From Grace to grass

Prologue

“Will you marry me?” Ethan kneels at the front of his beautiful girlfriend.

Ariana pops out her eyes in surprise, “Yeah, yeah... I will. I love you! You are mine forever!” The ring dazzles and sparkles – it's a diamond ring worth one million dollars!.

“You are always welcome, anytime, any day. The door is open for you,” Mrs. Desmond, the mother-in-law-to-be, hauls.

“Let's be quick with the wedding; it can even be tomorrow,” Mr. Desmond suggests, and everyone laughs.

Two days later.

“I don't love you! You hear me? I don't! You are nothing now. I don't want to be anything like you. Marrying you is like deliberately sinking myself in deep mud,” she shouts at him.

“Leave my daughter alone and never come to this house again, or else I will arrest you!” Mr. Desmond hauls at him.

Ethan looks at him in disbelief.

Chapter One: HOW IT ALL STARTED

Ethan's clothes are the most expensive dress in all of the restaurant.

His wristwatch is even more expensive than his dress. He gets down on his knee, and brings out the ring case.

Ariana anxiously waits; she's been waiting for this for ten years of dating.

“Will you marry me?” he proposes, opening the case. The ring's brilliance captures everyone's attention in the restaurant.

The ring's crystal sparkles in Ariana's eyes as she shouts, “Yeah, yeah... I will! I love you, you are mine forever!”.

He slides the ring onto her finger; it's worth one million dollars!.

They enjoy their date and later retreat to Ariana's house.

“Yeah, Mom! At last!” She screams as she enters the room, spinning around.

The family assembles in the well-set room, although it's not as luxurious as Ethan's.

“Wow,” they all exclaim at the ring, knowing its worth.

Mr. Desmond sits, “Now, we should just pick the wedding day.”

The others also sit. “Anytime you wish,” Ethan says with his cool and gentle voice.

“Let's be quick with the wedding; it can even be tomorrow,” Mr. Desmond suggests, and everyone laughs.

Nick, the first-born and only son, keeps everyone laughing.

As the midnight clock approaches, Ethan

prepares to leave.

“I should be going; it's already late.”

Ariana coaxes beside him, “Please, stay here... sleepover, babe.”

“I wish I could, but I have something urgent to attend to at home,” he explains.

“You are always welcome, always. The door is open for you,” Mrs. Desmond says, and he smiles silently as he gets up.

“Let me get going.” He stands up, followed by Ariana. They bid him farewell, and as soon as he leaves, the family receives an alert with thousands of dollars. He lives a lavish life.

“I can't wait for him to be my brother-in-law,” Nick jokes. “Everyone can't,” Mrs. Desmond agrees, and they all laugh.

“You should leave now,” he says to his girlfriend, who refuses to leave him.

“I am always yours, remember that,” he says, and she finally lets him go after a kiss.

Ethan enters his automatic car, hits the button, and is about to drive when a call enters. His uncle calls. He initially considers ignoring it but decides to pick up.

“Hello, Uncle,” he says politely, although it's fake. The line remains quiet. “Hello,” he repeats.

“Ethan, your parents... your parents are dead,” his uncle finally says. And that's the news that starts it all.

******

After the funeral, Ariana returns home. Without any glimpse of empathy, it's all just an act.

“How was the funeral?” Mrs. Desmond asks, sitting down with a heavy sigh.

“I heard he was their only child,” Mr. Desmond asks.

“Yes, Dad, he's the heir,” she replies, delight evident.

Nick enters the room, “That's so cool! It means we'll become the in-laws of the youngest billionaire.”

“You should at least show some remorse if you can't feel it,” Ariana says.

******

The words reverberate in Ethan's mind. It feels like he misheard or is dreaming. He hopes it's all a dream.

“What are you saying? I have no entitlement to any of my parents' property?” he demands.

His bald-headed uncle states, “For your information, they are not your parents. You are adopted and not even legally so; they took you in.”

“Lawyer Lee, tell me he's wrong. My father should have written a will,” Ethan implores, looking at the lawyer.

“Unfortunately, he didn't, and he left you nothing. All the property will go to his only family, which is Mr. Ben here. You'll have to sort it out among yourselves,” the lawyer explains before leaving.

Turning to his uncle, Ethan pleads, “Uncle, please don't do this to me.”

He falls to his knees. His uncle bends down to his level.

“Why is that all your bragging and pride?” Tears stream down Ethan's face. He must do this now to avoid losing everything.

“For your information, I have no intention of taking you in. Pack your things and get out of here, you bastard!” his uncle shouts.

“Please, show mercy!” Ethan begs with all his might. Uncle Ben smirks and leaves him on his knees.