THE DESPISED SON-IN-LAW { RISE TO POWER}

chapter three

The Betrayal

Daniel's anxieties reached their peak on a rainy evening when his worst nightmares became reality. It was a typical work day, exhausting as always, and he had worked late to complete some reports. After leaving work, he chose to visit Sarah's job as a way to unexpectedly see her. They had not shared a meal in weeks, and he believed that a small act like this could bridge the growing gap between them.

Upon approaching the building, he observed that the lights were still on in Andrew's office. Sarah often worked late, but there was a strange feeling this time. He tried to shift the thoughts sliding into his mind but then he needed to make sure it wasn't what he thought it was.

Daniel hesitated at the entrance, debating whether he should just call her. However, he then considered all the evenings she had arrived home late with unclear explanations, and an insistent curiosity pushed him ahead.

Quietly, he walked the stairs, feeling his heart thumping in his chest. Upon arriving at the corridor outside of Andrew's office, he could hear faint voices. He couldn't decipher the words, but one of them was clearly Sarah's.

Andrew's office door was partially open. Looking through the gap, Daniel's stomach sank at the sight. Sarah and Andrew sat closely next to each other on the couch, holding hands. Sarah was chuckling at something Andrew had mentioned, her radiant expression was something Daniel hadn't witnessed in a long time.

Andrew got closer and whispered in her ear, but she didn't move away. Instead of leaning in, she turned her head to allow him to kiss her.

Daniel froze. The atmosphere in the room suddenly felt devoid of air. He experienced a moment of weakness in his legs, fearing he could collapse at anytime. The woman he had build his life on, the woman he had cherished above all else, was deceiving him.

He wanted to rush in and demand an explanation, but he was unable to move. He remained stationary, transfixed, observing the unfolding scene in front of him. Time seemed to move at a slow pace, each passing moment feeling endless.

In the end, he reached his breaking point. Pushing the door open, he startled both Sarah and Andrew with the sound. They glanced at him, and there was a brief silence before anyone spoke. The quietness was stiffened as each one of them doesn't know hat to say or do next.

“Daniel…” Sarah spoke, her voice disrupting the silence with a blend of surprise and regret.

Andrew didn’t even bother to look guilty. Instead, he slowly sat still on the sofa with a calm and slightly arrogant look on his face. "Daniel," he said nonchalantly, as if welcoming a familiar acquaintance. "I am surprised to see you are still in the office.”

Daniel's fists tightened at his sides.'What is this?' he asked with anger coursing through his veins.

Sarah rose to her feet, her complexion drained. " it's not want you think,Daniel.” “ Really? Then you had better give me an explanation for this.” Daniel thundered but she soon realized how empty her words were.”

“You’re sitting here with him—kissing him—and you’re telling me it’s not what it looks like? How stupid do you think I am, Sarah?”

Sarah didn’t respond. Her gaze dropped to the ground, making it impossible for her to make eye contact with him. In contrast, Andrew appeared entirely unaffected.

"Daniel," Andrew said calmly, "perhaps it's best for you and Sarah to discuss this privately.”

Daniel glared at him, his rage boiling over. “You don’t get to say anything!” he snapped. “You’ve already done enough.”

Andrew raised his hands in mock surrender, a smirk playing on his lips. “Fair enough,” he said, standing up. “I’ll leave you two to talk.” He walked past Daniel, patting him on the shoulder as he left the room. Daniel shrugged off his touch, disgusted.

When Andrew was gone, Daniel turned back to Sarah. “How long?” he asked, his voice raw with emotion. “How long has this been going on?”

Sarah paused briefly, and Daniel briefly considered the possibility that she might not tell the truth. However, she then exhaled deeply and stated, "Several months."

Daniel felt as if the floor had been suddenly taken away from beneath him. "Only a couple of months?" he echoed, speaking in a near-whisper. "You never considered informing me about that?” To end it before—before this?”

Sarah looked at him, tears welling in her eyes. “I didn’t want to hurt you,” she said.

Daniel let out a bitter laugh. “You didn’t want to hurt me? Do you have any idea what this feels like, Sarah? You’ve destroyed me.”

Sarah expressed her unhappiness to Daniel with a wavering voice. "I have not felt this happiness in a while."

Daniel gazed at her, feeling his heart shatter into a million fragments. "Instead of talking with me and working on our problems, you chose to cheat on mel?" "To betray me by going behind my back with him?"

Sarah wiped her tears, clearly showing her guilt. She said she had not intended for this to occur. Andrew made me feel alive once more. He made me feel valuable.”

Daniel was in disbelief and shook his head upon hearing the news. "What is this? And I didnt?" he inquired, his voice expressing agony. “ I work myself to the bone for you, Sarah. I give you all that I ever had. And now this?.

"It isn't enough.” Sarah said slowly,striking Daniel emotionally with those words.

There was a moment of silence between them, with neither saying anything. The silence in the room was dense, filled with the lingering weight of all that had been spoken.

Finally, Sarah broke the silence. “"We both understand that this isn't working between us," she softly but firmly stated. "Perhaps it's time we went out separate ways."

Daniel gazed at her, finding it hard to trust what he was hearing. "Are you divocing me?" he asked, his voice shaking.

Tears streamed down Sarah's face as she nodded. “ I think it is the best thing that can happen between us.” Sarah lookwd at Daniel wiping the tears off her face. Daniel didn't even know what to say. He was not sure if Sarah was sincere with him or not.

In an instant, Daniel's life fell apart.

The divorce process was brief yet agonizing. Sarah didn’t fight for much—she had Andrew now, and he could give her more than Daniel ever could. Daniel signed the papers without a word, his heart hollow.

Once she left, the apartment had a ghostly atmosphere. Everywhere his eyes landed, he was reminders of her - her beloved mug in the kitchen, the blanket she would snuggle up with on the couch. It was intolerable.

Daniel ceased to go out. He ceased communication with his friends. He immersed himself in his work, yet it provided no peace of mind. Each day presented challenges, leaving him feeling overwhelmed like he was sinking.

The man who had previously been brimming with optimism and affection had disappeared. Only a shattered husk remained, tormented by the treachery of the woman he cherished above everything else.