Chapter 4

I started spinning like a top, running nonstop.

During the day, I was still Lorraine's dutiful "househusband." I cleaned, prepared meals, and kept the villa in perfect order.

At night, once Lorraine had gone to sleep, or when she didn't come home at all, I slipped out.

I signed up for a ride-hailing app, put on plain old clothes, and rode a secondhand electric bike through the city's bright lights.

I picked up drunken rich businessmen. They'd throw up in the car, and I'd have to swallow my disgust and clean it up, and then get docked a few dozen dollars for the cleaning fee.

I picked up young women getting off work late at night. They'd quietly call their families from the back seat to let them know they were safe. That warmth stood in sharp contrast to my situation.

I also picked up middle-aged men like me, scraping by to get through life. We'd chat wearily for a few minutes while waiting at a red light, sighing that life was hard.

One time, the destination of my ride-hailing trip turned out to be an upscale club owned by Lorraine's company.

I parked the car and was about to leave when I saw Lorraine walk out with a group of people. She wore a sharp black suit and moved in the center of them like a star surrounded by admirers, radiating a powerful presence.

I instinctively pulled my hat brim down and hid behind a pillar.

I saw a man attentively open the car door for her. She gave a slight nod and got in. I knew that man—he was the head of another company, and he'd been pursuing her lately.

She didn't refuse.

My heart was strangely calm. Maybe I was just numb.

All I could think about was hurrying to my next fare. There was still a long way to go for my father's medicine bills.

After more than half a month of staying up night after night, my body finally rebelled.

That afternoon, I was making dinner in the kitchen when the world suddenly spun, everything went black, and I knew nothing more.

When I came to, I found myself lying in the small room on the second floor. On the nightstand were a glass of water and a box of fever reducers.

Lorraine had found me and helped me back to my room.

I struggled to get up, and she pushed the door open and came in.

It was the first time in three years she had set foot in my room. She glanced around the pitifully small space—apart from a bed and a wardrobe, there was nothing. Something complicated flickered in her eyes, but it was gone in an instant.

"You have a fever." She handed me the thermometer. "The doctor came and looked you over. He said it was from overwork. What have you been doing lately?"

I didn't answer, taking the thermometer in silence.

"Colin, I'm asking you a question." Her tone slid back into that condescending, commanding manner.

"Nothing much," I said flatly.

My attitude seemed to anger her. "Nothing much? Then tell me, why do you come home in the middle of the night every night reeking of sweat? Are you out there sleepwalking?"

So she'd known all along.

"I've been driving for a ride-hailing app," I admitted outright.

"Ride-hailing?" She acted like she'd heard something unbelievable, then let out a cold laugh. "Short on money? Isn't the allowance I give you enough? Or are you trying to squeeze out a little extra before the agreement ends?"

Her guesses cut like knives.

"My dad's medicine costs twelve thousand a month," I said, looking at her, spelling it out word by word. "The allowance you give me isn't enough."

Lorraine froze.

She probably hadn't expected that to be the reason.

A long silence settled over the room, broken only by the hum of the air conditioner.

It was a long while before she finally spoke, her voice a little dry. "Why didn't you tell me?"

I laughed, a bleak sort of laugh. "I did tell you. I begged you to advance the final payment, and you said that was my problem, not yours."

She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

"Ms. Fox," I said, deliberately switching how I addressed her, "I haven't neglected a single duty in the agreement. During the day, I'm still your 'husband.' At night, I earn money with my own strength to buy my father's medicine, and that doesn't violate our agreement. You don't need to worry."

My distance and coldness made her very uncomfortable.

She frowned. "Do you have to talk to me like this? Fine, quit the ride-hailing, it's humiliating. I'll cover your dad's medicine."

Her tone was like she was handing out charity.

"No need." I refused, and sat up. "The agreement expires in half a month. For these two weeks, I'll stand my last watch. After that, neither of us will owe the other a thing."

"Colin!" She seemed genuinely angry now. "What's that supposed to mean? Are you sulking at me?"

I ignored her, threw off the covers, got out of bed, and staggered toward the kitchen. "Dinner isn't ready yet. You must be hungry."

My compliance left her more helpless than any argument could.

She watched my retreating back, and for the first time in this home, she felt out of control.