2025-01-11 18:17:13"Anthony, I’m sorry, but I’m breaking up with you.”
Catherine’s words echoed through Anthony’s mind like a cruel mantra, each syllable heavier than the last.
The world around them seemed to slow, but the reality of the crowded café didn’t. The clinking of cups and muffled chatter continued, punctuated by hushed gasps and whispered judgments.
He knew people were watching.
In his hand, the small velvet box felt heavier than ever. Inside was the modest ring he had saved up for months to buy. With trembling hands, he snapped it shut and smiled bitterly, masking the storm inside him.
“Oh my gosh. She rejected him.” a woman’s voice whispered behind him, loud enough to be heard.
“Serves him right. Look at that ring—it’s so cheap! And him? Ew. He smells awful.” another chimed in, her voice cutting through him like shards of glass.
Anthony’s face flushed a deep crimson. He swallowed hard, resisting the lump in his throat. Slowly, he stood, slipping the ring into his pocket, his eyes darting anywhere but at the crowd.
Catherine sighed heavily, shaking her head. Her irritation was palpable, her lips pressed into a thin line.
“Why would you do such a thing?!” she hissed, her tone sharp enough to wound. “Look around! You embarrassed me.”
Anthony adjusted his slightly crooked glasses, gripping the bridge of his nose as if trying to steady himself. His heart ached, not just from the rejection, but from the humiliation of it all.
“I—” he began, his voice faltering before finding strength. “Catherine, I’m embarrassed, too.”
His voice was soft, almost inaudible, but there was a tremor of sincerity in it that even she couldn’t ignore.
“Tsk! It’s your fault!” she snapped, her anger not fading but morphing into disdain. Without another word, she spun on her heel, her long coat trailing behind her as she left him standing alone.
The café was silent now, except for the muffled snickers of a few patrons. Anthony remained still for a moment, staring at the floor as if it held the answers he desperately needed.
He took a deep, shaky breath and walked out of the café, the chilly air biting at his skin.
Anthony wasn’t strong, not in the way people expected. He was a quiet soul, raised by his grandmother in a small, forgotten village. Her death had pushed him to the city and worked as a waiter to a middle-class restaurant. Then he met Catherine—a whirlwind of energy and ambition who had captivated him.
But now, as the evening sun dipped below the horizon, Anthony felt something else. A flicker of resolve.
“I’ll get through this.” he whispered to himself, his voice breaking but determined. “Somehow.”
As he walked away from the café, the cheap ring still in his pocket, he decided he wouldn’t let this moment define him.
It hurt, but the sting of rejection would fade. And maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of something new.
The next morning, Anthony went to work with a puffy eye.
“Let me guess? Catherine rejected you.” Jake, his best friend and also co-worker.
“Jake, shut up.” he sighed as he reached for his uniform.
Jake rolled his eyes and patted Anthony’s back. He had been warning him about Catherine, but Jake seemed to be very blinded by his love for her.
“I tried calling her last night and I even went to their house, but her mom just lured me away.” he sadly sighed.
“Dude, how many times do I have to tell you? Catherine and her mom were just using you. Remember her birthday last month? She tricked you and you gave her all your savings just for her to hang out with her mom and her friend.” Jake couldn’t help but be frank to him.
Jake really hates Catherine, because he had seen how she treats his best friend, but Anthony didn’t care about it at all. Plus, Catherine is so pretty and sexy, she can make any guy fall for her in just one snap.
Anthony didn’t say anything, but deep inside he was hurt. Jake sighed and looked at him.
“Anthony, you’re handsome, but Catherine couldn’t see that. I mean, look at you, I am your best friend but I hate the way you look. To be honest, you are not a guy she would want to end up with.” he shrugged his shoulder.
Anthony groaned madly, glaring at him.
“Jake! That’s not funny.” he seriously said.
“I am not being funny, Anthony. If you want to, see for yourself.” Jake saying while looking at the mirror.
Jake left him to start working. Anthony slowly walked where the mirror was placed. He looked at himself and chuckled bitterly.
He adjusted his glasses, the thick black frames refusing to stay in place on the bridge of his nose. His hair, a dark brown mess of cowlicks and failed attempts at taming, stuck out in odd directions, as though he'd forgotten what a comb was for. He wore a button-up shirt patterned with tiny rockets, the kind you'd find in the kids' section, tucked into a pair of high-waisted khakis that were slightly too short, revealing mismatched socks beneath his scuffed loafers.
“But Catherine said she loves me even though I look like this.” he whispered.
While he was thinking about Catherine, someone knocked by the door.
“Catherine is looking for you.” Jake with an angry expression said.
Anthony’s sad face suddenly lifted up.
“R-Really? Maybe she’s here to take back what she told me yesterday.” he said and came out of the room.
He saw Catherine by the garden and ran toward her. Catherine is wearing a short skirt paired with his pink top and pink heels, all he got for her.
“Catherine!” he waved at her.
Catherine held his hands and intertwined with her fingers.
“Babe, I am sorry about yesterday.” she pouted.
“It’s fine, babe. I know you didn’t mean it. So, we are still together?” he asked her.
Catherine nodded but suddenly, her happy face became sad.
“Babe, what’s wrong?” he asked.
“Babe, the thing is... my grandma is sick and I wanted to visit her, but...” she took a deep sigh.
“But what?” he asked, cupping her cheek.
“I... I don’t have any money. Maybe you can lend me some. I promise I will give it back to you.” she mumbled.
Anthony sighed in relief and chuckled.
“Okay. It’s not a problem.” he said.
But before he took some from his wallet, Catherine grabbed his wallet with force and laughed.
“Okay. I will take this all. I will pay you next week. And by the way, I need to go. Bye!” she gave back his wallet and ran away.
Anthony stood frozen, disbelief washing over him. Then he heard a voice behind him.
“What the hell?!”
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
The De Luca Heir 2: The truth
“What the hell was that?” Jake asked, his arms crossed and fury blazing in his eyes. Anthony just shook his head and sighed. “Jake, don’t say anything. Catherine apologized and said we are still together.” he said. Jake’s eyes widened. “Are you out of your mind, bro? Can’t you see it? She just said that to get money from you. I can’t believe you!” he walked out angrily. Anthony just groaned and took a deep breath. Suddenly, someone caught his attention. He saw the guy wearing a black tuxedo he had also seen from the cafe yesterday. “I am sorry, do I know you?” he asked the guy. He must be on his 40’s already. The guy smiled at him and shrugged his shoulder. “I am sorry. I didn’t mean to dwell with your own business, but I couldn’t help but stir up. We don’t know each other, but I remember you. You were the guy who was rejected by his girlfriend at the cafe yesterday, right?” he chuckled. Anthony suddenly became shy. “Y-Yes.” he said. “I was right then. Just a little advice
The De Luca Heir 3: Caught in the act
She looked up, her eyes widening in shock before narrowing in irritation. The man beside her raised an eyebrow, glancing between them. “Anthony? What are you doing here?” Catherine asked, her tone sharp. Anthony ignored her question, his gaze fixed on her. “Is this your grandma’s house? Or is this where you needed to be so badly?” Catherine’s face flushed, but she quickly regained her composure. “It’s not what it looks like. This is just... a friend.” The man smirked, clearly unfazed. “Friend, huh? Cath, why don’t you just tell him the truth?” “What truth is he talking about, babe?” Anthony’s fists clenched, his knuckles turning white. The betrayal he felt was unlike anything he’d experienced before. “Catherine... why?” She rolled her eyes, her annoyance now evident. “Oh, come on, Anthony. Don’t make a scene. We were never going to work out. You’re... you’re just not what I need.” Anthony’s heart shattered, but this time, anger burned through the pain. “You could’ve told me
The De Luca Heir 4: Big problem
Jake pulled out his phone and handed it to Anthony. On the screen was a photo taken earlier that night—of Anthony punching Felix. In the background, Catherine was watching with a smirk. But it wasn’t just the photo that caught Anthony’s attention. It was the caption beneath it: “No one crosses Felix and walks away unscathed. Tick-tock, Anthony.” Anthony’s blood ran cold. “This… this isn’t just about Catherine, is it?” Jake shook his head. “Felix isn’t some random rich guy. He’s connected. Really connected. I’ve been digging into him, and he’s tied to people you don’t want to mess with.” Anthony sank onto the worn-out couch, his head in his hands. “So, what do I do now? Apologize? Run?” Jake hesitated. “I don’t think apologizing is going to cut it. And running? That might make things worse.” Before Anthony could respond, the sound of tires screeching outside made both men jump. Jake rushed to the window and peeked through the blinds. “Anthony,” he whispered urgently, “you’ve go
The De Luca Heir 5: Questions
The screech of tires echoed through the street as another black car emerged from the shadows, its headlights cutting through the darkness. Anthony recognized it instantly—it was the same car that had been following him earlier. The vehicle swerved between Jake’s motorcycle and the SUV, blocking Felix’s men from advancing any further. The car door opened, and a tall figure stepped out, cloaked in a black trench coat. “Y-You?” Anthony’s eyes widened. It was the guy from the restaurant earlier. And his voice... it was the same guy he saw a while ago. “Step back.” the man ordered, his deep voice calm yet commanding. Felix’s men exchanged uncertain glances before one of them sneered. “Who the hell do you think you are?” The man didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he reached into his coat and pulled out a sleek handgun, pointing it directly at the lead thug. Anthony was very surprised. In his entire time being alive, it was the first time he had seen a real gun. “You don’t want to
The De Luca Heir 6: Baptism by fire
The man smirked. “You can call me Victor. Let’s just say I’ve been keeping an eye on Anthony. You two? You’ve become collateral in a game much bigger than you realize.” Anthony frowned. “Bigger? What are you talking about?” Victor walked over to the map, tapping one of the red dots. “Felix isn’t just some rich jerk throwing his weight around. He’s the son of a big group.” Victor said. Anthony's heart raced as Victor stared at him with an intensity that made him feel both uneasy and strangely significant. Jake shifted uncomfortably beside him, his gaze darting between the mysterious man and the high-tech command center surrounding them. Victor finally spoke, his voice calm yet commanding. "Anthony, you’ve been in the dark for too long. But it’s time you know the truth about who you really are." Anthony frowned, confusion mixing with frustration. "What are you talking about? I’m nobody. Just a guy trying to survive in this mess." Victor chuckled dryly, shaking his head. "You’re fa
The De Luca Heir 7: Shadows of the past
The hallway erupted into chaos as more men stormed in, their shouts and gunfire echoing off the walls. Anthony moved on autopilot, ducking and firing as Victor directed him through the melee. He didn’t feel the pain of his grazed arm or the ringing in his ears. All that mattered was survival. A sharp whistle cut through the noise, and Anthony turned to see Jake barreling through the side door, wielding a shotgun. “Thought you could use some backup!” Jake shouted, blasting an attacker who had crept up behind Victor. Victor nodded curtly. “About time. Hold the west wing! You're so good, kid. Where did you learn that?” Jake ignored him and motioned to Anthony. “You good, kid?” Anthony didn’t answer, his focus locked on the next wave of intruders. They moved with precision, their formation tighter, their aim deadlier. These weren’t grunts. These were the professionals Victor had warned about. Victor cursed under his breath. “This is Felix’s message. He’s not just testing you—he’s try
The De Luca Heir 8: Bloodlines and betrayal
“Dad!” Anthony yelled, struggling against Victor’s iron grip. His father lay crumpled on the ground, blood pooling beneath him, but his hand twitched as he tried to push himself up. Felix’s laughter cut through the tension, sharp and mocking. “Touching, really. But this is just the beginning, Anthony. You’re not ready for the weight of that crown.” He waved the detonator for emphasis. “You think you’ve won, but I always have the upper hand.” Anthony’s vision blurred with rage. “You’ll regret this, Felix.” Felix smirked, stepping back toward his car. “Oh, I don’t think I will. But feel free to try.” Before Anthony could break free, Victor snapped him back to reality. “Focus! He’s not out of reach yet.” Jake appeared at their side, weapon ready. “What’s the call, boss? Do we take him out or save your old man?” Anthony’s gaze darted between Felix retreating toward his SUV and his father gasping for breath on the cold concrete. Every fiber of his being screamed for vengeance, but th
The De Luca Heir 9: Spark of vengeance
Anthony hesitated for only a moment, his mind racing as the older man’s piercing gaze locked onto his. Victor placed a hand on his shoulder, his grip firm. “You know who that is?” Anthony didn’t break eye contact. “Should I?” Victor nodded. “Leonardo Moretti. Your father’s closest ally in the old days. If he’s here, it means he’s got a stake in this fight.” Jake, still catching his breath, muttered, “Or he’s here to claim the spoils.” Leonardo chuckled, as if hearing Jake’s skepticism. “I assure you, I’m not here to take anything from you, Anthony. I’m here to make sure you don’t lose everything your father built.” Anthony’s jaw tightened as he glanced back at the smoldering wreckage of the garage. His father’s blood still stained his hands, and Felix’s mocking laughter echoed in his mind. “Why now? Where were you when he needed you?” They put his dad inside the car and drove away. Leonardo’s expression turned cold. “Your father made enemies faster than he made allies. He kept
Latest Chapter
10: The Heir's Revelation
The sterile lights of the hospital reflected off the polished floors as the team rushed Alexandro through the emergency entrance. Anthony walked beside the stretcher, his jaw clenched, his hands still smeared with his father’s blood. Victor stayed close, scanning the surroundings for any sign of Felix’s men, while Jake barked orders to secure the area. “We need a surgeon now!” Anthony shouted as the staff took over, wheeling Alexandro into the operating room. The doors swung shut with a metallic clang, leaving Anthony standing in the hallway, fists clenched in helpless frustration. Victor placed a hand on his shoulder. “He’s tough, Anthony. He’ll pull through.” Anthony nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. He didn’t want to lose his dad anymore. His parents were out of the picture of how many years and his grandma never told him the truth until she died. “I want to be with my family again, Victor.” he sighed. Victor understood him. He glanced at the folder Leonardo had given him,
9: Spark of vengeance
Anthony hesitated for only a moment, his mind racing as the older man’s piercing gaze locked onto his. Victor placed a hand on his shoulder, his grip firm. “You know who that is?” Anthony didn’t break eye contact. “Should I?” Victor nodded. “Leonardo Moretti. Your father’s closest ally in the old days. If he’s here, it means he’s got a stake in this fight.” Jake, still catching his breath, muttered, “Or he’s here to claim the spoils.” Leonardo chuckled, as if hearing Jake’s skepticism. “I assure you, I’m not here to take anything from you, Anthony. I’m here to make sure you don’t lose everything your father built.” Anthony’s jaw tightened as he glanced back at the smoldering wreckage of the garage. His father’s blood still stained his hands, and Felix’s mocking laughter echoed in his mind. “Why now? Where were you when he needed you?” They put his dad inside the car and drove away. Leonardo’s expression turned cold. “Your father made enemies faster than he made allies. He kept
8: Bloodlines and betrayal
“Dad!” Anthony yelled, struggling against Victor’s iron grip. His father lay crumpled on the ground, blood pooling beneath him, but his hand twitched as he tried to push himself up. Felix’s laughter cut through the tension, sharp and mocking. “Touching, really. But this is just the beginning, Anthony. You’re not ready for the weight of that crown.” He waved the detonator for emphasis. “You think you’ve won, but I always have the upper hand.” Anthony’s vision blurred with rage. “You’ll regret this, Felix.” Felix smirked, stepping back toward his car. “Oh, I don’t think I will. But feel free to try.” Before Anthony could break free, Victor snapped him back to reality. “Focus! He’s not out of reach yet.” Jake appeared at their side, weapon ready. “What’s the call, boss? Do we take him out or save your old man?” Anthony’s gaze darted between Felix retreating toward his SUV and his father gasping for breath on the cold concrete. Every fiber of his being screamed for vengeance, but th
7: Shadows of the past
The hallway erupted into chaos as more men stormed in, their shouts and gunfire echoing off the walls. Anthony moved on autopilot, ducking and firing as Victor directed him through the melee. He didn’t feel the pain of his grazed arm or the ringing in his ears. All that mattered was survival. A sharp whistle cut through the noise, and Anthony turned to see Jake barreling through the side door, wielding a shotgun. “Thought you could use some backup!” Jake shouted, blasting an attacker who had crept up behind Victor. Victor nodded curtly. “About time. Hold the west wing! You're so good, kid. Where did you learn that?” Jake ignored him and motioned to Anthony. “You good, kid?” Anthony didn’t answer, his focus locked on the next wave of intruders. They moved with precision, their formation tighter, their aim deadlier. These weren’t grunts. These were the professionals Victor had warned about. Victor cursed under his breath. “This is Felix’s message. He’s not just testing you—he’s try
6: Baptism by fire
The man smirked. “You can call me Victor. Let’s just say I’ve been keeping an eye on Anthony. You two? You’ve become collateral in a game much bigger than you realize.” Anthony frowned. “Bigger? What are you talking about?” Victor walked over to the map, tapping one of the red dots. “Felix isn’t just some rich jerk throwing his weight around. He’s the son of a big group.” Victor said. Anthony's heart raced as Victor stared at him with an intensity that made him feel both uneasy and strangely significant. Jake shifted uncomfortably beside him, his gaze darting between the mysterious man and the high-tech command center surrounding them. Victor finally spoke, his voice calm yet commanding. "Anthony, you’ve been in the dark for too long. But it’s time you know the truth about who you really are." Anthony frowned, confusion mixing with frustration. "What are you talking about? I’m nobody. Just a guy trying to survive in this mess." Victor chuckled dryly, shaking his head. "You’re fa
5: Questions
The screech of tires echoed through the street as another black car emerged from the shadows, its headlights cutting through the darkness. Anthony recognized it instantly—it was the same car that had been following him earlier. The vehicle swerved between Jake’s motorcycle and the SUV, blocking Felix’s men from advancing any further. The car door opened, and a tall figure stepped out, cloaked in a black trench coat. “Y-You?” Anthony’s eyes widened. It was the guy from the restaurant earlier. And his voice... it was the same guy he saw a while ago. “Step back.” the man ordered, his deep voice calm yet commanding. Felix’s men exchanged uncertain glances before one of them sneered. “Who the hell do you think you are?” The man didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he reached into his coat and pulled out a sleek handgun, pointing it directly at the lead thug. Anthony was very surprised. In his entire time being alive, it was the first time he had seen a real gun. “You don’t want to
4: Big problem
Jake pulled out his phone and handed it to Anthony. On the screen was a photo taken earlier that night—of Anthony punching Felix. In the background, Catherine was watching with a smirk. But it wasn’t just the photo that caught Anthony’s attention. It was the caption beneath it: “No one crosses Felix and walks away unscathed. Tick-tock, Anthony.” Anthony’s blood ran cold. “This… this isn’t just about Catherine, is it?” Jake shook his head. “Felix isn’t some random rich guy. He’s connected. Really connected. I’ve been digging into him, and he’s tied to people you don’t want to mess with.” Anthony sank onto the worn-out couch, his head in his hands. “So, what do I do now? Apologize? Run?” Jake hesitated. “I don’t think apologizing is going to cut it. And running? That might make things worse.” Before Anthony could respond, the sound of tires screeching outside made both men jump. Jake rushed to the window and peeked through the blinds. “Anthony,” he whispered urgently, “you’ve go
3: Caught in the act
She looked up, her eyes widening in shock before narrowing in irritation. The man beside her raised an eyebrow, glancing between them. “Anthony? What are you doing here?” Catherine asked, her tone sharp. Anthony ignored her question, his gaze fixed on her. “Is this your grandma’s house? Or is this where you needed to be so badly?” Catherine’s face flushed, but she quickly regained her composure. “It’s not what it looks like. This is just... a friend.” The man smirked, clearly unfazed. “Friend, huh? Cath, why don’t you just tell him the truth?” “What truth is he talking about, babe?” Anthony’s fists clenched, his knuckles turning white. The betrayal he felt was unlike anything he’d experienced before. “Catherine... why?” She rolled her eyes, her annoyance now evident. “Oh, come on, Anthony. Don’t make a scene. We were never going to work out. You’re... you’re just not what I need.” Anthony’s heart shattered, but this time, anger burned through the pain. “You could’ve told me
2: The truth
“What the hell was that?” Jake asked, his arms crossed and fury blazing in his eyes. Anthony just shook his head and sighed. “Jake, don’t say anything. Catherine apologized and said we are still together.” he said. Jake’s eyes widened. “Are you out of your mind, bro? Can’t you see it? She just said that to get money from you. I can’t believe you!” he walked out angrily. Anthony just groaned and took a deep breath. Suddenly, someone caught his attention. He saw the guy wearing a black tuxedo he had also seen from the cafe yesterday. “I am sorry, do I know you?” he asked the guy. He must be on his 40’s already. The guy smiled at him and shrugged his shoulder. “I am sorry. I didn’t mean to dwell with your own business, but I couldn’t help but stir up. We don’t know each other, but I remember you. You were the guy who was rejected by his girlfriend at the cafe yesterday, right?” he chuckled. Anthony suddenly became shy. “Y-Yes.” he said. “I was right then. Just a little advice
