A Silent Protector

Ch 1: Three Years of Silence

Ethan Graves is a 26-year-old man. He is sitting at the edge of his small bed in the Andersons' grand house and rubbing his tired eyes with his fingers. It had been another long day of work at the Anderson Family and he had just finished washing the dishes and folding the laundry. His body ached and his mind was exhausted, but his heart was the heaviest of all.

For three years, he had lived with his wife's family, the Andersons. At that time, he had become something worse than a servant. To them, he was a nobody.

"Ethan, get your ass here right now!"

A sharp voice completely shattered the quiet of the evening. It was Sandra Anderson, Ethan's mother-in-law. She was standing in front of the doorway of the small room Ethan was given and was glaring at him with cold eyes.

"Yes, Mom?"

Ethan stood up quickly and hurried over. He didn't want to anger her further and make his already bad day more horrible.

"Did you mop the floors yet? They are filthy!"

Sandra snapped at him while pointing at the spotless floor. Then she shouted coldly, "You know how embarrassing it is to have someone like you living here? You are a complete burden to us." she then yelled icily.

"I mopped it twice today," Ethan remarked quietly, attempting to hide his annoyance. He was aware that it was not yet over, though. Sandra would do all in her power to make him feel worse if he said anything more.

He said with a sigh, "I'll do it again."

"Of course, you will. You have to. Perhaps we wouldn't have to put up with you if you were as helpful as a dog." She snorted, scoffed, and walked away.

Ethan remained silent while clenching his hands. He was used to being treated this way. Since the day he wed Sandra's daughter Claire Anderson, he has been insulted and disrespected every day.

Three years ago, Ethan had believed that marrying Claire might bring him happiness. But that was never the case.

Claire's grandfather, the patriarch of the Anderson family, had once been kind to him. Ethan was only 16 when he found an unconscious old man by the side of a lake. At that time, without thinking twice, he had carried the old man on his back for miles to the hospital and saved his life. Out of gratitude, the old man taught him basic moves of 'legendary' martial arts. That old man became Ethan's first and only mentor in life.

Three years ago, when Ethan returned to meet the old man, he was already on his deathbed. Ethan did everything and only managed to extend the old man's lifespan by one year. A few months before his death, the old man had insisted on Ethan marrying his granddaughter, Claire Anderson. Since Ethan didn't have his own family, the old man asked Ethan to stay in the Anderson Family and live as the son of Andersons.

Out of respect he had for the old man and the kindness this old man had shown back then, Ethan agreed to marry Claire and stay in the Anderson Family. But after the old man passed away, Ethan's life became a nightmare.

He had never been accepted by the rest of the Anderson family. To them, he was just a poor man from a lowly background who didn't deserve their rich daughter. And Claire herself never warmed up to him, no matter how hard he tried.

He worked like a horse at the Anderson Family and Andersons' Company, doing whatever jobs were thrown at him. Yet his entire salary went straight to Claire. He couldn't even get close to her. She kept him at arm's length and treated him with cold indifference.

Every night, after long hours of work, he came home to clean, cook, and do all the housework, hoping that one day Claire might see his worth. He was doing everything to keep his promise to the old man and make everyone in the Andreson Family accept him wholeheartedly. But now, as he stood in front of Sandra, being scolded once again, he realized that hope was nothing but a foolish dream.

Many times, he wanted to leave this family for good. This family, for real, didn't deserve his presence. But every time, he remembered his promise to Claire's grandfather and forced himself to stay.

Yet, it seems this cannot continue for long. If the Anderson Family continued to behave like this, he may truly leave this family. Anyway, he had done his best to fulfill his promise to the old man.

That night, as Ethan finished mopping the floor for the third time, the front door creaked open. He heard the sound of heels clicking against the tile, followed by the familiar scent of alcohol.

Ethan looked up to see Claire walking in. Her face was flushed, and her eyes were glazed over from having had too much to drink.

"Claire... Are you okay?" Ethan stepped forward and tried to hold her.

"Get away from me. You are so pathetic, Ethan. You disgust me."

The instant he touched her, she slurred and pushed him. Then she walked past him and collapsed on the couch.

Ethan froze as the sting of her words cut him deep. No matter what, he had spent three years with her. Feelings for Claire had already been birthed within his heart long ago.

It is just that Claire had never accepted him.

He had heard these insults before, but tonight something felt different. Claire's eyes flicked toward him, and they were cold and distant.

Suddenly, Claire sat up straight and said firmly despite the alcohol, "I can no longer stay with you. We are getting a divorce. Meet me tomorrow morning at the Civil Affairs Office. Remember to be there at nine."

"What?"

Ethan felt like the ground had been ripped out from beneath him. It is true that he thought of leaving the Andreson Family several times in the past three years, but he truly never thought of leaving Claire behind. He wanted to take Claire away with him.

However, Claire was actually talking about divorce now. This shocked him greatly.

"Why? What did I do wrong, Claire?"

Ethan couldn't help but ask hurriedly, feeling as if his entire world had shaken.

Claire didn't even look at him. She directly said in cold tone, "You didn't do anything right either. Moreover, I'm pregnant, Ethan."