CHAPTER 1

"Richard, bring out the soup from the kitchen"

"Yes, mother"

"Richard, my spoon fell. Get me another"

"Yes, sister-in-law"

"Richard, the drinks are not here"

"I'll get them now brother-in-law"

This was how dinner typically was for Richard Gray, the live-in son-in-law of the Wayne family. They called his name here and there, sending him on even the littlest of errands that were originally supposed to be for the help.

Richard was an orphan and a college dropout who was married to Linda Wayne, the granddaughter of the prestigious Wayne family, one of the most powerful families in the entire Country Z. The marriage had not been because of love but because of Linda's grandfather, the old master of the Wayne family. After a chance meeting with Richard, the old master had insisted that he become his son-in-law by marrying his granddaughter Linda.

The rest of the family had kicked against it immediately, how could they let a nobody like Richard marry Linda? It was preposterous. Richard himself didn't find the idea too enticing. But when the old master threatens to cut Linda off, she has no choice but to agree to marry Richard.

And as for Richard, the old master had promised to provide the best healthcare money can buy for his sick mother and even offered him a job in the Wayne family's company thereby securing Richard's agreement to the marriage.

Nobody understood or knew why the old master was so insistent on making Richard his son-in-law despite his background, even Richard himself found it strange every time he thought about it, but the old master was a man of many secrets so Richard told himself, that as long as his mother was taken care of, he wouldn't worry much about what the old master was thinking.

But the old master had died a year back and his father-in-law had taken up the position as Master of the Wayne family. The Wayne family immediately stopped Richard from working in the company, saying he didn't have the necessary qualifications anyway and it would be irresponsible of them to let him continue working.

He became a live-in husband to Linda. With the old master dead, the Wayne family now openly showed their hatred and dislike for Richard. Linda did not divorce him after her grandfather's death because she was worried it would negatively affect the reputation of the Wayne family but she did not regard him as her husband as she joined the rest of her family in ridiculing him.

Despite all this, Richard stayed with the Wayne family for only one reason, his mother. He was worried that if he were to leave the Wayne family, he would not be able to provide the healthcare his mother needed without their support and he couldn't risk that. So he stayed with the Wayne family, taking all their ridiculing in silence.

After dinner, while the rest of the family dispersed to their various rooms, Richard had to take the dishes to the kitchen for the help to wash. After dropping the dishes off at the kitchen, Richard headed upstairs to the room he shared with Linda.

Linda was on the bed doing her night skin care routine when he walked in. She didn't even spare him a glance and Richard was used to it. He quietly picked up his towel and went into the bathroom to take a shower. Once he was in the bathroom, Richard undressed and stepped under the running shower.

As the water cascaded down his body, Richard felt a bit relaxed, he let out a sigh. When he was done showering, Richard stepped out of the shower, towel dried his body and put on his pajamas. He stepped out of the bathroom in his pajamas, Linda was already on the bed, her IPad in her hand. Richard stared at her for a few seconds before taking out his sleeping bag and spreading it on the floor.

Since they got married, Linda and Richard had never shared a bed. Linda had vehemently kicked against it. She would not sleep next to a lowly street rat. Since they couldn't get separate beds in the room as that would arouse the old master's suspicions so Richard had no choice but to sleep on the floor in a sleeping bag.

Richard took out his blanket and laid down on the sleeping bag.

"Richard", Linda suddenly called out.

"Yes", Richard responded.

"Don't forget to pick up my laundry tomorrow", Linda told him.

"Ok", Richard replied.

He sighed and closed his eyes, waiting for sleep to come. He didn't have to wait too long, after running around all day at the Wayne's family beck and call, doing errands, he was so tired that he soon fell into a dreamless sleep.

The Next Day

Richard woke up before the rest of the family as usual. He had to help in preparing breakfast for the Wayne family. This was yet another chore that was forced on him by the Wayne family. 'If you can't be useful in the company and help make money, then be useful in the kitchen', his mother-in-law, Camilla Wayne had said.

Even though this was actually a lie. While he worked in the company, Richard had actually been very good at his job. The old master had even praised him for it, the rest of the Wayne family however did not share the old master's sentiments.

While he prepared breakfast for the family, Richard also made a small lunch box for his mother. He was planning to go visit her at the hospital today. When he was done, he hurried up to his bedroom to freshen up. When he walked into the bedroom, Linda was already awake, she was seated by the mirror readying herself. Richard walked past her, took a shower then came out and began to dress for the day.

At breakfast,

"Mother, can I perhaps be excused later today? I would like to go somewhere", Richard told Camilla, his mother-in-law.

"Where are you going?", Camilla asked him.

"I was hoping to visit my mother today", Richard answered.

Camilla stopped eating, she looked at him then carried on eating. She didn't say anything else. Richard didn't say anything else as well and continued eating as he kept stealing glances at her.