the mysterious Morris family

On a scorching sunny day, Brian Taylor trudged through the bustling streets, his heart heavy with worry and disappointment. The relentless heat bore down on him, a fitting backdrop to his current state of mind. He had spent the entire day searching for a part-time job to support himself and his girlfriend, Mabel Lawson. After countless applications and rejections, he found himself resorting to the only option available: becoming an Uber driver.

Brian’s prospects were dim, shaped by a background that often left him feeling inadequate. Hailing from a small, rural town, he was frequently viewed as uneducated, a label that gnawed at him. Unlike many of his peers, Brian was not an orphan. He had a loving, albeit struggling, mother who worked tirelessly to provide for them, but her meager income was never sufficient.

He had never met his father, only seeing him in faded photographs that offered little comfort. The only family he truly knew were his foster grandparents, who welcomed his mother into their home with open arms when she had nowhere else to turn. Yet, Brian's childhood was far from normal. While other children roamed freely, he spent his days working alongside his mother on their small farm. His only escape was the books he devoured during fleeting moments of free time, nurturing a dream of a brighter future.

After graduating high school, Brian's mother urged him to continue his education. She was determined that he wouldn’t end up like so many others in their village who stopped their academic journeys at the diploma stage. Against all odds, Brian gained admission to Orwell University, one of the most prestigious institutions in the country. This was no small feat for a boy from the countryside, and it filled his family with pride and hope. Leaving the quiet comfort of his village, where the laughter of children echoed through narrow streets, Brian stepped into the chaotic vibrancy of city life.

During his freshman year, Brian met Mabel Lawson, a fellow student in his faculty. Though they were not in the same program, they bonded over a shared love of literature and formed a reading group. As the months passed, Brian found himself falling deeply in love with her. After four months of friendship, he gathered the courage to propose. To his joy, Mabel accepted wholeheartedly. Their relationship blossomed, and during holiday breaks, she would often visit Brian’s family. Everyone welcomed her with open arms, except for his grandmother, who seemed to harbor an unspoken dislike for Mabel.

Mabel came from a middle-class background, which meant her life was a stark contrast to Brian's struggles. While he juggled multiple jobs to make ends meet, she enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle. Yet, despite the disparities in their circumstances, Brian excelled in his studies, driven by determination and a desire to prove himself.

Two years had passed since their engagement, and life had settled into a routine that felt almost idyllic—until today. After dropping off his last client, Brian found himself just a short distance from Mabel’s apartment. He decided to surprise her, hoping to spend the night together. Uncertain if she would be home, he called her, anticipation thrumming in his chest.

“Hello, Brian,” Mabel’s sleepy voice greeted him, bringing a smile to his face.

“Hey, love. I just wanted to let you know I’m done for the day and heading your way,” he said, trying to keep his tone casual.

“Oh! Okay,” Mabel replied, her voice distant.

“Where are you right now?” he asked, needing to confirm her location.

“I’m at home. Why do you ask?” she responded, a hint of curiosity creeping into her tone.

“Nothing,” he said, hesitating to reveal that he was standing right outside her apartment.

Mabel didn’t say anything else before hanging up, leaving Brian with an uneasy feeling that he couldn’t quite shake.

Standing at the front door of Mabel’s apartment, he imagined the surprise on her face, and his heart raced with anticipation. He knocked several times, but silence met him in return. Disappointment washed over him, and just as he turned to leave, he accidentally nudged the door, which creaked open slightly.

“This girl is a bit careless,” he thought as he stepped inside, an uneasy feeling settling in his stomach. As he entered, an unexpected scent filled the air—one that sent a chill down his spine. Muffled sounds drifted from the bedroom, and he paused, confusion tightening his chest.

“Ahh! Harder, baby!” Mabel’s voice rang out, infused with urgency and desire. Brian’s heart dropped, disbelief washing over him. He never imagined he would find Mabel in such a compromising situation. If anyone had suggested that she would betray him, he would have scoffed.

For a moment, he stood frozen in shock, his mind racing to process the betrayal. Finally, he made the decision to confront the reality before him, steeling himself as he walked toward the bedroom.

“Holy cow! Mabel!” he shouted, his voice echoing in disbelief as he stepped into the room. The sight before him shattered his world: Mabel was in bed with another man. The moment she saw him, her eyes widened, and she instinctively recoiled from her partner, falling off the bed with a thud.

“Bri…an, I’m… I’m sorry,” Mabel stammered, her voice trembling as she scrambled to gather herself. It was clear that no amount of lies could cover the truth.

“Why are you doing this to me?” Brian asked, tears brimming in his eyes, his heart breaking as he faced the woman he loved.

“Mabel, please,” he begged, desperation seeping into his voice. “What happened to us? I thought we were happy.”

“I’m sorry, Brian,” she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. But the sincerity in her tone felt hollow, a mere echo of the love they once shared.

The man in the bed, clearly unfazed by the drama unfolding, smirked and spoke up. “Darling, what are you sorry about? Just tell this loser the truth.” Brian’s heart sank as he recognized the voice—it was Krayon Maxwell, the wealthiest guy in their department, whose family was among the most prominent in the country.

“Mabel, you don’t have to do this,” Brian pleaded, his desperation palpable. “I’ll do better. I can change. Just don’t leave me.”

“Brian, I don’t want to be in this relationship anymore,” Mabel declared coldly, her eyes avoiding his.

“What did I do wrong? If this is about money, I can work harder!” Brian’s voice cracked, the weight of his emotions suffocating him.

“Brian, you’ve always been hardworking, but your money will never be enough,” Mabel replied, emphasizing the word “enough” as if it were a death sentence for their love. “I need more than what you can give me.”

The words struck him like a physical blow, leaving him breathless. Brian felt the ground beneath him shift. Each word cut deeper than the last, leaving him gasping for breath. He had devoted himself to Mabel, believing in their love and future together, only to find it all unraveling before him. The realization that she thought so little of him, that all his efforts were insufficient, left him hollow.