The invincible Tony Clark

chapter 1- A gift for you

"Tony, could you come to the living room? I have a gift for you."

Tony Clark paused mid-step on the staircase, his hand tightening around the wooden railing.

Vivian’s voice floated up from below, sweet and light almost too sweet. He hadn't heard her speak to him that gently in months, maybe even a year.

"Coming," he called back, his heart lifting despite himself.

Hurrying back to the cramped room at the far end of the second floor—the space the Clark family had grudgingly exiled him to after his first year of marriage—he reached beneath his narrow bed and pulled out a small wrapped box.

He had spent weeks saving for it, quietly skimming a few dollars at a time from the grocery money Vivian’s mother threw at him.

Tucked inside the box was a delicate glass globe holding a miniature man and woman standing side by side, frozen in time.

Tonight wasn't just Vivian’s birthday; it was their third wedding anniversary. Three years since she had said yes in a quiet courthouse ceremony, back when she still looked at him with something other than contempt.

Adjusting his worn shirt and smoothing down his hair, Tony headed downstairs, clutching the gift closer.

The living room was packed.

Vivian had invited what looked like half the city colleagues from her company, distant relatives, and glossy friends Tony had never met.

Overhead, crystal chandeliers blazed, casting golden light across trays of champagne and tables laden with expensive hors d'oeuvres. Surrounded by tailored suits, silk gowns, and designer heels, Tony felt like a stain on the carpet in his faded jeans and secondhand button-down.

At the center of the crowd stood Vivian, dressed in a red dress that hugged every curve. Her dark hair cascaded over one shoulder, her smile dazzling as she held court among her guests.

When she spotted Tony approaching, that smile widened.

"There you are," she called out, loud enough to draw the room's attention. Extending a long, flat box wrapped in gleaming silver paper, she added, "Happy anniversary, Tony."

Startled by the public gesture, Tony blinked as the surrounding chatter died down, the guests sensing a spectacle. He stepped forward, offering his own small box with both hands.

"Happy birthday, Vivian," he said softly, though his voice barely carried. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of his mother-in-law, Margaret Clark, standing near the fireplace. Her face was twisted in disgust, her lips curled as though she had caught a whiff of rotting garbage. Swallowing the lump in his throat, Tony looked back at his wife. "To the most beautiful woman in my life."

Vivian accepted the box with a gracious nod, peeling back the paper to reveal the little glass globe. Tony watched her face closely, offering a hopeful, apologetic smile. "I know it's not much, Vivian, but when I saw it, I thought of us—"

Margaret let out a sharp, derisive snort, opening her mouth to hurl an insult, but Vivian raised a graceful hand to halt her mother. Instead of mocking him, Vivian simply smiled and set the globe on a nearby table.

"Thank you, Tony," she murmured smoothly before gesturing to the silver box in his hands. "Keep holding yours for a moment. I have an announcement first."

Stepping toward the center of the floor, Vivian raised her champagne flute, her voice ringing clear across the hall. "Everyone, thank you so much for making it tonight. Your presence means the world to me."

As the guests raised their glasses in return, a sudden warmth bloomed in Tony’s chest. Maybe tonight really would be different.

"I want to thank my mother for always believing in me," Vivian continued, nodding toward the fireplace before turning to her brother by the bar, "and Derek, for always having my back." Finally, her dark eyes locked onto Tony. "And most especially, I want to thank my husband."

Tony’s breath caught. For the first time in three years, he felt valued.

"Thank you, Tony," she said, her voice suddenly sharpening like a blade, "for making me realize that to move forward in life, you have to cut off the people who are completely useless. People like you."

The room erupted. Sharp gasps quickly dissolved into cruel laughter, and a few guests even clapped as though she had delivered a brilliant punchline.

Tony stood frozen, the blood draining from his face. "What?"

Vivian’s smile didn't waver. "Tonight isn't just about my birthday. I'm also celebrating my freedom." She nodded toward his hands. "Go ahead. Open your gift."

With trembling fingers, Tony tore away the silver wrapping paper. There was no watch inside, no tie—only white legal documents. Bold black letters stared back at him from the top page: Divorce Agreement.

She had actually gift-wrapped divorce papers.

"Sign them this very moment," Vivian commanded, all warmth vanishing from her eyes, "and get your trashy, low-level life out of my mansion."

Another wave of laughter washed over the room, accompanied by Margaret’s triumphant smirk. Humiliation burned in Tony's throat. He took a step forward, opening his mouth to plead, to ask how she could be so cruel—

BANG!

The grand double doors flew open, slamming against the walls. Every head in the room turned as a tall man strode inside, dressed in custom-tailored white suit .

Behind him trailed a line of uniformed attendants carrying towering gift boxes wrapped in gold foil.

"Vivian!" the man yelled, his voice booming with excitement. "Happy birthday, gorgeous!"

Admiration instantly rippled through the crowd. Tony’s stomach sank as he recognized Liam Foster. Liam worked as an executive colleague at Vivian’s company, backed by a family of multi-millionaires.

For the past several months, Vivian had been spending nearly every late night and weekend "working" alongside him.

Basking in the envious whispers of the guests, Liam strolled straight past a stunned Tony and stopped in front of Vivian, flashing an arrogant smile. "Sorry I'm late, babe. Selecting the right gifts took longer than—"

He didn't get to finish.

Vivian reached out, grabbed Liam by the lapels of his expensive white suit, and pulled him down, kissing him full on the mouth right in front of Tony and the entire room.