The sky loomed overhead, heavy with dark clouds as rain began to pour in relentless sheets.
Pedestrians scurried for cover, dodging the deluge while cars splashed past, their tires hissing against the slick pavement.
In a shadowy corner of a narrow alley, rain cascaded like icy daggers as Ethan Carter pressed himself against the cold wall, his ribs protesting with every shallow breath.
Blood trickled from his split lip, mingling with the grime beneath him.
Before him stood three burly men, their expressions twisted in disdain.
Two wielded baseball bats while the third, the apparent leader, flashed brass knuckles that glinted ominously in the dim light.
"Pathetic," one sneered, casually slinging his bat over his shoulder. "You really thought she loved you?"
"Yeah," chimed in another thug with a mocking laugh. "This guy is the poster child for simp and stupidity! Didn't even realize he was being played for years!"
Ethan coughed violently, his vision blurring as memories of Elena cold smile as she handed over the signed documents to her lover, sealing away everything he had built: his company, his money, his very life.
"She said you'd fight," one of the thugs sneered, laughter echoing in the dim alley as he kicked Ethan hard in the stomach. "But look at you now, a dumb dog who didn't know when to let go."
With every ounce of strength, Ethan clawed at the concrete beneath him, crimson blood spilling from his lips.
The pain coursing through his body was nothing compared to the heart-wrenching betrayal that twisted within him.
Three kids. Four years of marriage. A hundred million-dollar empire, all a lie.
The third man loomed over him, a hulking brute with brass knuckles glinting menacingly in the low light. "Boss said to make sure you don't get back up."
With that chilling declaration, he slammed his fists against Ethan's skull, splitting it open and sending blood streaming down.
As darkness enveloped him and he slumped against the alley wall, laughter was all he heard before slipping into oblivion.
--------------
PRESENT DAY!
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Ethan jolted awake with a start. His phone lay shattered beside him, its screen a mosaic of cracks that made deciphering notifications nearly impossible.
Yet after seven years with this device, navigating its broken interface was second nature for him.
His heart raced as new orders popped up on-screen: "A new delivery!"
He grinned widely, revealing bright white teeth as excitement surged through him.
Quickly donning his helmet and hopping onto his old motorbike, he twisted the throttle and sped off into the bustling streets.
Like an experienced rider navigating familiar terrain, Ethan delivered packages tirelessly for seven hours straight under the sweltering sun.
The sweat dripped down his brow; yet each completed delivery brought him joy amidst exhaustion.
-------------
Ethan pressed the doorbell of an apartment complex while clutching a box tightly in hand.
Moments later, the door swung open to reveal a girl with an unpleasant scowl etched across her face.
"What took you so long? I've been waiting forever!" she barked disdainfully.
"It's only been five minutes since you ordered," Ethan replied evenly despite feeling bitterness rise within him. "And there was traffic!"
"You dare talk back? I'll complain about you to your company!" With that threat hanging in the air like storm clouds, she snatched the box from his hands and slammed the door shut.
"Just my luck!" Ethan sighed, glancing at the closed door before shaking his head in disappointment.
With a resigned shrug, he hopped onto his motorbike and rode away. For him, dealing with people like that had become just another part of his daily routine.
At first, he would get riled up and even engage in fights, but over time, he learned that these encounters weren't worth his energy. Instead, he chose to let it go and focus on his deliveries with a clearer mind.
As the sun blazed overhead began its descent toward the western horizon, Ethan continued his delivery job for the next five hours.
"Looks like it's time to clock out!" he muttered to himself as he tilted his head toward the sinking sun.
He fished out his broken phone, turned off the delivery app, and stopped accepting new orders.
With a sense of anticipation building within him, Ethan rode to the night market located in southern downtown area of Kings City.
Moments later, he arrived amidst a vibrant crowd buzzing with life and noise.
After parking his bike in a corner and securing it with a lock, he strolled into the market filled with an array of eclectic items, antiques, toys, trinkets, each one telling its own story.
A few minutes later, Ethan found himself captivated by a stall adorned with various handmade necklaces and hairpins, delicate treasures crafted with care.
His gaze was drawn particularly to one necklace featuring a slender silver chain adorned with an exquisite snowflake design.
"How much for this beauty?" Ethan asked the elderly woman tending the stall.
"Ahh! Young man," she replied warmly through her wrinkles, "this necklace is just $10!"
For a brief moment, hesitation flickered in Ethan's eyes as he considered the price.
But then determination took over; he pulled out a ten-dollar bill and handed it over before carefully tucking the necklace into his pocket.
After browsing for a bit longer at other stalls filled with oddities and treasures from yesteryears, Ethan hopped back on his motorbike and drove away.
---------------
Twenty minutes later, he arrived at an aging apartment complex that stood four stories tall.
Parking in his usual spot and locking up once again, Ethan made his way up to the third floor.
Standing before their door now felt like standing at the entrance of warmth itself; taking a deep breath brought forth an involuntary smile as he pushed it open.
"Dad!"
The moment he stepped inside was met by an exuberant little figure that dashed toward him, a small girl who clung to him like a koala bear.
Ethan's arms instinctively opened wide as Octavia leaped into them; her cherubic face beamed up at him through big blue eyes framed by rosy cheeks.
"How's my sweet baby girl today?" He enveloped her in an embrace while planting kisses on her cheek that elicited peals of laughter from her.
"Eww, Dad! Look at all the saliva you left on my face!"Octavia giggled as she playfully pushed Ethan's face away.
"Hah! Honey, you're back!" A soft, melodic voice chimed in just then.
Ethan lifted his head to see a stunning woman with a slender waist, long legs, and a beautiful face that bore a striking resemblance to Octavia's.
He stood up, gently placing Octavia down before walking over to her and wrapping her in a warm embrace. "Yeah, I'm back!" he murmured into her shoulder.
This was Genevieve, his wife, five years younger than him and undeniably captivating.
Sometimes Ethan found himself questioning how he had landed such an extraordinary partner.