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The Marriage Auction

The Marriage Auction

Short Story · Emotional Realism
By:  Hayden HaleCompleted
Language: English
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10Chapters
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Synopsis

Feel-Good Story

Plot Twists

Male POV

Face Slapping

The factory had just finished expanding when my wife insisted on bringing her older brother in as our driver. The very next day, my brother-in-law sold my $45,000 business car to a used car dealer. Not only that, he had the nerve to lecture me. "You're just a small business owner," he said. "Driving a car this expensive is a waste. You might as well sell it and buy gold for my sister. At least that'll appreciate in value." I swallowed my anger and tried to explain. "I've never treated her poorly. I've never missed a holiday gift. Compared to what others spend, driving this car is already modest." He flew into a rage instantly. "You still dare talk back? My sister gets treated like a maid by your mother every day, and you pretend not to see it. "Driving a luxury car, pretending to be rich, probably thinking about keeping a mistress. As long as I'm around, don't even think about it. "In my family, women handle the money. You'd better transfer all your assets to my sister." I turned to leave, but he punched me straight in the eye. When my wife rushed over, she did not defend me. Instead, she scolded me for looking down on her family. While I was being treated for my eye injury, she even allowed her brother to sell all the gold and expensive watches in our house. They used the money to buy a car for his son and even sold the house just to show off their wealth. Meanwhile, she went online and complained about how miserable her married life had been. I was so furious I was speechless. In the end, I called the police. Since they were so eager to get their hands on my money, I decided they would not get a single cent.

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Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I was drilling the crew on job safety when my phone started blaring. It was my wife, Ella Jamison, on the line. I picked it up immediately.

"Honey!"

She cut me off before I could get another word in.

"It's my brother, he's in deep trouble. You need to go help him, now!"

Her voice was panicked, and I knew that was no small matter. It smelled like danger.

Without hesitation, I grabbed a few of the guys, and we booked it to the spot Ella mentioned.

To my surprise, it was a used car lot.

My brother-in-law, Harold Jamison, spotted me and shot a glare at the bespectacled man next to him.

"See? This is the owner of the car, my brother-in-law. Satisfied? Now hand over the cash."

I was lost but relieved to see Harold in one piece.

I chuckled, "Harold, what's this all about? Is this guy ducking out on a debt to you?"

Given Harold's lordly air, I could not imagine any other scenario, and Ella sounded so urgent that it had to be a hefty sum.

The glasses guy looked me over and popped the question, "Sir, are you selling this car? 30 grand, firm."

He gestured to the side.

I glanced over and was stunned.

My voice cracked with disbelief. "That's my new car, what's it doing here?

"No, I'm not selling." I started to say.

However, Harold lost it, lashing out with a kick, "This isn't your place to talk, beat it."

He spun around, grabbed the glasses guy by the shirt, and bellowed, "You said bring the owner and we'd swap the car for cash, right?

"You think you can pull one over on me? I swear I'll wreck this dump of a dealership," he snarled.

He then turned to the crew I brought along, puffing up his chest in pride.

"Take a good look. These guys are my ride-or-die brothers. They wouldn't dream of stepping out of line. If you know what's good for you, you'll pay up now. It's your best bet."

The situation clicked into place for me in an instant.

Rage flared up, sending a chill through my voice, "Listen up, I'm not selling the car, and he's got no say in it."

"And if he doesn't back off, don't hesitate to call the cops."

What a ridiculous man. I shook my head in disbelief.

All that worry for nothing, not to mention the time wasted for my crew and me.

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10 Chapters
Chapter 1
I was drilling the crew on job safety when my phone started blaring. It was my wife, Ella Jamison, on the line. I picked it up immediately."Honey!"She cut me off before I could get another word in."It's my brother, he's in deep trouble. You need to go help him, now!"Her voice was panicked, and I knew that was no small matter. It smelled like danger.Without hesitation, I grabbed a few of the guys, and we booked it to the spot Ella mentioned.To my surprise, it was a used car lot.My brother-in-law, Harold Jamison, spotted me and shot a glare at the bespectacled man next to him."See? This is the owner of the car, my brother-in-law. Satisfied? Now hand over the cash."I was lost but relieved to see Harold in one piece.I chuckled, "Harold, what's this all about? Is this guy ducking out on a debt to you?"Given Harold's lordly air, I could not imagine any other scenario, and Ella sounded so urgent that it had to be a hefty sum.The glasses guy looked me over and popped th
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Chapter 2
He was trying to hawk my new ride at a steal, thinking he could line his pockets and play me for a fool. I seethed inwardly.I bit back my fury, gave my workers the nod, and we started to head out.However, Harold clamped onto me, oozing arrogance. "Jim, you really want to cross me? One word from me, and my sister will dump you. You'll be left a lonely old man no one wants."With that, he spat right in my face; A clear insult.The workers inhaled sharply, scrambling to hand me tissues. I wiped the vile spit away, again and again, but it just would not come clean. All I could do was wrench away from Harold's grip and grit out, "Go on, call Ella now. Let's hear what she has to say."…When he saw the anger on my face, Harold froze for a moment. Then he glanced at the bespectacled man beside him, who was clearly enjoying the show, and immediately straightened up and began lecturing me as if he were completely in the right."I just think a small business owner like you has no busine
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Chapter 3
Harold cursed and spat as he drove everyone away, threatening to gouge out my eyes if anyone dared try to stop him. No one dared step any closer.My eye throbbed with unbearable pain, and as I blindly swung my arms and yelled for a hospital, I tried to stand.However, in the next instant, Harold lost it.He jammed his fingers into my eye socket, yanking with savage force, spewing curses."Think you can fight back? I'll show you who's king here."A scream tore from my throat.As the crowd gasped in horror, I staggered and fell, my cries echoing in the air.…"Harold, your hand's bleeding so much, does it hurt?" Ella was only worried about her brother, who just attacked me, oblivious to my suffering.Pain was edging me toward unconsciousness, my heart turning to ice.The workers stood frozen in shock.Finally coming to their senses, they scrambled to get me into a car and off to the hospital.Harold, that monster, did irreparable damage to my eye.The doctor could do nothi
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Chapter 4
The living room looked like a frat party gone wild, with a dozen randos guzzling booze like it was the end of the world."Matthias, man, you've got it made in the shade with this mansion. We're all living it up thanks to you," one of them toasted.""Totally, and that sweet ride, a cool 150 grand, don't forget to toss us a bone," another added.Matthias Jamison was eating up the adoration, grinning like a Cheshire cat."This place? It's just a starter. I'm gonna snag a villa that'll blow this one out of the water. This joint will be Pop's retirement pad."He was Harold's kid, alright. It looked like he was playing king of the castle while I was out of commission.In your dreams, buddy.I felt the rage bubble up, and I let it rip, "Everybody out, now!"The room went dead silent.Then Matthias sneered, "Look who's talking, you blind cripple. You're the one who should hit the road."His words were like a slap in the face, and I was about to clap back when a ruckus upstairs cut me
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Chapter 5
"He's lost his marbles, spouting nonsense all day."I tried to intervene again, but Matthias's fist came out of nowhere, his face a mask of fury as he snarled, "Blind idiot, want to test how tough my fists are?"The goons closed in fast, their menace thick in the air, like a scene straight out of a mob movie, sending the house hunters scurrying.Harold lounged on the couch, clapping like he was at a show."Nice job, son. Teach him a lesson, make sure he doesn't dare to make trouble again."No sooner had he spoken than Matthias, grinning wildly, led the charge as they laid into me without mercy."This is what happens when you don't listen," he cackled.I fought back with everything I had, but I was no match for the onslaught of fists.Before I knew it, I was on the ground, bloodied and battered, every inch of me screaming in pain.Someone tried to dial 911, but Ella was quicker, snatching the phone with a laugh as she spun her tale."He's got a screw loose. If we don't put him
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Chapter 6
I should have been the one to say that last line to her.I gave her my heart, my trust, and the best of everything.What did I get in return? My mother's death at her hands and Harold's.Fighting through the pain wracking my body, I got to my feet, ignoring her tantrum.I tried to make a beeline for the cops, who were being blocked by Matthias and his cronies, but Harold, handcuffs and all, came at me swinging."Think playing the mute will save you? Today, you'd better come clean about calling the cops, or I'll beat you to a pulp."His threat was audacious, utterly disregarding the cops right there.I tried to sidestep his blow, but with only one good eye, I barely missed Harold's fist,only to be caught in Ella's relentless barrage.She spat venom with each strike. "Just look at you, a filthy beggar, you make me sick."Out with it, was it your dead mother, always scheming behind our backs, who told you to rat us out? She's always been green with envy at my happiness."Her w
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Chapter 7
Suddenly, her eyes went wide with realization, and she blurted out, "Your mom's dead?"The sales staff, trying to be a smart aleck, made one last attempt to save his skin."Look at this guy, he's clearly off his rocker. He wouldn't be smearing my client, would he?"Ella caught on quickly, nodding vigorously. "I'm Jim's wife. He's been off his meds for a while, always spouting nonsense. I can vouch for that. And his mom's death? That was just a freak accident."Harold perked up at that. "Exactly, an accident. Officers, even his wife says he's got issues. Don't listen to a madman's babble."The cop's face turned serious. "We'll determine if Jim's got mental health issues or not."Ella backpedaled fast. "That surveillance tape is a fake, for sure. We don't have that kind of tech at our place."I stared her down, my voice icy and deliberate, "The cameras were put in before we tied the knot. Whether they're real or not, the authorities will figure it out. Your brother's going to face
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Chapter 8
She paused, a look of surprise flashing across her face before she slipped into a cloying sweetness. "Jim, why are you avoiding me? You're being so annoying."Her voice was so forced it sent shivers down my spine and made me feel sick.Gone was the refreshing gentleness she once had, replaced by an overdone slickness that turned my stomach."I don't want to see you again. Leave."My voice was ice, and it stopped Ella in her tracks.Tears pooled in her eyes as she looked at me, searching my face for answers she could not believe.Then she saw the prosthetic eye, and her voice dropped to a whisper."Jim, I'm so sorry. I had no idea Harold would do something so terrible, to hurt you like this."I didn't realize pushing your mom down the stairs would kill her. Now he's locked up for life."She dabbed at her tears, her voice breaking, "Let's just put the past behind us, okay? From now on, we'll have a good life together. That's all that matters."How could she be so shameless as t
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Chapter 9
Ella, noticing my troubled look, asked with childlike innocence, "What's wrong? The doctor said the baby's healthy."I gave a bitter smile and shook my head."The baby's health doesn't concern me. You need to tell the real father."The realization that she was unfaithful was something I did not see coming.It was a real gut punch, I thought to myself.Panic flashed in Ella's eyes before she steadied herself and said, "You are the baby's biological father."Jim, I get that you're mad at me, but don't trash my reputation."I would never betray you."Her words sounded noble, but her actions told a different story.I fixed Ella with an icy gaze. "You're still lying? You are eight weeks pregnant, and two months ago, I was away on a business trip for a whole month. We didn't sleep together. You know exactly how this happened."Do I need to dig up proof of your cheating before you'll come clean?"…As she heard that, Ella's complexion went from ashen to flushed. She whispered to h
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Chapter 10
Naturally, I could not wait to share the news with Harold, who was behind bars. He reacted exactly as I expected, losing his temper, pointing at me, and yelling, "You heartless fool. You're loaded. Why toss my sister aside?"You should be splitting your fortune with Ella, and that means my boy gets his share." He was clearly eyeing my fortune, dreaming it would all end up with his kid. Dream on. Harold's tantrum quickly brought the guards running, and they hauled him off. Frankly, his life sentence was getting off easy. My visit today had a dual purpose, to rile him up and to make sure the other inmates would 'take good care' of Harold from now on.The only true revenge for my mother was to make him suffer a living hell.However, Harold could not take the heat. In just six months, he was a broken man, both in body and mind.When he got shipped off to the psych ward, I had my guys dig a little deeper. Turns out, he was playing us all.The game was not over. In some places, al
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