"Tradition of Oppression"

The sun had just risen over the grand estate of the wealthy and influential family, the patriarch, Marcus, a 51-year-old man who stood at 6'1" with a muscular build, looked out over his kingdom with a sense of pride and satisfaction. He was a man of strong convictions, and his faith played a significant role in shaping his worldview. To him, women were created to serve a specific purpose: to bear children and take care of the household. He believed that a woman's place was in the home, and that they should be obedient to their husbands at all times. Marcus's wife, Elena, a petite 47-year-old woman who looked younger than her age, was already up and about, preparing breakfast for her family. She moved with a quiet efficiency, her long, ginger-colored hair tied back in a neat bun, her big doe green eyes cast downward in submission. She had been taught from a young age that her role in life was to support her husband and care for their children, and she had never questioned this. The three sons of Marcus were all products of his traditional values. James, the eldest, was a 28-year-old carbon copy of his father. He stood at 6'3" with a muscular build, black buzzcut hair, and piercing blue eyes that seemed to bore into those he looked at. He had graduated from business school and was now handling three of his father's companies, proving himself to be a worthy successor to the family empire. Miguel, the second born, was 25 years old and stood at an impressive 6'5" with a muscular build that was more chiseled than his brothers. His green sleepy eyes seemed to hold a perpetual smirk, and his soft features belied a sharp tongue that he often used to make cutting, sarcastic comments that left those around him uncomfortable. He had just graduated from college and was currently working under his father's tutelage. The youngest son, Julian, was 23 years old and stood at 6'2" with a chiseled jawline and a beautiful smile that could disarm even the most skeptical of people. His blue eyes sparkled with a kindness that was rare in the family, and his black hair was always perfectly styled. Despite his good looks, Julian was often considered the weakest link in the family. He shared his father's sexist values but drew the line at violence, which made him an outcast among his own family. As the family gathered around the breakfast table, Anastia, their 15-year-old daughter, moved quietly, pouring juice and serving food with a meekness that pleased her father. Her long, ginger-colored hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, and her big doe green eyes seemed to hold a deep sadness that no one seemed to notice. She was an obedient child, never requesting anything or drawing attention to herself, which made her father happy but also somewhat distant. The conversation around the table was stilted, with Marcus dominating the discussion with his views on the role of women in society. His sons listened intently, nodding in agreement, while Elena and Anastia kept their heads down, their eyes fixed on their plates. It was clear that this was a family that valued tradition above all else, and that their strict adherence to their values would come at a cost. As breakfast came to a close, Marcus stood up, his eyes scanning the table with a sense of satisfaction. "Today, we will be discussing the future of our family business," he announced, his voice booming across the room. "James, you will be taking on more responsibilities, and Miguel, you will be learning the ins and outs of our companies. Julian, you will be accompanying me to a meeting with some potential investors." The family nodded, their faces set in determined expressions. But as they dispersed, Anastia couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She knew that her life was already mapped out for her, and that she would never be allowed to deviate from the path that her father had set for her. She wondered what the future held, and whether she would ever be able to break free from the tradition of oppression that had been imposed upon her.