UNDER THE ASHES

Servant in His Own Home

“Ethan, could you get me another glass of wine?” Sophia’s mother, Mrs. Chang, said with a dismissive wave, not even bothering to look at him. Her eyes remained fixed on the glittering crystal chandelier above, as if it was more deserving of her attention than the man standing before her.

Ethan clenched his jaw but said nothing. His fingers tightened around the stem of the empty glass he held, his eyes scanning the lavish dining room. Guests in their designer suits and gowns laughed and chatted, their voices blending with the clink of silverware and the soft murmur of classical music.

He was nothing more than a shadow in this house, a servant in the home he once thought would be his. 

"Ethan!" Sophia's voice cut through the air, sharp and cold. She was standing near the long, polished table, her back turned to him. "Don’t forget my father’s whiskey." 

His heart pounded in his chest. He could feel eyes on him, mocking gazes that made him feel small, like a child caught doing something wrong. The laughter around the table quieted for a moment as the guests noticed the interaction. They smirked, pretending to focus on their drinks, but their amusement was clear.

“Yes, of course,” Ethan muttered, keeping his tone low, his face blank. His mind, however, screamed. He wasn’t just an errand boy. He wasn’t supposed to be here, running around fetching drinks while they talked about him behind his back.

As he poured Mr. Chang’s whiskey, he overheard Sophia’s voice drifting from across the room.

“I give him six months,” she said, her tone as smooth as the silk dress she wore. “Maybe less.”

“What are you talking about?” one of the guests asked, curiosity in his voice.

Sophia let out a light laugh. “Ethan. You’ll see. His time here is almost over. He doesn’t even know what’s coming.”

Ethan’s hand froze. He swallowed hard, the sound of her words ringing in his ears. What did she mean? What was coming? His mind raced, trying to piece together any clues. The smugness in her voice was unbearable.

“I’ve been patient,” she continued. “But patience only lasts so long. Soon, everything will change.”

"Change?" the man asked, intrigued. "What exactly are you planning, Sophia?"

Sophia didn’t answer. Instead, she glanced over her shoulder at Ethan, locking eyes with him for just a moment. There was a spark in her gaze, something cold and calculated. She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

Ethan’s stomach twisted. The room felt stifling, the warmth of the fire in the corner doing nothing to ease the cold dread that gripped him. He felt trapped, like a pawn in a game he didn’t fully understand.

He straightened his back, walking toward the table to deliver the whiskey. His footsteps were measured, but inside, his thoughts were in chaos. What was Sophia planning? And why did it feel like the walls were closing in on him?

As he placed the glass in front of Mr. Chang, the older man didn’t acknowledge him. He simply continued his conversation about the latest stock market shifts, as if Ethan didn’t exist. It was humiliating.

Ethan turned to leave, retreating to the corner of the room, where he could observe without drawing attention. From his vantage point, he watched Sophia, her smile wide as she charmed the guests, effortlessly commanding the room. Her power was undeniable. And yet, behind that charm, there was something darker, something brewing.

“Six months,” Ethan muttered under his breath, replaying her words. 

His mind wandered back to when things were different. When he and Sophia first married, he had thought they could build something together—something real. But it had all been an illusion. Sophia’s family had never accepted him, and over time, neither had she. Now, here he was, standing on the sidelines of his own life, being dismissed and disregarded as if he were invisible.

“Ethan.”

He snapped back to the present, realizing that one of the guests was addressing him. A tall man in a sleek suit stood before him, his face set in an arrogant smirk.

“Could you be a dear and refill my glass?” the man said, holding out his empty wine glass.

Ethan forced a smile. “Of course.”

As he took the glass, he caught a glimpse of Sophia again, whispering something into her father’s ear. Mr. Chang nodded, a pleased expression spreading across his face. The way they shared secrets in plain sight made Ethan’s skin crawl.

He filled the glass, his thoughts racing. There was something more going on here, something bigger than just social humiliation. He had to find out what it was before it was too late.

As the dinner continued, Ethan remained in his corner, observing, listening. The laughter around him felt distant, almost hollow. He could feel the tension building inside him, the weight of his frustration and anger pressing down on him like a vice.

When the guests began to rise from the table, ready to move on to the next part of the evening, Sophia approached him. She stopped just a few feet away, her eyes gleaming with something that resembled triumph.

“You’ve been awfully quiet tonight,” she said, her voice dripping with mock concern. “Is everything alright?”

Ethan met her gaze, trying to keep his expression neutral. “Just doing what’s expected of me.”

Sophia’s smile widened. “Good. It’s important to know your place, Ethan. Especially now.”

“Now?” He couldn’t help the question that slipped out, his curiosity getting the better of him.

She tilted her head, the corners of her lips curling upwards. “Oh, don’t worry. You’ll understand soon enough.”

Ethan’s heart raced, his mind buzzing with questions. What was she hinting at? What was about to happen?

He wanted to ask, wanted to demand answers, but he knew it wouldn’t get him anywhere. Sophia had always been skilled at playing her cards close to her chest, revealing only what she wanted him to see.

She turned away, her dress swishing against the polished floor as she walked back to the group of guests who were now gathering near the grand staircase.

Ethan stood frozen in place, his fists clenched at his sides. He had never felt more powerless, more out of control. The dinner party may have been coming to an end, but the real game was just beginning.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that something big was coming, something that would change everything. And whatever it was, Sophia was at the center of it.

“Ethan?” Mrs. Chang’s voice called from across the room, sweet and sharp at the same time. “Be a dear and help with the coats, will you?”

Ethan forced a smile and nodded, walking towards the door where the guests were gathering to leave. As he reached for the first coat, his mind was racing. He had to stay focused, had to figure out what Sophia was planning. But with every passing moment, the sense of dread grew heavier.

“What is she up to?” he whispered under his breath, his thoughts swirling. 

Sophia’s final words echoed in his mind, a taunt that left him more unsettled than ever. Whatever she was hiding, it was something that could destroy everything he had left.

But what could it be?

 What does Sophia have planned for Ethan?