Christopher Franklin, the proud and only son of a New York literary royalty, from birth he is built and destined to nothing less than greatness. One day, out of disappointment, he makes the dangerous decision to change and turn into someone who is not. He consciously decides to entangle his life with a miserable soul. Abruptly he learns his first lesson from life, miserable souls only bring misery, with one act he will lose everything, in one evening he will be reduced to nothing. No greatness, he becomes a nobody.

Years passed by and Chris settled into his life as a taxi driver, Brooklyn is home, and the miserable soul is still around him and has gotten more miserable with the years. This time is different, he is a dad of two beautiful daughters with unconditional love, their safety is his new purpose in life, nothing and no one is above his girls. He also discovers a dear friendship with his neighbor and confidante, a place of solace.

One night, without warning, a triggered chain reaction will take Chris into a ride of a lifetime, nothing will be ever the same, lies and secrets are uncovered, he was played and fooled, he realizes he didn’t nothing about who he is, once again, he is reduced to nothing, rock bottom is where he belongs. Suddenly, out of nowhere, greatness at last, he has the privilege to show who he is, royalty. He will rise while making sure others will fall, miserably.

Life is fair, but not for all.

Prologue

Welcome to New York City, the city of all dreams, the city that never sleeps, the city where anything is possible, the city where you can find everything you want and anything you need; the city where people from all backgrounds, cultures, and faiths are living in a perfect symbiosis; the city where tall buildings and wide streets make you feel alive; the city where past, present, and future innovations become reality; the city where every season brings its mood and sings a melody; the city where every street, every block, and every corner tell an allegory—from Lower to Upper Manhattan, from East Side to West Side; it’s a masterpiece made by its own.

I could allocate thousands of words and hundreds of pages expounding on every characteristic and the individuality of the city. I could spend days and nights detailing every street and every corner. I could paint you every image and every feeling this city inspires. But I can’t. I have a story to tell. Like every other story that has a beginning, this one diverges. It begins in the middle of a lie because in this distinct tale, the past will always be present in the future, just as the lie will. Follow every act and pursue every word to discern it. Don’t correlate it with any story you know or have heard, assess every character like you know them, surmise every situation as if you lived it, and assume every feeling intrinsically. Remember: this story has an end, but before reaching that moment, you will face a situation you have to judge and sentence. Forget about good and evil. This tale is about strength and weakness. It’s a story of a man who harshly discovers what it takes to be a man. We don’t become unique; we discover we are. Witnessing justice will keep us safe from turning into villains.

Life is fair—but not for all. view abbreviated excerpt only...

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