The Insurmountable Rise Of Ethan Watson

CHAPTER 5

The moment the doctor discharged Ethan, he ordered, "Let's go break the amazing news to Melissa and her family. I can't wait to see the look on their faces." He sounded delighted.

On the way to Graham's mansion, Ethan had a taste of wealth as he saw Beryl City in a new light from the Ferrari Monza SP1 he sat in. This was the first time that he sat in a luxurious car with the likelihood of it being his.

He had more appreciation for everything he saw and contemplated if this was a dream or if this would be his new life. He fantasized about vacations with Melissa and the respect he'll get from his in-laws whom he'll prove wrong for advising against his marriage with Melissa.

“We're here sir,” Tony said, interrupting Ethan's fantasies. 

Ethan looked through the car window to see a lineup of cars that he only ever saw when the Grahams hosted events in the mansion. Puzzled and wondering what they could be celebrating, he asked Tony to find the nearest space to park as there was no way to drive into the mansion.

 "I'll get down here. Find a parking area and wait for me." Ethan stated whilst getting out of the car before Tony drove off to find a parking space.

Upon Ethan's entry into the Mansion's gates, he noticed the sparkling lights that illuminated the drive-through. He could hear music blasting through the speakers. It wasn't anybody's birthday in the Graham family, so what could they be celebrating? With every step closer to the front door, his curiosity grew. 

As he walked through the massive front doors of the mansion, he wasn't prepared for the sight he was about to witness.

“Yes, I will marry you”, Melissa answered smiling from ear to ear with her fingers stretched in front of her as Jason slipped the engagement ring onto her finger and they sealed it with an intense kiss, almost forgetting the crowd that was there.

The crowd erupted in cheers, claps of admiration and joy jolting them back to reality. Congratulations were heard flying around from each corner towards the soon-to-be couple.

Ethan watched as she accepted it and joyfully kissed Jason. He scanned the room to see the faces of her family members, wondering why they weren't stopping her and they were all grinning, except Melissa's cousin, Sarah.

He was dumbfounded. His palms were sweaty at his sides, he couldn't believe his eyes. At some point, he thought he was having a bad dream so he had to wipe his eyes to be sure he was seeing clearly. 

"This can't be happening." He thought to himself as his heart was thumping so loudly that he felt he could hear it. 

He clenched his fists at his sides. The betrayal stung. He needed answers and he needed them now. He stormed towards the center of the living room where the newly engaged couple were standing and he punched Jason square in the face, pushing him away from Melissa as he turned to Melissa.

The room became silent with gasps and murmurs escaping from the guests. 

"What the f**k is going on here?" Ethan yelled, unable to control himself any longer.

He wasn't prepared for the next thing that happened.

Melissa glared at him with so much hatred before giving him a tight slap on the face and rushing over to Jason's side, "Jason, are you okay?"

Jason was still reeling from the shock while the waiters were trying to pick him off from the floor, to get him seated. Melissa stood up from Jason's side and asked Ethan, "Who do you think you are to crash my engagement party? Who even let you into this house? Those securities are surely going to lose their jobs now."

"What insolence? What gives you the right to barge into this house acting like a hoodlum?" Claire, Melissa's mother yelled at Ethan pointing at him.

"Security! Teach this hoodlum some manners and throw him out on the streets." Eric, Melissa's father commanded.

In no time, six hefty men with muscles that looked too big for the uniforms they were in, surrounded Ethan, towering over him.

"Melissa, are you going to stand there and watch me get beat up?" Ethan asked in surprise.

"Watch me!". Melissa said before dragging a seat to enjoy the view. 

Ethan took a few steps towards Melissa. He needed to talk to her to get to the bottom of this, but he was stopped by security. The guest's murmurs became louder

"He's so shameless. Who let him in?"

"He didn't even dress properly to come and stop the engagement party"

"What drama is this, this time around"

Tears pricked his eyes as he stared in disbelief and his voice shook as he asked the love of his life, “Mel, did our years of being together mean nothing to you? Do you not feel remorse?”

"What are you still waiting for? Teach this hoodlum a lesson already or you'll lose your jobs immediately" Eric said in a thundering voice towards the security.

They closed in on Ethan and started throwing punches and kicks but Ethan easily maneuvered his way around them and soon enough, they were all on the floor groaning in pain.

Everyone was surprised. Ethan had always been a calm and collected person and they had never seen him lose his temper. He didn't even look like he could kill a roach, talkless of taking down six hefty men. Ethan took some karate lessons while he stayed at the orphanage home, thankfully, his skills hadn't become rusty.

He walked towards Melissa and she stood up from where she sat. He approached her and tried to touch her but she flung his hands away. His emotions overwhelmed him and a teardrop escaped but he was quick enough to hide it.

He queried Melissa whilst staring at her, trying to find a glimpse of hope or love in her eyes, "Babe, you told me you'd never leave me for him. Why now? What happened that changed your mind? Was everything a lie? Did I do anything to upset you?”

"What's this pretense for? You made your decision without discussing it with me first and you have the nerve to come back here, playing the victim card, just because I've moved on? Hahaha, you can't possibly be serious. " Melissa seethed through her teeth.

"What pretense? Melissa, what are you talking about? Stop speaking in riddles and get straight to the point. How can you get engaged to another man and kiss him in front of everyone while we're legally married, aren't you ashamed of yourself?" Ethan asked in an agitated tone.

"Shame? You dare stand there to talk about shame, you coward? Do you want an explanation? Fine. Wait right there." Melissa said before making her way up the stairs to her room.

She came back holding some documents and stood face-to-face with Ethan. Ethan looked confused and asked, "What are these papers?"

Melissa threw the papers in his face and said with venom lacing her tone, "Divorce papers."