Chapter 1

In the heart of the city lay an enclave. It was a place where opulence and luxury intertwined to create a haven for the affluent and influential. 

   Welcome to the gilded realm of Glendalton. Where every home was a work of art.

Standing out like a vibrant brushstroke against a backdrop of muted hues, Billion Everest could be seen.

Billion had on a mismatched ensemble, his clothing bore signs of wear and tear. On his feet, he had on worn-out sneakers with visible scuffs and worn soles.

To an onlooker, Billion had lost his way and stumbled into Glendalton, but that wasn't the case, he lived there.

With a slight slump in his shoulders and a weariness etched upon his face, Billion walked home.

Though he didn't want to return, he had to return to Stella Brown, his wife.

To the outside world, Billion and Stella were in love. However, that was far from the reality and that was the reason Billion did not wish to return.

He and Stella had met in college, it wasn't love at first sight, but eventually, fate had brought them together and not long after they graduated, they got married.

Billion was known as an orphan and was only able to attend that prestigious university on scholarship.

Stella on the other hand, was the only daughter to the respected lawyer, Joshua Brown and his wife, Beauty Brown.

Stella's parents were the ones who had sponsored the wedding after much pleading from her.

Billion was aware, from the moment that he met Mr and Mrs Brown, that they did not like him and this was due to his poor background. However, due to his love for Stella, he chose to overlook their attitude towards him.

…

Finally, Billion arrived home. Home was the mini mansion of the Brown family.

As Billion entered the house, he found himself face to face with his mother-in-law. As he took in her appearance, he noticed a subtle change in her facial expressions that immediately alerted him to her anger. 

"Good evening mother." He managed to say. However, he didn't get a response, Beauty Brown just kept on staring at him and he was too scared to walk away.

"Good evening mother." He repeated.

"Where have you been!?". She demanded

Billion was taken aback by her question. She knew exactly where he had been because she had sent him on the errand.

However, not wanting to anger her further by not replying, he said "I went to deliver the invitations you asked me to.

"Billion, that was hours ago. How long does it take to distribute a couple of invitations to our friends who live in glendalton?". Beauty asked

"Mother, you asked me to make sure the invitations got to everyone and that was what caused the delay.

Some people weren't at home and I was asked to wait for them to return. Also, I had no money with me, so I had to walk". Billion explained

"You had to walk". Beauty repeated "I see. Billion, are you cheating on my daughter?". She asked, her voice calm and calculated

Billion's face turned pale as she asked that question. 

"What? Cheating? Mother, how can you even think that? I would never do such a thing!". Billion said

"Oh, don't try to play innocent with me, Billion. You were gone for hours! What else am I supposed to think?". Beauty asked, crossing her arms

"But there's a logical explanation for that and I just told you. I swear, I never cheated on your daughter or anyone else for that matter." Billion explained

"Your explanation sounds like a convenient excuse and I find it hard to believe." Beauty replied

"I would never betray your daughter's trust". Billion said

"Good. Stella deserves someone who is committed and faithful. And I'm glad even someone as wretched as you understands that". Beauty responded

Billion thinking the conversation was over, tried to leave.

"Are you leaving already?". Beauty asked softly

Billion turned, surprised, thinking the conversation had concluded. He took a step backward.

"Oh, I thought you were done talking. Sorry, Mother". He apologized

"Did you manage to distribute all the invitations I gave you?" She asked.

Billion's eyes widened slightly, realizing he had forgotten something important.

"Oh, I distributed almost all of them. There's just one left with me. It was a small oversight. But I can get it to them tomorrow. I'm sorry mother". Billion apologized

Beauty's frustration boiled over, and her voice became harsh.

"Of course, it's just a small oversight, Billion." She replied sarcastically

"What would I expect from someone as useless as you? This party is important to me, and you better not ruin it with your incompetence!". She yelled

Billion's face fell, hurt by Beauty's harsh words. He took a deep breath, his voice calm but tinged with a hint of sadness.

"I understand that this party is important to you, mother. I apologize for any inconvenience caused. I'll make sure to rectify the situation." He replied

Beauty's eyes narrowed further, but she seemed slightly satisfied by Billion's response. She took a step back, giving him a curt nod.

"See that it doesn't, Billion. This party needs to be perfect and I won't tolerate any further mistakes. You wouldn't want what happened to you at the last party to happen again now, do you?". Beauty asked menacingly

The mere mention of the last party they had held sent a shiver down his spine.

"Understood, Mother. I'll do my best to make sure everything goes smoothly." He replied, his voice shaking with fear

Beauty turned away, her attention already shifting to the next task at hand. 

…

It was the D-day.

   Billion appeared exhausted due to the long hours he had spent preparing for the party.

He freshened up, searched for his only suit, slipped into it and rushed downstairs.

As he swung the doors of the elegant hall open, a breathtaking sight unfolded before his eyes.

Together, the guests created a scene of timeless beauty and refined taste. Billion was able to spot Beauty and he made his way toward her.

However, the moment she noticed Billion walking towards her, she shot him a disdainful glare and proceeded to briskly depart.

"Can I have everyone's attention please?". A baritone voice called out from the center of the hall. It was Joshua Brown.

His imposing figure clad in a tuxedo commanded attention. His tall and robust frame seemed to emanate an air of authority, accentuated by his commanding presence. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests" he continued, his voice resonating round the room

"Tonight, as I stand before you, I am filled with immense gratitude and joy. 

Billion did not wish to listen to his father-in-law give a hypocritical speech, so, he decided to get a glass of water for himself.

On his way to the kitchen, Billion heard voices coming out from his father-in-law's study. It was a moaning sound.

Billion wanted to continue on his way but he heard the sound again and this time, he recognized the voice clearly.

With his heart beating fast, Billion quickly pushed the study door open and the scene before him made his heart ache.

His wife was in the arms of another man and they were kissing. The man had one hand around Stella's waist and the other was in between her legs.

"Stella!" Billion called out.

The sound made his wife and her lover break free from each other's grip.

"How could you do this to me?". Billion asked, his voice laced with pain.

"How could she do what to you?". Stella's lover asked. Billion recognized him, he was Chris Harvey, son to a friend of the Brown family, he was also super rich.

"Billion, this is more complicated than you think. Also, I do not owe you an explanation, go back to the party". Stella said.

Billion couldn't believe it, she didn't even try to apologize.

"You are such a shameless man Chris, how could you go after another man's wife?". Billion asked

"Watch your mouth! Chris is more important to me and my family than you would ever be!" Stella yelled.

"You heard her, loser. You are an unimportant nobody, now get lost. Stella and I aren't done yet". Chris said and returned kissing Stella.

Billion felt thoroughly humiliated; he couldn't watch it any longer, so he ran back into the hall only to collide with a lady carrying a glass of red wine.

The impact of their collision caused the lady to stumble, her hand slipping from the glass she was holding. As gravity took over, the wine cascaded from the glass and drenched her outfit, leaving a deep red stain that spread quickly.

"Are you blind!?". She exclaimed

Billion's heart raced erratically in his chest, pounding against his ribcage like a caged bird desperate to escape. 

Apart from catching his wife cheating, this party was sure to end up like the last one. Billion closed his eyes and wished for death.