Chapter 1

“Countdown to death: 5 days, 59 minutes, 59 seconds…”

The flickering numbers in the void before my eyes struck me like a sledgehammer, sending a thrill of excitement coursing through my chest.

Finally, I could die. Finally, I could return to my original world and reunite with my wife and daughter!

Three years ago, my wife was about to give birth.

On my way to the hospital, a runaway car suddenly swerved into us, dragging my life into an abyss of endless darkness.

My wife and child died. I lost my legs and wished I were dead.

Just as I was about to give up on everything and end my own life, filled with despair, a mysterious system appeared in my mind.

The system told me that if I lived in this parallel world as a husband, if I treated and protected Victoria submissively until the very end of my life, my wife and child in my original world would survive safely.

And I would get my legs back, becoming a normal man again.

From that moment on, I had never yearned for death as intensely as I did now.

I had endured three grueling years in this strange world, and finally, the countdown to my death had begun.

*Ring, ring, ring—*

Just then, the sharp ring of my phone pulled me back to reality.

“Hey, Liam, get over here now! Vicki’s in trouble at the abandoned factory in the South District!”

It was Chloe, Vicki’s best friend, her voice urgent and impatient. She barked the words and then hung up abruptly.

It was deep into the night.

Outside, a furious storm raged, fat raindrops drumming against the windows. I took a deep breath, suppressing the surge of excitement, grabbed my jacket, and rushed out.

Since arriving in this world, I had existed as Vicki’s husband, the heiress of the Sterling family, but it was nothing more than a contract marriage.

Vicki didn’t love me at all.

My becoming her husband was simply a result of my late grandfather and Vicki’s grandfather being good friends, having promised this marriage years ago.

In Vicki’s eyes, I was treated worse than dirt, and I had no idea how long this contract was supposed to last.

I had served Vicki for three years, giving her everything I had. Yet, I had never received an ounce of respect.

Vicki would often laugh and tell Chloe:

“He’s just my dog. If I tell him to go east, he won’t dare go west.”

“If it weren’t for family expectations, and him being so obedient, I would have found a reason to kick him out of the Sterling household long ago.”

Thinking of this, I couldn’t help but smile.

Soon. In six days, I would completely vanish from Vicki’s world.

But before that, I couldn’t let anything happen to Vicki. I had to fulfill the system’s mission.

As soon as I reached the entrance of the abandoned factory, I barely had a moment to catch my breath before I urgently asked Chloe:

“How is Vicki?”

“What took you so long! Vicki’s been kidnapped and she’s tied up inside the factory! The kidnappers offered a hostage exchange!”

“Liam, hurry up and switch places with Vicki!”

Hearing Chloe’s words, I didn’t hesitate for a second, agreeing firmly:

“Okay, I’ll exchange myself. Tell them to release Vicki now!”

At my words, Chloe looked surprised, as if she hadn’t expected me to agree so readily.

She scoffed softly, then shouted into the distance:

“Vicki, come out! Can’t believe it, this guy Liam really would do anything for you!”