The Spark That Started It All

The heavy silence of the abandoned factory pressed down on Adam as he slowly pushed himself up from the cold, dirty floor.

Every movement sent sharp reminders of the brutal beating he had suffered. His body ached in every muscle, and his ribs throbbed with pain as he took shallow, ragged breaths.

With great effort, he forced himself to sit up, his eyes blinking away tears of pain and anger. Clutching his aching stomach, Adam staggered toward the exit.

Each step was a battle, and waves of agony shot through him, yet he knew he had to keep moving. The factory's darkness was filled with echoes of his struggle, and he felt the weight of his situation in every heartbeat.

As he reached the doorway, memories of John's cruel words flooded his mind. John's mocking voice seemed to echo in the emptiness of the building: 

"You really thought you were something, huh? Just because Sophia spoke to you a few times?"

The memory of that voice was like a burning brand in his thoughts. Adam's fingers curled into fists, and his nails dug into his palms as if trying to erase the pain of those words.

The very name "Sophia" stirred up a storm inside him—a storm of memories and emotions that dragged him back to a time when life had a different meaning.

Adam wasn't from the city. He had grown up in a small rural village where life was simple, but opportunities were scarce. His parents were hardworking, toiling every day in the fields and around their modest home.

They had no wealth and little influence, but they had an unbreakable determination and a steadfast belief in their son's potential.

Their dreams for him were simple yet powerful: they wanted Adam to have a better life than they ever could. They sacrificed much to send him to the city, pooling together every bit of money they could spare to fund his education.

And Adam—he had never taken their sacrifices for granted. He studied relentlessly, pushing himself far beyond his limits. Late nights under dim lights and early mornings spent preparing for his classes became the norm.

His efforts paid off when he secured admission into UA University, one of the top institutions in the city. Even there, surrounded by students from wealthy families and powerful backgrounds, Adam held his ground.

His grades were exceptional, and his performance was flawless. It was during these challenging times that someone very important took notice of him.

Her name was Sophia.

At first, Sophia had been just another face in the crowded halls of the university. But unlike many others, she looked beyond Adam's humble background and recognized something more.

She saw his tireless work ethic, his raw intelligence, and his burning desire to succeed.

Slowly, her attention grew, and with it came admiration. Sophia was not only beautiful and smart, but she also came from a family with enormous influence. To everyone around, she seemed untouchable—a shining star in a world of privilege.

Back then, Adam's heart had been filled with hope. When Sophia started to show interest in him, even if only in small ways, he felt a warmth he had never known.

He believed that maybe, just maybe, he could rise above his circumstances. Yet, as time passed, he began to see that her admiration was born of love.

In the end, Sophia remained a symbol of a world that Adam could only dream of—a world filled with wealth and power, one that was never meant for him.

Her father, a powerful steel tycoon, had even arranged for her to marry someone else—a man who shared the same lofty background as her. And worst of all, Sophia was also childhood friends with John, the man who now tormented Adam.

John had everything, and Adam was left with nothing but painful memories and shattered dreams. The young man had once believed in the possibility of love and success, but as the years went by, his hope turned to bitterness.

In previous Life—the day he had met Sophia one last time—had shattered every illusion he had about their connection.

To her, Adam was merely an inspiration, a reminder of someone who dared to try, but never someone who truly mattered.

By the time Adam understood this bitter truth, it was already too late. John had claimed Sophia's affection long ago, and the consequences were devastating.

Now, as Adam limped through the empty, echoing streets outside the factory, the weight of these memories settled deep within his chest. He exhaled sharply, a bitter smile playing at the corners of his lips as he recalled his past foolishness. 

'I was such an idiot,' he thought silently. 

He had wasted so much time chasing after something that was never meant to be his. He had sacrificed his career, his future, and even parts of his soul for a woman who was never truly his. The realization was a heavy burden on his heart.

But this time… 

This time, things would be different.

Adam stopped in his tracks near the doorway and looked up at the clear, blue sky. The sun shone brightly, casting its midday light on him, as if to mark the beginning of a new day.

With his face set in determined resolve, he clenched his fist tightly and whispered to himself, "Not this time. This time, I won't give up so easily."

The cold pain in his ribs and the fresh bruises that burned on his skin served as reminders of his suffering, but they also fueled his desire for revenge.

He vowed silently that those who had humiliated him—those who had torn apart his life and crushed his spirit—would one day pay for their cruelty. 

He bent down, touched the raw, aching flesh near his stomach, and with a mix of agony and determination, he whispered, "And I'll make them suffer… ten times over."

With that resolve, Adam forced himself to stand. Every step was a battle against the pain, but he moved forward, driven by a newfound fire. Each shaky step took him closer to a future he was determined to build—a future where he would no longer be a victim.

After what felt like an eternity of struggling against the pain, Adam's steps eventually became steadier. The constant ache in his body was still there, a reminder of his recent abuse, but the worst of the shock was slowly fading.

His mind, however, remained as sharp as ever. The cruel words and vicious blows from John and his gang kept replaying in his head. One memory in particular cut deeper than the rest: 

"My father told me not to kill you. Not yet." 

Those words rang in his ears, and Adam knew that they carried a dreadful deadline. It was as if his life now hung in a delicate balance, with a ticking clock that would soon run out. 'That meant he had a deadline'.

The mayoral elections were only a few days away, and Adam understood that John's father would not make any rash moves until after the election.

But once the elections were over and power shifted, Adam's life would become even more dangerous. The thought made his pulse quicken. 

"I don't have much time," he reminded himself silently. 

Survival now depended on quick thinking and immediate action.

With renewed determination, Adam picked up his pace. Every step he took was driven by the desperate need to escape and regroup.

His mind raced through plans and possibilities as he made his way to Eric's house—a safe haven from the chaos of the city and a place where he could hide and recover.

The moment Eric saw Adam approaching, his eyes widened in shock and concern. "Damn, Adam! What the hell happened to you? I thought you went out to find a job, not to get beaten up! I warned you, didn't I? I told you not to mess with John!" Eric's voice was full of worry, and his tone conveyed the deep concern of a true friend.

Despite the throbbing pain that still radiated from his body, Adam managed a weak chuckle. "Relax. I'm fine," he replied, his words betraying a hint of forced nonchalance. Yet, Eric could see the bruises, the cuts, and the exhaustion written all over his friend's face.

"Fine? You look like you just crawled out of a battlefield!" Eric exclaimed, frowning as he stepped closer, his eyes scanning Adam's battered form.

Shaking his head, Adam muttered something inaudible and then continued on his way.

After a brief moment spent freshening up and changing into clean clothes—actions done with trembling hands and pained movements—he headed toward the door. At the entrance, Eric couldn't help but ask, "Wait, you just got here. Where are you going now?"

Adam paused for a moment, turning back with a small, enigmatic smile that did little to ease the worry on Eric's face. "Don't worry. Everything's fine. In fact… it's better than ever," he said, his voice soft but resolute.

With that, Adam walked away, leaving Eric standing there, confused and deeply concerned. Despite the bruises and the lingering pain from the brutal ambush, a spark of excitement now lit within Adam.

His past was filled with regret and humiliation, but this moment—though wrought with suffering—birthed a new fire. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, he felt the thrill of change.