Chapter 1

I remained silent during the helicopter ride.

According to the strange words that suddenly appeared in my vision, I had to continue living a numb and obedient life for the next two days before I died. If I followed its instructions, it would reward me with a second chance at life.

It wasn't difficult to follow its orders. I had already suffered so much. It didn't make much of a difference if I died now or two days later.

A tall figure blocked the helicopter's exit right after I got off.

The fake heir of the Graham family, Andrew Graham, gave me a once-over.

"You're back?" he asked. "I'll have you know that Diana and the others only agreed to bring you back because you were well-behaved for the last three years. If you harass me again like you did three years ago, I'll tell them to blind your other eye!"

Truth be told, I couldn't recall when I ever harassed Andrew.

However, it didn't matter anymore.

For the past three years, if I ever talked back to the steward of the estate, he would punish me by either slapping or whipping me. It was why I had learned to behave myself a long time ago.

When I remained silent, my wife, Diana Snow, rapped her knuckles against my wheelchair in warning.

"Andrew's talking to you, Connor," she snapped. "We just brought you home, but you're already misbehaving. Do you want us to send you back to the estate to remind you about the rules?"

My body jolted in fear. I hastily hung my head and answered, "I understand. I'll do my best to serve both you and Mr. Andrew."

Andrew scoffed, though he seemed pleased with my response. "At least you know your place. Let's eat. I've already had the maids prepare dinner."

A pleased smile stretched across Diana's lips. She reached out and tried to pat my head.

I reflexively closed my eyes and shrank back as if I were scared of being beaten.

Diana's eyes dimmed when she noticed that I was terrified of her. She intentionally softened her voice and said, "Don't be scared. I won't punish you ever again. I won't hurt you because I love you. You're still my husband, Connor, just like before."

I shook my head wildly before I smiled and said, "I wouldn't dare. I'm just your kept man. I'll be good."

Diana's smile stiffened. She was suddenly at a loss for words. There was a conflicted and complicated look in her eyes when she gazed at me and said, "You don't have to be scared of me, Connor… Forget it. There's no rush. We have plenty of time."

…

The clear sounds of clinking cutlery filled the dining room as we sat around the table.

When my childhood sweetheart, Elise Jefferson, noticed that I hadn't moved an inch, she cut up a steak and placed the slices on my plate.

"Why aren't you eating?" she asked. "Have you forgotten how to use a knife and fork? Go ahead and eat mine. I've already cut it up for you."

I remained motionless. I hung my head even lower and said, "The steward at the estate told me that I didn't deserve to eat proper meals because of my despicable existence. Please go ahead and eat as much as you want. I'll just have the leftovers."

Elise was stunned. She exchanged looks with Diana, who was sitting beside her.

"Listen to me, Connor," Elise said comfortingly. "Those rules don't apply to you anymore now that you're back home. We'll treat you well just like before as long as you behave yourself. Go ahead and eat."

I whipped my head up before swiftly lowering it again. I was still too scared to eat.

My sister, Beverly Graham, seemed deep in thought. She shot a tentative look at me before saying, "Diana asked you to eat, Connor. That's the rule."

I looked up again and brought the steak to my mouth with trembling fingers. I ate very slowly and only had a few slices.

My arm trembled in my sleeve as I raised the fork to my mouth. I had lost an alarming amount of weight.

An oppressive atmosphere had descended upon the dining table. Only Andrew was still in high spirits, excitedly talking about his son, Finn Graham.

Diana and the others listened to him quietly, but it was obvious that they were distracted.

I stopped eating after only two bites of steak. Suppressing the metallic taste of blood that had suddenly surged up my throat, I looked at Diana and muttered, "I… I think I'm going to be sick."

Diana, Beverly, and Elise didn't even have time to panic upon hearing my words.

"Can you give me some painkillers?" I asked numbly. "Please don't sell me to someone else."