4 Rejection And Ridicule

The car screeched as the driver pressed the brakes, bringing it to a halt in front of Austin's flat. Well, his former flat.

Releasing a long breath, Austin opened the door, but Rebecca's voice stopped him.

''Do you want me to come along with you?'' She asked, her soft voice filled with sincere worry.

Turning back to meet her gaze, they both exchanged eye contact for a brief second before Austin shook his head.

''That won't be necessary,'' he said, slamming the door.

Knowing what awaited him inside, he didn't want outsiders to see the kind of humiliation he suffered daily.

Most especially the people from his father's den. They wouldn't let him have peace of mind afterwards. And with the new plans in his head, he couldn't allow such embarrassment to repeat itself.

Letting out a sigh, Austin shrugged, as he strode into the all-familiar flat. Taking a sharp turn from the courtyard, he walked into the sitting room, but he soon paused in his tracks.

There, he saw Alicia, his mother-in-law, enjoying all life could offer her on the dining table.

As soon as she saw him, though, the cup of wine in her hands froze mid-air. Likewise, her hands tightened on the fork in her hands, that dug right through the sizzling plate of mutton before her.

''What is this lich doing in my flat again.'' She banged the table, dropping the cup of wine in her hands.

''Your gut and clinginess are way out of this world, such level of shamelessness, huh?'' Alicia's eyes turned bloodshot with rage, as she rose to her feet.

''I thought Lana said she had this under control, or haven't you received the divorce papers yet?'' Alicia pointed at Austin with the fork, her face wrinkling with every passing second.

''So you knew all along?'' Austin asked, biting his lower lips.

''And what about it?'' Alicia harrumphed, her face painted with disdain.

''Fine, I just came here to discuss a few things with my wife,'' Austin replied, stressing his last word.

''Your wife? Hahaha, don't be ridiculous, young man, and erase yourself this minute.'' Alicia pushed the chair behind her, her gaze not leaving Austin.

''Perhaps I have to break it to you in the language you understand better… my daughter doesn't need a poor rat like you, she has moved on already with her new life, so young man.''

''You-'' Austin wanted to snap back in defence, but he soon stopped mid-sentence.

He and Alicia both turned in the direction of the door, making the latter smile as she saw the approaching duo.

Upon seeing Lana and the other man he caught her with several minutes ago, Austin fell into silence, as an awkward atmosphere filled the room.

''What are you doing here, when we're divorced already?'' Lana frowned, her eyes glinting with displeasure.

''I haven't signed the papers yet.'' Austin retorted with knitted brows.

''You're such a pest, huh? A mud that sticks to the shoe, no matter how much you try to remove it.'' The man with a tall frame flashed a smile at Austin.

However, his cold stares said otherwise. And if looks could kill, Austin felt he would've been buried in the earth by now.

''Umm, my in-law, he's just a stain that'll be wiped off in no time, please make yourself comfortable.'' Alicia flashed her teeth as she offered Marcus, Lana's new lover, a seat.

Smiling in return, Marcus sat on the brown sofa, welcoming Lana who sat beside him, melting in his embrace.

Seeing that everyone had been found where to sit, except him, Austin also walked forward to sit, since he still had something to say.

However, just as he was about to sit…

Bang!

A middle-aged man from nowhere slammed the table, his bellows, echoing in the living room.

''What made you think that you're qualified to sit here?'' The man snapped.

''F-father?'' Austin stuttered, seeing his father-in-law appear.

''Swallow that word, I can never give birth to a dirt like you.'' Matthew blurted out.

''Now do yourself a favour and disappear forever from my sight,'' Matthew said, his fingers pointing at the door.

''See Lana we need to talk, if it's money, I'll get it very soon.''

''I know they're putting you up to this, you still love me, don't you? I'll get that money, you just give me a little-''

''You mean money from the delivery shit?'' Lana rolled her eyes.

''I'm afraid, even that is no longer available. He's as jobless as you can imagine.'' Marcus chided in, showering Lana with kisses here and there.

Gulping, Austin clenched his fist as suppressed rage coursed through his veins.

''Now leave young man before we call the police.'' Alicia pointed the fork in her hands once more at Austin.

Realizing that his effort had gone down the drain, Austin could only grit his teeth, swallowing the humiliation as he walked towards the door.

Stepping out of the flat, Austin froze, hearing what Matthew, his supposed father-in-law, said.

''Hmph, even if that failure laboured for the next fifty years, he still can't amount to Mr Marcus' shoes.''