The Legendary Martin Garvey

December 23rd, 7 p.m., at Willow Lane—one of the upper-middle-class neighborhoods in Havenport, the second largest city in Norvia.

“Everyone, sorry for keeping you waiting. Tonight’s dinner is something special I made just for you. Please enjoy.”

Martin Garvey rushed out of the kitchen, carrying a large pot that was still steaming with a delicious aroma. His smile spread wide across his face, glowing with pride and warmth.

Since they had to dine at the main Hayes residence tomorrow night, he decided to prepare a special meal tonight so they could enjoy something nice at home for once.

“Stop acting so dramatic and just serve it already!”

Slamming her hand on the table, Catherine Hayes—a woman in her late forties—glared at him sharply. For three long years, this useless man had lived under her roof, and aside from doing house chores and taking odd low-paying jobs outside, he had done nothing to make her proud.

“Have you forgotten that this food was bought with my money? God, at least have a little shame.”

Still, Martin only nodded. Without saying a word, he quietly ladled the soup into the bowls in front of them.

There were five people living in the house, yet only four bowls on the table. Martin, of course, wasn’t included.

“Quinn, I really don’t get it. Out of all the men who chased after you back then, why did you end up choosing this worthless man?”

Lucas Hayes, Catherine’s second child, gave Martin a mocking look as he spoke to his sister. From the very start, he had despised this man—and he never tried to hide it.

“Lucas, can’t you show Martin at least a little respect? He’s your brother-in-law, for heaven’s sake.”

A young woman in her early twenties, sitting across from him, shot the young man a cold glare.

“Martin has been doing all the housework for us, and he still works outside. There’s no reason for us not to appreciate him.”

“Works outside? For us?”

Lucas sneered and shook his head in disbelief.

“Quinn, have you completely lost your mind? What could a janitor like him possibly give us? Besides the shame and humiliation we keep receiving because of him, there’s nothing good to expect!”

Lucas’s jaw tightened. Pointing his finger at Martin, he looked as if he could snap at any moment. If not for his sister constantly holding him back, he would’ve kicked this parasite out long ago.

“Both of you, stop it.”

Catherine’s voice cut through the noise. She couldn’t stand her children bickering.

“Jonathan, why are you just sitting there? Say something to shut them up.”

The fifty-two-year-old man only let out a long sigh. His status as husband and father meant nothing in this house. Just like Martin, he was also a man living under his wife’s shadow.

Seeing her husband stay silent only made Catherine’s irritation boil over.

“This is all because of you. Get out of my sight.”

Catherine waved her hand dismissively at Martin without even glancing at him.

As usual, Martin simply nodded. He took a plate of food from the kitchen and walked toward a small table in the corner. For three years as their son-in-law, he had eaten alone every night, watching his wife and her family laugh and enjoy the meals he cooked.

But before he could even sit down, Catherine’s voice pierced his ears again.

“Hey! Who said you could sit there? Get out!”

Martin didn’t say a word. He simply obeyed, turning to leave as quietly as ever.

But before he could take another step ...

“And put that plate back on the table,” Catherine snapped. “There’s no dinner for you tonight.”

***

“Mom, is it really okay to let Martin go without dinner?”

As soon as her husband was out of sight, Quinn finally spoke up.

“No dinner for anyone who ruins my mood. Especially not for a man like him.”

Catherine’s tone was cold, and she didn’t even bother to glance at her daughter.

She looked completely indifferent—if that useless man were to die tonight, she would probably cheer rather than feel guilty.

“But what if he... gets sick?”

Worry was written all over Quinn’s face. Even though she had started to believe that marrying Martin three years ago might’ve been a mistake, her heart still couldn’t bear to see him treated so cruelly.

“Even if he dies, that’s none of my concern. Do you understand?”

Catherine’s sharp gaze locked on her daughter.

“From now on, there will be no more talk about that worthless man.”

Quinn lowered her head. When her mother spoke in that tone, there was nothing she could do.

After all, she lived under this roof and ate from her mother’s money. She really had no choice but to obey.

“Oh, right.”

A sudden smile curved on Catherine’s lips.

“My dear, I almost forgot. Ethan will be picking you up tomorrow morning. Make sure you look beautiful, alright?”

“Mom, what are you talking about? How many times do I have to tell you not to set me up like that? I don’t want your arranged dates or whatever this is. I’m married!”

“Quinn.”

Catherine’s eyes turned sharp. Her voice carried authority that filled the entire room.

“You got all of us kicked out of the main house because of that useless man, and I still forgave you. Tell me, when you struggled financially, who was the one who helped you? Me. I was the one who had to pay for everything—again and again.”

Quinn fell silent, unable to argue. Deep down, she knew her mother was right.

It was her fault for refusing the marriage arrangement set by Eleanor—the matriarch of the Hayes clan. Because of that, Jonathan’s family was cast out of the main residence.

“And now you expect me to just sit here and watch your worthless husband waste more of my money? No. I won’t let that happen.”

Catherine leaned back in her chair, her eyes fixed on the golden chandelier above them.

For the past three years, she had shouldered everything—bills, groceries, even the mortgage.

Martin? His salary as a hospital janitor, at the very same place Quinn worked, wasn’t even enough to buy a piece of cheap jewelry.

To Catherine, this modest life was already humiliating.

They were the Hayes family—people of status. Buying cheap things was beneath them. It was a disgrace to their name.

And Catherine Hayes would never allow that.

“But Mom…”

Quinn wanted to say more, but Lucas cut her off.

“Quinn, Mom’s right. How long are you going to keep that leech around?”

Lucas crossed his arms, trying to sound calm though his tone carried clear irritation.

“He’s the son-in-law of this family, yet he’s done nothing for us. If you keep defending him, you’re only prolonging our misery. You should find someone who can actually make you happy… someone who can take responsibility for this family.”

“About that…”

Quinn’s voice faltered. Her brother’s words hit her like a slap.

She knew they were right—but her heart wasn’t ready to admit it.

“Quinn, I’m sorry to say this,” Jonathan spoke softly, yet his tone was firm.

“But I agree with your mother and your brother. Maybe it’s time to start a new chapter—not just for us, but for your own happiness as well.”

Of all people, Jonathan had always been the only one who supported her—even when she chose to marry Martin instead of accepting Eleanor’s arranged match.

Now, even her father was saying it.

After a moment of silence, Quinn lowered her gaze deeply.

“I’ll… think about it.”

Her face was clouded with sadness.

“Good. You’ve made the right choice, my dear.”

With a soft smile that looked more like triumph, Catherine gently patted her daughter’s shoulder.

“With Ethan, we won’t have to rely on the main house anymore. We’ll reclaim our dignity… and the glory of this family. Soon.”

***

While the Jonathan family continued to discuss their plans for tomorrow, Martin sat quietly on the second-floor balcony, gazing up at the night sky.

Even though he had been denied dinner, he didn’t look troubled or angry. He had long grown used to the way his wife’s family treated him in this house.

Once, as a former commander of an elite unit, he would never have tolerated such humiliation. That was how he felt when he first moved in here.

But as time passed, he learned what it meant to live as a civilian — that some battles were better fought with a calm mind than with force.

Still, the serenity on his face gradually shifted into excitement as the night crept closer to midnight.

“Ah, fifteen more minutes!”

Martin exclaimed, eyes fixed on the old, worn wristwatch strapped to his arm.

Three years ago, when he returned from Belvaria — a Middle Eastern country where he had spent most of his life in brutal military service — he swore revenge on the Harrington clan, the ones responsible for destroying his parents’ lives.

But before he could act, his mentor had stopped him.

“Keep this watch as my parting gift. I want you to swear on your name — for three years, you will take no action. If you do, you won’t be disappointed by what you’ll see when the time comes.”

Bound by that oath, Martin buried his identity and his rage.

He endured every insult, every moment of being looked down upon.

But soon, that long wait would finally end.

“Ten more minutes!”

His eyes widened, and a grin began to spread across his face.

He had no idea what his mentor’s words truly meant, but whatever it was — he couldn’t wait to find out.

“One minute left! I can’t wait to see what this watch has to show me!”

One minute before midnight. After that, his vow would no longer bind him. He would finally be free to act as he wished.

“Three!”

He began to count down, eyes glued to the wall clock.

“Two!”

His heartbeat quickened.

“One!”

Ding—dong! Ding—dong! Ding—dong!

The clock downstairs struck twelve. At that exact moment, Martin’s long wait ended — the old wristwatch stopped ticking.

Behind its foggy glass, the rusty surface began to shift.

“Identifying owner. Please place your finger.”

A mechanical voice echoed from within the watch.

Martin did as instructed, pressing his thumb against its surface.

“Identifying owner. Please place your finger.”

“What? It’s not working? Is it asking for my mentor’s fingerprint instead?”

He frowned deeply. If that was true, it would mean traveling all the way back to Belvaria — an impossible task for now.

Still, he unclasped the strap and flipped the watch over to inspect the back.

As his thumb brushed against the metal plate, a faint click was heard.

“Mr. Martin Garvey, welcome to The Time.

All data you require has been safely stored.

As a starter, you are granted access to a balance of one trillion dollars, which you may now transfer to your account.”

“What? What did I just hear?”

Martin’s eyes widened in disbelief. Words failed him.

He wasn’t unfamiliar with large sums of money — but a trillion dollars, handed to him just like that? It was a dream too vivid to be real.

“Is this… real?”

Before he could process what had just happened, the sound of a door opening reached his ears.

A woman — young, beautiful, yet distant — stepped into the room. The same woman he had never touched, despite being married to her.

“Quinn!”

Martin exclaimed, his face lighting up.

“Come here. There’s something I want to tell you.”

He stood up, his voice full of excitement as he approached her.

“I… also have something to tell you,” Quinn replied softly, her tone weary and defeated.

Her eyes carried sadness — and a kind of quiet despair.

“Alright,” Martin said gently. “Go ahead. Tell me what you want to say.”

He always let his wife speak first. This time was no exception.

He didn’t want his excitement to overshadow her feelings.

“Martin…” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“Let’s get a divorce.”