his throat.

"Divorce?" Ethan repeated, the weight of the word sinking in.

"After my mom's birthday, we'll go to the lawyer's office to file for divorce," Maya decided.

"And I'll seek permission from the elders in my family," she added resolutely.

 

Ethan understood that Maya couldn't pursue a divorce without the approval of her parents and elders, knowing she lacked the authority to do so.

"Take note of this! Once the divorce is final, say goodbye to this luxurious apartment and all its amenities. You won't be living in a spacious place with free Wi-Fi or driving that Audi anymore!" Maya exclaimed.

 

"Free wi-fi or an Audi, they mean nothing to me – they're just superficial luxuries, in case you haven't realized it!" Ethan retorted.

"Whenever you're ready, you know how to reach me," he added, picking up his suitcase and making his way to the door.

"Superficial luxuries! Mark my words, soon enough you'll be crawling back, begging for reconciliation because no woman in town will want a failure like you!" Maya spat venomously as Ethan left.

Despite Maya's relentless curses, Ethan remained unfazed as he entered the elevator.

Why would a billionaire with a prestigious family legacy and a net worth exceeding a billion dollars consider reconciling with someone from a family of mere multi-millionaires?

 

"Maya, you're overthinking it," Ethan thought to himself as the elevator doors closed.