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Synopsis
Six months into our marriage, my wife suddenly brought home her distant cousin, paralyzed from the waist down, and asked me to quit my job to care for him.
I readily agreed, dedicating myself to looking after Jeremy with all my heart.
Vanessa also gave birth to our son.
A few years later, my wife wanted a second child and pressed me to undergo a vasectomy reversal procedure.
During my follow-up appointment, I overheard Vanessa's conversation with the doctor in a daze.
"Ms. Miller, are you sure about this? Having us secretly sever your husband's vas deferens during the procedure means he'll never be able to have his own children again. Isn't this a bit… extreme?"
Vanessa's voice was utterly devoid of emotion, resolute.
"What else can I do? If he gets me pregnant again after the reversal, whose fault would that be? I promised Jeremy that we'd only have "our" children together."
Turns out, Jeremy wasn't some distant cousin at all. He was Vanessa's lover.
For all these years, I’d been played for a fool.
Since that was the case, there was nothing left for me to cherish.
"Ms. Miller, if you truly don't love him, you could be honest, divorce him, and let him go.
He gave up his career to cater to Jeremy, working like a dog for ten whole years!"
Vanessa's expression was dismissive.
"It's his good fortune from a past life to be able to serve Jeremy.
Besides, for all these years, all he had to do was care for Jeremy at home. He didn't even have to work. What man has it as easy as him?"
"Confess to him? Absolutely not.
Jeremy says he's used to Liam looking after him. I'd worry he wouldn't adapt to a new caregiver. So, divorce? Not a chance."
Vanessa lowered her voice and instructed.
"If Liam notices anything, just tell him it's a complication from the procedure, or maybe side effects of getting older. He won't suspect a thing!"
The doctor sighed and continued, "And the baby you're carrying..."
Vanessa, her eyes full of tenderness, caressed her belly.
"This is the new life Jeremy and I created together. When the time comes, you'll hide the due date. If Liam finds out, you'll all be out of a job!"
Vanessa's words instantly plunged me into hell.
I lay numbly in the hospital room, feeling the air thin, struggling to breathe.
Ten years of marriage, and she only saw me as a useful slave.
Vanessa walked into the room, her face full of concern, and tucked me in.
It was impossible to reconcile her caring demeanor with the chilling words that had just come from her mouth.
"Liam, Noah said he misses you. If you're feeling okay, let's get you discharged as soon as possible!"
In the past, hearing that my son missed me would have filled me with urgency; I would have rushed home to see him.
Even though Noah always liked throwing toys at me, saying I wasn't as good as Jeremy, who could build any model.
I had always unconditionally accepted him.
I opened my eyes and silently watched Vanessa.
This woman I had loved for ten years.
Time had only added to her allure, making it impossible to guess her true age.
But at this moment, that beautiful face felt utterly alien to me.
Ten years ago, I was a poor college student. My mother fell ill, and my first girlfriend immediately broke up with me, seeing me as a liability.
Vanessa came into my life like an angel, paying my mother's exorbitant medical bills and even giving me an internship at Miller Group.
One night, after too much to drink, Vanessa and I ended up in bed together.
I knew I wasn't good enough for her, yet she married me without a second thought.
After we married, Vanessa gave birth to Noah.
I was completely immersed in happiness.
She told me that these few years, her career had to be the priority, and she couldn't risk another accidental pregnancy.
I considerately told her.
"We have Noah. One child is enough for us."
Vanessa had a weak constitution and suffered a lot during childbirth. How could I bear for her to go through that again for me?
So I willingly underwent a vasectomy.
But I overlooked the strange look in her eyes then.
It wasn't gratitude; it was guilt.
She was afraid I'd discover that Noah wasn't my son at all.
But the child of her fake cousin, her true lover.
Everything unreasonable now had an explanation.
I wondered why, despite taking precautions, Vanessa still got pregnant.
I thought it was my oversight that caused Vanessa to suffer.
Back when she had a difficult labor, I was outside the delivery room, weeping uncontrollably, slapping myself, blaming myself.
After that, I was being cuckolded, serving their family tirelessly like a free caregiver.
My perceived sacrifices now felt like a brutal slap across my face."What nonsense are you talking?!"
My mom slapped me across the face, glaring at me.
"How is Noah not your child? I think you've gone crazy, talking out of your mind!"
I clutched my face, staring at my mom in disbelief.
My mom's face flushed red, and she put her hands on her hips and yelled.
"Don't ever say those things again! What if Noah hears you and it causes him psychological trauma?
Have you forgotten how much Vanessa helped our family?
If it weren't for her, I'd have died from my illness long ago. You can't be so ungrateful!"
My emotions flared; my eyes were bloodshot as I questioned my mom.
"Mom, do you know what Vanessa did? Why are you still siding with her now?"
My mom clutched her chest, her face filled with disappointment.
"Liam, are you trying to drive me to my grave and destroy this family?"
"If you want me dead, I'll die right here for you!"
My heart ached unbearably. I tilted my head back, trying to force the tears back.
My mom immediately changed her expression, speaking earnestly.
"Just listen to me. Don't worry so much about those things.
Even if Noah isn't your biological child, he still calls you Dad, and he'll be there for you in your old age."
"Besides, Vanessa has been good to me all these years. For my sake, can you just bear with it?"
I unclenched my fists, letting my hands drop helplessly.
Yes, for all these years, Vanessa had been paying for Mom's medical expenses.
Every Mother's Day, Vanessa would also prepare gifts for Mom and send huge PayPal transfers.
It was true; Vanessa had been impeccable in her treatment of Mom.
That was precisely why I was willing to serve the paralyzed Jeremy like a dog, letting him boss me around.
My mom nudged me.
"It's time. Go give Jeremy his massage!"
I helplessly walked into Jeremy's room.
Vanessa was still there.
She pointed at me, speaking sharply.
"Why are you so late today? I told you, you need to massage Jeremy's legs every hour.
The doctor said Jeremy's recovery is going well recently; there's a high chance he'll walk again."
"If you cause Jeremy to not be able to stand, I won't let you off!"
Jeremy watched Vanessa scolding me for his sake, his eyes filled with satisfaction.
He feigned vulnerability.
"Vanessa, it's understandable that Liam dislikes me and doesn't want to care for a cripple like me. Don't blame him."
Vanessa immediately grasped his hand, her face full of concern.
"I forbid you to talk about yourself like that! In my heart, you're no different from a normal person. Don't be insecure!"
Vanessa shot a dagger-like glare at me.
"Some people have no right to look down on you!"
Then she added, "Kneel down and massage his legs, Liam. Aren't slaves supposed to kneel to serve their masters?"
Yes, what was the difference between me and a slave now?
"I won't kneel."
A tremendous sense of humiliation washed over me. I clenched my fists in defiance.
Just then, Noah rushed over.
"Don't bully Daddy Jeremy, you big meanie!"
A metal airplane model struck my forehead with brutal force.
My glasses flew off.
Blood streamed into my eyes, blurring my vision with a crimson haze. I couldn't see clearly.
I desperately fumbled for my glasses, but the heel of Vanessa's high-heeled shoe crushed my fingers.
My mom also shoved me hard.
"What are you doing? Noah didn't mean to hit you. Are you going to pick a fight with a child? What kind of person are you?!"
Blood blurred my face; at this moment, my heart felt like it was bleeding too.
I choked out, "My glasses... I'm looking for my glasses."
My mom awkwardly put my crooked, shattered glasses back on my face.
"You child, why didn't you just say your glasses fell? I thought you were going to hit Noah!"
With my shattered glasses barely clinging to my face, I stumbled to my feet.
From behind, I heard Jeremy's sneering laughter.
My once-cherished son also looked at me with contempt and said, "Useless."I locked myself in my room.
A small utility room, barely ten square meters.
Vanessa said it was close to Jeremy's room, making it easier to help him during the night.
Only when Vanessa had a 'need' was I allowed to sleep in the master bedroom, and even then, I had to return to that small room by midnight, just in case Jeremy called out for me.
My mom quietly came to the utility room.
She looked unnatural as she apologized to me.
"Liam, don't blame me. I didn't mean to."
"Your dad died young, and I, a single woman, worked tirelessly to raise you, enduring so much hardship, and then I got sick. Now that things are finally getting better, we should cherish it."
I just quietly hummed in response.
My mom then turned and brought in three dishes and a soup.
"These are all your favorite dishes. Now that I'm better, I can make them for you every day if you like! Please don't be angry anymore, okay?"
I lowered my eyes.
"Mom, I'm not happy at all in Vanessa's house. I want a divorce. Will you come with me?"
My mom's expression immediately changed.
"I already told you to just turn a blind eye! Why are you so fragile, Liam? You're upset over a little bit of injustice? You can't handle that?"
"Even if you consider me, with your limited skills, can you afford my daily medication? Are you trying to send me to an early grave?"
My heart was heavy with mixed emotions.
I wanted to leave this house, but my mom thought I was being unreasonable.
I knew my mom looked down on me deep inside.
She believed that if I left Vanessa's house, I'd drag her down with me to starve on the streets.
Now, she dined on gourmet food, wore designer silks and furs – always the latest fashion. She literally sparkled with jewelry.
Meanwhile, I was wearing Jeremy's old clothes from years ago.
Because Vanessa said there was no need for me to dress well since I didn't go out.
But Jeremy wore custom designer clothes Vanessa bought for him.
Her excuse was that good clothes lifted a patient's spirits and aided recovery.
Comparing us, she seemed more like Vanessa and Jeremy's real mother.
Deep down, something felt off.
I tossed and turned that night, unable to sleep.
I went to the living room to get a glass of water.
I heard faint sounds coming from Noah's room.
I opened the door a crack, and the scene inside made my heart pound.
Knowing Vanessa had betrayed me was one thing; seeing it with my own eyes was another.
She was like a different person, her face filled with a seductive allure.
"Your legs aren't fully better yet, so I'll take the lead!"
Jeremy looked utterly satisfied.
"It's even more thrilling right under Liam's nose. Good thing your mom is covering for us."
Jeremy meant that my mom was covering for them?
This discovery filled my heart with despair.
But I didn't dare question my mom, didn't dare ask why she would do such a thing. Was it merely gratitude for Vanessa saving her life?
Jeremy had heard from a friend about a 'sacred mountain' that was said to grant miracles. Many people with incurable illnesses claimed their conditions inexplicably improved after making a pilgrimage there.
But Jeremy was paralyzed from the waist down and couldn't walk.
Vanessa demanded I climb the mountain and bow my head to the ground nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine times, praying for Jeremy's recovery.
"You "have" to go!"
My mom pleaded with me.
"Liam, if you don't go, should Vanessa, a woman, go? Or should I go myself?"
"It's not a problem for me to go, but I'm old. I might not make it back down once I'm up there. You need to think carefully!"
Thick snow blanketed the sacred mountain in an expanse of pristine white.
Vanessa pushed me, thinly dressed, out of the car.
"Remember, you must bow your head nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine times, or Jeremy won't get better!"
Other tourists stared in shock at my thin clothing, murmuring amongst themselves.
Vanessa held up her phone, speaking to the person on the other end.
"Jeremy, do you see? Liam will pray for you. Your legs will be better very soon!"My legs were trembling from the cold, but Vanessa's bodyguards forced me to bow my head.
"I knew you wouldn't be that obedient, so I specifically brought people to watch you!"
Every step I took, they forced me to bow my head.
The snow had been cleared from the steps, leaving my head to repeatedly strike the cold stone.
Vanessa followed, breathing heavily.
"Keep going, Liam! Are you trying to slack off?"
"You've already bowed one thousand three hundred and fifty times! Only eight thousand six hundred and forty-nine more to go!"
By the end, I was like a puppet, dragged by two bodyguards, forced down and pulled up, over and over.
My forehead was a swollen, purplish mess, so high it almost squeezed my eyes shut.
Vanessa held her phone up to my face.
"Jeremy, look! Liam has finished praying for you. In a while, you'll be completely recovered!"
The me in the video was so pathetic that Jeremy bent over with laughter.
"Liam looks so disgusting now, haha! I've never seen such a grotesque face!"
"He barely looks human! He'd scare kids if he went out like that!"
Noah's head popped into the frame.
"Let me see, let me see!"
"Wow, he looks like a monster! So ugly, so scary!"
I closed my eyes and completely passed out.
When I opened my eyes again, I was in a cage.
Whispers came from nearby.
"Mom, you always know what to do! A little pity act, and Liam obediently went to pray for Jeremy, didn't he?"
"Well, Jeremy "is" my biological son. I swapped the babies because Liam's family seemed well-off. Who knew his parents would kick the bucket so early!"
"Shh, let's keep our voices down. We don't want him to hear us!"
My heart was a swirl of emotions.
So, I wasn't Brenda's son at all.
No wonder she had always subtly helped Jeremy bully me. Everything finally made sense!
"Liam, you're awake?"
"We didn't mean to lock you in the dog cage. It's just that Noah said you looked like a monster and he was scared of you. We'll let you out now!"
Brenda tried to help me up, but I pushed her away.
She had always held her 'kindness' of raising me over my head, using it to manipulate me.
I never imagined her 'mother's love' was a mere facade. She was an outright kidnapper.
All my suffering was her doing.
Vanessa, cradling her belly, said, "I have good news for you. I'm pregnant again. You're going to be a father again."
The child I had lovingly cared for wasn't mine, and now I could never have my own.
It was truly laughable.
Since that was the case, it was time for me to disappear for good.
After Vanessa and Jeremy's follow-up appointment, she was in high spirits.
The doctor said Jeremy's legs would likely make a full recovery.
She thought of Liam.
"Doctor, can you give me some medicine for bruising? I need to take it home."
The doctor looked confused.
"How severe is the bruising? If it's very serious, he needs to come to the hospital. Topical medicine won't be enough!"
Vanessa opened her photo album.
The doctor gasped.
"This is very serious! How did these injuries happen? If not treated properly, they could fester. You should bring him to the hospital as soon as possible!"
Vanessa's mouth fell open.
"Is it that bad?"
Vanessa felt a flicker of panic.
Ever since she'd locked Liam in the dog cage, he hadn't left the utility room for days.
What worried her more was whether Liam had heard her conversation with Mom.
She'd specifically had Mom act as an intercessor, forcing Liam to make that pilgrimage, and allowing Noah to lock him in a dog cage.
Thinking about it closely, it did seem a little bit excessive.
It's fine, she thought. At worst, she'd hire a temporary housekeeper for a few days, give him some paid time off.
As she walked up the stairs, Vanessa felt an inexplicable dread, as if something precious was slipping away.
Until she saw the divorce papers in the master bedroom.
Chapters (4)
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Watch & Promotions
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