Lumberjack ?

Ethan walked with an anxious face, fully aware that he was running late. Hastily, he fumbled for his keys, attempting to open the door. In his rush, he grabbed his car keys and tried to unlock the car, but it remained stubbornly shut. Frustration surged through him, and he couldn't help but curse aloud.

"Damn it!" he exclaimed, venting his anger by striking the car's tires. He continued to curse, letting his irritation consume him.

Suddenly, his phone began to ring, and he instantly recognized the caller without even glancing at the screen. The ringtone was exclusively set for her, his one and only love for whom he would give up everything.

"Ethan!" Daphne's voice screamed angrily through the phone, causing him to pull it away from his ear.

If she continued to yell like that, he might lose his hearing.

"You better be here within the next five minutes, or else..." Daphne threatened, her voice trailing off as she reached the words "or else."

She knew exactly how to manipulate him, and he hurriedly attempted to appease her, hoping to calm her temper.

"Daphne, I'm sorry. I got caught up with..." he tried to explain himself, but as usual, she didn't even give him a chance to speak.

"I don't care. I need you here. It's time to fulfill your promise. You can't go back on your word, can you? You know she's the only person I have," she said, her voice filled with a pitiful tone that made it difficult for him to resist, as if she was on the verge of tears.

He looked up and let out a heavy sigh. She certainly knew how to push his buttons. He couldn't bear to hear her pitiful voice any longer.

This is how much he cared for her. His love for her was immeasurable.

"Listen, how about this? I'll come over and take care of everything. Once it's all settled, we can go to a restaurant and have a meal together, like a date. It's been so long since we've done that," he suggested, a glimmer of happiness in his voice as he eagerly awaited her response.

Oh, it would be a wonderful day, and he would make her the happiest woman on the planet. Lost in his daydream, Daphne's words, colder than ice, brought him back to reality.

"Well, I'm not surprised. Going on a date is the only thing you can think of. Your mother-in-law is on the verge of death, and that's all you care about," Daphne, seething with anger on the other end, gritted her teeth.

How did she end up with such a useless person?

"Just you wait, Ethan."

Without bothering to listen to him anymore, she abruptly ended the call.

Ethan was dumbfounded, staring at the hung-up call. Daphne only smiled at him when he did what she wanted. Nevertheless, if this was what it took to make her happy, he didn't regret going to such lengths to win her love.

With a determined look on his face, he entered his Toyota RAV4, ready to drive off. However, he soon realized that the car wasn't responding.

"Damn it! Who the hell is on duty today?" he muttered through gritted teeth. It seemed as though Judas Iscariot himself was in charge, as nothing good had happened all day.

"I should sell this damn thing," he growled, frustration evident in his voice. The car, a gift from his father-in-law, was old and occasionally had trouble starting. He had always wished to sell it, but he couldn't afford to buy a new one.

Angry, he abandoned the car and hailed a taxi to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Daphne paced back and forth, clutching her phone tightly. She anxiously glanced at the entrance gate, her worry palpable.

Amelia, her mother, noticed her distress and tried to comfort her.

"You should go outside and get some fresh air. I'm sure Ethan will be here any minute now," she said with a reassuring smile.

Daphne walked over and held her mother's hands, anxiety evident in her grip.

"I'm worried, Mother. What if he doesn't show up? What will we do then?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

"He wouldn't dare. Don't forget why he was allowed to marry you in the first place. After all these years together, he's finally going to be of use. And he's determined to make you happy. Believe me, he'll do whatever it takes," Amelia said, trying to console her daughter.

Daphne smiled, feeling slightly reassured by her mother's words.

Yes, her mother was right. Ethan would do anything to make her happy. Why worry?

She wondered how Ethan would react if he found out he was just a pawn in her game. All he had was his good looks and nothing else. Daphne deserved someone better, someone who could truly contribute to her and her family.

Daphne stepped outside to wait for him. Just as she was about to call him again to hurry him up, she felt a shadow cast over her. She looked up and saw Ethan, panting heavily.

"Where's Amelia?" he asked, wiping his sweaty.

Ethan looked around and noticed that people entering the hospital were staring at him in a peculiar manner.

"Dap, please believe me. There was heavy traffic on the way, and I had no choice but to wait. I even considered walking on foot, but the hospital was too far away. I'm truly sorry, dear," he explained, still catching his breath.

She glanced at him and intended to scold him, but stopped herself when she noticed the curious gazes from the passersby. She also observed his panting and decided to let the matter go.

"Well, time is running out. Let's go," she said, realizing the urgency of the situation.

Knowing how crucial this was to her, Ethan didn't want to waste any more time. After uttering those words, he set off.

"I've already promised to help, and that's exactly what I'll do," he declared, pausing after a few steps to gaze at her earnestly.

He hoped that one day she would recognize how good he was to her, and he longed to be able to truly make her happy.

Daphne was moved by his words, but this was the fruition of her plan that she had been plotting for years. He wouldn't have agreed to be with her if she had told him from the beginning that she only wanted to use him for his blood, which her mother needed.

In a hurry, Ethan entered the treatment room, and as soon as Amelia saw him, she, as always, began to rebuke him.

"I'm not surprised you're here so late. You don't contribute a penny to the family, and you're utterly useless. And now, even with this little task, you manage to be late. How can you take care of my daughter on your own?" Amelia roared.

Ethan wanted to respond, but he remained silent since she wasn't feeling well.

When Daphne's mother noticed his lack of retaliation, she felt uneasy and continued her verbal attack.

"You are nothing but a worthless piece of trash. How did my daughter end up with such a waste of a person? Aren't you ashamed that you can't do anything for the family? All you have is your looks. Just be a gigolo and find some sugar mummies," she barked.

"That's enough, mother-in-law. I rushed here as soon as Daphne called me. I graduated from the best university, but it was you who insisted I stay at home and become a live-in son-in-law. What else did you expect me to do?" Ethan, fed up with the insults, finally retorted.

"You have the nerve to insult my mother just because of her need for blood. Do you really think you're worth it? Fine, the nurses are waiting for you," 

Ethan wanted to speak up  brimming with frustration.

But little did he know what was ahead of him was beyond his imagination.