meeting wife's cousin

The morning sun peeked through the blinds, casting a warm glow across Alex's small apartment as he stirred from his slumber. Despite the promising rays of light, a sense of unease lingered in the air as Alex prepared for the day ahead. Today was not just another day—it was a day fraught with tension and uncertainty.

As he made his way through the crowded city streets, Alex couldn't shake the feeling of impending dread that gnawed at his insides. It was as though the weight of the world rested upon his shoulders, pressing down upon him with each step he took.

Arriving at the job site, Alex was met with the usual hustle and bustle of construction work. But amidst the chaos, there was an undercurrent of tension—a tension that seemed to emanate from one person in particular.

John, his wife's cousin and an indirect member of the Smith family, stood near the entrance, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips as he caught sight of Alex. "Look who decided to show up," he sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Alex felt a familiar sense of humiliation wash over him at John's words, his cheeks burning with embarrassment. But it wasn't just John's mocking tone that stung—it was the stares and whispers of the other workers that cut even deeper.

As Alex went about his work, he couldn't help but feel the weight of their judgment bearing down on him. He could hear their snickers and see the smirks that played across their faces as they watched him struggle.

"You see that guy over there?" he heard one worker whisper to another. "Yeah, the one with the worn-out boots and the cheap tools. I heard he's only here because his wife's family took pity on him."

Alex felt a surge of anger rise within him at the cruel gossip, but he forced himself to push it down. He knew better than to engage with the other workers—especially when John was watching, ready to pounce on any sign of weakness.

Ignoring the jibes and taunts, Alex squared his shoulders and set to work, determined to prove himself in spite of the ridicule. But try as he might, he couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy that lingered like a dark cloud over his head.

Throughout the day, John's barbs continued to sting, each one driving home the harsh reality of Alex's position within the family. It was as though no matter how hard he worked or how much he accomplished, he would always be seen as nothing more than a charity case—a burden to be tolerated, but never truly accepted.

As the day wore on, Alex's frustration and anger grew, until he could no longer contain his emotions. With a clenched jaw and fists balled at his sides, he confronted John, his voice trembling with suppressed rage.

"You think you're so clever, don't you?" John taunted, his smirk widening into a malicious grin. "But we all know the truth, don't we? You're nothing but a pathetic excuse for a man—a charity case who's lucky to even be here."

Alex felt his face flush with humiliation at John's words, his heart sinking with every cruel jab. He knew that arguing with John would only make things worse, but the urge to defend himself was too strong to resist.

"I may not have been born into this family, but I work just as hard as anyone else here," Alex protested, his voice shaking with emotion. "I may not be perfect, but at least I'm not a bully who gets his kicks from tearing others down."

John's laughter echoed in the air, a cruel reminder of his superiority. "Oh please, spare me the sob story," he scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain. "You're nothing but a beta male—a pathetic excuse for a man who's lucky to even have a job. Now run along and do whatever it is you do best—fail."

With a heavy heart, Alex turned and walked away, the sting of John's words cutting deeper than any physical wound. He knew that he would never be able to change the minds of his in-laws, no matter how hard he tried.