I Was Never a Worthless Man

I spent three months just to make sure the engagement party went perfectly. I rented a manor on the outskirts of the city and spent nearly all my money just to make sure it looked like something out of a dream.Even the champagne-colored petals—her favorite—were imported stuff. When the day came and Winona Shaw took the walk down the aisle, I thought she would cry tears of happiness, but all she did was stand and look around. A frown creased her forehead, and she did not look pleased."I thought you said you put all you had into the engagement party, and this is what you came up with?"I clenched the ring in my pocket, the sweat from my hand drenching the box. Carefully, I heaved a sigh, and I asked, "Is there anything you don't like? I can change it out right now."Winona said nothing. She merely sighed. Perhaps she was getting impatient. I had no idea what to say, and then Claude Landton showed up right outside the manor. He came up to us, smiling and checking out the decor."Yo

I stayed at work until late at night and tossed everything else behind me. It was nearly midnight when I came out of the company.I got home, and Winona was on the couch, holding a glass of champagne. Her gaze was still cool. I wanted to ask her why she was still up, but then my fury took over and shut me up.She looked at me and said calmly, "I know what you did to Claude. Stop, and I will forgive you."I sighed. Exhaustion grasped my heart and soul. Nothing I could say would be of use if Winona did not trust me.My silence frustrated her. Winona slammed her glass onto the table. "Cat got your tongue? I'm talking to you! Say something!"I took my coat off and set it aside. Then, I went into the bathroom to wash my face. Cold water splashed against my skin, and I felt much better afterward.Winona came to the entrance and looked at me through the mirror. She took a deep breath and said gently, "I know you're jealous of him because he's being nice to me. Then, what you should do i

Winona stared at me like I'd grown six heads. "What? You're—You can't just cancel the engagement! What do you think I am?"I coldly retorted, "What do you think I am? You defend Claude like your life depends on it, but you attack me like I'm your worst enemy, and now you're going to let him accuse me of crimes I never did? Five. Years. You did that for five years. What do you think I am, Winona?"Winona wanted to argue further, but I told the guards to take her out. Fury consumed me the whole day. I got back home eventually. I say home, but it was just a newly-bought empty box that could act as a shelter.I stood on the balcony for what felt like an eternity. The scalding drink was now as cool as the winds outside. The winds of night nearly froze my heart. The engagement rings sat on the table, their purpose never fulfilled. Nor would it ever be.My phone's screen lit up. A simple message."Claude's still not out yet! This is all your fault, Nathaniel!"I closed the chat window,

Yvonne and I went on a trip to the countryside. Once Winona was out of my life, I started finding my way back to who I used to be. I woke up from my dream. I could think for myself again and could seek out the things I once lost.Yvonne was cheering like a bird that got out of its cage. She was always this happy, lively girl. She was always smiling whenever she was around me. Oddly, that reminded me of something."She's gentle, quiet, and would never yell at me. She never calls me a fool, a moron, or an imbecile. She never shouts at me or tells me to shut up just because she wants to."She listens to me and offers me nothing but kindness. She would never make me feel like I'm all that is wrong with her life."It was liberating. Liberating? That was something I never knew. I was a little scared of it as well.My childhood home had been deserted for years. It was on the verge of crumbling down. We had no choice but to stay at Yvonne's grandmother's.We cooked with wood and fire, an

I thought my new life could begin, but life decided to throw another wrench in my plans.Claude's scheme ran deeper and wider than I first thought. I thought he only wanted to take my place or steal Winona away from me, but I was wrong. I underestimated him.His ambitions were bigger than I imagined. Claude got to know some… rich investors when he was in the middle of information gathering. He gave them intel about my company through Winona.This whole scheme was a big chess game. With or without Claude, those investors would attack my company. Their plan was never to help Claude take Winona.Their prey had always been money. My father eventually called me and told me to go back home. He would not allow any protest on my side.…When I got back home, my father was already in his study, stern and solemn. I noticed unfamiliar faces around him, and the air was filled with tension. My father looked at me and asked coldly, "This is what you made of yourself? After years of training?"