THE HIDDEN HEIR

Rain drizzled lightly over the crowded streets of Silverstone City as twenty-one-year-old Ethan Cole walked through the university gate with a torn backpack hanging loosely over his shoulder. His sneakers were faded. His shirt was wrinkled. And his stomach had been empty since morning. Students passed him while whispering and laughing under their breaths. Some covered their noses dramatically as though poverty itself carried a smell. Ethan ignored them. He was used to it. Ever since his parents died six years ago, life had become a battle he fought alone. He worked part-time washing dishes at a nightclub, delivered food at night, and picked discarded cans around campus just to survive. He bent down beside a trash bin and picked up an empty bottle. “Still scavenging like a homeless man?” A cold female voice stopped him. Ethan froze instantly. Standing behind him was Vanessa Reed — his girlfriend of three years. Or perhaps… former girlfriend. Vanessa looked breathtaking in her expensive white dress and designer heels. Her makeup was flawless, her hair perfectly curled, and beside her stood Jason Blackwell, the richest student in their department. Jason smirked as he wrapped an arm around Vanessa’s waist. Ethan’s chest tightened painfully. “Vanessa… what’s going on?” he asked quietly. Vanessa crossed her arms. “I’m tired of pretending, Ethan. I can’t keep dating a poor nobody.” The words stabbed him deeper than any knife. “You said money never mattered,” Ethan whispered. Vanessa laughed mockingly. “That was before I realized love doesn’t pay bills.” Jason stepped forward arrogantly. “You should thank Vanessa,” he sneered. “At least she wasted three years pretending to care.” The students around them burst into laughter. Ethan clenched his fists tightly. Vanessa leaned closer, her voice icy. “You embarrass me, Ethan. Look at yourself. You’re pathetic.” Jason suddenly pulled out several bills from his wallet and tossed them onto the ground. “Pick it up,” he said. “Isn’t this what you do anyway?” The crowd laughed even louder. For a brief second, Ethan stared at the money. His rent was overdue. He hadn’t eaten properly in days. And his landlord had threatened to throw him out. But before he could bend down, Vanessa stepped on the money with her heel. “You don’t deserve dignity if you’re poor,” she said coldly. Something inside Ethan shattered. He looked at her one final time. “I hope one day,” he said softly, “you regret this.” Vanessa rolled her eyes and walked away with Jason. The rain continued falling as Ethan stood there alone while everyone mocked him. No one noticed the black luxury car parked quietly across the road. And no one noticed the elderly man inside watching Ethan carefully with trembling eyes.