Chapter 1 - The Freezing Wake-Up Call
The bright morning sun poured into the high-end master bedroom, illuminating the plush tufted headboard and crisp silk bedding.
Arthur, a 68-year-old retired surgeon with white hair and a silver beard, lay under the blanket wearing dark blue silk pajamas with white piping. His eyes were heavy with exhaustion after spending twelve hours working a pro bono shift at the free medical clinic downtown.
Suddenly, the bedroom door flew open.
Valeria, his daughter-in-law in her late twenties, stormed inside. Her dark hair was styled in an elaborate updo, and she wore a ruffled, feathered white short dress. She held a tall glass of ice water in her manicured hand, her face twisted in pure arrogance and disdain.
Behind her stood Julian, Arthur's 30-year-old son, wearing a light blue dress shirt and dark trousers, looking conflicted, silent, and thoroughly cowardly.
"Get out of bed right now!" Valeria barked, her harsh voice slicing through the quiet room.
Before Arthur could even blink, Valeria abruptly dumped the entire glass of ice water straight onto his face. Ice cubes bounded across his chest as freezing water soaked his silver beard, hair, and blue silk pajamas.
"It’s nine in the morning, you useless slob!" Valeria sneered, slapping the empty glass onto the nightstand.
Arthur flinched violently, raising his trembling hands to wipe the dripping water from his eyes. He turned his head slowly toward his only son, his raspy voice filled with restrained, heartbreaking pain.
"Tell her something, Julian..." Arthur whispered.
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Julian avoided his father's gaze entirely, staring down at his expensive leather shoes in passive silence.
👉 Why did Julian allow his wife to treat the man who funded their lavish lifestyle like a dog?
