The Hidden Billionaire’s Final Goodbye

1. The Useless Son-in-Law

The Anderson mansion was glowing with golden lights when Lucas finally arrived home.

After spending nearly twelve hours delivering packages across the city, his back ached, his shoulders felt stiff, and his hands were rough from carrying heavy boxes. The cheap sneakers he wore were covered in dust, and his faded delivery uniform clung to his body beneath the evening heat.

He parked his battered motorcycle near the servants' entrance. For a moment, he simply sat there, staring at the magnificent mansion. Through the tall windows, he could see people dressed in expensive suits and elegant evening gowns. Crystal chandeliers illuminated the dining room, while the sound of laughter and clinking glasses drifted into the night.

*Another family dinner.*

Lucas sighed. He had almost forgotten about it.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. A message from Amelia appeared on the screen:

> Don't embarrass me tonight.

Lucas stared at the words for several seconds, then slipped his phone away. He had grown accustomed to such messages. After three years of marriage, he had learned that his presence was often considered an inconvenience to the Anderson family. Still, Amelia was his wife. And this was his home. At least, that was what he kept telling himself.

Lucas walked toward the front entrance. The moment he stepped inside, a servant hurried toward him.

"Mr. Lucas, you're finally back."

"Is dinner already being served?"

The servant glanced toward the dining room. "Yes, sir. Mr. Anderson has several important guests tonight."

Lucas nodded. "I'll wash up and join them."

Before he could take another step, a sharp voice cut through the hallway. "Join them?"

Richard Anderson stood near the dining room entrance, holding a glass of wine. His silver hair was neatly combed, and his tailored suit made him look every bit the wealthy businessman he was. His eyes traveled down Lucas's worn-out uniform, and a mocking smile appeared on his face.

"Look at this. Our son-in-law has finally returned from his glorious career."

Several guests turned toward them. Lucas lowered his head slightly. "Good evening, Father."

Richard laughed. "Good evening? You look like you've just crawled out of a warehouse."

A few guests chuckled. Lucas remained silent.

Richard took another sip of wine. "Tell me, Lucas. How many packages did you deliver today? A hundred? Two hundred? And how much did you earn?"

"Enough for my daily expenses," Lucas replied calmly.

"Your daily expenses?" Richard shook his head. "Three years ago, when Amelia married you, I thought you might eventually amount to something. I thought perhaps you had some hidden talent. Some ambition." He gestured toward Lucas's uniform. "But look at you now."

One of the guests leaned back in his chair, grinning. "Richard, you should be grateful. At least your son-in-law is hardworking."

"Hardworking?" Richard scoffed. "A donkey is hardworking, too. That doesn't make it a businessman."

The dining room erupted in laughter.

Lucas clenched his fingers briefly, then relaxed them. He had heard worse. Much worse.

"Enough standing there," Margaret Anderson said as she approached.

Amelia's mother wore a diamond necklace that sparkle beneath the chandelier. Her expression was one of irritation rather than concern. "Lucas, the guests need their drinks replenished. Go help the servants."

Lucas glanced toward the dining table. There was an empty chair beside Amelia. His wife sat elegantly in a pale blue dress, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. She looked beautiful, as always.

Their eyes met. For a brief moment, Lucas thought she might say something—perhaps tell her parents that he was her husband, or ask them to stop humiliating him.

Instead, Amelia looked away. Her lips tightened as she noticed the dirt on his shoes.

Lucas lowered his gaze. "Of course, Mother."

He turned toward the serving counter. A servant handed him a bottle of wine, and Lucas began moving around the table, filling the guests' glasses.

"Careful," Richard warned. "That bottle costs more than your entire month's salary."

Another round of laughter followed. Lucas continued pouring. He had learned that the easiest way to survive the Anderson household was to become invisible. Unfortunately, tonight's guests seemed determined to remind him that he was anything but.

A woman wearing a red evening gown glanced at Amelia. "Darling, I must say, you're remarkably patient."

Amelia frowned. "What do you mean?"

The woman tilted her head toward Lucas. "Being married to someone like him. I can't imagine it."

Her husband chuckled. "Come on, honey. Don't be rude."

"I'm not being rude. I'm being honest." The woman smiled at Amelia. "You're beautiful, educated, and the daughter of Richard Anderson. You could have married anyone." She paused. "And yet, you chose a delivery man?"

Amelia's face flushed. "Lucas has his own qualities."

The response was so quiet that barely anyone heard it.

Richard raised an eyebrow. "His qualities? Which ones?"

Amelia looked down at her plate.

The woman laughed softly. "Oh, darling. Don't tell me you're still defending him."

"I'm not defending him," Amelia muttered. Her eyes flickered toward Lucas. "I'm just saying..."

She stopped.

Lucas stood beside her, holding the wine bottle. He had heard every word. He waited—perhaps she would finish her sentence, perhaps she would tell them that she didn't regret marrying him.

But Amelia simply turned toward the woman. "Anyway, let's talk about something else."

Lucas felt something tighten in his chest. Not anger. Not even surprise. Just a familiar ache.

He placed the bottle on the table. "Would anyone like anything else?"

Richard waved him away. "Go bring the dessert. And make sure the coffee is prepared properly this time. We don't need another disaster."

"Yes, Father."

Lucas turned and walked toward the kitchen. Behind him, the conversation resumed, the laughter grew louder, and nobody noticed the way his shoulders had stiffened.

***

The dinner continued for another hour. Lucas spent most of it in the kitchen, helping the servants carry dishes and prepare coffee. He didn't complain. He didn't argue. He simply did what he was told.

By the time the guests began leaving, the mansion had grown quiet. Lucas was collecting the empty glasses when Margaret approached him.

"Lucas."

He looked up. "Yes, Mother?"

"Your father-in-law expects you to be more presentable next time."

Lucas glanced at his uniform. "I'll change before dinner next time."

"See that you do." Margaret paused. "And Lucas?"

"Yes?"

"Don't misunderstand your position in this family. Amelia married you despite your circumstances. You should be grateful."

Lucas nodded. "I understand."

Margaret studied him for a moment before turning away. Lucas remained standing beside the dining table, looking at the empty chair where he had hoped to sit earlier. Then he picked up the last glass.

***

It was nearly midnight when Lucas finally stepped outside. The mansion was quiet; Amelia had gone upstairs without saying a word to him.

Lucas sat on the stone bench near the garden, loosening the collar of his delivery uniform. His phone vibrated. An unfamiliar number appeared on the screen.

He answered, "Hello?"

A man's voice came through the line: "Sir."

Lucas straightened slightly. "Daniel."

"Sir, the payment for Anderson Corporation is due. Should we extend the financial support?"

Lucas gazed toward the mansion. The Anderson family had spent the entire evening humiliating him. Richard had mocked his profession, Margaret had treated him like a servant, and Amelia—his wife—had been ashamed of him.

For several seconds, Lucas said nothing. Then he spoke.

"Transfer as usual."

"Understood, sir."

The call ended. Lucas slipped his phone into his pocket. A gentle breeze swept through the garden. He stood, picked up his helmet, and walked toward his motorcycle.

Inside the mansion, the Anderson family was sleeping peacefully, unaware that the money keeping their empire alive had just been authorized by the man they considered worthless.

And Lucas?

He was still the useless son-in-law.

At least, for now.