Chapter 27. The First Person Who Made Me Smile

Draven’s POV

I grew up in a household where perfection was the standard. My father, a perfectionist man with a relentless drive for excellence, instilled in me the ethos of self-reliance from a young age. Chess matches were our battleground.

“You’re destined for leadership, Draven,” he would say, his gaze always serious as he scrutinized my every move on the chessboard. “Leaders don’t show weakness.”

I absorbed his words like a mantra, determined to live up to his expectations. Winning wasn’t handed to me; it was earned through sheer grit and intellect. “I don’t want you to rely on anyone else to succeed,” he emphasized. “You must be first on your own merits, without dependency. That’s how you’ll make us proud.”

Those words became etched into my being. I resolved never to rely on anyone’s assistance. I made it my creed not to show vulnerability or allow attachments to weaken my resolve. My father’s lessons shaped me into a man who stands alone, fiercel