The Nashville estate sprawled out in tranquility, guards casually patrolling the grounds. Their footsteps created a rhythmic echo, the only audible cadence in the serene surroundings.
Amidst the magnificent structures, an air of quietude enveloped the estate. The hush, both comforting and unsettling, extended across the entire property. Even the central building, the hub for crucial meetings and gatherings, echoed with the same stillness that resonated through the vastness of the estate. The peace hung in the air like a delicate balance, undisturbed yet carrying a subtle tension that added a layer of intrigue to the otherwise calm scene.The central building, a marvel crafted by skilled experts, showcased its magnificence with a breathtaking design that spanned six stories. With both an internal elevator and an external one, it stood as a testament to architectural prowess.Internally, the building unfolded as a tapestry of intricate designs, tailored to the unique specifications of the Nashville family. Each floor bore a distinctive character, a reflection of the owners' preferences and requests, creating a captivating diversity within.Externally, the structure blended the modern with the timeless. A seamless fusion of glass adorned the building from the first floor to its towering peak, capturing the sunlight with an awe-inspiring radiance. Interspersed with bricks, it exuded a classic charm, a symbol of enduring strength and elegance.Composed of top-notch materials, the building not only boasted grandeur but also carried the dignified aura befitting a family of eminence. Each detail, from the carefully chosen materials to the bespoke design, contributed to the narrative of the Nashville family's legacy embedded in the very foundations of the remarkable structure.Within the central building, a multitude of individuals exuded an air of dignity, their appearance and mannerisms resonating with the wealth and prominence associated with the Nashville family.In the opulent room atop the central building, bathed in radiance, an old man posed a pointed question. His head adorned with wisps of grey hair, a testament to wisdom and experience. His eyes, deep pools of black, seemed to absorb everything in their gaze. Weathered cheeks hinted at the passage of time, contrasting with his sturdy physical presence.“And where's that God-forsaken damned husband of yours, who does nothing better than cook and clean?” The question sliced through the room, carrying with it the weight of authority. The atmosphere, elegant yet charged, held a blend of expectation and scrutiny.“Grandfather, I honestly have no idea where Nathan has gone off to this time.” The melodious voice carried a subtle tone of disgust, not aimed at the old man but rather at the elusive individual, her supposed husband.As her words lingered in the air, her beautiful amethyst eyes locked onto her grandfather's gaze, his figure reflected in the depths of her captivating gaze. She stood as a stunning beauty, her short flare gown gracefully veiling most of her hourglass figure. The room, an exquisite backdrop to her presence, held a tension that echoed the intricate dynamics within the family.“I did request that he get me lunch from Livile Hotel but,” the pretty figure tapped her phone screen, revealing a large digital clock. “It’s way past the time for him to return, so I won't tell grandfather about it. He deserves whatever punishment awaits him,” she mused, turning off the phone's screen.In no time, the supposed husband, Nathan, walked in. “Apologies for my delay,” he said upon entering. Towering over six feet, he exuded a handsome presence that could rival male models, despite his somewhat shabby appearance.Nathan's black hair, strands of silver interspersed, appeared rough and uneven. His worn-out and unkempt shirt and trousers hinted at a neglect for appearances. Yet, his body stature, akin to his striking facial features, was undeniably impressive, serving as the second reason his wife had married him – the first being his looks.Without lingering, Nathan stepped forward, a small paper bag clutched in his hand. He made his way toward the vacant seat in front of the mahogany table, effectively marking the boundary between his wife and his grandfather-in-law.“Babe, here's the meal you requested earlier,” Nathan said, extending the small bag to his wife.Acting as though she hadn't requested the meal, she received the bag with a subtle frown. “Took you long enough.” Despite attempting to feign ignorance in front of her grandfather, her true colors“Marie? I thought you didn't know where he went?” The old man's frown deepened as he keenly observed the unfolding scene. Disliking Nathan was one thing, but lies fueled his disdain even more.“I totally forgot he'd gone to get me lunch. It was over fifteen minutes past the time he was supposed to return, so I forgot all about it,” Marie, Nathan's wife, responded with a childish air. Her words hung in the air, attempting to veil the truth, yet the discerning gaze of her grandfather pierced through the facade.Sensing the escalating tension, Nathan intervened to shield his wife from further scrutiny. “Grandfather Winston, it wasn't her fault,” he stated, attempting to assuage the evident disdain from the man who held no affection for him.Little did Nathan know, the forthcoming words from his grandfather-in-law would bring an unforeseen twist, a revelation that could potentially alter the dynamics within the room.“And who do you think you are to tell me whose fault it is? Obviously, it was your fault.” The family head of the Nashville family flared at Nathan, who had just been trying to protect his wife from getting scolded. “If you'd arrived on time, would she have forgotten in the first place, huh?”Regretting his action, Nathan lowered his head. Even if he had reasons for being this late, the family head didn't seem like he was in the mood for any more words from Nathan. The room absorbed the weight of the family head's reprimand, each word echoing in Nathan's head.“That's beside the point why I called you here.” Feeling like it was too early to get angry at Nathan, Winston informed him that he'd summoned him for a different reason.Nathan immediately had a bad premonition about what was about to be presented to him. Despite his fear of the impending revelation, a curious spark ignited within him, urging him to uncover the undisclosed reason behind this unexpected summoning.Had his grandfather-in-law finally found some worth in him, ready to offer a fragment of credit? Or was Nathan sinking even deeper into trouble than he already was?Nathan wrestled to conceal his rising tension, uncertainty clawing at him. He cautiously opened his mouth, directing his question at the family head. “For what reason have I been called to your office, grandfather?” As he posed the question, his deep black eyes locked onto the gaze of his grandfather-in-law, searching for any hints in the stern countenance before him.With a sigh and then a frown, Winston opened his mouth. “Nathan, it has been decided. Your marriage with my granddaughter will come to an end today.”As the words hung in the air, an elated look spread across Marie's face, as if she had been eagerly awaiting this moment. The room held a charged atmosphere, the weight of the announcement settling between the strained relationships within the family. Nathan's expression remained stoic, his emotions masked beneath a veneer of composure.On Nathan's face, however, was a look of confusion. It seemed as though he'd just heard gibberish, trying his best to comprehend the nonsense that had just spilled from the mouth of such an experienced old man.The cruel revelation didn't conclude there. Winston, the family head, continued his onslaught. “I still do not get what my granddaughter saw in you in the first place. The only good you are is either in the kitchen or running errands.” As his harsh words reached their conclusion, he transformed into a different person, openly revealing his deep-seated disgust toward Nathan.Winston then noticed the look of confusion and quickly opened his mouth to further clarify what he meant.“Nathan Hunt! My granddaughter will be divorcing you!” The old man declared with undisguised disgust laced in his words.Even after the statement Winston made, clarifying the need for a divorce, Nathan still struggled to understand.What had he done to prompt such a decision behind his back? Why was it so swift, and above all, why was the family head proposing the divorce himself? Questions echoed in Nathan's mind, his confusion deepening as the weight of the revelation settled around him.Nathan's stoic expression wavered, revealing a glimpse of the emotional turmoil within him."If you're worried about the six million dollars debt returning to your head after the divorce, you don't have a problem then. It has been completely eliminated as you served our child well. As compensation for the divorce, an extra one and a half million will be taken off the outstanding debt." In a bid to temper Nathan's fury, the old man unveiled something that carried a hint of favor toward Nathan."Please, we all know you can't do this. I don't know what I did, but I genuinely love Marie!" Nathan's eyes turned red as he struggled to hold back his tears.Nathan continued to plead, desperation coloring his words, until eventually, his eyes gave out, and tears began to stream down his face. In that vulnerable moment, he realized there might be no place for him here anymore if he got divorced from Marie.Shaking his head, Winston spoke once more. "I'll suggest you accept my offer."As much as the new offer baited Nathan, the words stoked the flames of his fury. Had he been reduced to merely serving his wife? Was that the sole consideration for the son of a deceased debtor? The room held a charged silence, the air thick with tension as Nathan grappled with the conflicting emotions stirred by the family head's words."Am I a joke to you all!?" Nathan asked, his eyes ablaze with red. The harsh reality of the situation hit him like a wave, realizing he had never been truly useful to the family. They could dispose of him at any moment, and they had chosen to do so now.Only one sentence kept replaying in Nathan's head, and unconsciously, he exclaimed it out loud. “What in the actual fuck!?” The words echoed in the room, a manifestation of his fury.Amidst the tumult of emotions, one certainty anchored itself in Nathan's thoughts. "He isn't the orchestrator of this evil act." He now had a clearer sense of who was behind the orchestrated plan.Nathan Hunt entered into matrimony with the Nashville family for a singular reason—the alluring offer encapsulated within the marriage contract.Originating from a modest family of four, Nathan's roots lay in the realm of the lower class. His immediate family consisted of himself, his father, mother, and a younger sister.Despite their financial struggles, Nathan's family managed to afford the basic necessities such as food, clothing, and even education. Their living situation offered some stability, as they owned the five-bedroom apartment where they resided, eliminating the burden of rent.The pivotal moment in Nathan's life came with a proposition from his father-in-law, Haden. "Marry my daughter, and two-thirds of your father's debt would be cleared. In return, treat her like a queen and grant whatever she requests." These words had marked the inception of a significant chapter in Nathan's journey, intertwining his fate with the Nashville family.The same man who falsely accused h
“Love is blind? Indeed. That's why I fell for their bullshit in the first place.”“Love is a beautiful thing? Whoever said that was drugged when such words left their mouth.”Love hurts? That's a fact!”“I should've just refused when I was offered the contract… No, I didn't have a choice the moment it was offered to me. My fate had been sealed from that second.”“Damn it all!”Within the confines of a six-meter squared room, with stone walls and a muddied floor, a young male voice muttered words audible only to himself."All this nonsense wouldn't have happened in the first place if I'd been rich enough to pay off the debt!"Thud!At the end of his statement, a loud sound resonated, suggesting something was thrown to the floor."Fuck! That hurt!" The male voice cursed as the owner struggled up from the muddied floor, rubbing his forehead with his only functioning hand.Nathan had woken up to broken body parts, each movement sending waves of pain through him. With great effort, he mana
Nathan's body lay still on the ground, motionless for an enduring thirty minutes. The air held a palpable stillness, broken only by the faint ticking of a distant clock. Then, a heartbeat echoed through the room, breaking the silence like a gentle drum.Minutes later, a more robust heartbeat reverberated, sending a subtle pulse that seemed to resonate throughout the entire room. The stillness of Nathan's form was interrupted, and the steady rhythm hinted at a resurgence of life, casting a hopeful shadow over the once-muted scene.Half a minute crawled by, marking the arrival of another heartbeat. Soon, Nathan's pulse regained its regular cadence, but a subtle shift lingered in the air – each heartbeat resonated with newfound strength.A gasp escaped, a breathy punctuation in the room's stillness. Then, a prolonged, deep intake of air echoed as Nathan wrestled back to life. Swiftly rising from the ground, he scurried to the wall, settling into a lotus position. Even in his seated repos
Winston sat on his chair within a specific room on the bottom floor of the central building, dressed in his pyjamas as it was the middle of the night.He had summoned Nathan from where he was confined, and now the miserable husband of his most beautiful granddaughter stood before him with scarlet-red skin and torn clothes. Winston prepared to address the individual who had garnered his attention, the attention of the family head.With a few hours remaining before dawn, the pervasive stillness of slumber enveloped the surroundings, rendering every corner silent.Within the room, five individuals occupied the space. Winston's son, Haden, who also happened to be Nathan's father-in-law, stood alongside Nathan. Two special security guards stood watch, a precautionary measure in case Nathan decided to act out of line.Nathan stood before Winston with his subtle, newfound grin—a touch of confidence that added a certain charm to his demeanor. To Winston and Haden, however, it felt like Nathan