《Revenge Of The Cursed Son》 I want a divorce Ryan Sinclair stood in the grand foyer of the Hargrave mansion, his fingers tightening around the handle of the briefcase he carried. The weight of the place always suffocated him¡ªhigh ceilings, cold marble floors, and chandeliers that seemed to gleam with a distant cruelty. The Hargraves were not just any family¡ªthey were royalty in their world, and Ryan, despite being married to Amanda, their only daughter, never felt like he truly belonged. ¡°Late again, I see,¡± Harold Hargrave¡¯s voice echoed from the top of the staircase. His piercing blue eyes glinted with disapproval as he descended the stairs. Everything about Harold was sharp, from his neatly trimmed salt-and-pepper hair to the cold, calculating gaze that always seemed to strip Ryan of any dignity. ¡°I stayed late at the office,¡± Ryan replied, trying to keep his tone neutral. He was the head of a small department in one of Harold¡¯s subsidiary companies, and despite working harder than anyone else, nothing was ever enough. Not for Harold. Not for Amanda. ¡°You stayed late because you can¡¯t manage your workload efficiently,¡± Harold corrected, stopping a few feet away. ¡°That¡¯s not dedication, Sinclair. That¡¯s incompetence.¡± Ryan clenched his jaw, forcing himself to swallow the words burning on his tongue. He¡¯d learned early on that arguing with Harold was like throwing a stone into the ocean¡ªit would make no impact and only sink him deeper into the cold abyss. Instead, he nodded, his fingers curling tighter around the handle of the briefcase until they turned white. ¡°I¡¯ll do better.¡± ¡°I expect you to,¡± Harold said, the words dripping with condescension. He glanced at the briefcase. ¡°Did you bring the paperwork?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Ryan replied, handing it over. Harold took it without a word of thanks and turned away, as if Ryan had already ceased to exist in his world. The sharp click of heels announced Amanda¡¯s entrance. She appeared in the doorway of the dining room, dressed in a sleek designer gown that hugged her perfect figure, her blonde hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders. Her icy blue eyes barely met Ryan¡¯s as she brushed past him, walking over to her father. ¡°Is it ready?¡± she asked, ignoring Ryan completely. ¡°Of course,¡± Harold replied, giving his daughter a smile he never once spared for Ryan. ¡°We¡¯ll finalize everything tomorrow.¡± Ryan felt a pit open in his stomach. He knew something was being planned, something big, but as usual, he was left out of the loop. Amanda and Harold had been conspiring behind closed doors for weeks, keeping Ryan on the outside of their world, as if he were nothing more than a footnote in their grand designs. He cleared his throat, hoping to break the tension. ¡°Amanda, we need to talk.¡± She turned to him, her eyes narrowing in irritation. ¡°About what?¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t seen you much lately. We barely speak, and¡­¡± He trailed off, feeling the familiar weight of hopelessness settle in. Their marriage had been unraveling for months, but every time he tried to talk to her, she shut him down. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Amanda rolled her eyes. ¡°I¡¯ve been busy, Ryan. Unlike you, I have real responsibilities.¡± Ryan¡¯s heart clenched. *Real responsibilities.* The words hung in the air like a knife to his chest. He¡¯d sacrificed everything for this family, for Amanda, but none of it mattered. To her, he was just an accessory, a placeholder in her perfect life. ¡°Maybe if you actually did something useful,¡± Marcus¡¯s voice cut in as he entered the room, ¡°we wouldn¡¯t be having this conversation.¡± Ryan flinched at the sight of Amanda¡¯s older brother. Marcus Hargrave was the epitome of arrogance¡ªtall, muscular, with a smirk that always made Ryan feel two inches tall. He was Harold¡¯s right hand, the favored son who could do no wrong. ¡°I am doing something useful,¡± Ryan replied, his voice edged with frustration. ¡°I¡¯m working hard at¡ª¡± ¡°Please,¡± Marcus scoffed, cutting him off. ¡°You¡¯re a glorified errand boy. You only got the job because you¡¯re married to Amanda. Without her, you¡¯d be nothing.¡± Ryan¡¯s fists tightened, his blood boiling. He¡¯d spent years proving himself, working tirelessly to earn his place, but to the Hargraves, he would always be an outsider. ¡°Marcus, enough,¡± Harold said, though there was no reprimand in his tone. He turned to Ryan. ¡°You should leave. We have important matters to discuss.¡± Ryan stared at them, feeling the cold burn of rejection sink deeper into his bones. ¡°This is about me too. I¡¯m part of this family.¡± Harold¡¯s laughter was low and cruel. ¡°Part of this family? You¡¯re nothing more than a liability, Sinclair. The only reason you¡¯re still around is because you haven¡¯t screwed up badly enough yet.¡± Ryan¡¯s breath caught in his throat. The words hung in the air, suffocating him with their finality. He looked at Amanda, hoping for some sign of support, but her eyes were cold, distant. She didn¡¯t care. She hadn¡¯t cared for a long time. Feeling the walls close in around him, Ryan turned on his heel and left the room. His footsteps echoed through the empty hallways as he made his way to the guest house, the place Amanda had insisted they stay in instead of the main mansion. It was another reminder that he was separate from them, that no matter what he did, he would never be truly accepted. Inside, the silence was deafening. The house was dark, save for a single lamp in the corner. Ryan sat down heavily on the couch, his head in his hands. How had things gone so wrong? He had loved Amanda¡ªstill loved her¡ªbut the person she had become was a stranger to him. Cold, calculating, indifferent. He thought back to the early days of their relationship, when everything seemed perfect. Amanda had been sweet, warm, and full of life. They¡¯d dreamed of a future together, of building a family, of being happy. But somewhere along the way, the dreams had died, replaced by the harsh reality of the Hargrave dynasty. A knock at the door startled him from his thoughts. He frowned, not expecting visitors this late. When he opened it, he found Amanda standing there, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. ¡°We need to talk,¡± she said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. Ryan¡¯s heart leaped with a flicker of hope. Maybe this was it¡ªthe moment they could finally fix what was broken. But as Amanda spoke, her words sliced through him like a blade. ¡°I want a divorce.¡± Ryan¡¯s world shattered in an instant. He stood frozen, unable to comprehend what she had just said. ¡°What? Amanda, no, we can fix this. We just need to¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯ve made up my mind,¡± she interrupted coldly. ¡°This isn¡¯t working. It hasn¡¯t been for a long time. I¡¯ve already spoken to my father. The papers will be ready by tomorrow.¡± Ryan¡¯s chest tightened. This couldn¡¯t be happening. Everything he had fought for, everything he had sacrificed, was crumbling before his eyes. ¡°Is this your father¡¯s idea?¡± he asked, his voice thick with disbelief. ¡°He¡¯s been trying to push me out since day one.¡± Amanda¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t waver. ¡°This is my decision, Ryan. And you need to accept it.¡± As the door closed behind her, Ryan stood in the empty house, his heart in pieces. Betrayed by the family he had tried so hard to be a part of. Betrayed by the woman he thought loved him. In that moment, the cold truth sank in: He was alone, and the Hargraves had finally won. But what they didn¡¯t know was that Ryan had secrets of his own, and the darkness they had cast him into would soon give birth to something far more dangerous. Someone like me?? The silence of the guest house wrapped around Ryan like a suffocating fog as he sat motionless on the couch, staring blankly at the door Amanda had just closed behind her. Her words echoed in his mind, each one like a dagger piercing his heart. ¡°I want a divorce.¡± He leaned forward, burying his face in his hands, trying to make sense of everything. How had it come to this? How had the woman he once loved so deeply become so distant, so cold? As he grappled with his heartbreak, his mind drifted back to a time when things were different¡ªwhen Amanda had been different. Back to the days when she wasn¡¯t just his wife, but the girl he had risked everything for. It was almost seven years ago, at university, when their paths had first crossed. The late autumn air was crisp as Ryan made his way across the campus, his breath forming clouds in the cold evening. He was on his way back to his dorm after an exhausting day of classes, his bag slung over one shoulder, when he heard raised voices from behind the student union building. ¡°Come on, babe. We¡¯re just trying to have a little fun,¡± a male voice sneered, followed by a high-pitched, terrified squeal. Ryan¡¯s body tensed as he rounded the corner and saw the scene unfold. A group of four guys stood around a girl, blocking her path. They were laughing, their body language predatory as they leaned toward her, backing her up against the wall. She was small, her face pale with fear, but Ryan could see the defiance in her eyes as she struggled to push them away. ¡°Leave me alone!¡± she shouted, her voice trembling, but her captors only laughed harder. Ryan didn¡¯t hesitate. Dropping his bag, he charged toward them. ¡°Hey!¡± he yelled, his voice cutting through the laughter. ¡°Get the hell away from her!¡± The four guys turned toward him, their amusement faltering. One of them, a tall, broad-shouldered guy with a smirk plastered on his face, stepped forward. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. ¡°And who the hell are you?¡± he spat. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Ryan replied, his fists clenched. ¡°You¡¯re leaving. Now.¡± The smirk faded, replaced by a snarl. ¡°You¡¯re outnumbered, buddy. You don¡¯t want to get hurt.¡± Ryan didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°Try me.¡± The guy lunged at Ryan, but he was ready. With quick reflexes, Ryan sidestepped and drove his fist into the guy¡¯s gut. He crumpled to the ground with a groan. The others hesitated for a moment, then rushed at Ryan. A flurry of punches and kicks followed, but Ryan was relentless. One by one, he fought them off, his adrenaline surging as he defended the girl behind him. When the last of them was lying on the ground, groaning in pain, Ryan turned to the girl. She was staring at him, her eyes wide with shock and something else¡ªsomething that looked almost like admiration. ¡°You okay?¡± he asked, panting slightly as he wiped the sweat from his brow. She nodded, her voice shaky. ¡°I¡­ I think so. Thank you. You didn¡¯t have to do that.¡± Ryan shrugged, trying to downplay what had just happened. ¡°I wasn¡¯t going to stand by and let them hurt you.¡± She stepped closer, her gaze never leaving his. Now that the immediate danger had passed, he had a chance to really look at her. She was beautiful¡ªlong blonde hair that cascaded over her shoulders, deep blue eyes that were still brimming with emotion. There was something about her that struck him, something more than just her looks. There was strength beneath the fear, a fire in her that had been temporarily extinguished by the attack but was starting to rekindle. ¡°I¡¯m Amanda,¡± she said softly. ¡°Ryan,¡± he replied, offering a small smile. From that moment on, their paths had been intertwined. In the weeks that followed, Ryan and Amanda grew inseparable. Their connection deepened with every passing day, and what had started as a friendship born of gratitude and admiration quickly blossomed into a whirlwind romance. They were always together, whether studying in the library, going for long walks across the sprawling university campus, or sneaking away to the city for late-night adventures. Ryan had never felt this way before. Amanda wasn¡¯t just beautiful; she was smart, funny, and passionate about everything she did. Her drive matched his own, and when they were together, it felt like nothing could stand in their way. She had a way of making him feel like he was the center of her world, like everything she did was just for him. But there was something else, something darker lurking beneath the surface. Amanda came from a world Ryan didn¡¯t understand, a world of wealth and power that felt distant and foreign to him. The Hargraves were notorious, not just for their business empire but for the way they controlled everything¡ªand everyone¡ªaround them. Amanda¡¯s father, Harold, was known for his ruthless business tactics, but to Amanda, he was simply her father, the man who provided for her and ensured her place in the upper echelons of society. Ryan tried not to let it bother him. He wasn¡¯t from money¡ªhe grew up in a working-class neighborhood, the son of a single mother who had done everything in her power to give him a better life. He knew Amanda¡¯s family wouldn¡¯t approve of him, not as someone who could truly be her equal, but he didn¡¯t care. What they had was real, and that was all that mattered. One evening, as they lay under the stars on the campus lawn, Amanda turned to him with a seriousness in her eyes that Ryan hadn¡¯t seen before. ¡°You know my family won¡¯t accept this,¡± she said softly, her fingers tracing patterns on his chest. Ryan sighed, pulling her closer. ¡°I don¡¯t care about your family, Amanda. I care about you.¡± She bit her lip, her gaze distant for a moment. ¡°It¡¯s not that simple, Ryan. My father¡­ he controls everything. My future, my career, my life. If he knew I was seeing someone like you¡­¡± ¡°Someone like me?¡± Ryan asked, trying not to let the hurt seep into his voice. Fighting for love Amanda¡¯s eyes widened in realization. ¡°No, that¡¯s not what I meant. I just mean¡­ you¡¯re not what he would expect. He has plans for me¡ªplans that don¡¯t include someone without connections.¡± Ryan¡¯s jaw tightened. He had always known that there would be a point where the differences between them would come to light, but hearing her say it out loud still stung. ¡°I love you,¡± he said firmly, taking her hand in his. ¡°And I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to prove that I¡¯m worthy of you.¡± Amanda¡¯s face softened, and she leaned in, pressing a kiss to his lips. ¡°I love you too,¡± she whispered. ¡°More than anything. I just¡­ I don¡¯t know how to face him.¡± ¡°Then don¡¯t,¡± Ryan said, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. ¡°Not yet. We¡¯ll figure it out when the time comes. But for now, let¡¯s just enjoy what we have.¡± Amanda smiled, but there was still a flicker of doubt in her eyes. Ryan knew she was afraid¡ªafraid of what her father would do, of the expectations he had set for her, of the life she was supposed to lead. But Ryan believed they could make it work. Love could conquer anything, right? The next few months were filled with moments of happiness, punctuated by fleeting whispers of tension. Amanda was always careful to keep her relationship with Ryan out of her family¡¯s knowledge. She never invited him to her home, always met him away from the places her parents might frequent, and never once mentioned his name in conversations with her friends from high society. Ryan tried to ignore it. He told himself that she was just being cautious, that she wasn¡¯t ashamed of him¡ªjust scared of her father. But the cracks in their relationship, small at first, began to grow wider. One night, everything changed. Ryan had just finished studying late at the library when he received a frantic text from Amanda. **Amanda:** *I need you. Now.* His heart raced as he bolted out of the library and ran toward the student dorms. He could feel something was wrong, something big. Amanda never sounded that desperate. When he arrived, he found her sitting on the steps of her dorm building, her face pale, her eyes red from crying. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. ¡°What happened?¡± Ryan asked, kneeling in front of her. She looked up at him, her lips trembling. ¡°They found out. My father¡­ he knows about us.¡± Ryan¡¯s stomach dropped. ¡°How?¡± ¡°He had someone following me. He knew I was hiding something,¡± she said, her voice shaking. ¡°He confronted me tonight. He said that if I don¡¯t break it off with you, he¡¯ll cut me off¡ªcompletely. No money, no support, nothing.¡± Ryan swallowed hard. He had always feared this moment, but now that it was here, it felt like a punch to the gut. ¡°What¡­ what are you going to do?¡± Amanda looked at him, her eyes filled with tears. ¡°I don¡¯t know, Ryan. I don¡¯t know what to do.¡± ¡°You love me,¡± he said softly, almost pleadingly. ¡°Isn¡¯t that enough?¡± She shook her head, her tears spilling over. ¡°I do love you, but you don¡¯t understand. My father¡­ he controls everything. If I lose him, I lose my future. I lose everything I¡¯ve worked for.¡± Ryan felt a surge of anger rise in his chest. ¡°What about us? What about everything we¡¯ve built together? You¡¯re willing to throw that all away because of your father?¡± Amanda sobbed, burying her face in her hands. ¡°I don¡¯t want to. But I don¡¯t know how to choose.¡± Ryan¡¯s heart ached as he reached out, pulling her into his arms. He hated Harold Hargrave in that moment, hated him for the power he held over Amanda, for the way he manipulated her life like a puppet master pulling strings. ¡°We¡¯ll figure this out,¡± Ryan whispered, trying to hold back his own emotions. ¡°I won¡¯t let him tear us apart.¡± But even as he said the words, Ryan couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that their relationship was slipping through his fingers, like sand in an hourglass running out of time. That night, as they held each other under the stars once again, Ryan knew the battle for Amanda¡¯s heart had only just begun. The Hargraves were a powerful family, and they would stop at nothing to keep him out. But Ryan was willing to fight. He just didn¡¯t know how much more it would cost him in the end. The next day after their emotional night, Ryan¡¯s worst fears came true. Amanda''s father, Harold Hargrave, summoned her to his office. Ryan knew the meeting would be tense, but he believed in Amanda¡¯s love for him. He had to. Amanda stood in her father¡¯s lavish office, a towering room of glass and steel overlooking the city skyline. The tension was thick in the air, her father¡¯s expression stone-cold as he leaned back in his leather chair, fingers steepled, watching her with calculated eyes. ¡°You¡¯re ruining your life, Amanda,¡± Harold began, his voice measured and calm, though a storm brewed beneath the surface. ¡°This boy¡ªthis *nobody*¡ªhe will drag you down. Everything I¡¯ve worked for, the future I¡¯ve built for you, will mean nothing if you choose him. You need to let him go before it¡¯s too late.¡± Amanda clenched her fists, her stomach twisting in knots, but she wouldn¡¯t back down. Not this time. She knew her father¡¯s manipulative ways, how he controlled everything and everyone around him. He had dominated her life for far too long. ¡°You can¡¯t control who I love, Dad,¡± Amanda said through gritted teeth, though her voice shook slightly. ¡°I¡¯m not a puppet you can manipulate anymore.¡± Harold stood, his towering figure casting a shadow over her. ¡°This isn¡¯t about love, Amanda. It¡¯s about your future, your status, your legacy. You have no idea what you¡¯re throwing away.¡± ¡°I know exactly what I¡¯m doing,¡± Amanda shot back, her defiance growing. ¡°And if you try to stop me, I¡¯ll¡ª¡± ¡°You¡¯ll what?¡± Harold sneered. ¡°You think you can defy me? You¡¯re just a girl playing at being independent. You don¡¯t even know how the world works yet.¡± Tears of frustration welled up in Amanda¡¯s eyes. She felt trapped, suffocated by her father¡¯s overbearing presence. But then, in a moment of desperation, the words spilled out before she could stop them. ¡°I¡¯ll end it,¡± she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. ¡°I¡¯ll end everything if you don¡¯t let me be with him.¡± Harold froze, the sneer fading from his face. For the first time, genuine concern flickered in his cold, calculating eyes. Degraded again? ¡°Amanda¡­ what are you saying?¡± She wiped the tears from her cheeks, her gaze steely as she stared him down. ¡°I love Ryan, and if you try to stop me, I¡¯ll do something you can¡¯t control. I¡¯ll take my life.¡± Harold¡¯s jaw clenched, the color draining from his face. He had never seen Amanda like this, so unyielding, so broken. For a moment, the control he always held so tightly over her life slipped through his fingers. He knew she wasn¡¯t bluffing, not this time. ¡°Fine,¡± Harold said, his voice strained. ¡°If this is what you want, then so be it. Marry him.¡± Amanda¡¯s breath caught in her throat. She had won, but at what cost? She had forced her father¡¯s hand, but the look in his eyes told her that this victory came with a price¡ªone she would have to pay eventually. A few months later, Amanda and Ryan were married in a modest ceremony, far from the grand spectacle her father would have preferred. The tension between Amanda and her family was palpable, but she stood by Ryan, believing that love would carry them through. For a while, it seemed to work. They had moments of happiness, where it felt like they had beaten the odds, where love truly seemed like enough. But everything changed the day Ryan¡¯s mother died. The loss shattered him in ways he couldn¡¯t fully comprehend. His mother had been his anchor, the one person who had always supported him no matter what. Without her, the world felt unsteady, and Ryan¡¯s grief began to drive a wedge between him and Amanda. The once carefree, passionate love they shared was now strained by the weight of sorrow and unresolved emotions. Harold had seen the opportunity and seized it. The cracks in Ryan and Amanda¡¯s relationship widened, and before long, Amanda¡¯s father began to sow doubts in her mind, convincing her that Ryan¡¯s inability to recover from his mother¡¯s death was proof that he wasn¡¯t strong enough for her, that he couldn¡¯t give her the life she deserved. Amanda, vulnerable and emotionally exhausted, started to believe him. The love she had fought so hard to protect began to erode, slipping away like sand through her fingers. *** Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Back in the present, Ryan couldn¡¯t stop replaying the events in his mind. He just couldn¡¯t put the puzzle pieces together anymore. How had everything fallen apart so quickly? How had the woman he loved, the one who had fought her own father to be with him, become so cold, so distant? The truth was elusive, slipping through his thoughts as he sat on the edge of the bed, staring out of the window of the small guest house Amanda had confined him to. The memories of her betrayal stung like salt in an open wound, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized something deeper was at play. He was missing something¡ªa part of the story he didn¡¯t know yet. And that uncertainty gnawed at him. His phone buzzed on the table, pulling him from his thoughts. It was his supervisor from work. ¡°Mr. Sinclair,¡± the voice on the other end said, sounding apologetic, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but the CEO has declined your submission. He¡­ well, he didn¡¯t think it met the company¡¯s standards. You¡¯ll have to start from scratch by tomorrow morning.¡± Ryan sighed heavily, his head falling into his hands. He had been expecting that. With everything going on in his personal life, his work had suffered. And now, even the career he had fought so hard to build up was slipping away from him, just like everything else. ¡°Understood,¡± he said flatly before hanging up. It was another blow in a series of failures that had been piling up ever since his marriage began to fall apart. Once upon a time, Ryan had been full of hope and ambition, believing he could conquer anything. But now, all he felt was exhaustion and defeat. He leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes as the weight of his collapsing world bore down on him. Something had to give¡ªhe couldn¡¯t keep living like this. But the answers to how it had all gone so wrong still eluded him. As he sat there in the silence, the gnawing feeling returned. There was something he was missing, something just beyond his reach, waiting to be discovered. Ryan dragged his tired body to the bathroom, his muscles aching from the weight of exhaustion. He splashed cold water on his face, trying to shake off the heaviness that had settled in his chest. His reflection stared back at him from the mirror¡ªhollow eyes, unkempt hair, and a shadow of the man he used to be. Amanda hadn¡¯t spoken to him all day. It wasn¡¯t unusual; she had barely acknowledged his existence for months now, treating him like an invisible stain in her life. Just for her to come and talk about divorce. Once, they¡¯d shared a bed, a life filled with laughter and tenderness. Now, she found him disgusting. Amanda had relegated him to the guest room, as though he was some unwanted burden she couldn¡¯t rid herself of fast enough. Ryan swallowed the lump in his throat and changed into his worn-out clothes. He lay on the thin, uncomfortable mattress, hoping for a night of peace, even though he knew better. The silence in the house was suffocating, but it was the best he could hope for. Just as sleep began to pull him under, the loud, violent sound of knocking echoed through the small room. His eyes shot open, groggy and disoriented. The clock read 5:45 a.m.¡ªnot even morning yet. The knocking persisted, growing louder, more aggressive. With a groan, Ryan dragged himself out of bed, blinking away the sleep as he stumbled toward the door. The moment he unlocked it, the door was yanked open, and a sharp, stinging slap hit him across the face. His head snapped to the side as his cheek burned from the force of the blow. His vision blurred for a moment before he looked up, only to find his mother-in-law, Gloria Hargrave, standing in front of him, her eyes blazing with fury. She was still in her nightgown, her hair pulled back messily, but her rage was palpable. ¡°You disgusting pig!¡± she spat, her voice shrill and venomous. ¡°How dare you use your filthy, dirty body to touch my daughter¡¯s car?¡± Ryan stood there, frozen, his mind struggling to catch up with her words. ¡°W-what?¡± ¡°You heard me,¡± Gloria hissed, stepping closer, her finger jabbing into his chest. ¡°Amanda had an important meeting at 7 a.m. She has to be at the company in less than an hour, and do you know what she found? *Do you?!*¡± Deeply hurt Ryan shook his head, his heart sinking. He could already feel where this was going. ¡°She found her car filthy! Covered in dirt and grime because of *you!*¡± Gloria screamed, her face red with rage. ¡°How dare you get into her car with your disgusting clothes, your *disgusting* body, and ruin it?! She¡¯s going to be late because you can¡¯t even have the decency to keep yourself clean!¡± Ryan opened his mouth to apologize, but before he could get a word out, Gloria grabbed him by the collar and shoved him backward. He stumbled, barely keeping his balance as she continued her tirade. ¡°You are worthless, Ryan! Absolutely worthless! You don¡¯t even deserve to breathe the same air as Amanda! She should never have married you, and I¡¯ve told her as much a hundred times!¡± Her voice was growing louder, sharper, each word cutting deeper than the last. ¡°You¡¯re just a leech, sucking the life out of her, out of this family! What kind of a man can¡¯t even take care of his wife¡¯s car?¡± Ryan¡¯s eyes stung, but he blinked back the tears. He didn¡¯t want to give her the satisfaction of seeing him break, though he felt close to it every time she attacked him like this. Gloria had always despised him, but after Amanda started pulling away, her mother¡¯s hatred grew more vicious. Every little thing he did, or didn¡¯t do, was ammunition for her verbal assaults. ¡°You¡¯ve never been good enough for Amanda,¡± Gloria continued, her words like poison seeping into his skin. ¡°I don¡¯t know why she ever wasted her time on you, and frankly, neither does she! Do you think she doesn¡¯t tell me what a mistake you are? How much she regrets being stuck with you?¡± Ryan gritted his teeth, trying to ignore the sharp pain her words caused, but it was impossible. He knew that Amanda no longer looked at him the way she used to. The warmth in her eyes had faded long ago, replaced by cold indifference. Still, hearing it confirmed by Gloria was like twisting a knife in an already open wound. ¡°Look at yourself,¡± Gloria sneered, eyeing him from head to toe as if he were some kind of vermin. ¡°You¡¯re a mess, a pathetic excuse for a man. You think you¡¯re worth something, but you¡¯re not. You never were.¡± Ryan clenched his fists at his sides, fighting the urge to lash out, to defend himself, but he knew it would be pointless. Arguing with Gloria was like screaming into the void¡ªthere was no reasoning with her, no winning. She¡¯d already made up her mind about him, and nothing he said or did would ever change that. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°You should be grateful,¡± Gloria added with a cruel smile. ¡°Grateful that Amanda even lets you live here. If it were up to me, I would have kicked you out ages ago. But you know what? Maybe it¡¯s time. Maybe I¡¯ll tell her to get rid of you once and for all. You¡¯re nothing but a stain on her life, and it¡¯s time she washes you away.¡± Ryan bit the inside of his cheek, his chest tight with frustration and hurt. He had heard it all before, over and over again, but it didn¡¯t make it any easier to endure. Every insult, every belittling remark chipped away at him, making it harder and harder to keep himself together. He tried not to let it get to him, to stay strong, but no matter how hard he tried, it always did. Gloria leaned in close, her voice low and dripping with malice. ¡°You don¡¯t belong here, Ryan. And sooner or later, Amanda is going to realize that. And when she does, you¡¯ll be nothing. Just a memory of a bad decision.¡± With one final glare, she turned and stormed out of the room, leaving Ryan standing there, his body trembling with a mix of anger, shame, and despair. As the door slammed shut behind her, Ryan let out a shaky breath, pressing his hand against the wall to steady himself. He felt broken, like a man with no identity, no purpose, no worth. Every day, the weight of their cruelty grew heavier, and every day, it became harder to carry. He wanted to believe that he was stronger than this, that he could withstand the abuse, but deep down, he knew that it was breaking him, piece by piece. No matter how much he tried to convince himself otherwise, it still hurt every time. Ryan sighed as he made his way outside, rubbing his sore cheek where his mother-in-law¡¯s slap still burned. The cool morning air did little to soothe the sting of her words, but at least out here, he could escape the suffocating atmosphere of the house for a moment. He walked toward Amanda¡¯s car, still smeared with dirt from the previous day. The faint sunrise cast a soft light over the driveway, but it didn¡¯t bring him any peace. As he reached the car, he saw the hose and bucket already laid out, waiting for him. It was routine by now¡ªwake up early, clean, and try to avoid another confrontation with Gloria or Amanda. There were hardly any maids in the house anymore; they¡¯d been let go one by one, and Amanda¡¯s father had made it clear that Ryan could take their place. ¡°You¡¯re not worth a damn thing around here,¡± her father had said, his voice full of disdain. ¡°No money, no name, no identity. So, if you¡¯re going to live in this house, you might as well make yourself useful.¡± Ryan bent down to fill the bucket with water, the weight of his situation pressing down on him. He was nothing in this household, not even a person in their eyes. Just another servant, a maid. Even the butler held a higher position in the family than he did. He had no title, no status. He was an invisible figure who only existed to serve. He scrubbed the car¡¯s surface, the cold water splashing onto his hands, but he didn¡¯t mind. It was better to be here, doing this, than inside where he¡¯d be reminded of his failures. No matter how hard he worked, no matter what he did, it would never be enough for them. Every stroke of the sponge felt like another reminder of how far he had fallen. He tried to push the thoughts away, but they lingered, gnawing at him. He had once believed in a future with Amanda, a life where they could build something together. Now, he was nothing more than a servant, cleaning her car while she prepared for her glamorous life without him. Harolds anger Ryan wiped the sweat from his brow as he finished cleaning Amanda¡¯s car. His back ached, his hands red and raw from scrubbing. Yet, he didn¡¯t have the luxury of resting. He had to rush back inside to prepare breakfast for the family¡ªa task he had come to dread, not because it was difficult, but because it was another reminder of his place in the household. He entered the kitchen and found the place already buzzing. The few remaining staff members barely acknowledged his presence. Gloria, Amanda¡¯s mother, had made it clear to everyone that Ryan was not to be treated as family. He wasn¡¯t even allowed to sit at the table during meals. Ryan sighed heavily, setting to work. He prepared a lavish breakfast¡ªscrambled eggs, bacon, toast, fresh fruit, and coffee. It was a thankless task. By the time the table was set, the Hargraves began arriving one by one. Gloria cast him a dismissive glance, Amanda didn¡¯t even look in his direction, and her father, Harold, didn¡¯t bother hiding his disdain. They ate in silence, occasionally making small talk amongst themselves, but Ryan might as well have been invisible. After serving them, he quickly grabbed a piece of toast and a sip of water before retreating to his small room to change for work. His hands shook slightly as he fastened his tie, still feeling the sting of humiliation from earlier that morning. But he had to keep going. He couldn¡¯t afford to lose his job, especially now when his place in the Hargrave household was so fragile. Dressed in his worn-out suit, he stepped out of the house, taking in a deep breath of the crisp morning air. He didn¡¯t have a car of his own anymore, and taking one of the family¡¯s cars was out of the question, so he always relied on cabs to get him to the office. As he walked down the street to the nearest corner where he usually hailed a cab, a strange feeling crept over him. His steps faltered as he sensed someone following him. It was subtle, the soft shuffle of feet, the occasional glance over his shoulder that revealed nothing but distant shadows. Yet, the feeling persisted. He quickened his pace, glancing back again. This time, he caught sight of a figure¡ªdistant, cloaked in dark clothes, keeping just far enough behind to remain inconspicuous but close enough for Ryan to feel their presence. Ryan¡¯s heart raced, but he didn¡¯t want to draw attention to himself. The last thing he needed was more drama in his life. He finally spotted a cab pulling up and hurried inside. He looked out the rearview mirror as the driver pulled away, but the figure was gone. Maybe it was just his imagination. Maybe the stress of everything was finally getting to him. But deep down, he knew something wasn¡¯t right. The cab ride was quiet, but Ryan¡¯s mind raced with thoughts of who could have been following him. He shook the idea off, trying to focus on his work. He had to survive one more day at the office without losing his mind. When he arrived at the office building, he stepped out and took a moment to collect himself before entering the towering skyscraper. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Inside, the familiar hum of employees bustling about filled the air. Ryan took a deep breath, preparing himself for the day ahead. He had barely made it to his desk when his friend, Leo, appeared at his side with a broad grin on his face. ¡°Ryan!¡± Leo said excitedly, slapping him on the back. ¡°You¡¯re not going to believe this. The project we¡¯ve been working on? You know, the ideas you gave me for the new marketing strategy? I applied it, and guess what¡ªit was accepted immediately! They loved it! We¡¯ve been asked to present it in the boardroom today.¡± Ryan blinked, his mind struggling to keep up with Leo¡¯s rapid-fire words. ¡°Wait, what? You used my ideas?¡± ¡°Of course, man! Your concepts were brilliant! There was no way they wouldn¡¯t accept them. And now, we¡¯re meeting with the shareholders. You¡¯re coming with me¡ªthis is your work as much as mine.¡± Ryan was stunned. He had shared those ideas with Leo casually, never expecting anything to come of it. The fact that Leo had applied them and gotten approval was beyond anything he had hoped for. For the first time in a long while, he felt a spark of pride, a sense of accomplishment. But that sense of pride quickly turned to tension when they entered the boardroom. Ryan¡¯s boss, Harold, was already there, seated at the head of the table, his sharp eyes narrowing the moment he saw Ryan enter. Harold had never liked him, and it was no secret. He had always undermined Ryan¡¯s work, taking credit for his successes while blaming him for any failures. As the shareholders began to file in, Harold¡¯s expression grew more hostile. Ryan could tell he wasn¡¯t pleased with his presence, but there was little Harold could do in front of the company¡¯s most important investors. Leo took the lead, confidently presenting the project, outlining the ideas that Ryan had originally crafted. The shareholders nodded in approval, clearly impressed with the strategy. Ryan sat silently beside Leo, trying to ignore Harold¡¯s burning gaze. ¡°Excellent work, Leo,¡± one of the senior shareholders said after the presentation. ¡°This is exactly what we¡¯ve been looking for. You and your team have really outdone yourselves.¡± Leo smiled, grateful for the praise, but he didn¡¯t hesitate to turn to Ryan. ¡°Actually, most of the credit should go to Ryan here. He came up with the core ideas for the campaign. I just helped refine them.¡± All eyes turned to Ryan, and he could feel Harold¡¯s seething anger radiating from across the table. For a brief moment, Ryan allowed himself to feel a flicker of hope. Maybe this could be the turning point. Maybe this success would finally get him the recognition he deserved. But Harold wasn¡¯t about to let that happen. ¡°Ryan?¡± Harold¡¯s voice cut through the air, dripping with disdain. ¡°Yes, I suppose he helped in some capacity. But Leo, as always, took the initiative to make it a reality. Let¡¯s not get ahead of ourselves.¡± The room grew tense as Harold attempted to downplay Ryan¡¯s contributions. Ryan felt his heart sink. He had expected this. Harold would never give him the credit he deserved, not if he could help it. Still, the shareholders seemed to see through Harold¡¯s thinly veiled attempt to dismiss him. One of them, an older woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor, spoke up. ¡°Regardless of who took the initiative, we appreciate the work that was put into this project. It¡¯s clear that both Leo and Ryan contributed greatly. We look forward to seeing the results.¡± Harold clenched his jaw, clearly unhappy with the turn of events, but he was forced to nod along with the shareholders. Ryan could feel the tension in the room, but for the first time in a long time, he felt a small sense of victory. Harold might hate him, but he couldn¡¯t deny the work he had done. As the meeting concluded, Ryan knew this was only the beginning of the challenges ahead, but for now, he had a small win to hold onto. Looked down upon Ryan felt a knot tighten in his stomach as he approached Harold¡¯s office. The meeting earlier had gone surprisingly well despite Harold¡¯s attempt to downplay his role, but Ryan knew his boss well enough to know that this wasn¡¯t the end of it. Harold had called him to his office immediately after the shareholders left, and that could only mean one thing¡ªmore insults, more humiliation. As he stood outside Harold¡¯s door, Ryan took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever was about to happen. He knocked lightly and heard Harold¡¯s gruff voice from inside. ¡°Come in.¡± Ryan pushed the door open and stepped inside. Harold was sitting behind his large mahogany desk, papers spread out in front of him, though he didn¡¯t seem to be paying much attention to them. His eyes, cold and unwelcoming, flicked up to meet Ryan¡¯s. ¡°Close the door,¡± Harold said flatly. Ryan did as he was told, feeling the oppressive weight of the room close in around him. Harold leaned back in his chair, studying him with a look that was half amusement, half disgust. ¡°Do you know what your problem is, Ryan?¡± Harold asked, his voice dripping with condescension. ¡°You think you¡¯re more important than you are. You think just because you came up with a few decent ideas that you matter. Let me make one thing clear¡ªyou don¡¯t.¡± Ryan swallowed hard, trying to keep his composure. He had grown used to Harold¡¯s insults over the years, but they never got any easier to endure. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to make myself out to be more important,¡± Ryan said quietly, his voice strained. ¡°I just want to do my job.¡± Harold snorted. ¡°Your job? You barely have one as it is. The only reason you¡¯re still employed here is because I haven¡¯t gotten around to firing you yet. But honestly, looking at your pathetic face every day makes me want to puke.¡± Ryan felt a surge of panic rise in his chest. The idea of losing his job right now, with everything else in his life falling apart, was unbearable. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°Please, Sir¡± he said, his voice trembling. ¡°Don¡¯t fire me. I need this job.¡± Harold smirked, clearly enjoying the sight of Ryan begging for mercy. He leaned forward, his hands clasped on the desk in front of him. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m not firing you. Not yet, anyway,¡± Harold said, his voice mockingly sweet. ¡°I just don¡¯t want to see your face for the rest of the day. Get out of my office, and don¡¯t come back until tomorrow. Maybe by then, I¡¯ll be able to stomach looking at you.¡± Ryan nodded, his throat tight. He turned to leave, feeling utterly defeated. As he reached for the door, Harold¡¯s voice cut through the air again. ¡°And Ryan?¡± Harold called out, his tone dripping with malice. ¡°Next time you want to take credit for something, make sure you¡¯ve actually done something worthwhile.¡± Ryan didn¡¯t respond. He left the office, his heart heavy, his mind clouded with anger and shame. The familiar sting of Harold¡¯s words echoed in his head, but there was nothing he could do. He needed this job, no matter how much Harold humiliated him. It was the only thing keeping him afloat. He made his way outside, feeling the crisp morning air hit his face. It was only 10 a.m., but he was done for the day. Harold had made sure of that. For a moment, Ryan thought about wandering around the city, trying to clear his head, but the idea of going home and getting some rest was too tempting. When he arrived home, the house was surprisingly quiet. Apart from the few maids still working, it seemed like everyone else was gone. Amanda was probably at work, her mother likely out at some meeting or social event. For the first time in a long while, Ryan felt a small sense of peace. He stepped into the empty house, closing the door softly behind him. The stillness was a welcome change from the constant tension that filled the Hargrave household. He could finally relax, even if just for a little while. Ryan kicked off his shoes and walked toward the stairs, heading up to his room. As he climbed the steps, Amanda¡¯s cold words from earlier that morning replayed in his mind. She had barely looked at him, her disdain for him more palpable than ever. ¡°I can¡¯t stand the sight of you,¡± she had said, her voice laced with venom. ¡°You¡¯re worthless, Ryan. A burden.¡± He shook his head, trying to push the memory away. Maybe, just maybe, things would change. Maybe Amanda would realize how much he loved her, how much he was willing to endure for her. He wasn¡¯t ready to file for divorce, even though every day in this house was like living in a nightmare. He loved her too much. As much as she hurt him, he couldn¡¯t imagine a life without her. He didn¡¯t want to leave. He just wanted to see her face every day, even if that face was filled with contempt. Ryan collapsed onto his bed, the exhaustion of the morning catching up with him. He closed his eyes, imagining what it would be like if things were different. In his mind, Amanda was there beside him, her face soft and gentle, her hand resting on his chest as she whispered words of comfort. But that was just a fantasy. The reality was much colder, much harsher. Amanda didn¡¯t care for him anymore. If she ever had. Still, Ryan clung to the hope that maybe one day, she would see him again. The man who had saved her countless times, the man who had given up everything for her. Maybe one day, she would remember the love they once shared. His thoughts grew hazy as he drifted into sleep, the weight of the morning finally pulling him under. He dreamed of a different life, one where Amanda¡¯s love wasn¡¯t a distant memory, but a reality. Where her touch was warm, not cold. Where her words were kind, not cruel. For now, though, all he had was the silence of the empty house and the fleeting comfort of sleep. But deep down, he knew that even this brief reprieve wouldn¡¯t last. Reality always had a way of crashing back in. And when it did, he would be left to face the same bitter truth: no matter how much he loved Amanda, it would never be enough to fix what had broken between them.