Chapter 2

When I came to, I was still lying in the yard.

I struggled to my feet and had just reached the door when someone chased me away with a mop.

"No filth allowed inside! You're bad luck. Hurry up and clean up your mess!" the housekeeper spat at me, arms crossed.

Anyone in this house could step all over me.

All because Lily had said if I wanted to enter this house, I could only be the lowest, dirtiest dog.

I didn't argue with them. I just limped into the basement.

I had very few possessions in the tiny room. Everything fit easily into one small bag.

We'd been married for six years.

But aside from a few tattered clothes, I still had nothing to my name.

Laughter drifted down from upstairs where Lily was.

She glanced at me coldly as I came up, then ordered, "Quinn fell. Come here and kneel down so he can sit on you."

But when I remained motionless, Lily's face darkened.

"If you don't want to do it, then get lost! This isn't a place for you to be willful!"

Just like the past six years, she showed me no kindness whatsoever.

Even though she could be so gentle with Quinn.

I clutched my worn backpack, my heart aching as if torn open.

She looked at me impatiently, but her brow furrowed when she saw the bag I was carrying.

"Where are you going?"

Six years ago, when we woke up in bed together, she glared at me with the same hatred.

She said I had schemed against her, and let her bodyguards break my leg.

The fracture site still ached dully. I unconsciously rubbed my right leg.

Lily looked at me with great displeasure and had someone snatch the bag off my back.

"You thief, were you planning to steal my things and sell them?" she accused.

But when the bodyguard dumped out the contents, there was nothing of value except my ID. Lily's expression grew even uglier.

"I-I wanted to go say goodbye to Dad at the hospital..." I said quietly, keeping my head down as I tried to control my fear.

Before, I had merely suggested we part ways once. For that, she had me tied to a cliff face.

I have a crippling fear of heights. I went from begging to sobbing hysterically, but she just watched me coldly.

She still thought I was faking to trick her.

I kept my head down, not daring to anger her further.

Seeing me so obedient, her expression softened somewhat.

But one plea from Quinn had her leaving without hesitation.

I took back my backpack and silently crouched down to gather my things.

She glanced back, ordering coldly, "What use is it for you to go? He's already dead."

Quinn turned his head too, asking in confusion, "Why is big brother being so thoughtless? The living are more important than the dead!"

I still didn't leave.

My phone rang again and again. I stared at the familiar name on the screen but didn't have the courage to answer.

I had planned to sneak out in the middle of the night.

But I didn't expect to find Lily sitting on the living room couch when I came up.

She waved me over, gesturing to the ointment on the table in front of her.

"Come here, I'll disinfect your wounds. We don't want them getting infected."

But I remained rooted to the spot, not moving an inch.

"Thank you for your concern, Ms. White, but I have thick skin. I'm not as delicate as Mr. Sullivan."

She let out a cold laugh, mocking my presumptuousness.

"James, I've told you before. This is your retribution."

I was about to speak when an angry roar came from upstairs.

Chaos erupted in the living room.