Kandi and Armein

“Kneel, you—”

Frank slapped Neal hard across the face, leaving a bright red handprint.

Blood trickled from the corner of Neal’s mouth, but he didn’t dare fight back against the man standing in front of him.

Frank sneered and stepped closer, his tone vicious. “Tell me, why is there dirt on my shoes?”

Neal lowered his head. He had polished the shoes until they gleamed, but it was clear Frank had no intention of letting him off the hook. Frank had served in the military and was physically strong. Neal, on the other hand, was just a boy raised in an orphanage, no match for him.

Frank grabbed Neal by the hair and growled, “Answer me! You think playing dumb is gonna get you out of this?”

Neal looked him in the eyes and said, “I spent two hours cleaning your shoes. I didn’t see a single speck of dust on them…”

“Oh? So you’re saying I imagined it?”

Frank struck Neal again, this time knocking him to the ground.

Neal felt bitter sorrow inside, but he couldn’t resist. All he could do was bow his head and say, “I’m sorry, Frank. I’ll clean them again.”

“Clean? Don’t be stupid. Crawl over and lick them clean. If you do that, maybe I’ll let you off today.”

Frank gave a twisted smile and put his foot right in front of Neal’s face.

Neal’s whole body trembled. Through clenched teeth, he growled, “Frank, that’s enough! No matter what, I’m still your sister’s husband. You should at least call me brother-in-law…”

“Brother-in-law, my ass!”

Hearing that only made Frank angrier. He kicked Neal hard in the stomach.

“If it weren’t for you, my sister would’ve married the man she truly loved! You’re nothing but a useless male nurse, a leech who took advantage of the situation! If it weren’t for my soft-hearted mother, we would’ve kicked you out a long time ago!”

Neal felt a deep sorrow in his heart.

Soft-hearted?

Back then, Cathy got into a car accident while chasing after her ex-boyfriend who was leaving the country. She ended up in a coma for three years.

If Neal hadn’t taken on the job of caring for her and looked after her with such dedication, she wouldn’t have recovered completely.

After Cathy regained consciousness, she was emotionally devastated. To help her heal, the Nelson family patriarch arranged a marriage between her and Neal, hoping he would continue to care for her wholeheartedly.

In fact, the old patriarch even paid Neal $3,000 per month as compensation for looking after Cathy.

Who could’ve expected that after the old man passed away, everyone would treat Neal like the lowest servant in the house?

Frank stomped on Neal’s face, his voice cold and threatening:

“If I were you, I’d divorce Cathy right away. Know your place. You’re just a worthless caretaker. If Grandpa hadn’t lost his mind, would someone like you ever get to marry Cathy?”

He stood up and muttered coldly, “By the way, you did a good job cleaning my shoes. But I just felt like hitting you today. As long as you stay in the Nelson house, I’ll beat you every single day!”

Frank laughed maniacally and walked away.

Neal appeared calm, but inside he was in agony.

Should he leave?

That $3,000 salary was already generous for someone like him. Without it, he wouldn’t be able to pay the hospital bills for Beverly, the head of the orphanage who had raised him.

It was time for him to repay her.

Neal forced himself to his feet and returned to his “room.”

Calling it a room was generous—it was really just a cleaning closet in the Nelson house. Even the maids had better quarters.

He lay down and quickly fell asleep.

But in a half-dream, half-awake state, Neal suddenly felt a pair of cold hands caressing his body.

Startled, he opened his eyes and saw a woman with disheveled hair lying beside him.

“Cathy? You—”

Just as Neal was about to speak, Cathy threw herself on him and kissed him, silencing his words.

Neal’s eyes widened. His marriage to Cathy had always been in name only. They had never shared a bed. Though he cooked, cleaned, and brewed her coffee every day, he was treated more like a servant than a husband.

But now… what was Cathy doing?

He could clearly tell Cathy was drunk. Her hands were roaming clumsily across his body, and Neal began to lose control too.

Both of them lost all reason.

Neal thought maybe, just maybe, all his years of dedication had finally touched Cathy’s heart.

How could he not have developed feelings for this beautiful woman after caring for her for three years?

An hour later, Cathy lay quietly in Neal’s arms. He gazed at her peaceful face and smiled with satisfaction.

Just a few hours ago, he had considered leaving the Nelson family to escape Frank, who was a violent maniac. Neal feared that if he stayed, Frank would eventually beat him to death.

But now… if Cathy truly loved him… he was willing to stay.

Smiling, Neal gently moved to get up and pour Cathy a glass of water.

But the moment he shifted, Cathy mumbled sleepily,

“Don’t go… Moise… don’t go… I don’t want to lose you again…”

Hearing that name, Neal’s smile froze.

His whole body stiffened as though frozen. He turned to look at Cathy, hoping he had misheard.

“Moise… I… I missed you so much…”

Cathy whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Neal’s face fell. He stood there silently, then gave a bitter, self-mocking laugh.

“Of course… how could a woman like her ever truly love a caretaker like me? I was just a substitute for that man…”

Neal picked up his clothes and quietly walked out of the room.

He collapsed onto the couch in the living room, utterly dejected, and drifted into a fitful sleep.