I hated this night. Every year, the family held a banquet, all shiny dresses, loud laughter, and fake smiles. And every year, I felt smaller than a bug. I stepped into the grand hall, trying to act confident. My tie was straight. My shirt was clean. But none of that mattered. I knew what everyone really thought of me. “Daniel, hurry! Pass the drinks, will you?” my mother-in-law called, waving her hand like I was a servant. Her voice had that sharp edge, the kind that cuts deeper than any knife. I swallowed. “Yes… right away.” My hands shook slightly as I took the silver tray. I could feel their eyes on me. Not a single friendly one. Just amusement, judgment, and… pity. I made my way to the table where my wife, Linda, sat. She was laughing at something her friends said. She had the perfect smile and a perfect hairdo to grace the occasion. And she looked at me for a second, a small smile twisting her lips. But it wasn’t a nice smile. It was one of those smiles that said, you are

I woke up the next morning feeling like my whole body had been crushed overnight. My head throbbed. My chest felt heavy. The memory of last night—Linda, the man, the contract—was stuck in my mind like a thorn I could not pull out.I still don't know where I went wrong in all of this or what I did to her to have deserved such a cruel fate. Was it a crime to love? I didn’t want to see anyone. I didn’t want to speak. I didn’t want to breathe in the same air as my wife or her family. But it was impossible. This family didn’t give me a choice.The door opened before I could even reach the kitchen. Linda’s mother was standing there. Her eyes were sharp, cold, like a hawk staring down its prey.“Daniel,” she said sweetly, but I knew that sweetness was just a mask for venom. “The family wants to see you.”At the mention of that word, my heart dropped. I wanted to refuse. I wanted to stay in my room, to hide from them, to disappear. But I knew better. Refusing would only make things worse

There is an adage that says, " When life beats you down, then you get up on your feet." This was not for me. Life has delt a great blow to me. I was not only down but I was weak. The cab that carried me stopped right in front of my wife's home. The taxi-driver was so kind to help me get into my wheelchair. " Thanks." I said with a bitter voice, my hand slowly clutching the reels of the irons. " You welcome, Mr. It is not the end of the world." he said with a soft smile. It was not. But it was the end of my life and even my marriage. I don't need to be told that. As I wheeled myself towards the family I called mine, I could hear the loud noise of music. Not just any music. Was that a party or a wedding preparations?My heart jumped. I panicked and that made me even wheeled faster. I got to the gate in time to see canopies here and there. White chairs being arranged in a lovely and orderly manner. The gate keeper saw me and he was shocked. " Mr Dan?" he called slowly. " We

Before I could say a word, the strange doctor had already inserted the syringe and was taking a sample of my blood. I said nothing but waited till he was done.“All done, Mr Dan. I will leave you to continue your conversation with Mr Donald,” he said and walked out.The room grew even more tense.I wheeled around to get a good angle of this old mystery man. “You want to tell me what that was all about?” I asked.He looked at me and smirked.“You don’t look dumb, Dan. I believe you are a smart man. Why don’t you do the guessing?” he said almost immediately.I watched him walk over to the wine shelf. He turned slightly. “Scotch?”“Water is fine,” I replied sharply.“You are going to need something more than water for what is coming next,” he said again.His words were making me jumpy, but still, I tried to calm my nerves.“Why am I really here?” I asked again.“Because he said you are my son,” he replied.This was where I felt lost.“You mean you are not sure if I am your son?” I asked

I was still in shock. It all happened to fast. The loud sound of the camera shutters and the way media's swarm across to take exclusive pictures. One of the reporters moved closer, " A question Mr Dan Donald." he said quickly shoving the microphone in my face. My guards looked at me and I nodded. " Ain't you married to Linda Sinclair? What happened between you two?" he asked I looked at him and back at the camera. "She thought I was useless. A thrash to be discarded but now, I am going to make her realise what she lost." I said with a grin. " Are you saying you are getting revenge against her family?" he asked again" No. I am going to make them pay for humiliating me. For making me feel worthless and for everything I had been through for the last ten years. They are going to feel my pain." Those were my last words before I got into the car and zoomed off into the night. I looked at my personal assistant who smiled. " You did good out there sir." she said with a smile. " Here i