From Disgraced Son-In-Law to Billionaire King

Chapter 5: The Humiliation

“Isabella, sign the papers already. Everyone’s waiting.”

Her mother’s voice sliced through the room, making the murmurs of gathered relatives die down. Isabella kept her gaze fixed on the documents spread across the polished table, her fingers curled into her lap.

“I… I need a moment,” she whispered.

“A moment? Haven’t you wasted enough years on him?” one of her uncles scoffed. “This boy has given you nothing but embarrassment. Do what’s right for yourself. Come on!"

Cayden stepped forward from the corner, his throat is tight. “Isabella, please. Listen to me, not them. I know I’ve failed in many ways, but I’ve never stopped loving you. Just give me a chance to make things right."

A cousin chuckled. “Chance? You’ve had years, and all you’ve shown is that you’re fit to carry groceries and wash dishes. That’s not a husband, that’s a servant.”

“I don’t care what you think,” Cayden shot back, his eyes never leaving Isabella. “This is between me and my wife. Isabella, look at me. Do you really want to throw away everything we’ve been through because of their voices?” Her lips parted, but no words came.

“Don’t let his begging confuse you,” her father interrupted firmly. “We’ve all decided. Today, it ends. You deserve someone who can give you the life you should have had long ago. Something that this trash can't give you."

Cayden clenched his fists. “With respect, sir, it’s not your decision. It’s hers," he firmly said, not taking his sight away from her.

“Don’t you raise your voice in this house,” Mrs. Mortaine snapped. “You’ve lived under our roof, eaten our food, relied on our support, and now you dare argue? You have no place here anymore.”

“I stayed because of her,” Cayden answered, his voice breaking, now, he can't really hold all his emotions. “Not because of you. Everything I endured, I endured for Isabella.”

The relatives exchanged mocking glances, some laughing openly. “What romance,” one aunt sneered. “If you really loved her, why are you still poor? Love doesn’t feed families or pay bills.”

Before Cayden could answer, the heavy front door creaked open. Antonio strode in, dressed in a crisp suit, carrying a bouquet of fresh roses. The sight made the crowd stir with excitement.

“Perfect timing,” an aunt exclaimed. “Now here’s the man who truly suits Isabella.”

Antonio smirked, placing the flowers on the table directly in front of Isabella. “I couldn’t miss this occasion. Today marks Isabella’s freedom. Freedom from humiliation, from wasted years, from him.” He gestured toward Cayden like dismissing a stray dog.

Cayden’s jaw tightened. “Antonio, leave. This isn’t your place.”

“Oh, but it is,” Antonio replied smoothly. “Because when she signs those papers, she’ll finally be free to choose better. And I’ll be right here, waiting.”

Gasps and whispers filled the room. Several relatives clapped, some nodding approvingly.

“See, Isabella?” her cousin said eagerly. “You have someone ready to take care of you. Don’t look back. Just sign.”

Cayden moved closer, desperation flickering in his eyes. “Isabella, listen to your heart, not their noise. I know I’m not perfect, but everything I’ve done has been for you. Don’t let him replace me like I’m nothing.”

Antonio laughed. “Replace? You were never worthy to begin with. She deserves a man who can give her more than just promises. What have you ever given her except shame?”

“That’s enough!” Cayden snapped. His voice echoed through the room, but instead of silencing the room, it provoked louder jeers, and irritations.

“Don’t raise your tone here!” someone shouted.

“Sign it, Isabella!” another chimed.

The crowd began chanting in unison, their voices pounding against the walls. “Sign it! Sign it! Sign it!”

Isabella squeezed her eyes shut, her hands trembling.

“Please,” Cayden begged, his voice raw. “Just tell me. Do you still love me? If there’s even a part of you that does, don’t sign.”

The chanting grew louder. Antonio leaned down, his lips close to her ear. “End it now, Isabella. Don’t drag this out. Sign, and step into the life you deserve.”

Tears welled in her eyes as she stared at the pen lying beside the papers. For a moment, the room blurred, voices crashing into her ears. She glanced at Cayden, his face pale, and his eyes pleading, while both of his shoulders trembling with restrained hope.

Her chest rose and fell quickly. Then, slowly, her hand reached for the pen.

“No…” Cayden whispered, his knees weakening while watching her every move. “Don’t…”

The relatives fell silent, anticipation started to make the moment more tense. Every eye was locked on her as she pressed the pen to the paper. Her signature flowed across the line, ink sealing the finality of the moment.

Cheers erupted instantly. Some clapped, others laughed, their voices obviously sound's like a cruel triumph. “Finally!” someone shouted. “It’s done!”

Cayden stood frozen. The sound of their celebration heard hollowly in his ears. All he could see was her name scrawled in black, binding the end of everything he had fought for.

The papers were shoved toward him. “Take them,” Don Ricardo said coldly.

Cayden reached out, his hands trembling violently. His fingers brushed the edge of the documents before gripping them tightly. The weight of the papers felt heavier than stone, heavier than the world.

He looked at Isabella one last time. She wouldn’t meet his eyes. Her shoulders were stiff, and her lips were on a thin line as if holding back words she dared not speak.

His throat closed. No words could escape.

The relatives’ laughter filled the room again, their voices circling him like vultures around carrion. Antonio stood proudly at Isabella’s side, smirking with victory, his hand brushing lightly against her arm.

Cayden lowered his gaze to the papers, his vision turned blurry. His heart pounded, he felt both betrayal and loss. The signature glared up at him, sealing his humiliation.

And still, he couldn’t let go, not now...