RISING FROM THE ASHES : FROM PRISONER TO SHADOW TYRANT

THIS IS WHERE IT ENDS!

"Ethan." Jerome finally called out Ethan's name for the first time after he returned home, his voice calm yet carrying the authority of someone who had always believed himself superior.

"Since you obediently agreed to cancel the engagement, you don’t have to feel this as a loss... In return, you may ask for whatever you want." 

The room fell into deep silence.

Charlie’s fingers tightened around the edge of the chair, his heartbeat grew loud in his ears. "What will he ask for? Money? Shares? Forgiveness? Everything belongs to me, he can’t take anything, I can't let him take advantage of this situation." 

Ethan stood quietly, his back straight, and his gaze fixed on the marble floor, as he reminded himself silently, "Don’t expect anything. This house isn’t mine. There’s no place for me here, I’m just an exiled heir."

Then finally he lifted his eyes to take a look at people who were closest yet distant in his heart.

"I want nothing," he said calmly. "Just do me one favor." 

Sally scoffed instantly as soon as Ethan said those words. "Favor? Aren’t you too shameless? After everything you’ve done, you still dare to ask for something in return?"

"Brother," Charlie stepped closer to Ethan, "don't be like this, we all are family, why are you treating this as a business transaction? Did our parents ever say no to you? What do you even mean by favour when they literally did a lot for you?" 

Hailey shook her head with disgust. "At least Charlie is a sensible child in this house, I truly don’t understand how I gave birth to such a white-eyed wolf... What sin have I committed to deserve a monster like you as my son?"

Jerome, who was fed up over continuous chattering, just raised a hand. "Let him speak." 

Since he was given an opportunity to speak, Ethan parted his lips, voice was steady. "This is where it ends, I want to end everything today and now itself, I want to cut off all ties." 

The words hit the air like a blade, everyone froze in shock.

They had thought he would bargain for their forgiveness or cling for their attention, but instead he asked for separation as if he was too eager to leave them.

"What new drama is this?" Sally sneered, totally not believing that someone like Ethan would cut off ties with them. "If you think this will get our attention...." 

"Is it really that hard to break off ties with me? Isn't it what you all wanted?"  Ethan asked quietly. "Then, what's stopping you?" 

Hailey slammed her palm against the table. "Who do you think you're to speak like that?" 

Charlie hurried forward, his face filled with false worry. "Brother, even if you're angry you're not supposed to say such things to your family, mom and dad love you a lot, they were just angry, so they spoke like that earlier, just apologise, and everything will be fine." 

"Mom... Dad," he looked towards Hailey and Jerome pretending to be supportive towards Ethan, "brother is just upset and speaking nonsense, please don't mind him, I'll apologise instead of him...." 

He dropped to his knees and pleaded. "Please forgive my brother."

"Charlie," Sally rushed towards Charlie with a worried face, "what's this? Why are you apologising for that ungrateful idiot? Stand up." 

Hailey was deeply concerned, "Charlie, please stand up, you don't have to do this for him." 

Sally and Jenny forced him to stand up, Hailey frowned at Ethan, "now are you happy? After making your younger brother kneel for you, are you satisfied?" 

"How can he be satisfied, mom?" Sally rolled her eyes, "When has he ever allowed a happy occasion to remain happy? Every single time, he creates a mess and ruins our mood, now also he is playing the same trick to ruin Charlie's birthday party." 

While Sally and Hailey were busy scolding Ethan, Charlie decided to add fuel to things, "brother, if you don't like it, I'll not celebrate my birthday today, I'll just give up on it.... But please don't make our parents sad." 

Ethan gave a small, bitter smile. "They must be happy to finally let go of a stain like me, why do you think they'll be sad to let me go?" 

Charlie looked happy since Ethan is stubborn to break off everything and leave, "yes... Do it like this only, and you'll be thrown out, later I'll be the sole heir of this Carvendish family, while you'll be left with nothing!" 

Jerome’s eyes darkened at both Ethan's words and behaviour. "Being an elder brother you've to be sensible Ethan, but you're childish and petty, being jealous of Charlie all the time when he loves you the most... Do you really think you can threaten us with what you've said earlier?" 

"That is not a threat, Mr. Jerome Carvendish," Ethan said coldly. "That is the truth... Let’s end it." 

"How dare you?" Jerome barked in anger, and warned, "no matter what, since you're my son, I’m giving you one last chance, apologise to your brother, I'll pretend I never heard you saying that, and you can still be a part of this family." 

"No, thank you." 

Sally folded her arms with a sigh. "Dad, don’t waste your time on this arrogant man, if he really wants to go, let him go, he is nothing but an eyesore." 

Jerome stared at Ethan for a long moment before nodding. "Fine, let's do as you wish, but don't regret it later." 

Hailey turned away in contempt, "From today, I will pretend I never had a son like you." 

"I’m glad," Sally laughed coldly, "Finally, we’re getting rid of a pest like you from this house." 

Jerome took out his mobile and ordered through the call, "Bring the papers."

After a few minutes an assistant rushed in, placing a stack of documents on the table.

Jerome pushed them toward Ethan. "Sign it!" 

Jenny stepped forward in panic thinking Ethan was making the wrong decision in anger, "Ethan, wait..." 

Sally stopped her before Jenny could say anything as she was afraid that Jenny might change Ethan's mind, "don't stop him Jenny, let him do it, when he realizes that he is a worthless piece of shit, he'll crawl back himself, then he'll never dare to be arrogant anymore."

"Brother, please don't do it...." 

Charlie cried out, while inside he silently wished, "sign it fast and leave, you bastard!" 

Ethan picked up the pen. There was no hesitation, no regret, only relief.

He signed calmly, then, placed the papers down, and turned to leave.

Jerome’s voice followed him. "From now on, you have nothing to do with the Carvendish family." 

Ethan paused for a second, then he smiled faintly. "Did I ever have anything to do with the Carvendish family?"