business flop.Antonio was heading towards the kitchen when he heard voices—no, shouting—coming from the study. The door was slightly ajar, and Antonio could hear his father-in-law, James Carter, yelling into the phone. “I don’t care what your excuses are!” James’s voice was full of anger, the kind that came from a man about to lose it. “You were supposed to secure that deal! Do you have any idea what this is going to cost me? Fix it. Or you’re done.”Antonio hesitated at the door, as curiosity pulled him closer. He had always been on the outsider of the family and tried like trash even after his contract marriage with James’s daughter Lisa had saved her from her crazy ex—Bruno.That didn’t make James Antonio any better. He was beneath their social station. But hearing James like this, vulnerable and furious, stirred something in Antonio. It was like he had forgotten all the insult and wanted to help.Taking a deep breath, Antonio stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room. Jam

Meeting Brandon hall Antonio’s feet ached as he reached the driveway, his legs heavy from the long walk back to the house.As he approached the front door, he could already hear laughter drifting out from inside.Pushing open the front door, Antonio stepped inside. He kicked off his shoes, his steps cautious as he followed the sound of laughter coming from the living room. He knew Lisa’s voice anywhere, she definitely the one laughing.When he reached the living room, the sight that greeted him stopped him in his tracks. Lisa was there, lounging on the plush sofa, her laughter ringing out, and beside her stood the blonde-haired man Antonio had seen earlier with Asher—the man who had taken his car. The man’s arm was casually draped around Lisa’s shoulders, his fingers lightly tracing circles on her arm as she giggled. They were close, too close. He cleared his throat, making his presence known.Lisa’s laughter died abruptly, and she turned her head, her eyes landing on him with a

The heirThe day of the gala had arrived, and Antonio got ready quickly.The suit he wore hung loosely on his frame. It was one of Brandon’s old suits, a bit worn at the edges but still serviceable. Antonio stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the lapels, his eyes catching the faint lines of wear on the fabric. He sighed. It would have to do. He had no other options.After fixing his tie, Antonio ran a hand through his hair and took a deep breath. Tonight wasn’t for him; it never was. This was for Lisa, James, and their world. He was just an accessory, something to be tolerated when necessary and discarded when inconvenient. With one last glance at himself, Antonio turned and headed downstairs.James Carter and his wife, Helena, were already in the foyer, dressed in their finest. Lisa stood next to them, her gown shimmering under the light, her face a picture of controlled excitement. Antonio couldn’t help but admire how beautiful she looked.“Are you ready?” Lisa asked witho

The job Antonio looked at Helena in shock as he watched her stagger back.Helena’s eyes narrowed, but a glint of opportunity flashed in them. She stepped back dramatically, clutching her wrist as though he had hurt her. “Oh! How dare you?!” she shrieked, her voice shrill and filled with feigned pain. “You’ve hurt me!”Antonio’s eyes widened. “What? No, I didn’t—”Before he could finish, footsteps pounded down the hall. Asher stormed into the room.“What the hell is going on here?” Asher barked, his gaze darting between his mother and Antonio.Helena, pointed at Antonio. “He attacked me! Your sister’s husband thinks he can raise a hand to me!”“I didn’t touch her!” Antonio protested, stepping back in disbelief. “She’s lying!”But Asher wasn’t listening. His rage was immediate, boiling over at the mere suggestion that Antonio had hurt their mother. Without a word, he lunged at Antonio, slamming him against the wall. The air left Antonio’s lungs as Asher’s fist connected with his st

A second encounter Antonio watched as the police cruiser, climbed onto the road. He had been quiet for a while then he decided to speak up, maybe this time the policemen would hear him out.“I don’t know those men!” Antonio started. “You’ve got the wrong guy! I was just—”“Save it,” the cop in the passenger seat muttered without turning around. “We’ve heard it all before. You think you’re the first guy to claim innocence when we catch you with illegal goods?”“I’m telling you the truth,” Antonio insisted, his heart pounding. “I didn’t even know what was in that package. I was just following instructions. I don’t have anything to do with them.”The cop driving scoffed. “Yeah, and I’m the Pope. We’ll sort it out at the station.”Antonio’s stomach twisted into knots. He knew it didn’t matter what he said—they had already made up their minds.When they arrived at the station, Antonio was booked and processed without much ceremony. The metal cuffs bit into his wrists, leaving red marks