Liam Hartman what is an average Joe type of a guy. So he was handsome, there was nothing else that stood out about him. He was poor and had a low paying job.
He had one thing going for him. His wife Claire. She was the beauty of the city and he knew it. Claire was part of the White family.
The White family was a second-rate family but they weren't poor. They also had the tendency to look their noses down at others. This made Liam the target of their ridicule.
The answer of how Liam landed such a beauty with the White family was Claire's grandfather. Truth be told, before he died, he arranged for Claire and Liam to get married.
Liam and Claire have been married for 3 years now. Claire's grandfather has been dead for most of that time dieing shortly after the wedding. Since then Claire's grandmother as well as her entire family has made life hell for her and especially her husband Liam.
Claire's grandmother name is Fran White. Fran hated that her husband managed to convince Claire to marry Liam. She hated Liam with every fiber in her. But most importantly, Claire's grandmother has successfully convinced Claire to wait to have children so she went on birth control.
Now the reason Fran gave to Claire for getting onto birth control made sense to Claire. Fran convinced Claire she needs to work on her relationship with Liam first.
Fran gave this reason when Claire's grandfather was still alive not to raise any suspicion from him. Truth be told this was only an excuse and Fran hid the real reason.
If Claire got pregnant by Liam than it would be harder for Fran to find a match for Claire that Fran approved of in the future. Fran always intended to force Claire to divorce Liam one way or another after Claire's grandfather would pass.
- - - - -
Everyone was at a birthday party for Fran.
"Grandma, I got you this beautiful jade bracelet worth $100,000."
"Mother, I got you this painting. It's one of a kind worth $250,000."
"Grandma, I got you this porcelain tea set worth $200,000"
This went on for what seemed like forever. Everyone giving Fran gifts that valued from $50,000 to $300,000.
When it was Liam's turn everyone laughed. Why? He had nothing to give.
David White, Claire's older cousin mocked Liam.
"Did you seriously come here without a single gift? Don't you have any respect?"
Everyone laughed. Liam just stood there not giving the White family the satisfaction of seeing him upset.
David continues.
"O, I got it. I know why you haven't brought anything. You're a broke ass bitch."
This made everyone laugh some more. Everyone except Claire who just walked in hearing the taunting.
"David! Leave him alone!"
Claire's mother, Carrie, then spoke up.
"Claire, you need to divorce Liam. He doesn't deserve you. Besides I hear that Brian Jones has been trying to date you. The Jones family is a top tier family in the city and Brian is the heir to their fortune. Come on Claire sweetie, you deserve better."
Claire's mother Carrie has been trying for years to get her to divorce Liam so Claire wasn't shocked that her mother brought this up again. But Claire wasn't having any of it.
Claire snapped saying, "Mom! I will not divorce Liam! And as for Brian, he's a dog sleeping with as many women he can!"
Carrie shook her head. She did not understand why her daughter insisted on staying married to Liam. Her mother-in-law had already convinced Claire to be on birth control. Granted she convinced Claire deceivingly because she had other motives but still.
In the end all Carrie could do was sigh and change the subject. One day her daughter will see the truth and will divorce this loser. For now she'll just keep planting the seeds hoping one will take root.
Liam had stepped out of the party to get some fresh air when his phone rang. It was a nurse at the hospital.
"The bill is due. If you don't pay we won't be able to keep treating your mother."
Liam's heart sank. His mother has been ill for quite some time and Highland Hospital has been doing their best to treat her but now there's a 3 million dollar bill and they're threatening to cut off treatment unless part if not all is paid.
Highland Hospital is a top tier Hospital. Only members of predominant families can send their loved ones there. Because Liam is a Hartman, he was able to get his mother in the hospital. However being a Hartman gets him in the door but it does not mean that he gets free treatment.
He clinched his phone that he had up to his ear as he replied, "I'll get the money soon just don't throw her out yet please."
The nurse just simply told him that she will try her best to stall but he still needs to hurry up.
After the call Liam received another call. Though he did not have the number saved in his phone he still recognized it.
"Bruce. Aren't you breaking the rules calling me?"
Bruce is the family right hand man. He has served the family from the moment he became an adult. Bruce started off as a simple Butler but worked himself up to being the patriarchs right hand man.
"Not at all young master. Your grandfather regrets kicking your parents out of the family. At the time he didn't have as much control of the family as he currently does. He wants to apologize and ask for you to return."
Liam's face turn beat red. How dare his grandfather demand his return.
"That old man made it very clear that I wasn't a true Hartman neither was my parents so why would he demand my return."
Bruce's voice was calm as he responded, "It's not a demand but a request and an apology."
This made Liam even more mad.
"My father is dead and my mother is in the hospital dying! Where was this apology when my father was on his deathbed? He should have apologized a long time ago!"
Bruce could tell how angry Liam was and he did not blame him.
"You are right young master. Your grandfather should have apologize long time ago and he admits it and agrees with you. Let's meet up and talk about this instead of talk over the phone. Maybe then you'll be able to understand."
Not satisfied but wanting to get off the phone Liam simply agreed.
"Fine. We will meet tomorrow at the cafe on 9th Street."
With that the call ended and Liam turned to go back into the birthday celebration for his wife's grandmother.