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Chapter 2 - Chapter Two

Are you even listening to what I'm saying?" Maria snapped, a frown creasing her tired face.

"I'm sorry," Adrian said quickly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just... spaced out for a bit."

Sweat glistened at his temple under her piercing gaze. Maria studied him closely. Something about him was off today. Since the moment he'd woken up, he'd been acting strangely—calm, quiet, even gentle.

He hadn't hit her when she raised her voice. He'd apologized. Apologized.

If this had been the Adrian she married years ago, she would have smiled. But this man—the one she'd come to fear—was unpredictable, volatile. Seeing him act kind only made her more uneasy. To Maria, it felt like the eerie stillness before a storm.

Or maybe… it was just another trick.

Her chest tightened. Stupid, Maria. She cursed herself silently. You really thought he changed?

She knew better than to hope. Hope had only ever left her bruised.

"I said," she began again, forcing her voice steady, "you can do whatever you like. You've never asked for my permission before, so why start now?" She gave a small, bitter smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"I—" Adrian started but stopped himself.

He wanted to tell her the truth—that this time, the loan wasn't for gambling or alcohol. That he wanted to start a business, to give her and Jenna the life they deserved. But he saw the disbelief in her eyes before he even spoke.

And he couldn't blame her. He'd earned that distrust.

They finished their meal in silence. The clink of cutlery was the only sound between them. When Adrian finally stood, he slipped on his worn-out coat and muttered, "I'm heading out. I'll be back before seven."

He reached for the doorknob, then paused. "Ah, right…"

He turned back, grabbed his old Motorola RAZR from the table, and flipped it open. The device felt alien in his hand. The tiny monochrome screen, the stiff buttons—it was like holding a fossil. In 2024, he'd used iPhones and sleek Z Flip models. Now, this relic felt like something out of a museum.

Still, it worked.

He shoved it into his pocket and stepped outside.

A group of young men loitered near the dusty roadside, their laughter sharp as knives.

"Oh, look who it is—the Nelson family's son-in-law," one sneered.

"He's broke, always drunk, and useless," another jeered. "They should've thrown him out ages ago."

Their laughter stung, echoing off the walls.

The Adrian of the past would've exploded—thrown a punch, smashed a bottle, anything to feel in control again. But this Adrian only walked past, ignoring them. He had no time to waste.

He needed to move fast—before the Black Dragon organization came looking for him. Before history repeated itself.

If things went smoothly, he'd start rebuilding today. If not… he had other ways of ensuring it did.

He reached the local bank at 3:30 PM, his pulse steady.

Inside, he approached one of the tellers. "Good afternoon," he said politely. "I'd like to inquire about a loan."

The teller—a young woman with crisp hair and a starched uniform smiled. "Certainly, sir. Please take a seat. May I see your ID?"

Adrian handed it over and began explaining his business plan. He only shared one of his ideas—simple, practical, believable. Revealing everything at once would make him sound insane.

But before he could finish, a familiar voice sliced through the air behind him.

"Well, well, well… look who we have here."

That mocking tone. He'd know it anywhere.

Adrian turned, jaw tightening.

Jace Nelson—his brother-in-law. Maria's older brother.

Jace walked in like he owned the place, a glamorous blonde woman clinging to his arm. Both were dressed in luxury—tailored suits, glittering jewelry. The teller's demeanor changed instantly. She stood up, flustered, and hurried to greet them with a bow.

"Good afternoon, sir. Good afternoon, ma'am. Please, have a seat."

The smile she gave Jace was wide and eager, nothing like the neutral politeness she'd shown Adrian.

The bank was packed—it was Friday, and the lines were long—but the teller didn't care. Jace's status made everyone else invisible.

"I'd like to deposit twenty thousand dollars into my fiancée's account," Jace said loudly.

The crowd murmured in awe.

Twenty thousand. In 2006, that was a fortune.

"Right away, sir," the teller said, her tone dripping with respect.

But Jace lifted a hand. "Actually, attend to my brother-in-law first," he said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "He probably came begging for another loan. I can wait."

His voice was syrupy sweet—pretending to care but Adrian knew the venom underneath.

People turned, whispering. Their gazes darted between the two men: one sharply dressed and radiating wealth; the other wearing frayed clothes and scuffed shoes.

Brother-in-laws, yet worlds apart.

Adrian said nothing. He simply looked back at Jace, his expression unreadable.

But deep inside, one thought burned:

This time, it won't be you laughing.

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