From Grass to Grace, he rose

4. A dangerous lie

Alexander was at work as usual, still lost in thought but this time, his brother-in-law, Carter, chose to grace the whole place with his presence by storming into his workplace.

"What did you do to Angelica?" he demanded, his voice filled with anger. "She's been crying her eyes out. You son of a bitch! You made her cry."

Alexander was taken aback by his accusations. He knew that Angelica had been struggling recently, but he had no idea that she had been crying. And he certainly hadn't done anything to make her cry.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said, trying to keep his cool. "I haven't done anything to hurt Angelica. In fact, I've been trying to help her as much as I can. If she's upset, it's not because of me."

"That's not what she said," He shook his head. "She told me you slapped her today just because she asked you to get her some shoes online. What kind of husband are you if you won't even satisfy your own wife? And how dare you lay your filthy hands on her?"

Alexander felt like he was being backed into a corner, and he didn't know how to respond. He didn't want to make things worse by arguing with his brother in-law, but he also didn't want to be accused of something he hadn't done.

"I would never lay my hands on my wife," he said. "I know I'm not perfect, but I'm trying to be a good husband for her. Why would Angelica say something like that?"

Carter, however, was not convinced. He still believed that Alexander did what his sister had accused him of, and he was determined to make him pay. He stormed out of the premises, fuming with anger but not without promising to make him pay.

The same day at work, Alexander's workplace went flaming with rumors about him. How Alexander was unable to provide for his own wife and also about him hitting his wife. Some of his co-workers were sympathetic, but others seemed to relish in the drama. Alexander felt like a worthless man, and he felt so miserable too.

He tried calling Angelica over the phone but she chose to ignore picking up the call.

Deciding to ask her about these things when he gets home, he continued his work.

His boss at work ended up so angry at him for the rumours spreading about him. He would have been fired from work were it not for his pleadings and the recent client that loved his work.

After a stressful day at work, he showered at the bathroom meant for the workers to get rid of the smell of grease and engine oil on him. He didn't want Angelica getting any more disgusted with him. She hated his line of work but what can he do? It's where he gets little money from to sustain them. Without the job, he's nothing but a useless fool.

Unfortunately for him, on his way to the bus station, he was attacked. The alley was dark and had few people walking there at that time. He had been the only one who finished late from work because of several interruptions here and there. His colleagues already went home before him.

He couldn't yet see his attacker but he felt someone jab him in his sides.

They kept beating him up. He tried his best at fighting them off but they were so many. The small change he had on him was taken and even the leftover snacks he had from work today was taken.

And then he caught a glimpse of Carter from the corner of his wounded and now swollen left eye.

"Carter" he managed to call out.

"I told you I would make you pay, didn't I?" Carter smirked

"But I told you I was innocent. I would never hit your sister" Alexander said, wincing from the pain in his mouth.

Blood dripped from his face and mouth.

"You liar! If you don't shut up, I'll have them beat you some more. Listen good and listen clear"

"Because you married my sister and now living off of us doesn't give you the right to touch my sister. Whatever she asks of you, do anything to give it to her even if it means to sell your soul for it." Carter said without emotion

He continued "After all, what did she marry you for? What's a husband's duty and obligation? I was very much ready to pick her suitor for her but she had to choose a nonentity like you" Carter sneered, shooting him a disgusting look

"You are such a loser who can't go out there looking for a better job other than in a small shop filled with dirty tools and customers with their rusty cars. You're worthless"

Alexander balled his fist by his side, taking it all in. He knew they hated him before he got married to her.

In his mind, he vowed to rent a house far away from theirs so he can have peace away from them. They are too toxic to call family. He's very much an orphan who is trying to fend for himself and his wife.

Is it bad that he chased after love first before making it big? Before they brainwash his wife any further, he would have to get her far away from them

"Keeping quiet, I see. This should be the last warning. Make my sister cry and I'll destroy your limbs"

They left him there on the road in pain.

Gathering the things left of him, he limped towards the bus station.

Thankfully there was some money in his hand all this while, so he waited for the bus for a while and when it came, he gathered his broken self and went into it. He used his hoodie to cover his battered up face.

He didn't want any attention on him whatsoever.

On the drive home, he began to wonder what had caused his wife to lie, not knowing his wife was out in the night cheating on him with another man at the moment.