Sheena was halfway out the door, her handbag slung over her shoulder, when her parents intercepted her in the hallway.
"Sheena, wait!" Her mother, Stephanie, called out, her voice tinged with urgency.
Sheena paused, turning to face her parents. "What’s wrong, Mom? Dad?"
"We need to talk to you," her father, Ronald, said, his expression serious. "How did Kelvin manage to get the children back into school?"
Sheena sighed, feeling the familiar tension rise. "I don't know for sure, Dad. But I think it was Mike Milly, my boss. He took responsibility for it."
Stephanie's eyes lit up with excitement. "Mike Milly? Oh, Sheena, this is wonderful news! Do you see what I’ve been saying? You need to divorce Kelvin and be with Mike."
"Mom, please," Sheena protested, rubbing her temples. "I'm not having this conversation again. I need to get to work."
Before Stephanie could respond, Sheena's phone rang. She glanced at the screen and saw it was the police station.
"Hello?" Sheena answered.
"Mrs. Sheena, this is Officer Daniels from the station. Your husband, Kelvin, has been arrested."
Sheena's heart sank. "What? Arrested? Why?"
"Please come to the station for details."
Sheena ended the call, her face pale. "Kelvin’s been arrested."
Ronald grabbed his car keys. "Let's go. I'll drive."
As they piled into the car, Stephanie barely waited for the engine to start before launching into her tirade. "Sheena, this is exactly why you need to leave him. Kelvin is a disaster for you. Mike Milly is successful, responsible, and clearly cares about you."
"Mom, can we not do this right now?" Sheena pleaded, staring out the window.
Stephanie ignored her. "Mike got the children back into school! What has Kelvin done except bring trouble? You deserve stability, Sheena. You need to think about your future."
Sheena sighed deeply, feeling the weight of their words but also the love she still had for Kelvin. "Let’s just see what’s going on first, okay?"
However, Stephanie kept on ranting without pause until they eventually arrived at the police station. They arrived at the station, and a stern-looking officer led them to a small, dimly lit room. Kelvin sat behind a metal table, his face filled with worries and his knuckles raw.
"Kelvin!" Sheena rushed to him, her voice a mix of relief and concern.
"Hey, Sheena," Kelvin said softly, his eyes flicking nervously to Ronald and Stephanie.
Stephanie crossed her arms, a smirk playing on her lips. "So, what did you do this time, Kelvin? Become a jobless hoodlum who goes around beating people up?"
Kelvin winced but kept his composure. "I was defending myself. My former boss, Mr. Martin's security guards tried to jump me, and I fought back."
Ronald frowned and asked curiously. "How many were there?"
"Five," Kelvin replied, with a confused expression.
Ronald’s eyebrows shot up. "You took out five guys by yourself?"
Ronald was shocked, how could a feeble man like his lowly good-for-nothing son-in-law defeat five security guards? Could his useless son-in-law be more than he presents himself?
Kelvin nodded. "I didn’t have a choice."
Stephanie laughed derisively. "Oh, please. Defending yourself? Sounds more like you were looking for trouble."
"Mom, stop it," Sheena snapped. "Kelvin, what exactly happened?"
Kelvin sighed, rubbing his temples. "I went back to my company's building and requested my severance package, but Mr. Martin refused to give me the pay, and when I refused to leave without my pay. He had his security guards attack me. One of them attacked me with a barton, and I just reacted."
"Reacted how?" Stephanie pressed, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Kelvin looked straight at her. "I defended myself. I didn’t start the fight, but I wasn’t going to let them hurt me."
However, just as the argument was about to get worse, a different voice interrupted the tension. "Sorry to interrupt, but I couldn't help but listen to your discussion."
Sheena looked over and saw a woman by the cell, appearing calm and composed. “I am Bella Marris, and I work as a lawyer. I have had a conversation with your husband and I wish to assist you in resolving this matter.”
Stephanie's eyes narrowed as she scrutinized the elegantly dressed woman who had just walked in. Her curiosity got the better of her."And who might you be?" Stephanie asked, her tone dripping with suspicion.The woman smiled, extending her hand. "I'm Bella Marris, Kelvin's attorney."Ronald, Stephanie, and Sheena exchanged shocked glances. Ronald was the first to break the silence."How on earth did you manage to afford an attorney, Kelvin?"Kelvin shrugged, looking as bewildered as the rest of them. "I... I didn't. I don't know what's going on."Stephanie leaned closer to Sheena and whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with venom. "These types of women? They help men like Kelvin because they want something in return. Trust me, Sheena, she wants him for her sexual satisfaction. And knowing how—"Feeling embarrassment, Sheena's cheeks turned red as she checked if Kelvin had heard anything. “Mother, I beg you! Stop making such comments. This is a serious situation, and our pr
Exhausted from a lengthy day at work, Kelvin tiredly opened the front door, feeling the burden on his fatigued shoulders. Upon entering the simple living room, a piercing voice instantly overwhelmed his senses."There you are, you good-for-nothing leech! Where have you been wasting time while your children were sent home from school?" Kelvin winced, bracing himself for the onslaught.The woman who stood before him was his spiteful mother-in-law, Stephanie Norman. As far as Kelvin could remember, she had always hated him ever since Sheena introduced him to her. His lack of money was the main reason for her attitude towards him, and this was made worse when he started failing to provide for his children."I'm sorry, I just got off my shift at the office. I didn't know—" Kelvin said nonchalantly. He had gotten used to the barrage of nagging from his mother-in-law."You didn't know?" Stephanie scoffed, her lips curling in disgust. "Of course, you didn't know. When have you ever cared abou
The next day, Kelvin hurried through the imposing gates of the Martin Real Estate building, his mind racing. He had to get the school fees paid, no matter what. He went straight into his boss, Martin Wasnot's office.Kelvin knocked on the office door. He hesitated for a second but continued anyway; he and Martin, his boss, had never truly seen eye to eye. Martin had always criticized Kelvin on every aspect of his job.Kelvin prepared himself mentally, understanding the importance of being cautious. He entered the office and directed his attention to his boss sitting across the table. "Sir, I kindly request a company loan to cover my children's school expenses. They were dismissed yesterday and—"Martin dropped the pen and document in his hand and looked dead center into Kelvin's eyes. "You incompetent bum, is this what you have resorted to?" He said as he straightened his glasses. "Just because this company allows employees to take loans and repay them through their salaries, you inte
Kelvin quickly entered the busy jewelry store, feeling the familiar heft of the signet ring in his pocket. He felt his heart pounding as he neared the counter, his only objective being to obtain the funds necessary to maintain his family's unity. “Sorry to bother you sir,” he said, attempting to maintain a steady voice. "I want to put this ring up for sale." The shopkeeper stared at him suspiciously, but as he looked closer his eyes widened in realization. “Oh wow, is that... the emblem of the Brunette family.”Kelvin became tense, feeling suddenly unsure. "Yes, it is indeed. I have to collect funds for my kids' tuition fees. Could you assist me?" The shopkeeper slowly nodded his head. “I'm sorry but I cannot purchase this from you son. This ring holds immeasurable sentimental value as a cherished family heirloom. It is rightfully owned by the Brunette family.”Kelvin felt his heart drop. "Please, you don’t understand, my family is in a dire situation. I have no alternative.”“I re
Upon opening the door to his in-laws' home, Kelvin was instantly bombarded by Stephanie, his mother-in-law's loud and piercing voice."Kelvin!" she snapped, hands on her hips. "Where have you been? And what’s this nonsense about the kids going to school tomorrow? You haven’t even paid their fees yet!" Stephanie said, showing her disdain as she looked at him while telling him, "You have the audacity to come back here after you lost your only job. You worthless parasite."Kelvin steeled himself, but before he could reply, Sheena appeared from the living room, a ray of hope shining in her eyes. "Mom, please, he said he’s got it handled. Can we just give him a chance?""A chance?" Stephanie’s voice rose an octave. "Sheena, are you out of your mind? He’s going to drag us all down with him. Do you want my sisters to laugh at me? At us?"Kelvin moved ahead, speaking with confidence. "I have discovered a method to cover the school fees, Mother. I give you my word that the children will return
The yellow taxi came to a halt in front of the school's gates with a groan of brakes and a puff of exhaust. Kelvin stepped out first, opening the door for Sheena and their twins, Lily and Luke. As they gathered the kids' school bags, a sleek, black Bentley rolled up beside them, gleaming under the morning sun. Becky, Sheena's second cousin sister, stepped out with her children, her stiletto heels clicking against the pavement."Well, well, look who's here," Becky drawled, her voice dripping with condescension. "Did you bring your kids to school in a taxi?" She asked in a mocking tone.Sheena's face flushed with embarrassment, but she forced a smile. "Morning, Becky.""Morning? No, it's an absolutely fabulous morning!" Becky tossed her perfectly coiffed hair. "Especially when you can afford a new car. You are looking at a six hundred thousand dollar Bentley. I just bought it two days ago."Sheena felt a surge of embarrassment flow over her. Sheena and Becky are of the same age with the
Kelvin took a deep breath, his patience fraying at the edges. He turned to the secretary, his voice calm but firm. "Why are you treating us this way? We’re parents just like everyone else here."The secretary barely glanced up from her computer and ignored Kelvin; she just hissed at Kelvin's question.Sheena stepped forward, her voice trembling with suppressed anger. "We deserve the same respect as anyone else. You have no right to treat us like this."The secretary glanced upward, her face showing disdain. "Does respect even matter? Who is it for? A man unable to afford his kids' education and a woman too oblivious to see she's wasting her time with a failure."Kelvin's hands balled into fists by his waist. "What did you say?""I said," the secretary went on, her voice oozing with sarcasm, "That you are a disgrace as parents. Particularly you, Mrs. Brunette." She turned her attention to Sheena. "You, remaining with a man who cannot support his family, is a disgrace to womanhood and m
Kelvin stepped out of the principal's office, his hand gently guiding Lily and Luke. The secretary glared at him, her eyes filled with loathing. Mrs. Henderson followed closely behind.“Ms. Parker,” the principal said, her voice icy, “You’re dismissed. Please gather your things and leave immediately.”The secretary’s eyes widened in shock. “What? You can’t be serious!”“I am,” Mrs. Henderson replied firmly. “Your behavior towards Mr. Brunette and his family was unacceptable.”“But—” the secretary began to protest, her voice rising in desperation.“No buts,” Mrs. Henderson interrupted. “You’re fired. Now!”The secretary's shoulders dropped while she started gathering her things, quietly mumbling to herself. She gave Kelvin one last angry glance before he crouched down to talk quietly to his children.“Alright, kiddos, time to go to class. Be good, okay?” Kelvin kissed each of them on the forehead.Lily hugged him tightly. “We will, Daddy.”Luke nodded, his small face set with determina