Chapter 1

Henry Cooper's words drew the attention of my in-laws, Julian Finch and Lily Sullivan. They both turned to look at me too, their gazes tinged with displeasure.

I was slightly taken aback as my wife, Faith Finch, stepped forward, her expression cold.

"You actually think you can sit here? You're just a housekeeper. If you don't want to work here, get lost."

I stare at Faith in disbelief. Before I could even react, she slapped me.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Got a problem?"

Seeing Faith slap me, Henry hurried forward, playing the peacemaker.

"Easy, Faith. Julian and Lily just got here today. Don't let someone unimportant like him spoil your mood."

But when Henry looked at me, he wore a smug expression.

"He's right, Faith." Lily chimed in from the side. "You should just get rid of a housekeeper like this. Hire another one."

I was about to get up and explain, but Faith grabbed me by the ear and shoved me out the door.

As I stared at the tightly shut door, everything I had looked forward to suddenly came crashing down. I collapsed to the ground and came down with a high fever.

After learning that Julian and Lily were coming over to celebrate Christmas, I worked day and night over the past couple of days, preparing for their arrival and cleaning the house until it was spotless. I ended up catching a cold from pushing myself too hard.

I only got a chance to sit when Julian and Lily arrived. But my excitement was only met with cold indifference from her entire family.

I pushed myself up and staggered forward. At some point, it had started raining. When I was kicked out of the house, I was only wearing a thin shirt and a pair of shorts.

Getting caught in the rain only made my fever worse. When I passed by a convenience store, I went in and asked to borrow the owner's phone. I wanted to call Faith and ask her to let me come back and pick up some clothes.

As soon as the call went through and she heard my voice, her tone changed. "Wesley, didn't I tell you to leave after you finished cooking? If it weren't for Henry earlier, I would've given myself away.

'I'm very disappointed in you. I want you to reflect on yourself. Once you've figured things out, come back and apologize to Henry!"

Before I could even speak, Faith ended the call.

I chuckled coldly, and something inside me died. A gust of wind swept past as I walked out of the store, and I collapsed to the ground.

Before I passed out, images of Faith and Henry's loving moments came to mind. Then I blacked out.

Faith, ten years had passed. Since you never loved me, let's end it here.

By the time I came to, I was in the hospital. I stared at the ceiling in a daze and realized I was lying in a hospital bed.

"You're awake." When the door to the hospital room opened, a figure stepped inside.

I turned to look, and my heart sank. "Was it you who saved me, Ashley?"

I was a little disappointed.

Ashley Towne smiled and nodded as she looked at me. "What, not happy to see me?"

I quickly shook my head, and Ashley said, "It's Christmas. Why weren't you at home? Why were you out wandering around with a high fever? You were barely dressed too. Were you trying to make yourself sicker?"