Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth

Dylan Grenville hummed softly as he arranged the last dish on the dining table.

It was their wedding anniversary, and Dylan had spent the day preparing the perfect dinner for his wife, Jane.

Dylan casually picked up his phone and noticed a message on it.

“Boss, the arrangement for investing one hundred million dollars in your wife's company is all set. We can sign the contract tomorrow.”

Dylan gave a faint smile and put down the phone with satisfaction.

He had been married to Jane for so many years, yet he had never revealed his true identity. However, he had been secretly helping Jane's company to grow rapidly. In just a few years, the market value of Jane's company had increased more than tenfold and was about to go public.

He also planned to take this opportunity to reveal his secret to Jane.

Dylan glanced at the clock. Nine p.m. Jane still hadn’t answered any of his calls.

He dialed her number again. The line rang, and rang, until her voicemail clicked on. He sighed, setting his phone down. The food grew cold as the minutes ticked by.

It was nearly midnight when the front door slammed open. Dylan looked up to see Jane staggering in, her heels clicking unevenly against the tiled floor. The sharp scent of alcohol followed her.

“Jane,” he began, keeping his tone steady. “I’ve been calling you since and you didn’t answer my calls.”

Jane waved him off impatiently, wobbling slightly as she kicked off her heels. “I was busy, Dylan. Do you think I have time to deal with your endless calls?”

“Today is our wedding anniversary,” Dylan said quietly. “Molly was waiting for you, she has been waiting for her beloved mother all evening. She made you a card.”

Jane rolled her eyes. “Wedding anniversary? Dylan, I’ve been working all day to get the company listed. Do you have any idea how important tonight was for me?”

“I do,” Dylan said evenly. “But Molly—”

“Stop talking about Molly!” Jane snapped. “You think everything revolves around this house, don’t you? Meanwhile, I’m out there fighting to make something of myself!”

Dylan took a deep breath. “The Nelson family is helping, aren’t they? They’ll ensure the company’s success.”

Jane froze, her drunken haze momentarily lifting. “How do you know about the Nelson family?”

Dylan didn’t answer, his expression unreadable.

The Nelson family was one of the wealthiest families in Silverpine city.

Three years ago, the Nelson family suddenly found Jane and established a close cooperation with her.

Jane was so flattered, but she didn’t know it was her useless husband’s order.

Jane’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t press further. Instead, her anger reignited. “You don’t get it, do you? Do you know what many successful men said to me at the banquet? ‘Why doesn’t such a successful woman have a real partner?’ They laughed at me, Dylan. Because of you.”

“Because of me?” Dylan asked quietly.

“Yes!” Jane exploded. “You’re a failure! A man who stays home, cooks, and takes care of a kid! If it weren’t for Molly, I’d never have been tied down to someone like you. My life would have been so much better!”

“So…You felt ashamed of me?”

Dylan’s gaze darkened, but he remained silent as Jane continued her tirade. He had seen through her true nature.

“You got me pregnant and ruined my future. I’ve worked so hard to get here, and you—you sit here playing house! Even this food you made—disgusting!” She picked up a plate and hurled it against the wall, the sound of shattering porcelain echoing through the room.

“I was too naive to marry you and give birth to Molly! You don’t even know what I want!”

“Then what do you want, Jane?” Dylan looked at Jane, a self-mocking smile played on his face.

“What do I want? I want a real man! Someone who can help me in my career, someone who can connect me with the Nelson family and get them to invest one hundred million dollars in me! Not some good-for-nothing who just stays at home taking care of the kids!” Jane shouted in disgust.

Watching the somewhat frantic Jane, Dylan gave a self-mocking smile.

Ever since her company started to do well, Jane's attitude towards Dylan had changed drastically.

Dylan looked at Jane, a hint of disappointment in his calm expression.

"Yeah, Jane. I'm just an ordinary person, only able to cook for you at home, take care of the kids... Is that also wrong? I heard you've been getting close to a man lately. Do you think he's the one who helped you get in touch with the Nelson family?"

Jane looked at Dylan impatiently, "If it's not him who helped me, are you saying it’s you? Who I get close to is none of your business. If it weren’t for you being useless, if you could help me get in touch with the Nelson family... Forget it, you wouldn't understand even if I told you!"

Dylan gave a bitter smile, "Jane... since we're already here, maybe it's time to end everything."

“What?” Jane froze mid-rage.

“Let’s get a divorce,” Dylan said simply.

Jane’s shock quickly turned to fury. “Oh, how convenient for you! You want to walk away just because things aren’t perfect? You’re the one who dragged me into this mess, and now you think you can leave? You’re irresponsible, Dylan!“

Dylan didn’t respond. Without another word, he turned and walked to the guest room, leaving Jane screaming in the living room.

“You’re a coward, Dylan! A useless, pathetic coward!” she screamed, smashing another dish. “You and Molly are the chains holding me back!”

Behind the closed door of the guest room, Dylan sat quietly on the edge of the bed. His heart ached, not for himself, but for Molly, who deserved so much more than this chaos. For the first time, he allowed himself to accept the truth: the woman he once loved no longer existed.

In the living room, Jane continued her rampage, breaking dish after dish, her screams filled with anger and pain. But Dylan didn’t hear her anymore. He had already made up his mind.