The City Is Mine

Benjamin Carter stood in the grand living room of the Harper mansion, his shoulders sagging beneath Evelyn Harper’s cold, unblinking stare. The room smelled faintly of lavender and old money, a constant reminder of how out of place he looked in his worn shirt and battered shoes.

Evelyn, Amelia’s mother, stood with her arms crossed, her sharp features twisted in disdain. “You’re a disgrace, Benjamin. A live-in son-in-law who can’t even afford a decent meal. Why Amelia married you, I’ll never fathom.” 

Her voice cut through the room, and the maids nearby hid smirks behind their hands.

Amelia Harper, his wife of three years, lounged on the velvet sofa, her manicured nails tapping her phone. “Mother’s right. You’re an embarrassment, Benjamin. I’m one step away from filing for divorce.” Her tone was cold, her eyes barely meeting his. Benjamin clenched his fists, his jaw tight, but he nodded silently. Divorce threats were as routine as the morning coffee he brewed for the family.

He hadn’t chosen this life. Old Master Harper, Amelia’s grandfather, had arranged the marriage. No one knew why. He’d died soon after, leaving Benjamin stuck in this big house full of cold eyes and harsh words.

“Before dinner, clean the kitchen,” Evelyn snapped. She tossed a rag at him. It hit his chest and slid to the floor. “And don’t touch my crystal glasses. You’ll break them with those clumsy hands.”

Benjamin bent down, picked up the rag, and held it tight. He felt something stir in his chest, something he hadn’t felt in a long time. It faded just as fast.

From the dining room, laughter floated in. Amelia’s cousin Marcus was home from overseas, showing off his expensive watch and fake smile.

“Hey, Carter!” Marcus shouted. He strolled into the kitchen doorway, wine glass in hand. “Still here? Thought Amelia would’ve dumped you by now.”

Benjamin turned back to the sink. Hot water burned his hands as he scrubbed a pot.

“Don’t ignore me,” Marcus said, his grin sharp. “Look at you—washing dishes like a servant. Maybe next week you’ll mop the driveway too.”

Benjamin didn’t answer. He stared at the soapy water and tried not to think about the small box hidden under his bed. He hadn’t touched it in years. He’d almost forgotten what was inside—almost.

Evelyn’s heels clacked across the marble. She appeared behind Marcus, arms crossed. “You’re too slow, Benjamin! Useless as always.”

“Mother, please,” Amelia called lazily from the living room. “Don’t waste your breath. He’ll never change.”

“Listen to your wife,” Marcus said. He stepped closer, swirling his wine. “You should just leave, Carter. Crawl back to whatever gutter you came from.”

Benjamin lifted the pot from the sink. His knuckles were white. He set it down carefully.

“One month,” he said.

The words came out before he could stop them.

Evelyn frowned. “What did you say?”

Benjamin turned. His voice was low but steady. “Give me one month. Don’t talk about divorce. Not yet.”

Evelyn threw back her head and laughed. “One month to do what? Get a real job? Learn how to be a man?”

Marcus snorted. “Or win the lottery, maybe?”

Amelia finally looked up. She studied Benjamin for a moment, her blue eyes cold but curious. “Fine,” she said slowly. “One month. But if nothing changes, I’m filing for divorce.”

Marcus leaned close, his breath heavy with wine. “You think you can impress us, Carter? You’re nothing.”

He threw his empty glass into the sink. It cracked against a plate. Evelyn shrieked. “You idiot! That was Venetian crystal!”

“Not my fault,” Benjamin said. His voice was calm. “Maybe Marcus should learn to aim.”

Marcus stared at him. For a second, his smirk slipped. Then he laughed and stormed out.

Evelyn glared at Benjamin like he’d ruined her life. “You’ll pay for that glass.”

Benjamin didn’t answer. He dried his hands and left the kitchen.

Late that night, he lay on his narrow bed in the guest room. The ceiling was cracked above him. He’d fixed it once—Evelyn had yelled at him for doing it wrong.

He sat up and reached under the bed. His hand brushed cold wood. He pulled out the small box.

It was old and carved with swirling lines. He traced the patterns with his thumb. Old Master Harper had given it to him on his wedding day. “Keep it safe,” the old man had said, his eyes sharp even on his deathbed. “You’ll know when to open it.”

Benjamin had locked it away and forgotten it. He’d wanted a normal life. No secrets, no strange family history.

But the box was warm in his hands now, like it was waiting.

He popped the tiny lock open. Inside lay a piece of jade, smooth and green, shaped like a pendant. Next to it was a folded letter.

Benjamin picked up the pendant. It felt cold at first—then warmer the longer he held it. He turned it over and over. A tiny dragon was carved into the stone, its tail coiled.

He unfolded the letter. The paper was yellowed, the ink faded but clear.

*“Benjamin, this is your key. You are more than you and they know. More than you remember. When the time comes, you must decide if you will stay hidden… or awaken.”*

He read the lines twice. They didn’t make sense. He felt like they were half a puzzle, the other pieces buried in his head somewhere.

A memory tugged at him—his mother’s voice, years ago. Something about a clan, enemies, power. He’d blocked it all out when he lost her. He’d wanted to forget.

Now he couldn’t.

He set the letter down and looked at the pendant again. For a second, he thought he saw it glow faintly in the moonlight.

Benjamin tucked it back into the box and closed it. Not yet. Not tonight.

But soon.

At breakfast the next morning, Benjamin moved differently. He stood straighter. His eyes didn’t dart to the floor when Evelyn spoke.

She noticed. “What’s with you today?” she snapped. “Don’t think a new attitude changes anything.”

She shoved a list at him. “Clean the garage. Polish my silver. Pick up my dry cleaning.”

Benjamin nodded once. “Alright.”

At the table, Amelia scrolled her phone. Marcus lounged beside her, smirking.

Marcus flicked a napkin onto the floor. “Pick that up for me, Carter.”

Benjamin bent to pick it up but didn’t look away from Marcus’s eyes as he did. Marcus shifted in his seat, uncomfortable for the first time.

Amelia lowered her phone. She watched Benjamin like she’d never seen him before. “What’s gotten into you?” she asked, half mocking, half curious.

“Nothing,” Benjamin said. But there was an edge in his voice that hadn’t been there before.

He slid the box open just enough to glimpse the jade pendant and the old letter inside. Then he shut it again with a soft click and slipped it back under his bed as dawn crept in. It felt heavier than it should. He didn’t know exactly what he’d do with it. Not yet.