In the Anderson household, Ethan stirred from his slumber, his days filled with prolonged sleep ever since he lost his job. Unwilling to actively seek employment, he reveled in his wife's care and support. Rising from the bed, he proceeded to the bathroom to begin his morning routine, preparing for the day ahead. After dressing himself, he set out, fully aware that it was his wife's payday, and he had taken Annabelle's credit card, anticipating the arrival of her salary in her bank account.
Ethan withdrew money from the ATM, his mind fixated on the notion of doubling Annabelle's salary. He believed that a substantial win in his gambling endeavors would provide the means to achieve this, hoping that his success would make Annabelle proud. With this hope in his heart, he headed to his preferred gambling establishment, eager to try his luck.
As the gambling commenced, Ethan eagerly placed his card on the table, filled with confidence that victory was within his grasp. A smile crept across his face as he envisioned his triumphant outcome. However, as the game progressed, the situation turned increasingly challenging. Despite his initial optimism, Ethan's funds steadily dwindled with each successive round, and he found himself unable to secure a single win.
The weight of disappointment began to settle upon Ethan's shoulders as he continued to gamble. The allure of success and the desire to provide for Annabelle drove him to persist, but his losses accumulated. The once-promising vision of doubling Annabelle's salary faded, and a sense of anxiety replaced his initial confidence. Ethan trudged back home, his spirit crushed by the disastrous day at the casino. He carried the heavy weight of his losses, knowing that he had squandered all their money. Every step filled him with dread as he envisioned facing his wife, Annabelle, and the inevitable confrontation that awaited him.
As Ethan turned the doorknob, he was met with the sight of Annabelle's angry expression. It was clear that she had discovered the debit alert on their bank account, and her disappointment was palpable. Her voice brimmed with frustration as she demanded an explanation for his actions and questioned what he had purchased without her knowledge. Her outstretched hand demanded the remaining balance, but Ethan hesitated, painfully aware that he had nothing left to offer.
With a heavy heart, Ethan confessed that he had gambled away all the money. Annabelle's anger intensified, and she unleashed her fury upon him. Her voice rose as she berated him, blaming him for their current predicament and laying the responsibility squarely on his shoulders. She called him names, labeling him as a greedy and lazy man, accusing him of being a spendthrift who carelessly wasted money. The absence of any savings for their family became a glaring point of contention.
Annabelle's frustration reached its peak as she asserted that she was tired of being the sole provider for the family. She insisted that Ethan must seek employment outside the home, emphasizing the need for him to contribute to their financial stability. The weight of her words hung heavily in the air, leaving Ethan with a deep sense of guilt and shame. Ethan retreated to his room, seeking solace from the consequences of his actions. Memories flooded his mind, taking him back to his youth. He vividly recalled the times when his father, frustrated with his laziness and gambling habits, would resort to beatings as a means of discipline. But Ethan's rebellious spirit remained unyielding, and he continued indulging in his vices, paying no heed to the lessons he should have learned.
In stark contrast to Ethan's carefree attitude, his brother Ray embodied diligence and hard work. Ray would diligently take care of the household chores, often shouldering the burden of Ethan's responsibilities as well. It was Ray who shielded Ethan from their father's wrath, sparing him from the consequences of his own actions. Despite this, Ethan failed to appreciate his brother's sacrifices.
Tragedy struck when Ray, the hardworking and responsible one, unexpectedly passed away. Ethan, despite being married to Annabelle at the time, couldn't find it in himself to feel genuine sorrow. Deep within, he couldn't escape the realization that it was Ray's diligent efforts that ultimately led to his demise. The guilt weighed heavily on Ethan's conscience, but he refused to confront his own shortcomings.
In a cruel turn of events, Ethan squandered all of Ray's properties and money, exploiting the inheritance left behind by his deceased brother. Now, his niece found herself compelled to work as a personal assistant to Justin, the CEO of Joyce Group, in order to repay the debt Ethan owed. It was a stark reminder of the repercussions of his reckless behavior and the burden he had placed upon his family.
Adding to his despair, Ethan's own daughter had chosen to distance herself from their troubled household, seeking a fresh start in Houston. The pain of her departure served as a poignant reminder of the fractured family dynamic that Ethan's actions had engendered.