Rise of the Sovereign: Wayne Stark

Chapter Two

Wayne walked hopelessly toward the home that Lena had received as a gift from her family’s business.

To the world, he was Lena’s husband. But in their two-plus years of marriage, Wayne had never once stood in front of her like a man and spoken to her directly. They were more like strangers, merely sharing a room. She took the bed. Wayne slept on the floor.

His steps were slow, head bowed in frustration. As if the sky shared his pain, the clouds darkened and it began to rain. Still, Wayne didn’t flinch. He just kept moving, soaked and weary, a whisper escaping his lips.

“Will I lose the only friend I’ve got left?”

David was a foreigner—Wayne met him four years ago, just after arriving in the country. They used to play piano and violin at the airport to earn change. David was a quiet soul, never revealing much about where he came from. Wayne never pushed him. He only listened to what David felt safe to share.

But now David was in an accident—and Wayne couldn’t even afford the deposit for his surgery.

Suddenly, Wayne noticed footsteps approaching along the quiet estate road. Before he could turn, an umbrella was lifted above his head.

To his shock, it was Lena.

He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came. His heart sank. He thought it was over. With Mr. Rafael gone, the family had no more use for him. They didn’t even offer him fake smiles anymore.

“Why are you walking in the rain?” Lena asked, breaking the silence, her eyes searching his.

“Come with me. Let’s go home.”

Wayne’s heart stuttered. Could she… actually care? No—it couldn’t be. But she’d never looked at him like this before.

He followed without a word, still visibly shaken.

Inside her small car, Lena kept her eyes on the road, then finally asked, “So, what do you need money for?”

Wayne hesitated. What was she up to now?

“I need to save my friend’s life. David—he was in an accident. I wasn’t trying to cause a scene at the burial…” he said quickly, recalling how she had seen him get slapped by Mrs. Manson. Her expression then was unreadable, but she had said nothing.

“It’s okay,” she replied softly, exhaling deeply.

The rest of the ride was quiet until they reached the house.

Lena led the way inside.

There, a young man was seated on the couch, laughing with Lena’s mother, Gift.

“Oh, here she comes!” Gift said cheerfully when Lena walked in.

“Lena, meet this handsome guy—just returned from abroad. The son of Mr. Arnold…” she began, but her smile faltered when Wayne stepped in behind her.

“Hi, I’m Peter Arnold. You know me, right?” the man said with a charming smile, extending a hand toward Lena.

The Arnolds were one of the city’s wealthiest families, owning a powerful food and beverage empire—more successful even than the Romanos, with a net worth over a billion dollars.

Gift had quickly hatched a plan once she learned Peter was interested in Lena, even after finding out she was married. He didn’t care. Especially once Gift told him the secret of Lena’s sudden marriage.

Peter’s lips curled as he scanned Lena from head to toe. She truly was a stunning woman—one any rich man would desire.

Lena hesitated, confused about why he was here. Then she politely extended her hand. “Oh, I’m Lena.”

“You’re beautiful,” Peter said bluntly. “I was just wondering how someone like you ended up with a pauper. But now that your mother explained it was more of a contract marriage, I get it. And now that your grandfather’s gone, I suppose you’re finally free to be with someone who can take care of you.”

Lena coughed awkwardly, glancing sideways at her mother. Gift’s smile sparkled like a chandelier.

Peter continued, “Don’t worry. I’ll give you time to settle things with your—” He stopped when he noticed Wayne, still standing silently.

“You must be Wayne Stark.”

No response. Wayne stood like a statue.

“I heard Mrs. Romanos said you’re leaving the family. You’ve leeched on them for two years, and now it’s time to move on, right?” Peter grinned.

Wayne’s gaze was unreadable, but something in it unsettled Peter.

“Why are you staring? Got something to say? If you cross the line, I’ll beat you like a dog.”

Gift laughed, as if Peter were joking—but he wasn’t.

“Please, can you leave now?” Lena said to Peter, polite but clearly uncomfortable.

“Oh sure, princess. I understand. I’ll check on you again soon.”

On his way out, he paused by Wayne. “Hey Wayne, if you ever need a job cleaning toilets—though that’s probably a stretch—I can hook you up at my father’s company.” He rolled up his sleeve to flash a $500,000 watch.

Wayne didn’t flinch. He simply stared at him, emotionless.

Once they were alone, Lena turned to him. “I’ll help you. Don’t tell my mom.” She smiled faintly.

Wayne blinked. Why the sudden kindness? Was something else going on?

“Thank you, Lena,” he said softly.

She handed him her card. “There’s $300,000 on it. Use it to save your friend. And get yourself some decent clothes—I don’t like how people look down on you. It affects me too.”

Just then, Gift entered the room again, this time with a man in a sharp suit holding an envelope.

“Hi, didn’t get a chance to greet you earlier,” the man said, extending a hand to Wayne.

Wayne’s chest tightened. Was this it? Were they about to divorce him?

“Sir, ma’am,” the man said, “these are your divorce papers.”

“What?” Lena’s voice cracked in surprise.

Her mother frowned. “Wayne, did you know about this? Did you want a divorce?” Lena asked.

Before he could answer, Gift jumped in. “What does it matter? Your grandma wants us to move forward. She called me today—said you need to divorce Wayne if we want to stay in power. Otherwise, we’re done.”

Lena’s eyes burned. “Why does everyone keep making decisions for me?”

Gift glared. “Are you planning to stay with this loser? I’m your mother—I know what’s best for you.”

“Let me see the papers,” Wayne said quietly.

He scanned them. “A pen?”

Everyone froze. Even Gift seemed stunned that he might actually sign.

“You’re really going to sign it?” Lena asked, wide-eyed.

“What else should I do? Isn’t this what you all wanted? I was just a tool for your family’s return to power.”

“Hey! Watch your mouth, you jerk!” Gift snapped. “We’ve carried your burden long enough.”

Wayne remained stoic. He placed Lena’s card gently on the table beside the papers, picked up the pen—

Bzzzt bzzzt

His phone rang. He checked it—and froze.

“What?” he shouted.

Everyone stared.

“I need to go. I’ll sign it when I’m back,” he said, rushing out before Gift could stop him.

At the hospital, Wayne burst through the entrance.

“Please—I’m here for David, admitted this morning,” he said breathlessly to a nurse.

“Oh, you’re Mr. Wayne Stark,” the nurse said, gesturing politely.

“The VIP Room—number 13,” she added with a courteous smile.

VIP? That word caught Wayne off guard. He hadn’t even paid for the surgery yet, and still, he’d received a call saying the operation was successful. His friend would be awake in a few hours after some rest.

“Sorry,” Wayne asked, curiosity edging into his voice, “why is he in a VIP room?”

“A man came earlier,” she replied, still smiling sweetly. “He said to move your friend there. He mentioned his name was Zack… and that you’re his master.”

Wayne blinked, unsettled, the urge to see his friend momentarily overridden by confusion.

Master? What the hell?

Brushing off the thought, he gave a small nod and made his way toward Room 13.

Inside, David lay peacefully. The color in his face had returned, his breathing steady. He looked perfectly fine.

A genuine smile crept onto Wayne’s lips—so different from the forced ones he wore every day. He exhaled deeply, finally letting go of the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

But then the nurse’s words echoed in his mind.

Wait… did she say someone called me his master? Or did I just imagine that?