From Disgraced Son-In-Law to Billionaire King

Chapter 1: Insult

“Pour more wine,” Don Ricardo said.

The table was long, and it was full of food. The family was sitting together. Cayden was standing with a wine bottle in his hand. His task was clear. He was the one pouring the drinks.

He moved slowly from one side of the table to the other. His head was slightly bowed. His body was stiff. He was careful not to spill a single drop because that would definitely result in a big embarrassment. The room was quiet except for the sound of glasses came by the number of richest business men. And for him, the silence was not peace, because it was full of judgment.

Don Ricardo, his father-in-law, was watching him. His eyes were narrowed and their voice was loud, seems like it's an intention for him to hear everything clearly.

“Yes, Father,” Cayden answered softly. He moved to the next glass.

The others at the table were not looking at him with kindness. Their eyes were heavy with mockery. Their faces were showing disdain. Isabella, his wife, was at the far end. She was quiet, while her eyes were on her plate. She was not defending him. She's not even trying.

Don Ricardo leaned back in his chair. He raised his glass after it was filled by him. And then, he spoke again, and his words were obviously harsh.

“This is the man you chose, Isabella. Look at him,” Don Ricardo said. “He is nothing. Antonio Villareal is a man of wealth. He is a man of respect. You could have married him. But you chose this man instead. He is a disgrace, not only for someone like you, but for our whole family!"

The words were heavy, especially when Cayden saw how the other relatives nodded. Some of them even laughed quietly. They were agreeing with Don Ricardo.

Cayden kept his head low. His face was tense, while his lips were pressed together. He wanted to speak, but he stayed silent. His pride was breaking, but he was holding it in, because he knows that it won't even change their treatment towards him, he's just 'nothimg' for them.

Marco, Isabella’s cousin, leaned back in his chair. He was smiling. His voice was playful, but it was cruel.

“Uncle, you are wrong. He is good at something,” Marco said. “He is good at serving. He is like a waiter, not a husband.”

The laughter grew louder. Everyone was enjoying the insult. Isabella did not open her mouth. She was still quiet. She was not defending him. She seems like watching how a movie will unfold.

Cayden’s hand was shaking, but he managed to set the bottle down. His jaw was tight, and his fists were closing at his side. He was holding back his anger, but he needs to control himself for bursting out, because he loves her.

Marco lifted his glass of wine. His eyes were on him. He tipped it slightly on purpose. The red wine spilled over the edge and dropped to the floor. It spread across the white marble, making Marco smirked.

“Oops,” Marco said. “Clean that up!"

The room was silent and the wine was spreading further. All eyes were on Cayden.

Cayden, did not move right away. His eyes were on the floor. His back was getting stiff.

Don Ricardo’s voice was louder now. “Go on. Do it! Or are you too proud for such a simple thing?”

Cayden bent down. His knees touched the cold floor. He reached for a cloth on the side table. He started wiping the red stain. His hand was steady and his face was expressionless. But inside, his chest was tight, it was burning in anger.

The silence of the room was broken by Marco’s laugh. It was short, but it was cruel. The others were looking at Cayden as if he was not one of them. To them, he was only a servant, someone they can just kick like dirty trash.

When the floor was clean, Leandro stood up. His knees felt heavy, but he still managed to stand tall. His hands were at his side, though his jaw was locked.

He just chose not to speak. as the dinner continued. The plates were being passed. The voices grew louder again. The relatives were talking about business and success. Some were laughing. But to Cayden, every sound was an insult. He was sitting quietly now, but his fists were still tight.

Don Ricardo raised his glass again. His tone was still mocking. “Isabella, your husband is patient. That is the only thing he is good at. He has no success, no money, no standing. But at least he can clean.”

The table laughed again. The sound was very insulting. Isabella kept her head down. She was silent, she knows that she can't say anything, because her father would slap her if she did so.

Cayden’s chest was burning, but he swallowed hard. His lips stayed shut, and his eyes were only on his plate, but he could not eat. He can feel the dryness of his throat.

He stood up after a while, excusing himself to pour more wine. His movements were automatic. His mind was heavy, as he walked past Isabella’s side.

She thought no one would hear her. Her voice was low. But it reached him clearly.

“Why did I marry such a useless man?...”

The words were plain. They were not shouted. But they were heavier than anything else he heard that night.

Cayden froze. His steps stopped. His chest felt tight. His breath was caught in his throat. It was as if the world had narrowed to this single moment, and he couldn’t decide whether to move closer or pull away. His head turned slowly toward her.

But Isabella was not looking at him. Her head was down. Her hand was holding her fork. She was acting as if she had not spoken anything.

Cayden stood there, unable to move. His eyes were full of pain, but no words came out. He just kept everything inside.

The laughter of the family continued in the background, but his ears were closed to it. Only Isabella’s whisper stayed in his mind.

Her words were clear. Her words were final. Isabella's words were breaking him more than all the insults from her family.

“Why did I marry such a useless man?...”

The dinner was still going, but for him, the world was silent for him. The night was ending, but his pain was just the beginning.