CHAPTER ONE

A tray of empty wine glasses was delicately balanced in Jason's hands as he glided smoothly among the partygoers while wearing a sharp black waiter's outfit.

The visitors mixed and spoke while donning their best gear in the lavishly decorated space. Grandpa Hastings' one-year memorial celebration was marked with a sombre yet lavish gathering.

Jason's demeanour radiated humility as he gathered the visitors' empty wine glasses. He was aware of his role in this gathering—serving the illustrious Hastings family, his inlaws. He quickly scanned the space to make sure he didn't overlook any glasses that needed to be cleared.

He moved to the kitchen with practised precision, intending to put the glasses in the dishwasher. His mother-in-law, Mrs. Julia Hastings, rushed into the room with an air of extravagance, breaking up his peaceful moment.

She was dressed in an exquisite gown with lavish embroidery that highlighted her position.

"What on earth do you think you're doing?" As Julia observed how the wine glasses were arranged on Jason's tray, her shrill, condemning voice pierced the air. "In the Hastings family, these glasses have been handed down from generation to generation. The likes of you are not to treat them casually."

Jason apologised sincerely but nervously as his shoulders slumped. "I apologise, Mrs. Hastings. It won't occur once again."

Unimpressed by his apologies, Julia rolled her eyes. "You simply don't comprehend, do you? Although I imagine someone like you, someone so... impoverished, wouldn't understand their value, these items are important to our family."

She then turned on her heel and left the kitchen, allowing Jason to continue working while silently pondering the implications of her comments and attempting to retain his cool in the face of her snobbery.

Jason couldn't help but linger in front of the enormous photo of Grandpa Hastings that was hung on the wall in the lavish corridor that was next to the busy kitchen. The opulence of the artwork perfectly described the character of a guy who had played a significant role in Jason's life. His thoughts wandered back to the moment his life had completely changed.

He remembered the terrifying car crash, the tyre screeching, the smashing of glass and the desperate pleas for assistance. Grandpa Hastings was on the verge of death when Jason arrived just in time. His life had been changed forever by that heroic deed. 

Grandpa Hastings had raised him from his humble existence as a mechanic as payment for his heroic deed and had given him the priceless gift of his granddaughter Alison's hand in marriage.

Love, humour, and the welcoming atmosphere of the Hastings family had characterised the first two years of their marriage.

They had been kind to him, and Jason had developed a strong affection for Alison. He had faith that their love would triumph over anything just like a storybook kind of love.

But when Grandpa Hastings passed away, that enchanted chapter came to an abrupt end. It had sadly become obvious that the family's goodwill had been a façade, a deception kept up for the patriarch's sake. 

The once friendly and loving, Julia, Alison, and Eric, Alison's brother, have now shown their real selves. Without Grandpa Hastings to keep the family together, they had turned on Jason, treating him like a worthless servant, heaping on the duties, and hurling insults at him nonstop.

Jason couldn't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia for those priceless first two years. He couldn't leave because of how much he loved Alison and he believed one day she and her family will treat him better.

Alison's brother Eric interrupted Jason's daydream about Grandpa Hastings by snapping his fingers furiously and demanded his immediate attention. Jason's attention was briefly diverted from the painting and back to the present by Eric's abrupt interruption.

Jason answered, his voice tinged with fear for Eric. "What can I do for you?"

With a tone of disdain, Eric told Jason to take care of their visitors right now. He said, "Get some champagne and serve it for the important guests at the high table."

Jason complied quickly after nodding and moved to the top table where the notable guests were sitting. 

A cheeky toddler at the table put out his leg as Jason started to steadily pour the champagne, leading Jason to misstep and accidently splash champagne upon one of the guests, a well-dressed woman.

The woman's instant response was everything but calm. Jason winced and groaned in agony as a result of her hand fan being swatted at him viciously with. When people in the area noticed the spectacle, the woman began to insult Jason with her voice rising to a ferocious crescendo.

Julia entered the scene with a harsh demeanour after becoming aware of the disturbance. She asked, her voice like a razor in the tension, "What's going on here?" 

Jason tried to explain the situation to Julia even though the terrible sting to his head was still bothering him. He remarked with a shaky voice, "I'm really sorry, Mrs. Hastings. A mishap happened. The child..."

He started to say something, but Julia cut him off before he could continue. She went to the woman who had been drenched in champagne, "Madam, what happened here?" she said. Her expression was covered with worry.

She curtly replied, "Your waiter spilled champagne on me," still clearly displeased.

Julia's expression shifted to one of remorse as she spoke to the agitated guest. "I apologise for the inconvenience, Madam. I'll handle it by myself. Please accept my apologies."

Julia forcefully grabbed Jason's elbow as she turned her head back to face him. Her tone was one of contempt. "You, Jason, are a worthless person, she snarled between clenched teeth. Attend to the other visitors at the back and remain there. You can't possibly sit at the high table. Avoid creating any more messes."

Jason felt smaller and more ashamed than ever when Julia let go of his elbow with an exaggerated roll of her eyes and walked away.

Jason, relegated to the back of the room, tended to the other guests in silence, feeling a mixture of irritation and humiliation.

Each particular of the terrible incident with the champagne spill became more imprinted in his mind as he couldn't help but mentally replay it.

Jason was interrupted from the din of talk and the clinking of cutlery by the fast sound of a fork tapping on a wine glass. He turned to face Julia who was seated at the head of the high table. Her powerful presence quieted the room as all eyes were on her.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention, please," Julia remarked in a voice that echoed across the whole room.

Jason was intrigued and joined the others in the room in listening intently to Julia's statements. Unaware of the upcoming discovery that would shortly destabilise the evening's already tense mood, the audience leaned in to hear the announcement as it was about to be made.

With all eyes on her, Julia began to speak, her voice a combination of gratitude and nostalgia. "Thank you all for coming here to remember the one-year memory of my wonderful father, Grandpa Hastings," she added in a thankful though melancholy tone.

"As many of you know, my father was a remarkable man," Julia continued, diverting her gaze a moment later as she recalled her father and the enjoyable moments they spent together. "He was a kind man who loved his family dearly. His wisdom and counsel had a profound effect on all of us."

As Julia continued her address, her tone took an unexpected turn, and a glint of excitement danced in her eyes. "But today, as we gather to remember my father, I'm also delighted to share a special announcement," she declared, her voice now filled with anticipation.

A wave of enthusiasm rippled through the crowd, and guests exchanged curious glances, eager to hear what news Julia had in store. Jason, too, joined in the collective cheer, his curiosity piqued.

However, as the words left Julia's lips, and she revealed the "special union" that would soon grace her family, Jason's initial enthusiasm faltered. "I'm proud to announce a child of mine would be getting married soon." she said with a wide grin.

Thoughts raced through Jason's mind about how the Hastings family had kept him in the dark about important family matters. The fact that Eric was getting married was news to him, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of hurt at the exclusion.

Despite his mixed emotions, Jason attempted to offer a congratulatory smile to Eric, who, in response, rolled his eyes dismissively, dashing any hopes of a warm exchange.

Jason realized that, in the eyes of the Hastings family, he remained an outsider, and he reluctantly kept his congratulations to himself, concealing the sting of exclusion as he continued to listen to Julia's announcement.

The revelation that had everyone on edge was eventually delivered by Julia as the level of tension in the room increased. She called, "Come on in, honey," and to Jason's complete shock, Alison entered the room, a beauty in her red glittery gown.

As a wave of astonishment swept over him, Jason's heart appeared to miss a beat. He kept blinking his eyes as if attempting to get out of a strange dream. In anticipation of the revelation that had been growing throughout Julia's speech, the gathering had descended into an anxious quiet.

William Steele, who was sat next to Julia, was then announced by Julia. The audience cheered and applauded as he got up from his chair and gave Alison a hearty embrace.

Jason's eyes and ears were deafening. He felt deeply betrayed as the cheers and applause that filled the room.

A sharp pain developed in the pit of his stomach, and his heart fell like a weighted stone. Why did they say that? Alison, his beloved wife, was about to wed someone else.

As the weight of the knowledge descended upon him, the world around him became hazy.