The Zenith Grand Hall glittered under crystal chandeliers, filled with soft music and the murmur of well-dressed guests. The evening air was thick with excitement, every detail reflecting the new heights Darren and his family had reached.
The Party Begins
Darren stood at the center of the grand room, dressed sharply in a tailored suit, his eyes scanning the crowd. Beside him, Aria shimmered in a flowing gown, while Celeste looked radiant — the glow of joy on her face unmatched.
The DJ lowered the music, and Darren stepped forward to the microphone.
"Tonight," he began, voice steady and strong, "we celebrate more than just a birthday. We celebrate family — the strength, the struggle, and the unbreakable bond that ties us."
Guests turned to listen, whispers spreading.
"My mother and sister are my everything," Darren continued. "If the world won't give us what we deserve, then we will take it ourselves. This is just the start. Soon, everyone will know the Kairos name — not as forgotten members of a legacy, but as a family who fought and rose."
The Gifts
He gestured toward Celeste, who was blinking back tears.
"Mom, for you — the Lamborghini Urus, a symbol of your strength."
A sleek, black SUV with subtle gold accents was revealed outside through the grand windows.
"These," Darren added, pulling out a velvet box, "custom diamond necklaces and earrings, designed just for you."
Celeste's hands trembled as she accepted them.
"And this," Darren smiled, "a collection of designer dresses and bags for every moment you deserve to shine."
Tears spilled freely now, and Aria took their mother's hand as the crowd applauded.
The Unwanted Arrival
Just as the celebration reached its peak, a hush fell over the room.
The massive doors at the back swung open with force.
In walked a tall man, sharp and cold — Darren's father. Behind him, several stern-faced members of the Hayes family, their presence like a shadow cast over the bright room.
Whispers rose instantly.
"That's him — the Hayes patriarch."
"What are they doing here?"
Darren's jaw tightened.
His mother's smile faltered, her grip on Aria's hand tightening.
The Hayes family had come uninvited, and their intentions were clear: to remind the Kairos family of the past — and to stake their claim on the present.
The Confrontation
Darren stepped forward, his voice calm but icy.
"Welcome. I wasn't expecting you."
His father's eyes flicked to him, then to Celeste.
"This party was a mistake."
"You don't belong here."
But Darren held his ground.
"I belong wherever my family is. And this is our night."
Tension crackled in the air like a storm ready to break.
To Be Continued…