2025-11-14 18:12:10The Harrison mansion was busy that afternoon.
Workers moved up and down, decorating the garden with lights and flowers. The smell of roasted meat filled the air.
It was Mrs. Harrison’s idea to host a party — a big one. She said it was to celebrate her nephew’s promotion, but everyone knew she had another reason.
She wanted to show off her family’s success. And of course, she wanted to remind Clara what a “mistake” she had made.
“Clara!” her mother shouted from the hallway. “Hurry and get dressed. Guests will start arriving soon.”
Clara adjusted her earrings in the mirror. “Mom, I’m ready.”
Her mother looked at Ryan, who was standing near the window in his simple shirt. “And you… I hope you at least know how to stay quiet tonight. Don’t embarrass us.”
Ryan smiled calmly. “I’ll try my best.”
“You should’ve stayed home,” she muttered.
---
The party began at sunset. Expensive cars filled the driveway.
Laughter, music, and the sound of wine glasses filled the air.
Clara’s cousin, **Eric**, the “successful nephew,” arrived wearing a shiny suit. He walked proudly to the center, smiling at everyone.
“Thank you all for coming,” Eric said loudly. “Tonight is not just my celebration. It’s proof that hard work pays off. Some of us chose the right path in life, and… some didn’t.”
His eyes moved toward Ryan.
People laughed politely. Clara felt her face burn, but Ryan stood still, calm as ever.
Eric smiled wider. “Hey, cousin Clara, where’s your husband working now? Still delivering packages? Maybe he can deliver drinks for us tonight!”
More laughter followed.
Clara’s mother tried to hide her smile. “Eric, behave,” she said softly — but she didn’t really mean it.
Ryan just smiled faintly. “Sure, I can help.”
He picked up a tray of drinks and began walking around, serving politely. The guests chuckled, whispering things like, “He really is just a delivery man,” and “What a shame.”
But Ryan didn’t seem to care. His calm eyes watched everyone, sharp and quiet.
---
Later that night, a loud commotion broke out at the gate.
Two security guards ran inside. “Mr. Harrison! There’s trouble outside! A group of men are trying to force their way in!”
The music stopped. Guests turned toward the entrance in fear.
Eric frowned. “Who are they?”
The guard panted. “They said someone here owes them money. They look dangerous.”
Panic spread quickly. Clara’s mother shouted, “Call the police!”
But before anyone could move, Ryan had already set down his tray.
“I’ll handle it,” he said quietly.
Eric laughed. “You? Handle it? What are you going to do, give them a package?”
Ryan didn’t answer. He walked straight to the gate.
---
Outside, five rough-looking men were shouting. “Tell that Eric guy to come out! He scammed us last month!”
Ryan stopped a few feet away. “You’re not welcome here.”
The biggest one stepped forward. “And who are you?”
Ryan’s voice stayed calm. “Someone you don’t want to fight.”
The man laughed. “Oh yeah? Let’s see what you’ve got!”
He swung his arm, but before anyone could blink, Ryan moved. A single step, a quick motion — and the man was on the ground, gasping for air.
The others froze.
Ryan’s eyes turned cold. “Leave. Now.”
They didn’t wait another second. They ran off into the night, leaving the guards speechless.
---
When Ryan returned, the party was silent. Everyone stared at him like they were seeing him for the first time.
Eric tried to laugh, but his voice shook. “You… you knew how to fight?”
Ryan shrugged. “A little.”
Clara’s mother blinked. “Who are you really?”
Ryan smiled. “Just a delivery man who doesn’t like noise.”
He walked past them calmly, picked up a glass of water, and sat down.
Clara stared at him, speechless. Her cousin’s mouth hung open.
No one said a word for the rest of the night.
---
Later, when the guests had gone, Clara’s mother whispered to herself,
“That useless man… what did I just see?”
And in his room, Ryan looked out the window, phone in hand.
A new message flashed on the screen:
**“Commander, your enemy has returned to the city.”**
Ryan’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“So, it begins again,” he murmured.
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Chapter 20-A Message Ryan Did Not Expect
Ryan woke up early the next morning. The house was quiet, and for once, he felt calm. He had slept well, and there was a strange sense of hope inside him, though he didn't know why.He sat outside on the small balcony, watching the neighbourhood slowly come alive. People were sweeping, opening their shops, and going about their lives. It reminded him how simple things used to be before he married into Clara’s family.He touched his chest lightly.“It will make sense one day,” he whispered to himself.Just then, his phone buzzed inside the room. Ryan frowned. Hardly anyone called him, and he wasn't expecting any message.He walked in and picked up the phone.The message came from an unknown number.*“Ryan, we need to talk.”*He stared at it for a moment. Something about the tone felt serious… urgent.Then another message came in.*“It’s about what happened years ago. You deserve to know the truth.”*Ryan’s fingers tightened around the phone. His breath became shallow. His mind rushed b
Chapter 19-The Suspicious Warning
The house felt tense the next morning. Clara moved around with a fake smile, pretending everything was normal. Eric wasn’t around, and no one asked where he went. Ava’s mother kept complaining about money, while Clara acted worried only when people were watching her.Ryan woke up early. He had barely slept, thinking about everything he had overheard the night before. Clara calling him useless wasn’t new, but the way Eric reacted… the way he looked scared… it bothered him. Something wasn’t right.He stepped outside to breathe fresh air. The compound was quiet. A stray chicken walked around the yard, pecking the ground as if it owned the place. Ryan sat on the small wooden bench beside the wall.Suddenly, Ava came outside slowly. She looked around first, making sure no one followed her.“Ryan,” she whispered.He looked up. “Yes?”She moved closer and lowered her voice even more.“I don’t want anyone to hear… but I think you should be careful.”Ryan stared at her. “Careful about what?”A
Chapter 18-A Small Change In the house
The next morning, the house felt strangely calm. For the first time in a long while, Ava’s mother did not shout Ryan’s name from the kitchen. Instead, she only called Ava to help her with breakfast. The absence of yelling made the house feel almost empty, and Ryan noticed the difference immediately.He stepped out of his small room, stretching slowly. He expected to hear Clara’s usual complaints or her mother’s sharp comments, but the air was quiet. Only the sound of plates clinking came from the kitchen.Ryan walked toward the sitting room and saw Ava arranging the chairs neatly. She looked up at him and gave a small nod—not a smile, not friendliness, just a normal greeting. But even that was new. Ava had never greeted him without her mother watching.“Good morning,” Ryan said calmly.“Morning,” Ava replied, then continued arranging the chairs.The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable. It simply felt strange… almost peaceful.A few minutes later, Ava’s mother came out of the kit
Chapter 17-Suspicion In The House
The morning started quietly, but the house did not feel peaceful. There was a strange heaviness in the air, like everyone was thinking their own thoughts and no one wanted to talk.Ava was in the kitchen washing plates. Her mind kept returning to the small argument Clara caused the night before. Clara had shouted at Ryan again, blaming him for things he didn’t even do. Ava didn’t say anything then, but she didn’t like it.As she rinsed a plate, she heard footsteps behind her. It was Clara’s mother.“That girl is getting too comfortable,” the older woman said quietly.Ava looked up. “Who?”“Clara,” her mother replied. “She came home last night angry for no reason. And she was saying nonsense about that cousin of hers, Eric.”Ava paused. “What nonsense?”Her mother leaned closer. “She said Eric will soon bring ‘good news.’ But I don’t trust that boy. He is too sneaky.”Ava agreed. Eric’s words, his forced smiles, his strange confidence—nothing about him felt clean.Before she could
Chapter 16-Clara's New Suspicion
Clara came home earlier than usual. The door opened with force, and her heels clicked sharply on the floor. Ava was washing plates in the kitchen when she heard the sound and felt her heart drop a little.Clara only made that kind of noise when she was upset.“Where is he?” Clara asked immediately.Ava wiped her hands and turned. “Who?”“Ryan.” Clara folded her arms. “Where is he? He didn’t pick my calls.”Ava hesitated. “He went out earlier. He came back tired and went to rest.”Clara frowned deeply. “Rest? Rest from what? It’s not like he works.” She shook her head and dropped her bag on the chair. “I don’t understand that man.”Ava kept quiet. She didn’t like the way Clara talked about him, but she didn’t want to start anything.Clara noticed her silence. “What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?”“I didn’t say anything.”“You don’t have to say anything,” Clara snapped. “Your face is loud enough.”Ava turned back to the plates. She didn’t want trouble.Then Clara’s voi
Chapter 15-Ryan's Quiet Promise
The house was calm that morning. The sun was soft, the kind that made everything look peaceful even when things were not. Clara had already left for work, and her mother was at a neighbor’s place. Only Ava and Ryan were at home.Ava sat at the small dining table, sorting the family’s bills. She sighed as she counted the money she made from the previous night’s extra shift. It still wasn’t enough. It never seemed enough.Ryan stepped out of the bedroom, his hair a little messy, wearing the same simple shirt he always wore at home. He paused when he saw Ava’s tired face.“Another bill?” he asked quietly.Ava didn’t look up. “Yes. They increased the electricity payment again. I don’t even know why.”Ryan walked closer. “Give it to me.”Ava looked at him then, confused. “For what?”“I’ll go and pay it.”She almost laughed, not to mock him, but because the words shocked her. “With what money, Ryan? I don’t want stress.”Ryan didn’t argue. He didn’t raise his voice. He only said, “Jus
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