The Rejected Son-In-Law Is A Reincarnated God

009

Downtown Chicago – Private Elevator, 77th Floor

Jason stood in the mirrored elevator, his hands in his coat pockets, staring at his reflection.

There was something different about his eyes now, they were Sharper and Older.

“Avery Cross,” he repeated under his breath.

Tech mogul. Billionaire reclusive. Rose out of nowhere five years ago, just as certain digital currencies started vanishing without trace.

The doors slid open with a soft chime.

The penthouse looked nothing like what he expected. No chrome or minimalism. Instead it was silk drapes, velvet armchairs, and an odd warmth that didn’t feel like money. It felt… ancient.

And then she stepped into view.

The Goddess in Black Silk

Avery Cross was stunning in a way that didn’t belong in this century. She wore a high-collared black silk blouse that clung like smoke, her jet-black hair tied back in a waterfall twist. No jewelry. No shoes.

Just presence.

She smiled like a cat who knew where every mouse was hiding.

“You’ve caused a storm, Mr. Carter,” she purred, “Time to harness it.”

Jason didn’t move. “Let’s cut the riddles.”

“Oh, but riddles are the first language of gods,” she said, walking to the glass wall overlooking the skyline. “Surely you remember?”

Jason’s jaw twitched.

She turned.

“You don’t have to fight anymore. Not in alleyways. Not with mortal pride. Join me. I’ll restore what was taken. Power. Memory. Even your throne—rebuilt.” She smiled with dazzling eyes.

Jason crossed his arms. “What’s the catch?”

Avery smiled wider, stepping closer.

“Let go of the past. Emily, Your mortal anchors. They tie you to weakness, not strength.”

Jason flinched slightly—barely.

But she saw it.

“She betrayed you. The child was a trap. You know this.”

“Even your own pantheon abandoned you.”

She was close now, very close.

“Walk forward,” she whispered, “Not backward.”

Jason wanted to laugh. He almost did.

It would be easy, he thought.

To step over the line. Forget everything. Become what she’s offering: pure power. Which was clean and Merciless.

But then he remembered Emily’s eyes, just before the wedding.

The quiet apology she never got to say.

The pendant glowing on her pillow.

The alleyway prophet’s warning.

And he stepped back.

Magic Versus System

Avery’s expression didn’t falter. She simply lifted her hand.

Golden glyphs spiraled in the air. Images flickered—Jason at the altar, in prison, Emily weeping, Brandon grinning as signatures were forged.

“I see all threads,” Avery murmured. “All your pain, stretched out like a tapestry. I could burn it clean for you.”

Jason raised his hand without a word.

And the System responded.

A sharp hum split the air. A semi-transparent, angular barrier unfolded from his palm—System-coded. It hissed like fire against her magic.

The holograms fizzled and died.

Avery took a step back.

“Interesting,” she murmured. “You’ve reconnected to the Core.”

Her voice had lost its lilt. Now it carried a slight edge—like steel beneath silk.

The Revelation

She turned from him, walked to the window, then paused.

“You think you’re saving her, don’t you? Emily. The unborn child.”

Jason stiffened.

“You think love is your redemption. But you forget, War God—your curse wasn’t just wrath.”

She turned around slowly.

“It was inheritance.”

A moment passed in absolute silence.

“The child doesn’t just carry your heirship… She carries your curse.”

Jason’s breath locked in his chest.

The air changed.

The room dimmed, just slightly, like light no longer obeyed.

Cliffhanger – The System Glitches

Then the System’s voice broke through.

System Prompt (distorted, echoing):

“Divine Conflict Detected… Paradox Loop… Activated…”

The room flickered. Jason’s vision blurred—reality stuttered like a corrupt video file.

For half a second, Avery’s form glitched—her shadow stretching unnaturally, her eyes glowing silver, not human.

Then it stabilized.

She smiled again, sweetly, as if nothing had changed.

Jason stood still, fists clenched.

“She’s not just a goddess…”

“She’s a threat from the old war.”

The System chimed one last time.

System Alert: Trial 5 Approaching – Alignment Unknown.