Chapter 1
On the helicopter ride back, I stayed quiet the whole time.
According to the strange text, I had to keep living numb and obediently for two more days, then die.
It said it would reward me with a second life.
That actually wasn’t hard.
After surviving until now, dying two days later made no difference.
As soon as I got off the helicopter, a tall figure blocked the cabin door.
The fake heir, Evan Gray, looked me up and down.
“You’re back?”
“Let me tell you, Claire and the others only agreed to bring you back because you’ve been obedient for the past three years.”
“If you dare bully me like you did three years ago, I’ll make them gouge out your other eye too!”
To be honest, I no longer remembered when I had ever bullied Evan Gray.
But none of that mattered anymore.
For the past three years, if I dared talk back, I never knew whether the next thing landing on me would be the steward’s slap or his whip.
I had learned my lesson long ago.
Seeing that I stayed silent for a long time, Claire lightly tapped the handles of my wheelchair in warning.
“Adrian, Evan is talking to you.”
“You’ve only just come back and you’re already disobedient.”
“Do you want us to send you back and teach you the rules again?”
I trembled in fear and quickly lowered my head.
“Yes, I’ll serve you and Mr. Evan properly.”
Evan gave a cold snort, seemingly satisfied with my answer.
“At least you know your place.”
“Let’s eat.”
“I had the staff prepare everything.”
Claire smiled in satisfaction and reached out as if she wanted to touch my head.
I instinctively closed my eyes and shrank back, as if afraid I would be hit.
Seeing how afraid I was of her, Claire’s eyes dimmed slightly.
She deliberately softened her voice.
“Don’t be scared.”
“I won’t punish you anymore.”
“I love you, and I won’t hit you.”
“Adrian, from now on, you’re still my husband, just like before.”
I hurriedly shook my head and forced a flattering smile.
“I wouldn’t dare.”
“I’m only a lover.”
“I’ll be very good.”
Claire’s smile froze on her lips, and for a moment, she couldn’t say anything else.
The way she looked at me was complicated and conflicted.
“Adrian, you don’t have to be afraid of me.”
“Forget it…”
“There’s no rush.”
“We still have plenty of time.”
At the dining table, the sound of forks and knives rang out crisply.
Across from me, Vivian saw that I still hadn’t moved, so she took the steak she had cut on her plate and offered it to me.
“Why aren’t you eating?”
“Did you forget how to use a fork and knife?”
“Eat mine.”
“I already cut it for you.”
As usual, I didn’t dare move.
I only lowered my head even more and answered.
“The steward at the manor taught me that my status is low and filthy, so I’m not worthy of eating a proper meal.”
“You should eat first.”
“I’ll eat the leftovers.”
Vivian froze.
She exchanged a glance with Claire beside her.
Then Claire tried to soothe me.
“Adrian, listen to me.”
“You’re back now, so those old rules don’t apply anymore.”
“As long as you behave, we’ll still treat you well like we used to.”
“Eat.”
I quickly lifted my head, then lowered it again.
I still didn’t dare.
Instead, my sister seemed thoughtful as she looked at me tentatively.
“Adrian, Claire told you to eat.”
“That’s the rule now.”
Only then did I raise my head again and shakily bring the food to my mouth.
I ate very slowly and very little.
The arm holding the fork swayed emptily inside my sleeve.
Over the past few months, I had indeed become frighteningly thin.
The atmosphere at the table suddenly grew heavy, and only Evan was still talking enthusiastically about his child, Lucas.
Claire and the others listened quietly, obviously distracted.
After eating only two pieces, I stopped.
I pressed down the metallic taste rising in my throat and looked at Claire.
“I…”
“I think I’m sick again.”
As soon as I said that, the three people present hadn’t even had time to panic.
Then they heard me continue in a numb voice.
“Could I beg you to reward me with a bowl of painkillers?”
“Or sell me to the next person.”