Chapter 4

Everyone at the table fell silent.

Maurice’s eyes widened while Sylvie turned to Theodore and asked, “What did you say?”

Theodore got up to announce, “I’m full. Enjoy the rest of the meal, everyone.”

As he headed upstairs, Maurice muttered to the others, “Is something wrong with him?”

When Theodore was at the foot of the stairs, Sylvie caught up with him and grabbed him to ask, “What did you mean by that?"

Theodore shot her a look. “You all wanted a wedding, didn’t you? I’m okay with that.”

Sylvie frowned. “We were just playing along with Dad because he just got discharged, and we didn’t want to upset him!”

“Alright.” Theodore nodded perfunctorily. “Whatever you say.”

Sylvie stared into his eyes as if trying to read his thoughts and finally whispered, “Don't worry, I’m going to cancel the divorce before the waiting period ends.”

Theodore smiled dryly. “Sure.”

With that, she let out a sigh of relief and gently stroked his hair. “Good.”

He pulled away from her touch and smiled sarcastically before heading back to his room.

Sylvie stood rooted to the spot, watching as he walked away. The entire time, she felt an indescribable sense of unease welling up inside her.

The next day, after she left for work, Theodore finally emerged from his room. Maurice was already seated at the dining table and was rattling his fingers impatiently against the table.

The moment he saw Theodore, he grumbled, “What are you doing just standing there? Come over here and help me wash up!”

In the past, Theodore would habitually fetch a tub of water along with a towel so he could wet it and wipe Maurice down. He would attend to Maurice, massage him, and put on his shoes for him as if he were a king.

Today, though, things were different. All he did was cast an indifferent look at Maurice before heading to the kitchen, where he poured himself a glass of water before making himself a piece of toast.

Maurice’s expression darkened instantly, and he called out, “Are you deaf?”

Upon noticing his rage, Carmelo volunteered gently, “I’ll help you, Maurice.”

With that, he bent down and started wiping Maurice’s face with a cloth. His gestures were unpracticed and rough, and from time to time, he would frown without even realizing it himself.

Meanwhile, Theodore sat at the dining table, watching the scene with a cold gaze, and suddenly realized how foolish he had been.

To think he had served Maurice for two years, fetching him a glass of water, bathing him, and feeding him. One time, when Maurice intentionally spat food on him, he cleaned it up while wearing a courteous smile the whole time.

Meanwhile, it seemed as if the mere act of cleaning his face was enough to repulse Carmelo, evident by the frown he wore.

Maurice was unsurprisingly oblivious to Carmelo’s reaction. He gently patted Carmelo’s arm and praised him dearly, “You’re very thoughtful, Carmelo.”

After breakfast, Maurice suddenly decided he wanted to go outside to get some sunlight.

With that, he ordered, “Theodore, wheel me outside!”

Theodore set down his cup and remarked dismissively, “Carmelo is the one taking care of you, isn’t he? Make him do it instead.”

Maurice’s expression stiffened. Carmelo froze as well.

“You…”

Just when it seemed like Maurice was going to blow up on him, Carmelo interjected with a smile. “Let me take you outside, Maurie.”

Maurice hesitantly obliged, but not before making his opinion known with a loud scoff. Then all three of them headed out together, with Carmelo pushing the wheelchair and Theodore walking alongside them.

When they were on a downward slope, Carmelo suddenly yelped, “Ah!”

He pretended to slip and shoved Theodore forward!

Caught off guard, Theodore lost his balance and toppled forward, accidentally hitting the wheelchair with his elbow. The wheelchair spiraled out of control and rolled down the slope.

It all happened so fast, but he reacted on instinct and cried out, “Maurice!”

He lunged forward to grab the wheelchair. Just as he was about to graze against the rim of the wheelchair, Maurice suddenly turned around and shoved him away with all his might!

“Get lost!”

With that, Theodore tumbled backward before falling smack into the middle of the road.

Out of nowhere, he heard the deafening screech of a brake, but it was too late. He was hurled forward before slamming onto the ground again.

Moments before the unbearable pain spread across his body, he caught a glimpse of Carmelo standing by the roadside with Maurice next to him, grinning wickedly.