VENGEANCE RISES

Fractured Futures

Leah stood silently, her face downcast as the weight of her world pressed down heavily on

her chest.

Kadmiel, standing just outside her family’s home, felt the coldness of her rejection sting

deep in his chest.

She had deemed him an unreliable and annoying person, a man who had abandoned his

responsibilities.

Leah"s mother, standing nearby, scoffed at Kadmiel, her voice dripping with disgust as she

looked at Kadmiel.

“You think you are anything compared to a man like Wilson?" she spat, her words sharp

and filled with pain.

"That rich young master could provide Leah with everything she and the children need,

and he would also provide for her family too, he knows how to take responsibility. You? You

are nothing but a ghost and a disgusting stain from her past. A mistake of a man.

Kelita lowkey believed that Leah and her parents had been doing a bit too much, but she

did not want to say anything so she would not worsen the matter.

She knew Kadmiel would be mad at her if she tried talking, so she preferred keeping her

thoughts inside. Though she was pained and annoyed, believing her brother did not deserve

all that insult.

But she really could not do anything to help.

Kadmiel’s jaw clenched, his face red with anger, pain and hurt, his hands balled into fists.

"I am not the man I once was Ma," he began, his voice steady but filled with conviction.

"I will take care of Leah and both our children. I swear it, we could even have more if she

wants."

But Leah’s mother only sneered, her face twisted in mockery.

"Swear all you like, you bastard. You have done nothing but make empty promises since

the very day she knew you. .

Leave right now, before you embarrass yourself any further."

Before Kadmiel could think of a response, the air seemed to shift. A sleek black car pulled

up outside, the drivers seat door was open and immediately, a man stepped out of the car

and headed to the backseat, the car door was open to reveal Young Master Wilson, the

wealthy suitor Leah’s family had arranged for her.

He stepped out with an air of superiority, flanked by bodyguards who towered over him like

shadows.

Leah"s family immediately changed their demeanor, bowing and scraping as if royalty had

just arrived.

"Young Master Wilson," Leah’s father greeted with a wide smile, all traces of anger and

hate toward Kadmiel disappearing in an instant.

"We have been expecting you. Leah especially had been expecting you, we thought you

would not come anymore, anyways, Leah is ready for the engagement.”

Leah, however, stood frozen, her heart torn. She had no desire to marry Wilson, a man

she barely knew and cared for even less. He was pompous and Leah hated pompous men.

But the pressure from her family weighed on her, suffocating and limiting her choices.

Kadmiel watched her closely, his heart heavy. He knew what was happening, they were

forcing her hand, trapping her into a future she did not approve of.

"Leah," he called softly, stepping forward. "What do you really want? I get he is rich and

can do a lot for you and yours, but do you really…. really want this?”

Leah’s eyes flickered with uncertainty, and for a moment, Kadmiel thought she might

speak the truth. But her lips remained pressed tightly together, and she said nothing.

Young Master Wilson, sensing Kadmiel’s challenge, chuckled mockingly.

"What can you offer her, Kadmiel? he asked, his voice oozing arrogance.

"You disappeared for years, leaving her to fend for herself. Now, you expect her to just

trust you? Come on bro.”

Kadmiel"s gaze darkened, and he stepped closer. "I may have made mistakes, but I am

here now. I am here to fix them. I will take care of Leah, her family, and our children. You are

not needed."

The audacity Kadmiel had to utter those disgusting words enraged Leah’s mother. She

stormed toward him and slapped him hard across the face.

"You will never be enough for her!” she screamed, her eyes wild. "Master Wilson here is

the future. You are nothing but a stain on our past."

Wilson’s smirk widened as he watched the scene unfold. He took a step forward, his eyes

narrowing as he finally recognized who Kadmiel was. "Oh, I know you," he said, his voice

dripping with malice. "You are the coward who ran off, leaving Leah to rot.”

“That is not true, you do not know the…." Kadmiel began, but Wilson cut him off with a

sharp laugh.

“You think you can just waltz back into her life? Please. You are being delusional big man,"

Wilson taunted, his eyes beaming with cruelty.

"Leah and her family have debts. Serious debts. If she marries me, I promise I will clear

them. But if she does not, well we know what that means… and she can forget about the

kids. I will make sure she never sees them or you ever again."

Leah’s breath caught in her throat, her eyes wide with horror. The pain of Wilson"s words

sliced through her, and yet, she was helpless.

Her heart ached for her children, and for Kadmiel, the father of her son and daughter.

But she feared the power Wilson held over her family."You can’t…" Leah whispered, her

voice trembling. "You can"t take them away."

Wilson laughed cruelly. "I can do whatever I want with anyone, Leah. This is business. If

you do not marry me, your children will pay the price.

"Leah"s mother, despite her earlier animosity toward Kadmiel, now turned to Wilson with

wide eyes.

"You never said anything about that," she muttered, clearly startled by the severity of his

threat.Wilson shrugged nonchalantly.

"I do not care about the children. I want Leah. If you want your debts cleared, you will do

exactly as I say. Otherwise, I will ensure you lose everything, and you would be worse than

how you currently are."

Leah felt the walls closing in around her, she wished the ground would just open and

swallow her up, but it did not.

The weight of her family’s expectations and Wilson"s ruthless demand felt unbearable. Her

heart pounded as she glanced at Kadmiel, who stood watching, his face dark with rage.

"Leah," Kadmiel said, stepping forward once more, "you do not have to do this, think

about it. I will not let him hurt you or the kids, I will take care of everything."

But Leah shook her head, tears forming in her eyes. "You do not understand," she

whispered, her voice breaking.

"Wilson has power. I can"t fight him."Kadmiel reached out to her, his voice soft but firm.

"You are not alone anymore, Leah.

I am here now. I will not let him take the children or you. I will not let him take you."

Wilson, who had been quietly watching Kadmiel’s declaration, suddenly snapped.

"Enough is enough! he roared in disdain, motioning to his bodyguards. "Break his legs!

Teach this fool a lesson!"

The guards moved forward without hesitation, their expressions cold and indifferent.

Leah’s eyes widened in panic, and she rushed toward Kadmiel, her hands trembling.

"Please, Kadmiel, I beg you, just leave," she begged, her voice desperate.

"I can’t lose you like this. Please go before they hurt you."But Kadmiel stood his ground,

unyielding. His eyes, fierce and resolute, never left Wilson’s.

"I am not going anywhere," he said quietly.

Wilson smirked, but before he could say another word, Kadmiel’s fist flew through the air,

connecting with his jaw in a brutal punch.

The force sent Wilson crashing to the ground, and a tooth fell out of his mouth, his body

limp and motionless.Silence fell.

The bodyguards, momentarily stunned, hesitated, unsure of what to do next. Leah stood

frozen, her heart racing, her eyes locked on Kadmiel.

Everything seemed to change in an instant.