Chapter 1

Marcus's wife died in my bed.

To atone for my sins, my wife Russell divorced me and married Marcus instead.

My company and all my shares were seized by Marcus.

And I was sent to a mental institution by my family.

Years later, my family drove to pick me up.

Russell carefully draped a coat over my shoulders, looking at me with heartache.

"Alex, it's all in the past now."

My sister Mary comforted me too:

"We're still family from now on."

But I couldn't hear what they were saying, couldn't respond.

The daily electric shock treatments at the mental institution had left me with tinnitus.

And back then, to fabricate evidence, they'd shattered my jaw. I could barely speak clearly anymore.

Now, no one knows that Marcus is the real murderer.

I slowly raised my hand and wiped the filthy blood from my eyes.

I didn't make a scene or even look at them. I just turned and walked toward the edge of the crowd.

"Alex?" Mary's voice called from behind me. "Where are you going?"

Russell quickly stepped forward to block my path, her brow furrowed.

"Alex, we're here to take you home. Don't throw a tantrum."

I stopped and finally looked up at them.

"Home? Which home? Mary, didn't you already give all my assets and shares to Marcus? Do I even have a home anymore?"

Mary's face instantly stiffened.

Looking at Russell, who was still gripping my hand, I continued:

"Oh, I forgot to mention—congratulations to you and Marcus. Next time you get married, there's no need to sneak around. You two had your affair right in front of me, so why bother caring what anyone thinks about a wedding?"

"Alex!" Russell's expression darkened. "Do you have to talk like this?"

Mary exploded in anger, reaching out to grab me.

"Alex, what kind of attitude is this! We've done so much for you, and this is how you repay us?"

During the scuffle, a woman charged over and tried to slap me:

"You bastard! How dare you treat Marcus's sister and wife like this! I'll beat you to death!"

Turned out she was one of Marcus's fans.

Russell and Mary held back the crazed fan.

Russell frowned at me, saying helplessly:

"Alex, look at yourself. Do you have to escalate things like this? Can't you just talk civilly?"

Talk civilly?

I looked at them and found it laughable.

"I'm escalating things? What did I do wrong from start to finish? He's the murderer! You favored him, threw me into a mental institution without asking questions, and destroyed my life! And now you expect me to forgive you murderers?"

"Shut up!" Mary hissed. "Marcus is so kind-hearted, and you're still slandering him!"

"You were clearly jealous of him, which is why you killed his wife Vivian. We only sent you to the mental institution for treatment instead of prison—that was the greatest mercy we could show you!"

Russell sighed.

"Alex, calm down. I know you feel wronged. But my marrying Marcus was really just a temporary measure."

"He developed severe depression after Vivian's death. I stayed by his side to take care of him, to atone for your sins!"

"Once his illness is completely cured, I'll remarry you, and then we'll never be apart again for the rest of our lives!"

Slap!

I used every ounce of strength I had and struck her hard across the face.

Russell's head snapped to the side, red finger marks rapidly appearing on her cheek.

She froze, seeming completely unprepared for me to hit her.

After all, I used to treasure her like she was made of glass.

I'd never been willing to hurt a single hair on her head.

Mary was stunned too.

"Alex, have you lost your mind!"

I clenched my fists.

"Start over?"

"Russell, you disgust me."

"Go live your whole life with Marcus. You cheating scum deserve each other! I want no part of it!"

Mary's face turned iron-gray with rage, pointing her finger at my nose.

"Alex, I'm giving you one last chance. Right now. Immediately. Kneel down! Apologize to Russell and Marcus! Otherwise, I won't acknowledge you as my brother anymore! Let's see how you survive in Detroit then!"