Caledon Nathaniel Hockley, born in 1882, had never really worked in his live. He had never known anything about being poor. When he was young there had been dozen of servants, whose only purpose was to make him more comfortable. His wish had always been command and the only person he had learned to respect, had been his father.

His father had taught him his business; his family owned a steel company since 1810. His great-great-father had been one of early real Americans fighting in the Revolution against the English. But American or not, one thing Cal had learned from childhood: Some people were worth more than others. And he was one of them.

Business had always interested Cal, money had always interested Cal. He couldn't believe how people could live without being rich. When he grew up, he always got the best, the best clothes, the richest friends – sons of his father's friends – the most beautiful girls. The best was just enough for Cal. He had of course visited Harvard University studying economics, but not finishing his studies. He already knew that he had to take over his father's business. There was no need to really learn something and find a job. But he met his future wife there. Rose was like a fragile porcelain doll. Sadly her inside didn't always match with her outside. Outside she had been more like a volcano.

Rich fools there be, whose base and filthy heart
Lies hatching still the goods wherein they flow:
And damning their own selves to Tantal's smart,
Wealth breeding want, more blist more wretched grow.

Everything started out so right and yet everything went to terribly wrong.

How I wish I'd never have bought those silly tickets.

Cal was on the way to meet some of his business partners, actually some debtors of him. His attorney, Mr. Livingston was following him from behind.

"Please, Sir, some money."

Cal turned around, seeing a beggar on the floor.

"Please, Sir. You look like, you could give some. It won't hurt you."

Cal put on his evil fake smile.

"Won't hurt me? Oh it wouldn't…"

The man's face lit but.

"But it would hurt you, if I robbed you of the chance to provide for yourself."

Having said this Cal and his lawyer walked on.

"Oh, you're a malicious person. One day god will give you what you deserve."

"Sure, sure", Cal mumbled laughing.

….

Cal and his attorney sat front of Mr. Cunningham, who was trying to convince both to grant him another credit.

"Please, Mr. Hockley, I've family. You know how hard it is these days."

"Mr. Cunningham, I fully understand your situation. But I'm not a bank. I've myself to pay my creditors. Explain it to him please Mr. Livingston."

"As you wish, Sir."

While his lawyer talked to Mr. Cunningham, Cal thought back on the day, when he first saw Rose. He had been slightly over thirty then and she a wonderful debutante not quite seventeen years old, but already a beauty. He had first spotted her at university, but quickly forgotten about her. After all there were other girls too. Only his father pressed him – 'marry Cal and father a son, to whom you can leave the business.'

Later they met a small party, actually a reception for a wedding. Cal's father noticed that he was interested in the beautiful redhead – 'I know her mother, well father could've done better, otherwise decent family' – and Cal had known what he meant – Go ahead son, marry her – even though he didn't say it.

'Hello, my name is Caledon Hockley.'

First she greeted him with a smile. But as easy as was to begin, it quickly turned out that she wasn't the fragile porcelain doll he first thought.

Yet to those fools heav'n such wit doth impart
As what their hands do hold, their heads do know,
And knowing love, and loving, lay apart,
As sacred things, far from all danger's show.

"Mr. Hockley…please I told you, I can't pay you…"

Such a shame that she turned out to be a complete whore.

"Mr. Hockley, are you listening? I'll pay you in a few months?"

"What?" Cal snapped out of his daydream. "No you don't pay me in a few months. I already told you. Mr. Livingston, tell him to get out now."

His attorney stood up and practically through the other man out.

"Mark my words, one day you'll regret this, one day you may need help yourself."

"Sure", Cal smiled again. First the beggar and then this one. Who else would be wishing him to hell today?

True, Cal was more ease with woman then with business man. Well, with every woman except his own wife. Cal was charming with woman, always was.

When he found out, she was pregnant he immediately knew that he couldn't be the father. How dare she let him touch her! She was always stiff, when he was around. In bed she was like a dummy.

'I'd rather be his whore than your wife.'

He couldn't believe it. He first thought that her being pregnant might be the end of everything. After all a bastard child would and could never be accepted neither by the Hockley family nor Ruth. But then he had given it a second thought. What better than to blackmail her? Cal wasn't stupid he knew very well that she didn't love him and never had. That however didn't bother him. For one thing Cal was sure about – she had been completely and totally in love with this useless little gutter rat. So she marries me and nothing will happen to her precious child.

But that rich fool who by blind Fortune's lot
The richest gem of love and life enjoys,
And can with foul abuse such beauties blot;

Let him, depriv'd of sweet but unfelt joys,
(Exil'd for aye from those high treasures, which
He knows not) grow in only folly rich.
1

He had her now, exactly where he wanted her. Just this little girl was turning out more and more like her father.

1 Sonnet XXIV: Rich Fools There Be by Sir Philip Sidney