Chapter one.

Engrossed in his normal morning duties within the Jenkins' mansion which he does every day before leaving for work, Zale Adair diligently attended to his chores.

However, his concentration was abruptly broken by the distinct sound of his name resonating from beyond the mansion's walls.

Curiosity piqued, Zale momentarily suspended his activities, casting a discerning gaze through the window to ascertain the caller's identity, even though he already guessed who it could potentially be.

Indeed, Zale's intuition proved accurate, as the caller outside the mansion was none other than his mother-in-law, Cassidy Jenkins.

She had returned from where she went last night.

…..

Zale Adair, a young man of twenty, bore the weight of an orphaned past, having endured the loss of his parents at a tender age.

Despite the hardships that marked his early years, he possessed striking features that captured attention.

His short, well-groomed black hair framed a countenance that exuded intelligence, complemented by hazy green eyes that shimmered with depth. His attractive face showcased a mix of confidence and charm, accentuated by a sharp, chiseled jawline. Standing at an impressive height of 6.1 feet, his lean physique exuded an air of poise and self-assurance.

Zale's life had been marked by tragedy from an early age. His parents had died when he was only a few months old, leaving him alone and vulnerable.

In the face of tragedy, fortune had intervened when an old man living nearby took Zale under his wing.

This compassionate soul, bare of his own kin, embraced Zale as his own, showering him with love and kindness throughout his childhood years.

The untimely demise of the old man in a car accident, coinciding with his high school graduation, dealt a devastating blow to his life.

Stripped of the only family he had ever known, the loss left Zale in a state of desolation, bereft of any support or guidance.

Nevertheless, Zale possessed an unwavering determination to persevere and honor the memory of the old man who had selflessly cared for him.

The old man's unfulfilled dream of witnessing Zale's university graduation fueled his resolve to overcome the hurdles that lay before him, even though the old man could no longer be there to witness it firsthand.

Zale embarked on a relentless pursuit of survival and academic accomplishment.

Juggling multiple part-time jobs and dedicating himself to employment with a delivery company, he toiled tirelessly to secure the financial means to pursue his education.

The path was arduous, marked by sacrifices and hardships, but Zale was fueled by an indomitable sense of purpose and an unyielding determination to succeed against all odds.

With a mixture of pride and bittersweet nostalgia, Zale stood on the graduation stage, receiving his degree with a sense of accomplishment.

Though it wasn't the highest honors he had hoped for, he understood the circumstances that had led to his third-class degree.

The demands of financial independence had forced him to prioritize work over academics, leaving him with less time to dedicate to his studies.

Yet, he had persisted, never losing sight of the old man's dream that had fueled his determination.

Despite the limitations posed by his grades, Zale had come to terms with the reality that a white-collar job might not be within his immediate reach. Instead, he embraced his role as a full-time delivery person at the company where he had previously worked part-time.

He had developed a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for the value of hard work and perseverance.

As he continued his journey as a delivery person, Zale found solace in the simple joys of life and the satisfaction of earning an honest living. He knew that success was not solely defined by job titles or academic achievements but by the strength of one's character and the impact one could make in the lives of others.

With the old man's past teachings and words guiding him, Zale faced each day with determination, resilience, and a genuine desire to make a difference.

He carried the memory of the old man in his heart, grateful for the love and support he had received and determined to honor his legacy through his actions and achievements.

After graduating, Zale met and fell in love with Sasha Jenkins, despite their different backgrounds. They married afterward.

The only person who advocated his marriage to Sasha was his father-in-law, Azazel Jenkins. Others said he was nothing more than a simple peasant and even worse, a third-class graduate.

Yet, the head of the family, for some reason, supported the marriage.

After his marriage to Sasha, which was opposed by his mother-in-law and siblings-in-law, he began living at the Jenkins mansion.

He was offered a CEO position in one of the Jenkins family businesses, but he kindly refused.

He didn't marry Sasha for the benefits that came with it. He did it out of pure love.

Being able to live in the Jenkins' castle-like mansion was enough for him. He didn't want to owe more than he could repay, so he refused any further help from Sasha's family.

He was better off with the delivery job. At least he'd keep his self-respect and dignity as a son-in-law, even though he wasn't rich.

Despite his initial decision to prioritize his dignity and reject the CEO position, Zale soon found himself regretting that choice.

He was subjected to degrading treatment, forced into a role no less than that of a servant by his mother-in-law.

His brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law were no exception, joining in the insults and treating him as nothing more than trash.

Nevertheless, Zale's love for his wife, Sasha, remained strong, compelling him to endure the daily abuse.

He believed that his love for Sasha outweighed the indignities he suffered, choosing to tolerate the mistreatment in the hope that things would improve in the future.

Despite Sasha's initial love for Zale, she found herself succumbing to the influence of her mother and siblings.

They convinced her that Zale was unworthy of being her husband, leading her to question the purpose of their marriage.

Over time, Sasha grew accustomed to witnessing Zale being insulted daily and even began to enjoy it.

Feeling trapped, she contemplated divorce, but she desired for Zale to be the one to initiate it.

She still held a little regard for him as her first love, therefore didn't want to be the first to file for divorce, although she had prepared the necessary papers as a precautionary measure.

…..

Zale's face grew pale upon confirming the voice calling him.

Without wasting time, he abandoned his chores and rushed outside to answer his mother-in-law.

"What are you doing standing there, loser? Did you finish cleaning the light bulbs already?" Cassidy spoke with great disdain toward Zale.

Zale woke up late that day after staying up late to do the entire dishes in the kitchen last night.

Normally, he would have finished cleaning the light bulbs. He was supposed to be washing his mother-in-law's and wife's cars by this time.

"I'm sorry, I woke up late today. I'm still cleaning the…" He was interrupted by a resounding slap to the face.

"You lowlife! How dare you? I was away for only one night and you left your chores undone," She barked, her voice filled with anger.

Cassidy Jenkins was a middle-aged woman, probably in her late fifties or thereabout. She had beautiful long brunette hair that made her look like a young girl from a distance, but up close she was an old lady with several wrinkles on her face; a noticeable sign of aging.

Zale was a bit taken aback by that slap, but what would he do?

He was the live-in son-in-law with no power or influence, so he could only keep his mouth shut in the face of the humiliation.

"Now get out of my face and go continue your chores. Don't forget to wash your wife's car and mine when you're done," Cassidy ordered with a tone of disgust before she shoved past Zale and made her way to the mansion.

Zale was left utterly helpless and deeply humiliated.

This was what he went through almost every day at the hands of his mother-in-law.

No day hardly passes without any sort of humiliation from his in-laws.

The servants who witnessed the scene couldn't help but chuckle among themselves as they walked past Zale.

Although there were four servants in the mansion, Zale did most of the house chores, leaving only a few for them to do.

When Zale finally regained a little self-courage, he slowly walked back to the mansion and continued his chores.

The only reason he endured the relentless mistreatment inflicted upon him by his in-laws was his unwavering love for his wife, Sasha Jenkins.

He cherished her deeply, and it was his love for her that enabled him to bear the incessant abuse he endured within the confines of the family.

He believed that his wife loved him as much as he did and could go to any length for him, but he didn't know how wrong he was.