Chapter 5: A Day of Reckoning

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 same number of kids, yet they couldn’t be living more opposite lifestyles. What differentiates them is that Becky spends lavishly because she married a billionaire, while Sheena struggles financially because she married Kelvin, a poor man.

Sheena couldn’t deny the jealousy she felt after seeing Becky. Not only is Becky living a luxurious lifestyle, but her kids are also living their best lives.

“Mom, did you know Lily and Luke are the first kids to be sent home at Oakland Academy for not paying their school fees?” One of Becky's two children, Casey, said as she and her little brother, Shane, let out a mocking laugh while pointing to Luke and Lily.

Kelvin's jaw tightened, but he said nothing, grabbing Luke’s hand and starting toward the school entrance. Sheena and Lily followed, but Becky wasn't done.

"Are you here to beg the school to take your kids back?" Becky called out, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. "My kids said they were sent home because you couldn't pay the fees. Such a pity, really. I am sure it can’t be easy being married to a poor man."

Sheena stopped in her tracks, turning to face Becky. "That's enough, Becky."

"Oh, come on, Sheena. Don't be so touchy. I'm just stating facts," Becky smirked. "Maybe if Kelvin worked a little harder..."

Kelvin’s eyes flashed with anger, but he kept his voice calm. "Let's go, Sheena."

As they walked away, Sheena leaned in close to Kelvin. "Kelvin, how are we going to pay the fees? You haven't shown me any proof."

"Trust me, Sheena," Kelvin said, his voice steady. "I have it handled."

Sheena bit her lip, worry etched across her face. "But how? You haven't explained anything."

"Just trust me," Kelvin repeated, squeezing her hand gently.

Lily and Luke walked a few steps behind, their heads down. They could hear snickers and whispers from other children.

"Look, it's the kids who got sent home," one child said.

"First time in the school's history! Must be so embarrassing," another added.

"Ignore them," Kelvin said over his shoulder. "Keep your heads up."

The twins exchanged glances but nodded, trying to muster some bravery. They reached the school's main office, where the receptionist, a stern-looking woman with glasses perched on her nose, looked them up and down with thinly veiled disdain.

"Mr. and Mrs. Brunette," she said, her tone icy. "The principal will see you shortly. Please wait here."

She gestured to a small bench, but as Kelvin and Sheena moved to sit, she quickly added, "Oh, I'm sorry. That bench is reserved for, well, other guests. You'll have to stand."

Kelvin's eyes narrowed, his expression hardened. "What do you mean we should stand? No one is sitting on this bench. Why can’t we use it?"

Sheena's eyes were wide with disbelief, but she followed Kelvin’s lead, standing beside him. The twins clung to their parents, feeling the weight of everyone’s judgment.

"Kelvin, this is humiliating," Sheena whispered. "How can they treat us like this?"

Kelvin held Sheena’s hand tightly, his gaze still fixed on the secretary. He refused to stand for this humiliation.