As Ethan walked away from his former life, a renewed sense of purpose surged through him. The years of playing the humble, invisible son-in-law had finally come to an end. He felt liberated, unshackled from the chains he’d willingly worn to protect his family’s legacy and to live a quiet life with a woman who could never appreciate the depths of his sacrifice.That night, he entered a secluded hotel suite, one of many properties owned by his family’s vast empire. He set his suitcase down, retrieved his phone, and stared at it for a moment. The name displayed on the screen was one he hadn’t contacted in years—Mr. Cheng, his family’s trusted confidant and advisor, a man who knew the full extent of Ethan’s hidden identity and the power he could command at a moment’s notice.With a deep breath, Ethan pressed the call button. It rang only once before Mr. Cheng answered, his voice calm yet carrying a hint of surprise. “Young Master Ethan,” he said, a note of respect in his tone. “It’s been
Ethan sat at the dining table, his face expressionless as Jasmine slid a crisp stack of divorce papers in front of him. She looked as beautiful as ever, but her eyes held none of the warmth he’d once imagined. Instead, her gaze was filled with a cold resolve, as if eager to finally rid herself of the man she saw as a burden."Sign them," she said bluntly, her voice devoid of the usual venom yet colder in its finality. "There’s no point dragging this on. We both know this marriage was a mistake."Ethan’s gaze dropped to the papers, his fingers tracing the edges thoughtfully. He could see the faint lines where she’d already signed her name, securing the end of their marriage as if he were nothing more than a failed chapter in her life. His heart clenched, but he remained composed.“So this is what you really want, Jasmine?” he asked, his voice calm yet laced with an undercurrent of disappointment. “After everything?”She crossed her arms, her expression hardening. “Let’s not pretend the
Ethan had noticed Jasmine acting strangely in recent weeks. She was more withdrawn, her mood swinging unpredictably between bouts of nervous excitement and irritable silence. He assumed it was the stress from work or the ongoing tension between them, but a quiet suspicion started to gnaw at him.One evening, as they sat across from each other in the living room, Jasmine finally broke the silence, her expression unreadable. “Ethan, I have something to tell you,” she said, her voice trembling just enough for him to notice.Ethan leaned forward, a spark of hope flickering inside him. Maybe this was a turning point, a chance for them to connect, to bridge the gap that had grown so vast. “What is it?” he asked softly, doing his best to sound encouraging.Jasmine took a deep breath. “I’m… I’m pregnant.”The words hung in the air, and Ethan felt his heart skip a beat. He’d always wanted to be a father, even if their marriage was rocky, he had hoped that perhaps this child could bring them cl
Ethan knew his wife’s family didn’t think highly of him, but Caleb—Jasmine’s younger brother—was a constant thorn. Caleb’s arrogance knew no bounds; he took every opportunity to belittle Ethan, boasting about his own “accomplishments” and never missing a chance to remind Ethan of his “lowly” status. Caleb’s disdain ran even deeper since the family’s business had recently been saved by the mysterious CEO, whom Caleb idolized, never suspecting the man he looked down on was the one responsible.One evening, the family gathered for another of Marjorie’s infamous dinners. Caleb, having had one too many drinks, was in rare form, mocking Ethan at every turn, snickering at his simple attire and making backhanded comments about his lack of career success.“I honestly don’t understand why my sister hasn’t thrown you out yet,” Caleb sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. “You’re useless, Ethan. A dead weight. It’s pathetic how you just cling to us like a parasite.”Ethan clenched his fists b
In recent weeks, Jasmine’s fascination with her company’s mysterious CEO had grown into an unshakable obsession. Though she had never seen him in person, the allure of his powerful, enigmatic presence and his unparalleled business acumen fueled her curiosity. This CEO—whom she only knew as "Mr. Black"—had single-handedly saved her family’s business from collapse, pulling them from the brink with a precision and influence she couldn’t help but admire.Every day at work, she heard tales of his ruthlessness in the boardroom, his skill in making decisive deals, and the unwavering loyalty he commanded from his associates. Jasmine found herself mesmerized by these stories, imagining what it would be like to work closely with a man so driven, so powerful, and so... unlike her husband, Ethan.The more she admired this mysterious figure, the more glaring Ethan’s shortcomings appeared. She couldn’t understand why she had settled for someone who seemed to lack any ambition, any hunger for succes
In the wake of the disastrous family gathering, Ethan kept his distance from Jasmine and her family, quietly slipping back into the role of an unnoticed shadow in their lives. But he hadn’t completely severed his connection; despite everything, a part of him still felt compelled to protect Jasmine, even if she never understood his actions.A few weeks after that humiliating dinner, Ethan discovered something alarming while reviewing one of his many business portfolios: Jasmine’s family was on the verge of a financial disaster. Her father, Edward, had made a series of risky investments, and the market downturn had put every asset he owned at risk. They were losing money by the day, their luxurious lifestyle hanging by a thread. One wrong move, one missed payment, and everything they had worked for would collapse.Ethan could easily have allowed their empire to crumble, to let them taste the bitterness of failure without his silent support. But something held him back. He knew what it f
Ethan found himself at yet another family gathering at Jasmine’s parents' home, a spacious mansion filled with polished wood, crystal chandeliers, and tasteful art meant to showcase the family’s wealth and influence. For years, these gatherings had been a steady source of torment—a stage for Jasmine’s family to belittle and mock him. Tonight would be no different. As he entered the lavish dining room, he could feel the eyes of Jasmine’s relatives land on him with that familiar mixture of disdain and amusement. Jasmine’s mother, Marjorie Lillian, eyed him with thinly veiled contempt, while her father, Edward, barely acknowledged his presence, as though Ethan were an unfortunate byproduct of his daughter’s marriage. The evening progressed as usual, with Ethan quietly enduring the pointed remarks and haughty stares. He kept his responses short, sitting in silence as he was frequently excluded from conversations. Every now and then, Jasmine would cast him a look of annoyance, as if his
As Ethan wandered through the city streets, the cool night air seemed to sharpen his thoughts, clearing the haze of humiliation he had endured. Tonight had been the breaking point; he could no longer continue this life as a shadow, a man disregarded and humiliated by his own wife and her friends. For years, he had buried his true identity to fulfill his promise to Jasmine, hoping she might one day see the man he was beneath the surface. But that hope had finally crumbled, leaving only a resolve to rediscover himself.Just as he was about to turn back towards his apartment, his phone buzzed. He glanced down, surprised to see a message from an unknown number:“Long time, Ethan. Meet me at The Raven’s Den.”The Raven’s Den. The name stirred something deep within him. It was an upscale, private club known only to an elite few, nestled in the shadows of the city. It was a place where those of wealth, influence, and power gathered discreetly, far removed from the eyes of the public. Ethan h
Ethan had planned the anniversary meticulously, hoping against hope that perhaps this would be the moment when Jasmine would see him differently. After years of enduring her scorn, he wanted to give her an evening that would rekindle the warmth that once existed between them. He had arranged an intimate dinner at one of the city’s most exclusive restaurants, where they would be surrounded by soft candlelight, live piano music, and a breathtaking view overlooking the skyline. He had spent weeks planning, selecting a custom bouquet of her favorite lilies, and even having a necklace crafted with an opal pendant, something he knew she’d always admired. This was his way of reaching out, trying to remind her that beneath the image of a “useless husband” lay a man who still cared, even if she’d long since forgotten. As he dressed that evening, Ethan allowed himself a small glimmer of hope. Tonight, he thought, might just be different. However, as they arrived at the restaurant, the hopefu