The Belittled Lost Heir

Chapter 4

The invisible feeling

When Evening arrived Antonio stood by the window, his gaze fixed on the driveway where Lisa stood, adjusting her dress and fixing her hair before Brandon pulled up in a sleek, black car. 

Antonio felt a familiar ache settle in his chest as he watched Lisa walk toward the car, her laughter ringing out when she saw Brandon waiting for her. 

They exchanged a few words he couldn’t hear, and then she slipped into the passenger seat, the door closing behind her.

He had known he couldn’t stop her from going. He wasn’t foolish enough to think that she’d listen to him, especially when Brandon was involved. 

Still, watching her leave with another man, laughing and carefree, was a wound that seemed to deepen every time it happened.

“Antonio,” came a soft voice from behind him.

He turned to see Sherlyn, the cook, standing in the doorway. She had concerned look as she wiped her hands on her apron. 

She must have noticed him standing by the window for too long.

“Don’t worry yourself too much,” Sherlyn said gently, walking over to him. “It doesn’t help to keep watching like that. You’ll only hurt yourself more.”

Antonio sighed, his shoulders sagging. “I can’t help it, Sherlyn. I just—” He paused, struggling to find the right words. “I love her. I just wish Lisa could feel the same, even a little.”

Sherlyn’s expression softened. She reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I know you do, Antonio. But love can’t be forced. Sometimes… it’s just not returned the way we hope.”

Antonio nodded, though the words offered little comfort. 

He glanced back out the window, watching as Brandon’s car disappeared down the road. 

“It’s hard to watch her with him, Sherlyn. Like I don’t even exist in her life anymore.” He said.

Sherlyn sighed, giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze. “You’re a good man, Antonio. Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise. But maybe… maybe it’s time to think about what makes you happy, too.”

Antonio didn’t reply. He wasn’t sure what happiness looked like for him anymore, not in this house, not in this marriage. 

After a moment of silence, Sherlyn stepped back. “Come, you should rest. It’s been a long day.”

Antonio nodded numbly and excused himself, heading upstairs to his room. 

He undressed slowly, his mind weighed down by thoughts he couldn’t shake. 

As he lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, he wondered how much longer he could go on like this—loving someone who didn’t love him back.

***

The next morning, Antonio woke to the sound of high-pitched shrills echoing from downstairs. 

The commotion downstairs grew louder, pulling him from bed. He quickly threw on a shirt and headed downstairs to see what was happening.

When he reached the living room, he saw Lisa, her eyes bright with excitement, waving an invitation card in her hand as she circled her father, James Carter. 

She was practically bouncing on her feet, her voice filled with happiness as she spoke.

“Dad, can you believe it? We’ve been invited to ‘the’ gala! The most prestigious one in the whole town!” she exclaimed, shaking the invitation like it was a winning lottery ticket. “This is huge for our family.”

James chuckled. “I know, sweetheart. It’s a big deal. Everyone who’s anyone will be there.”

Lisa clapped her hands together, already spinning in circles as she rattled off ideas. 

“I need a new dress. Something stunning. Something that’ll make heads turn. Oh, what should I wear?”

As she rambled on about dresses and styles, her eyes landed on Antonio, who had been standing quietly near the doorway. She paused, as she raised an eyebrow at him.

“Antonio,” she said, in a fast tone. “you’re coming shopping with me today. I need to pick out something spectacular for the gala, and I need someone to carry all my things.”

Antonio nodded automatically, not bothering to protest. There was no point arguing with Lisa when she was in this kind of mood. She had already made up her mind, and nothing he said would change it.

A few hours later, Antonio found himself trailing behind Lisa at the shopping mall, his arms already weighed down with several bags of clothes, shoes, and accessories. 

Lisa darted from store to store, her energy boundless as she tried on dress after dress, each one more expensive than the last. 

Antonio followed in silence, his presence more like that of a shadow than a husband.

They had just stepped out of a high-end boutique when Lisa suddenly froze, her eyes lighting up as they locked onto someone across the mall.

“Brandon!” she called out.

Antonio’s stomach twisted as he turned and saw Brandon Hall approaching them, his signature smirk plastered on his face. 

Lisa rushed over to him, leaving Antonio standing awkwardly a few feet away, holding her bags.

“Lisa, darling,” Brandon greeted her, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “Shopping for the gala, I presume?”

Lisa beamed up at him. “Of course. I need to look perfect, don’t I?”

Brandon chuckled, his hand resting on her lower back as he led her toward one of the more exclusive boutiques.

“Definitely.” He added. “You don’t mind doing more shopping. I know a nice place where you’ll find more  dress.”

“That sounds nice.” She said following Brandon behind. 

Antonio followed at a distance, watching as Brandon guided Lisa into the store. 

He didn’t say anything as Brandon picked out a dress for her, his eyes sparkling with confidence as he told her it was “the one.” 

Lisa tried it on, and when she stepped out of the dressing room, Brandon didn’t hesitate to pull out his credit card and pay for it.

Afterward, Brandon finally acknowledged Antonio, 

“This,” Brandon said, gesturing to himself, “is how real men behave.”

Antonio’s jaw tightened, but he kept silent, his hands gripping the bags he was carrying.

Brandon turned back to Lisa with a charming smile. “How about we grab lunch? My treat, of course.”

Lisa smiled back at him, her eyes twinkling. “I’d love that.”

Then, without so much as a glance in Antonio’s direction, 

Lisa turned to look at him. “Antonio, take all my things back to the house, will you? We’ll be back later.”

The words stung, but Antonio said nothing. He simply nodded and gathered the bags, watching as Lisa and Brandon walked off together, laughing and chatting like he wasn’t even there.

As they disappeared into the crowd, Antonio stood there for a moment. He had never felt more invisible.