Chapter 1

Every time my wife brought her assistant into our bedroom, she’d make me kneel by the bed, waiting.

If the assistant didn't know what to do, she’d even make me guide them through it.

Each time, I’d obediently wait for them to finish, then step forward to fetch them drinks.

Eleanor would grip my neck, her eyes burning with a twisted intensity:

"Don't you feel jealous?"

I’d shake my head. I even thoughtfully prepared their Durex.

Eleanor, furious, would unleash her rage on me, forcing me down onto the bed, over and over again. The next morning, I’d still be there, kneeling by their bed.

She'd clench her jaw, her voice dripping with contempt:

"You're a grown man, Callum. You’re truly despicable!"

I’d just look at her and smile.

She still didn't know, but I was dying.

Coming home, the scene on the couch was one I'd witnessed countless times.

Noah had his back to me. Hearing my footsteps, he turned, a sneering, provocative smile playing on his lips.

Eleanor deliberately let out sounds loud enough for me to hear.

I acted as if I saw nothing, tied on my apron, and headed into the kitchen.

I chopped vegetables, waiting for the sounds from the living room to cease, then turned to clean up after them.

Noah’s throat always seemed dry afterward, needing honey water to soothe it.

I'd silently kneel, presenting the honey water to him with both hands, like some ancient, subservient attendant.

Eleanor was touching up her makeup, glancing at me, her brows furrowing in irritation.

"Crash!"

Noah deliberately loosened his grip as he took the glass.

The scalding honey water shattered on the floor, splashing all over me.

"Oh! Bro, are you okay?"

He rushed to help me up, but not before viciously pinching my arm. I gasped, sucking in a sharp breath.

He leaned his head towards me. Eleanor couldn't see the cruel expression on his face, nor the threatening glint in his eyes:

"How could you be so clumsy, Bro? If you don't want to serve, I can do it myself. No need to make such a fuss."

I gritted my teeth, suppressing the pain, and forced a smile:

"How could I trouble you with something like this?"

Saying that, I escorted him back to his seat, while I knelt to clean up the mess.

My hands and knees were covered in small cuts. The honey water stung, making me tremble.

But I bit back the pain, acting as if I felt nothing. I even lifted Noah’s foot to wipe away the sticky honey water.

"You can go home."

Eleanor tossed Noah’s clothes at him.

"Ms. Kingston?"

"There's nothing left for you here."

Noah shot me a resentful look, then put on his clothes and the Patek Philippe watch Eleanor had bought him, and left.

I remained kneeling on the floor, utterly silent.

It wasn't that I didn't want to get up; my knees were cut, and moving them sent sharp pangs through me.

"Do you still have nothing to say?"

Eleanor's voice was cold.

I shook my head.

She clenched her jaw.

"It's just the two of us here. I can assure you there are no listening devices!"

"Truly nothing."

Eleanor snapped her cigarette in half.

She grabbed my neck with one hand, while the other held up a photo of a woman:

"You and I both know she's the killer. Why won't you testify? What's your relationship with her?"

I looked at the woman in the photo and let out a bitter laugh:

"I don't know her."

"Then why are you protecting her?"

I met Eleanor's furious gaze head-on:

"I'm not protecting anyone."

She shoved me roughly to the floor, pacing back and forth in agitation.

"Hasn't my brother been good enough to you?"

Thinking of Leo, my eyes welled up.

I shook my head:

"He was the best friend I ever had."

She grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at her:

"Is this how you repay him? By letting the animal who killed him get away with it?"

I couldn't speak.

Her anger flared as she slammed photos of Leo's brutalized corpse in front of me.

The horrific sight of my dear friend, covered in wounds and hanging from a tree, made me gasp and cover my eyes.

That image was the nightmare of my life.

"You can't bear it either, can you?"

She forced me to look at her: "Then tell me what that vile woman did!

"I promise you, as soon as you testify, I’ll send Noah away!"

My eyes were red, but I managed a slight smile:

"No need."

Her hand, gripping my shoulder, froze.

"Are you really willing to watch him and me do *that* right in front of you, forever?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Slap!"

A stinging slap landed hard on my face.

Her fists trembled uncontrollably:

"Callum Kingston, you're truly despicable!"

"You’re truly despicable…"