Chapter 1

It was almost sundown in the city, Richard had numerous thoughts in his head, causing him to space out for a moment.

Today was his wife's birthday and thinking back, it'd been almost 3 years since they got married.

Before then, he was the heir of the Smith family but after a terrible mistake that left him close to bankruptcy, he ended up entering a contract marriage with the Martinez family to save his company and ensure his family wouldn't have to pay for his mistakes.

Unfortunately he was betrayed by his siblings and he ended up losing managerial rights of the company, leaving him penniless.

Due to his… predicament, very few treated him with respect with most of his in-laws treating him with contempt and utter disdain.

He could only let out a sigh as he recalled these memories.

If only…. Tap

A hand grabbed his shoulders, jolting him from his thoughts.

Taking a moment to regain his composure, he reached out to grab the hand, quickly identifying the owner. "Anna, are you done with the shopping?" He inquired.

Only now could the discordant voices and distant sounds reveal that he was in a flea market.

"Yes. I'm done. I got everything you wanted and much more." Anna replied, her soft velvety leaving behind a deep imprint on Richard's psyche.

Anna was his sister-in-law, well, more like a step sister in law.

She was adopted by his wife's family before his wife even came into the picture and was the only one in the family that treated him with love and respect.

Unfortunately, her family members only saw this as pathetic and even went as far as to insult her at times, though it was clear she was quite used to it.

Just recently, after his wife had dumped him at Anna's place, she'd said something along the lines of… 'The bad eggs of the family have to stick together, huh.'

A faint smile tugged at Richard's lips as he recalled the event that happened two months ago.

Meanwhile, Anna stood beside Richard with a black bag slung on her shoulder.

Seeing Richard's smile, Anna intoned. "What's making you grin so mischievously?"

"Nothing, just remembering old times." Richard replied before quickly changing the subject. "What about you?... Did you get anything for Mirabel?"

"Hmmph, she'd sooner toss my gift into the bin than accept it so why should I bother?... I'd rather save my money and use it to get snacks."

Richard chuckled. "Alright then, can't force you. But before you head to your place… could you do me a favor?"

Anna glanced at Richard, clearly privy to what he wanted to ask of her.

What with him going on and on about it for a week, there was no way she wouldn't.

She wondered how he was so thick skinned that despite everything he'd hold the desire to celebrate her sister by getting a gift for her.

With her tossing away the last three gifts, one would think he'd have caught on by now but still…

"You want me to take you to the family house?" She asked with a tired sigh, just to be clear.

Richard revealed a sheepish smile before nodding his head. "If you can."

"What, 'if you can'?... Trying to emotionally blackmail me?" Anna spat as she tapped the side of his head playfully.

Chuckling softly, Richard replied. "... Of course not." 

Taking a deep breath, he added. "Please help me with this and you could come along as well."

"No, thank you. Those guys in that house are outright devils and they have no sense of humanity, only benefits rule over there."

"But don't you get lonely?... You hardly have friends over and you don't have a boyfriend. Sometimes I worry for you."

"Huhu, can't bear to leave me alone, huh?"

"...I'm serious, Anna."

"..." Silence lingered for a moment before Anna took a deep breath.

Letting out a sigh, she spoke up. "Don't you hate it here, Richard?... It's clear my family hates you and even more so for Mirabel. If not for the family name, she'd have cheated on you severally. Even now… she's dropped you off with me just because she despises being around you."

Anna's words held truth to them which caused Richard to pause, pondering his thoughts for a moment.

Then finally, his lips parted. "I don't know." He replied truthfully.

"This…"

"Maybe it's because I don't have a choice."

"Are you saying what they are doing is right?" Anna asked, slightly incensed.

Richard shook his head. "As I said, I don't know but… she took my hand even though it was an arranged marriage, she gave away her opportunity to love, so the least I can do is get her some scrummy gift."

"You…"

"Just leave it be." Richard cut her off. "Thank you for caring and treating me the way you do. If I ever get the chance… I won't hesitate to make it up to you."

"Hah, don't mention it." Anna remarked as she rubbed Richard's shoulder. 

With that, the duo returned to silence with Anna helping Richard get into a car before driving off.

"Get ready, he's on his way. I won't tolerate any mess ups, so get it right." Jason, Mirabel's younger brother and Anna's stepbrother, sat in his car while talking into his smartphone as he watched Anna's car turn the curb and drive into the highway.

***

"Here we are." Anna announced as she parked her car just outside a grand mansion.

Richard let out a sigh. "Thanks for bringing me. I'll take the rest from here." 

"Ugh, stop with all that. Come on, let's go in together."

"But…"

"What?... Can't I help my handsome brother-in-law give a gift to his lover?" Anna teased.

With a mischievous grin, Richard shot back. "Shhh, if someone heard you, they'd think you were falling for me." 

"Hehe, whatever. Let's go."

First picking up the black bag containing the gift, Anna stepped out of the car with Richard.

Navigating the mansion, they were soon stopped at the front door as the party had already started inside and were asked to follow the backdoor.

Richard couldn't help but notice the nervous expressions on the servants but thought nothing of it as they went on their way.

However, just as they neared the backdoor, the sound of footsteps were heard before a sharp pain surged from the back of Anna's head, leaving her unconscious.

Meanwhile, Richard felt someone grab him before placing a handkerchief dipped in a chemical substance over his nose, quickly rendering him unconscious as well.

Moments later, a voice was heard. "Take them away."