The faint scent of cleaning products filled the air as Oliver Wilson wiped his brow. He had spent hours cleaning and scrubbing every corner of the small house he shared with his wife Emma Tayor.The floors glistened, the windows sparkled, and the dining table was set with his wife's favorite dishes. Everything was ready for their third wedding anniversary dinner tonight.The house wasn’t much compared to the magnificent Wilson mansion he had grown up in, but Oliver had put his efforts into making it a home for Emma. Tonight, he wanted to show her how much she still meant to him and how much he loved her and respected their union.He glanced at the bouquet of red roses resting on the counter. Emma loved roses, and he had saved for weeks to afford them. A small smile tugged at his lips as he imagined her face lighting up when she would come back and see them.Just as Oliver turned to light the candles on the table, a sharp knock at the door broke his focus. His heart leapt with joy. Was

“I'm fine, mom.” Oliver let out a quiet breath, knowing this conversation would be harder than he imagined. His mother, Isabel, sounded so worried, almost frantic.“Oh my goodness, where have you been? Do you know how long it’s been since anyone heard from you? Your father hasn’t slept properly, and he keeps asking when you’re coming home.” Isabel’s voice broke slightly, filled with relief and worry.Charles Wilson wasn’t the type of man to show weakness, but this situation had broken him. Oliver couldn’t deny it. He had hurt his father deeply.Oliver’s heart sank, knowing how much he’d hurt his family by disappearing without a word. He never intended to cause them so much pain, but everything had gotten so complicated.“I’m sorry, Mom,” Oliver said regretfully. “I needed some time and space to live my life. But I regret those decisions now.”“We thought something terrible had happened to you.”“Mom, I promise I’ll explain everything when I come home,” Oliver said, hoping she could he

Oliver arrived late the next day to the court for their divorce proceedings.Emma was already seated in the front with her mother, Victoria Taylor, Aunt Margot and their family lawyer, Mr. Carter flanking her like bodyguards. Both women made no effort to hide their disdain for Oliver.The courtroom was already packed with a lot of people with one case or another.The judge presided from the bench with her gavel at the ready.Oliver was asked to take a stand-alone at the defendant’s table since he had no lawyer or witnesses, while Emma was asked to sit beside her lawyer and witnesses, her mother, and her aunt, Margot.The proceedings began with the judge asking the couple to state their reasons for divorce.Emma’s lawyer stood first and began to speak. “Your Honor, my client by the name Emma Taylor has endured emotional neglect and financial manipulation throughout her union with Mr. Oliver Wilson. We are here to seek a divorce.”Oliver swiftly replied. “Your Honor, I have no intention

Oliver Wilson sat on the cold, hard bench of the holding cell, his head leaning against the damp wall behind him. His hands were cuffed tightly in front of him, a harsh reminder of how far his life had spiraled downward. The sterile, fluorescent light above cast a sickly glow, illuminating the grime-streaked walls and the glinting badge of one of the officers standing just outside the cell.He hadn’t spoken much since his arrest earlier that morning. There was no point. Everything he’d tried to say to explain his innocence had been met with dismissive smirks and curt remarks from the officers. They had made up their minds, and so had Mr. Grant, his former employer—the man who had orchestrated this entire setup.Oliver’s thoughts churned as he stared at the floor. How had it come to this?It was just two nights ago that he had slept in the storage room of Grant’s grocery store, clutching the wedding band that no longer meant anything. He remembered leaving the premises before dawn, car

Liam Wilson sat in the sleek, modern apartment inside Wilson Manor, his laptop open in front of him. The soft hum of the room’s air conditioner and the distant sounds of the estate were the only noises in the space. He was focused on the problem at hand, tapping away at the keyboard with practiced precision. He had been consulting for a tech startup for the last few months, and the work was demanding. But that was the life he had chosen, a life far removed from his family’s expectations.His eyes flickered to the clock on the wall. It was almost 3:00 PM.Liam leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms above his head. He took a long sip from his coffee mug, the warm liquid filling him with a slight jolt of energy. The cup was starting to cool, and his thoughts wandered to the conversation he had with their mother earlier that day.“She called,” Isabel had told him, her voice steady but with an undercurrent of emotion. “Oliver said he’s planning to come back home.”Liam had been caug