Chapter 1

In the nightclub, Camille Layton sat at the center of the room, a dazzling star surrounded by eager admirers. They swirled around her, feeding her endless praise. "Camille, it's your birthday tonight. The entire tab's on me!" a man said, raising his glass before pulling her close. "Do you really think I need your pocket change?" Camille smirked, then rolled her eyes. "You. Get over here!" She turned and pointed at me sharply. "Right away." I moved quickly and crouched beside her. "Hold out your hands," she ordered. I complied, stretching my palms out in front of her. Without warning, a mouthful of phlegm splattered into my hands, followed by a sharp, burning pain. Camille had crushed the last bit of her cigarette right into my skin. "You can get lost now." I clenched my teeth against the sting and frowned. "Okay," I blurted. My expression remained calm and composed, as if this were nothing out of the ordinary. The truth was, I had long since grown numb to it all. In three years, I'd endured far worse than spit on my hand. At the sink, I scrubbed my hands clean. When I came back, a flood of jeers and taunts crashed down on me like a storm. "Hey Camille, your lackey's back!" "Come closer. Let's see just how pathetic you really are!" No one at that table showed me even a shred of respect. I stayed silent and made my way to Camille's side. "Ms. Layton, it's getting late." Before I could say more, she snapped, "How dare you try to boss me around, you son of a bitch?" Our eyes locked, and in a swift motion, she tossed a bank card right at my face. "Book a room for me. I'm not going home tonight." "Okay." I grabbed the card and quickly left. The hotel was just next door. After I booked the room, Camille called. "Send me the room number." "On it." "Wait for me outside the door. Don't move!" "Alright." In all these three years, I had never defied her commands. Ten minutes later, Camille arrived, arm-in-arm with the same man from the club earlier. He looked down at me like a hunter eyeing his prey. "He's surprisingly well-behaved. For someone who waits around for you like that, he's even more obedient than my dog," the man sneered. Camille threw me a piercing glare. "He's nothing but a shadow. Once my family lets him go, he won't even be worth a second glance." With a contemptuous scoff, they walked past me. They pushed through the door, instantly locking lips in a fiery kiss. I deliberately looked away, shutting out the image. Without warning, a handbag flew at me, hitting the back of my head. "You're staying right by the door tonight. Don't even think about leaving. "If I find you gone tomorrow, I'm telling my dad!" A chill ran down my spine. "But—" Before I could finish, the door slammed shut with a loud thud. A faint voice echoed, "No buts!" I stood frozen at the doorway for a long moment before finally letting out a weary sigh. How could this arrogant woman possibly grasp the weight of my struggles? Every night, I was stuck in the hospital caring for my sister, and by day, I was overwhelmed with running Layton Group. There was no way I could stand guard outside her door through the night. Not even her father would entertain such a ridiculous demand. Camille was merely a figurehead. The real burden of running the company fell on me during the day. Her father was the one who first signed the contract with me. For two million dollars, I promised three years of absolute loyalty to Camille. I had to give myself fully, even if it meant putting my life on the line. That was the price of the agreement. Two million dollars for three years of my life. That money was what saved my sister after the car accident. But despite everything, she remained in a vegetative state. For three years, she lay confined to a bed, never once opening her eyes. During those years, the hospital was like a second home to me. Drained and humiliated, I never uttered a single complaint. I shook my head, pushing the weight of it all aside. There was only one month remaining on my contract. I had already devoted three full years of unwavering loyalty. Camille behaved as though it was her due, but beyond that, there was nothing more owed between us. After coming downstairs, I dropped Camille's bag at the front desk and drove straight to the hospital.