Chapter 2: Disdain

Gibson's heart was heavy as he gazed at Cynthia, the love of his life, sitting across from him with such coldness. He couldn't believe that this was how their marriage was ending, with a check on the table and no hope of reconciliation.

He remembered the first time he met Cynthia, her smile had lit up the room and his heart. He had fallen deeply in love with her, and over the years, their love had grown stronger. But now, it all seemed like it was for nothing.

As he picked up the check, he couldn't help but think about all the memories they had shared. The trips they had taken, the laughs they had shared, and the promises they had made to each other. It was all coming to an end.

His mind was racing, trying to find the right words to say to Cynthia, but he couldn't find any. He felt like he had lost the ability to communicate with her, and that was the saddest part of it all.

He glanced up at her, and her eyes were still fixed on her phone screen. It was like she didn't even care that they were ending their marriage. It hurt him to see her so cold and distant.

Gibson's thoughts drifted back to the beginning of their relationship, where they had promised to love each other unconditionally. 

It seemed like such a distant memory now, and he couldn't help but wonder where they had gone wrong.

He let out a sigh, feeling a mixture of sadness and resignation. This was it, their marriage was over, and there was no going back. 

He looked back up at Cynthia and saw the pain in her eyes. It was clear that this wasn't easy for her either.

"I'm going to miss you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Cynthia looked up from her phone and met his gaze. For a moment, Gibson thought he saw a flicker of emotion in her eyes, but then it was gone.

Gibson couldn't help but feel a pang of hurt at her indifference. They had been married for several years, and despite their differences, he still cared for her deeply. 

But it seemed that Cynthia had grown tired of him and was ready to move on.

It was almost like he was signing his divorce papers by picking up the check, Gibson couldn't help but wonder where things had gone wrong. 

They had started out so in love, but over the years it now seemed like they had grown apart. He had worked hard to try and make things work, but it seemed that it was all for nothing.

The silence in the room was deafening as Gibson finished staring down at the check. He picked up the check and turned to leave, feeling like a piece of his heart had been ripped out.

As he walked out of the villa, Gibson's mind was a jumble of emotions. He felt hurt, angry, and confused all at once. But most of all, he felt like something important had just left him. 

He had been so focused on trying to make things work with Cynthia that he had lost sight of who he was and what he wanted.

Meanwhile, the mother-in-law was in the living room, typing frantically on her phone. "I have found many good men for you, my dear," she said to her daughter Cynthia. 

"You should move on from this failed marriage and find someone who can make you happy."

But Cynthia acted coldly and told her mother that she didn't want to get married anytime soon. 

"I need to focus on my career," she said, her eyes fixed on the screen of her phone. "I don't have time for a relationship right now."

After her mother left the room, Cynthia sank down on her bed, feeling a strange mix of emotions. 

Seeing Gibson leave had made her feel as though something important had just left her life, but after years of hard work and dedication to her career, she had come to see him as an unnecessary distraction.

Just as Gibson was about to step onto the road, a man stopped him. It was Cynthia's brother, a notorious leech on the family who Gibson despised.

"What do you want?" Gibson asked, his tone laced with irritation.

The brother smirked at him. "I want my money back. One million dollars, to be exact," he said, his voice dripping with disdain.

Gibson felt a surge of anger rise up within him. He knew that the brother was nothing but a parasite on the family, always looking for ways to get his hands on their money.

"I don't owe you anything," Gibson replied, his voice cold and clipped.

The brother didn't back down. "Don't play dumb. You know exactly what I'm talking about. Give me the money now, or else," he said, his tone growing increasingly aggressive.

Gibson's heart was pounding with rage as he stared at the brother with a mix of disgust and disbelief. How could he even think of asking him for the money after everything they had done? The heaps of abuse, the endless insults, the constant belittling. 

Gibson had endured all of it silently, hoping that one day the brother would see him for who he truly was, not just a servant in the family's eyes.

But that day never came. And now, here he was, demanding money from him as if it was his right. Gibson's fists clenched tightly as he shook his head in disbelief. How could he be so heartless? So cruel?

As the brother lunged at him, Gibson's instincts kicked in. He was a survivor, always had been. He sidestepped the attack with ease and delivered a swift blow to the brother's stomach, sending him crashing to the ground with a thud.

For a moment, Gibson felt a sense of satisfaction wash over him as he watched the brother writhing in pain. But it was short-lived. 

He knew he had to get out of there before things got worse. He took out the check that his wife had given him and tore it into tiny pieces, throwing them at his brother's face with all the anger he could muster.

"Take your money and shove it. I never wanted it anyway," he spat, before turning on his heel and walking away, his heart heavy with a mix of anger, pain, and disappointment.

As he walked away, he could hear the brother's screams of rage, promising to get revenge. But Gibson knew that he couldn't stay there any longer. He had to move on, to start a new chapter in his life, away from the toxicity of that family.

As he left, he could hear the brother calling Cynthia and complaining, "Sis, that servant you kicked out of our family beat me badly!"