BUSINESS FLOP

Antonio was heading towards the kitchen when he heard voices—no, shouting—coming from the study. The door was slightly ajar, and Antonio could hear his father-in-law, James Carter, yelling into the phone. 

"I don't care what your excuses are!" James's voice was full of anger, the kind that came from a man about to lose it. "You were supposed to secure that deal! Do you have any idea what this is going to cost me? Fix it. Or you're done."

Antonio hesitated at the door, as curiosity pulled him closer. 

He had always been on the outsider of the family and tried like trash even after his contract marriage with James's daughter Lisa had saved her from her crazy ex—Bruno.

That didn't make James Antonio any better. He was beneath their social station. But hearing James like this, vulnerable and furious, stirred something in Antonio. It was like he had forgotten all the insult and wanted to help.

Taking a deep breath, Antonio stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room. 

James was pacing furiously behind his massive l desk, phone pressed to his ear, his face flushed with rage. 

Papers were strewn across the desk, and a half-empty glass of scotch sat forgotten beside them.

"Mr. Carter?" Antonio's voice echoed as he closed the door behind him. 

James didn't acknowledge him at first, too caught up in his call. 

"You listen to me, you idiot. I don't care if you have to beg or borrow. I want my investment back!" He spat.

Antonio shifted uncomfortably but decided to try again. "James, maybe there's a way I can help—"

James turned sharply, eyes narrowing at Antonio, his expression venomous. 

"Help?" he spat, slamming the phone down without saying goodbye to the person on the other end. "What the hell do you know about any of this?"

"I've handled some business negotiations before," Antonio offered. "I know things didn't go as planned, but maybe I can—"

"Shut up!" James's voice boomed, cutting him off. 

He walked toward Antonio, eyes flashing with fury. "This is out of your league, boy. You think you can just waltz in here and fix my problems?"

Antonio opened his mouth to respond, but before he could get a word out, the door to the study burst open. His mother-in-law, Helena Carter, stood in the doorway, her eyes cold and judgmental, a sneer curling her lips. 

She always had a way of making Antonio feel small, like he was an inconvenience in their perfect world.

"What is going on in here?" Helena asked. She glanced from James to Antonio, her gaze hardening as she settled on her son-in-law.

"This thing, think he could fix my problem." James said snapping his head her way.

"Antonio," she said. "Why are you even in here? You should know better than to meddle in things that don't concern you."

"I was just trying to help," Antonio said quietly. He knew what was coming next; it always did.

"Help?" Helena's laugh was harsh and mocking. "The only thing you're good for is being Annabelle's little toy boy. Don't pretend to be anything more than that."

The insult stung more than Antonio cared to admit, but he did his best to hide it, forcing a small smile that didn't reach his eyes. 

"I'm just trying to support the family." He stated.

Margaret's eyes narrowed, and before he could react, she raised her hand and slapped him across the face. 

The sound echoed in the study, a sharp crack that left Antonio frozen in shock. He could feel the sting spreading across his cheek, but more than that, he felt the familiar feeling of humiliation. This was how they saw him—worthless, insignificant.

"You stay out of our business," Helena said. "You hear me? Stick to what you're good at. Let us handle the real work."

Antonio swallowed hard, his mind racing, but there was nothing he could say. He had tried—tried to prove that he wasn't just some outsider, that he could contribute. But in this family, he would always be second-rate. 

His role was clear: to be the quiet, obedient husband to their perfect daughter, nothing more.

He nodded, not trusting himself to speak, and turned on his heel, leaving the study behind him. His face still burned from the slap. 

He walked down the hallway, his mind a swirl of thoughts, trying to push down the anger and the hurt that threatened to overwhelm him.

Lisa was there, as usual, holding court with her friends—Cherry, Sandra, and Julia—all seated in a circle, gossiping and laughing in that high-pitched, dismissive way they always did. 

When Cherry saw Antonio, her eyes narrowed, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Well, look who it is," Cherry said, with sarcasm in her voice. "Lisa's little helper."

The words hit Antonio like a splash of cold water. He swallowed the bitterness rising in his throat and tried to maintain his composure.

"Don't speak like that !" Lisa called out, waving him over. And at first Antonio thought she was going to defend him.

But as he headed her way stepping deeper into the room;the next word that spilled out her lips made him halt his step.