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…”
That sentence felt like another burning slap on my face. The Eleanor I knew in the past would never have uttered such words. Back in school, if anyone dared to mock my grades, she’d stand with her hands on her hips, forcing a dozen people to apologize to me. After we married, her care was boundless. If my fingertip had a tiny scratch, she’d hold it and blow on it for ages. I genuinely believed we’d continue like that forever. That she’d always love me so deeply. “Eleanor…” I couldn’t help but speak her name. She spun around, a flicker of hope in her eyes. I tried to get up but fell heavily to the floor. My heart ached with sharp pangs, and a sudden flashback brought Leo’s death before my eyes. I clutched the fabric over my heart, looking up, only to see the door slowly opening from the outside. Noah had never left. He peered down at me through the crack, then raised a finger to his lips, making a “shhh” gesture. “What were you going to say?” Eleanor waited, her gaze fixed on me. I shook my head. She walked towards me: “You definitely have something to say.” “Ms. Kingston.” Noah’s voice called from outside. Eleanor’s body tensed. Yet, she remained rooted to the spot, waiting for me to speak. I glanced at Noah’s anxious face, then pulled out a box of Durex and held it out: “Don’t forget these.” Eleanor laughed, a harsh sound born of sheer fury. She hurled the box of Durex at my face, then turned and walked away. Noah was the one who closed the door. His red lips curled into a satisfied smirk as he watched my conflicted expression. He slammed the door shut. I leaned against the wall, clutching the fabric over my heart. Not yet… I had to wait a little longer, just a little longer. I searched every room in the sprawling estate before finally finding a small first-aid kit to treat my wounds. For the next month, Eleanor didn’t come home. Then, one day, the front door was suddenly kicked open. Eleanor rushed in, supporting a bloodied Noah, followed by a team of professional private medical specialists. This team had originally been meant for me, given my poor health. They had been dismissed shortly after Leo’s death. Eleanor paced anxiously outside the room, listening to Noah’s pained cries. She suddenly grabbed me, her grip like iron: “Why did you push him down the stairs?” I froze, stunned. “Did you know I was over a month pregnant and deliberately targeted him?” I looked towards Noah in surprise. His sharp brows were slightly furrowed, and he didn’t look particularly pained, yet his wails were exceptionally piercing. He shot me a threatening look. I suddenly smiled: “Yes, what about it?” Eleanor seemed taken aback. She carefully studied my expression: “Do you know what you’re saying?” “I do.” “Aren’t you going to explain yourself?” “There’s nothing to explain.” “If you admit it, I will sue you for aggravated assault.” My body stiffened. I looked at her, a hint of surprise in my eyes. She stared fixedly at me: “Either you tell me the truth about my brother’s death, and I can overlook this.” I glanced at Noah. I took a deep breath: “You will know.” Hope flared in her eyes. “But not now.” Her grip on my shoulder tightened fiercely, and her eyes reddened: “What is your relationship with that killer? You’d rather go to jail than betray her!” “I told you, Eleanor. I have no relationship with her.” A person in extreme anger can sometimes lose the ability to speak. She gritted her teeth and nodded: “Do you think I won’t dare to sue you?” I just looked at her. She shoved me away.
Three days later, I received a court summons. The moment I pleaded guilty in court, Noah raised an eyebrow, a triumphant smirk on his face. Only Eleanor’s face was chillingly grim. She had specifically hired the most elite lawyers. After meticulously picking through legal clauses and over-interpreting my actions, they stretched my sentence directly to eight years. She came to visit me. “If you testify for Leo, I have ways to pull some strings and get you out.” I just smiled and looked at her: “Ms. Kingston, take care of yourself.” I likely wouldn’t be leaving this place alive. Her breath hitched. A look of pain crossed her face: “You know perfectly well! That night, it was just that vile woman and the two of you! You saw everything, didn’t you?” I remained silent, an unspoken acknowledgment. “Back in high school, when you could only afford one meal a day, Leo used his own allowance to eat with you. Have you forgotten all that?” Tears welled in my eyes, but I shook my head: “No.” “Then why won’t you speak?” My eyes were red as I looked at her: “Not yet.” “Do I have to die before you’ll say anything?” I still shook my head. It wasn’t her who would die; it was me. By then, without a word from me, the killer would be brought to justice. But if I told her that, I feared she would lose her mind. If all went as planned, the truth of the case would be revealed while I was in prison. But less than a month later, the court inexplicably overturned my conviction and declared me innocent. I was released from prison, utterly confused. Eleanor stood waiting in front of a Rolls-Royce. On the way home, we didn’t exchange a single word. Only after we entered the house did I say to her: “Thank you.” She paused, her steps faltering. Without looking back, she walked upstairs: “Callum Kingston, you’re truly despicable.” I smiled. But tears streamed down my face. Eleanor needed to focus on her pregnancy, so she stopped bringing men home to flaunt in front of me. We lived in the same house but were like strangers. Even when we met face-to-face, she’d pretend not to see me, walking straight past. She wouldn’t touch the food I cooked anymore. I showed no reaction, simply continuing to do my own things in silence. Finally, a month later, she couldn’t take it anymore. She knocked on my door herself, a slight scent of alcohol on her. “Let’s talk properly.” Her eyes were slightly red. I invited her in. We rarely sat together so calmly, as we did today. “I’m begging you, please testify for Leo, okay?” Her tone was utterly subservient: “If you agree, I can abort the baby. I can even give you my fortune.” I shook my head: “No need.” “Who exactly is Serena to you?” Serena, that vile woman who led people to kill Leo. “I’ve said it many times, I have no relationship with her.” “How can I believe that?” Her eyes reddened: “You’d protect Leo’s killer for someone you have no relationship with?” I looked directly into her eyes: “Eleanor, on the day the baby is born, you will surely know the truth.” “I can’t wait another day!” She suddenly stood up, agitated: “Callum Kingston, if you don’t explain yourself today, I’m cutting all ties with you!” My heart clenched violently. Eleanor’s expression was no joke. I pursed my lips, then nodded: “Alright.” I’d spent long enough by her side. It was enough. Her breath hitched. Her hand gripping my shoulder trembled slightly. “Say that again.” “Us separating, that’s fine too.”
She laughed, a profoundly bitter sound: “Do you think I’m joking?” I didn’t answer. She slammed the door and left. That night, divorce papers were shoved in front of me. I was to leave with nothing. I picked up the pen to sign. But she grabbed my wrist, stopping me. “Think carefully before you sign.” I nodded: “I have thought about it.” Then I slowly began to write, her hand still gripping my wrist, slowly lowering as my signature formed. The moment the agreement was signed, she snatched it away, a quick, defiant gesture. Her face was full of disappointment: “I misjudged you.” I closed my eyes. That very day, I was driven out of the estate. With no money to spare, I found a small 300-square-foot rental room. And I quietly waited for the moment of my judgment. I could almost see Serena being brought to justice on the day I died. My breathing became erratic, my hands trembled. Then, I could finally go to Leo, bringing with me the justice he deserved. But that moment didn’t come. Instead, Eleanor’s bodyguards arrived. They dragged me back. The first thing I saw was Noah, covered in blood, lying on a bed. Blood covered his lower body. Dark circles rimmed Eleanor’s eyes; she hadn’t slept in what seemed like ages. Seeing me, she slapped me hard across the face: “Didn’t you say you didn’t care if I kept the baby? Didn’t you say you’d accept anything? “Why did you destroy his dignity as a man!” I was utterly stunned. Noah trembled in pain: “Bro… if you didn’t want me to have a baby with Eleanor, I could have left. Why did you have to torment me in such a cruel way, to completely destroy me?” Eleanor kicked me hard in the knee, forcing me down to the ground: “I will find those thugs you hired and ensure those animals who did this to him die a horrific death! “But… you, I can give you a chance.” She lifted my chin, squeezing my jaw until it ached: “As long as you’re willing to testify, I can have my team defend you, reduce your prison sentence by a few years.” Cold sweat streamed down my face from the pain. I managed to speak with difficulty: “I’m afraid… I can’t do that.” “What do you mean?” “Because I’m dying.” She laughed, a harsh, furious sound: “At a time like this, you’re still protecting that vile woman, Serena? “Let me tell you, I won’t give you another chance. You will testify, whether you want to or not!” With that, she grabbed my hand and viciously snapped my ring finger. My wedding ring was still there. I let out a heart-wrenching scream. “Will you speak?” She gripped my chin: “What exactly did Serena do to my brother that night?” I was drenched in sweat: “You’ll know when I’m dead.” Her eyes turned bloodshot. She seemed to think I was challenging her. “Do you really think I wouldn’t let you die?” My index finger, too, was broken. “Will you speak?” “Kill me.” Tears streamed down my face: “Kill me, and you’ll know everything.” Her eyes were terrifyingly red. She nodded: “Fine, I’ll grant your wish.” She picked up a wrench. And aimed it at my fingers. “No… Eleanor, wait… Ahh!!” One by one, all ten of my fingers were brutally smashed. But what hurt even more was my heart. I lay on the ground, my lips turning purple. Eleanor’s hand, holding the wrench, trembled slightly: “If I hurt you, I’ll go to jail with you.” I coughed up a mouthful of blood, my mangled fingers using their last strength to rip off my shirt buttons. “You want to know the truth? I’ll give it to you.” Seeing the hideous scar on my chest, Eleanor’s wrench clattered to the floor with a “thump!” “Callum?” She stared at the gruesome scar over my heart, utterly stunned.
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