- 15 hours ago
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00:00:01The incubus I bought hates me.
00:00:04He bites me, calls me ugly, runs away at every chance.
00:00:10So I sold my house and bought his brother instead.
00:00:15Milo is the younger twin with a perfect body but zero affection.
00:00:21Ezra is the older one, gentle, with a limp.
00:00:26I took them both into a basement.
00:00:32Master, sleeping here is enough.
00:00:35Milo said,
00:00:37If there's not enough room, why don't you leave?
00:00:41I replied.
00:00:44One of them froze as his eyes turned red.
00:00:50You only want my brother now?
00:00:53The incubus I kept was disobedient and bit me again.
00:00:58When I got up to wash this morning, I found that the bite mark on my neck had turned a
00:01:03conspicuous purplish red.
00:01:08It hurt at the slightest touch.
00:01:12I tried to tell myself not to mind it, that it would heal in a few days.
00:01:19But walking into the bathroom and looking up at such an ordinary, plain face in the mirror, I still couldn't
00:01:25help but tear up.
00:01:27Milo despised me.
00:01:29Despised everything about me.
00:01:31My looks, my voice.
00:01:34He even utterly loathed this old house I lived in.
00:01:39We fought last night.
00:01:41He was furious.
00:01:43And in the heat of our argument, he told the truth.
00:01:48Master, it was you who insisted on spending all your savings to buy me.
00:01:58I didn't leave with you willingly.
00:02:06If I had a choice,
00:02:08I would never accept you as my master and squeeze into this god-fistaking dump with you.
00:02:14Then after this past year with me,
00:02:16up until now,
00:02:19do you really have no feelings for me at all?
00:02:23I pressed on, refusing to give up.
00:02:27No.
00:02:28None at all.
00:02:30The man was tied to the headboard, unable to move.
00:02:33But his gaze remained sharp, his answer resolute.
00:02:37The last shred of hope I held onto was completely shattered.
00:02:42I washed my face, took a deep breath,
00:02:44and wiped away the tears threatening to fall.
00:02:49Then I took the liquid foundation from the counter,
00:02:51carefully pumped out a drop,
00:02:53and covered the mark on my neck.
00:02:56Milo was still tied up in my bedroom.
00:03:00Before going to work, I planned to untie him.
00:03:04Pushing the door open,
00:03:06the man was quietly huddled on the carpet.
00:03:09Head lowered,
00:03:11his long eyelashes trembling,
00:03:12slightly probably pretending to be asleep.
00:03:15I approached,
00:03:17crouched down,
00:03:17and began untying the slipknot around his wrists.
00:03:21Milo.
00:03:22The man refused to acknowledge me,
00:03:24keeping his eyes tightly shut.
00:03:27I'm going to work.
00:03:29I'll untie you,
00:03:30but you promised to be good,
00:03:31and wait at home for me to come back?
00:03:34If you don't want to untie me,
00:03:36just say so.
00:03:38I gave a helpless,
00:03:39wry smile,
00:03:40and immediately let him go.
00:03:42The man didn't seem to process it,
00:03:45his alluring eyes staring blankly at me.
00:03:47You really untied me?
00:03:49I never promised to wait for you at home.
00:03:52He used to run away all the time.
00:03:55But with his contract in my hands,
00:03:57he couldn't get far.
00:03:58It was just a hassle searching the whole world for him every time.
00:04:02So I tied him up to save trouble.
00:04:05I nodded,
00:04:06compromising out of sheer exhaustion.
00:04:10Yeah,
00:04:10just remember to take the house keys with you.
00:04:17I bought Milo at the black market last winter.
00:04:20There was no special reason for it.
00:04:24I just thought he was good looking tall,
00:04:26with broad shoulders and a narrow waist.
00:04:28He had a great figure.
00:04:30At the time,
00:04:31I actually had my eye on his brother,
00:04:33Ezra too.
00:04:36They were twins and looked almost identical.
00:04:39The only difference was that Milo was able-bodied,
00:04:42while Ezra had a slight limp in his left foot.
00:04:47But all my savings were only enough to choose one of them.
00:04:51Figuring that buying an incubus meant having someone by my side forever,
00:04:55I didn't cheap out and bought the most expensive one.
00:04:59But a year had passed,
00:05:00and my dull, monotonous life hadn't gotten any happier.
00:05:05Instead,
00:05:06it only brought me,
00:05:07a lot more trouble.
00:05:09Thinking about it now,
00:05:10I felt a pang of regret.
00:05:12If I had chosen Ezra,
00:05:14would things be different?
00:05:17But that shady shop had a strict,
00:05:19no returns or exchanges policy.
00:05:23I sat at my desk,
00:05:25spacing out for a good while before taking out my phone to check my bank balance.
00:05:31I only had a few thousand bucks left.
00:05:35Forget it.
00:05:36Better not dwell on it.
00:05:40Chloe,
00:05:41the boss is treating us to dinner tonight.
00:05:43You coming?
00:05:43My co-worker Emma walked over and patted my shoulder.
00:05:50I shook my head.
00:05:52She let out a belated and said with a grin,
00:05:56I forgot,
00:05:57you've got a virtuousist male maid at home.
00:05:59He must have dinner ready by now.
00:06:02Milo cooking for me.
00:06:03I'd consider him obedient if he didn't tear my house down.
00:06:07I smiled bitterly.
00:06:09Just as I was about to explain,
00:06:11Emma looked full of motivation again.
00:06:13That's so nice!
00:06:14Now I'm even more motivated to make money.
00:06:18Someday,
00:06:19I'm going to buy a pretty man to serve me too.
00:06:22I couldn't really say anything to that,
00:06:25so I just reminded her.
00:06:27When you do buy one,
00:06:29make sure to choose a legit shop that allows returns.
00:06:33Never buy from the black market.
00:06:37Got it!
00:06:38Noted!
00:06:40I used to always be the first one to dash out the office doors.
00:06:45But today,
00:06:46nearly half an hour after getting off work,
00:06:48I was still dawdling at my desk,
00:06:50organizing my things.
00:06:52I kept checking my phone every now and then,
00:06:55opening the home security camera to take a look.
00:06:58Sure enough,
00:07:00Milo was gone again.
00:07:02Feeling frustrated and distracted,
00:07:04I simply decided not to rush back.
00:07:08I walked down the street,
00:07:09turned into an alley,
00:07:11and took a few turns.
00:07:13Before I knew it,
00:07:15I had somehow ended up at the black market again.
00:07:22This place was a chaotic mix of all sorts of people.
00:07:26It was dirty and messy.
00:07:29There were peddlers selling incubus everywhere.
00:07:33Some sickly ones were locked in cramped iron cages
00:07:36by the roadside.
00:07:38The horns on their heads half sawn off.
00:07:41They looked truly pitiful.
00:07:44Hey, hey, miss.
00:07:45Want to take a look?
00:07:46A rare male incubus.
00:07:49Name your price,
00:07:50and he's yours!
00:07:54I had only glanced over for a second before a burly merchant called out to me.
00:08:00I was dead broke and couldn't help even if I wanted to.
00:08:04I just quickened my pace and walked further in.
00:08:10Following my memory,
00:08:11I found that shady shop from last year.
00:08:15It was still open for business.
00:08:18The boss was dozing off at the front door.
00:08:21He didn't even wake up when I stepped inside.
00:08:26I slowed my steps and quietly slipped around to the backyard.
00:08:31As soon as I stepped inside,
00:08:33I heard a familiar male voice.
00:08:37Brother,
00:08:38has anyone planned to buy you these past few days?
00:08:41It was Milo's voice.
00:08:43He sneaked out just to see his brother.
00:08:46I stopped moving and stood behind the door,
00:08:50continuing to listen.
00:08:54A customer came last week and saw me twice,
00:08:57but didn't pay in the end.
00:09:03I'm disabled.
00:09:04Nobody wants me.
00:09:09Brother,
00:09:10if you hadn't tried to save me when we were kids,
00:09:13your leg wouldn't have been broken by those traffickers.
00:09:17It was my fault for sneaking out to play and dragging you down.
00:09:23I'm so sorry, brother.
00:09:26I'm fine, Milo.
00:09:27It's not your fault.
00:09:29Ezra was locked inside a large iron cage.
00:09:33An iron collar still fastened around his neck.
00:09:38He gripped the iron bars with both hands.
00:09:42Even though he was choked so tightly it was hard to breathe,
00:09:46he still comforted Milo with a gentle expression.
00:09:50I have never blamed you.
00:09:52I only hope you live well.
00:09:55You are a free man now.
00:09:57No longer a commodity on the black market.
00:10:01Forget all those unhappy things from the past.
00:10:05Milo squatted outside the iron cage,
00:10:07resting his arms on his knees.
00:10:09He let out an indignant snort.
00:10:12Not exactly free.
00:10:13The woman who bought me is terrified I'll run away
00:10:16and keeps me on a tight leash.
00:10:18Hearing the young man mention me.
00:10:21I slowly clenched my fists,
00:10:23my heartbeat accelerating uncontrollably.
00:10:27She's really annoying.
00:10:32Rather than being bought by her,
00:10:34I'd be better off staying here.
00:10:36His brows furrowed as he spoke.
00:10:39She's ugly and poor.
00:10:46The clothes she buys me are all fleeny market knockoffs,
00:10:50so uncomfortable to wear.
00:10:51It's only been a year.
00:10:54I don't dare to imagine how miserable my life will be
00:10:57if I have to stay with her forever.
00:10:59Before Milo could finish,
00:11:01Ezra interrupted him.
00:11:02It won't be.
00:11:04It's normal for things to be a bit tight at first.
00:11:07That misfire looks like a kind person.
00:11:09She surely won't treat you poorly in the future.
00:11:13Kind?
00:11:14What kind about her?
00:11:16She ties me up every day.
00:11:19Look, there are still marks on my wrists.
00:11:23Milo rolled up his sleeves,
00:11:25pointing at the two faint rings on his wrists.
00:11:29I've really had enough.
00:11:32Brother, you don't know what my life is like.
00:11:37If it were possible,
00:11:39I'd want us to switch places
00:11:40so you could deal with that ugly woman.
00:11:42She is your master,
00:11:44so it's only right for her to discipline you.
00:11:46How is she ugly?
00:11:48Don't talk nonsense.
00:11:50It's all the truth.
00:11:51Who's talking nonsense?
00:11:54Those words were like knives
00:11:56entering through my ears
00:11:57but slashing my throat,
00:11:59leaving a swollen, sour ache in my throat.
00:12:03I couldn't listen anymore
00:12:04and was just about to leave.
00:12:13When I kicked a soda can,
00:12:15sending it clattering noisily,
00:12:18drawing their gazes toward me,
00:12:21Ezra looked at me first,
00:12:24the corners of his lips curling up
00:12:26into a meek smile.
00:12:30Meanwhile, Milo looked awful.
00:12:34He stood up, frozen in place,
00:12:36looking somewhat embarrassed.
00:12:39You... why are you here?
00:12:43I tried my best to appear calm.
00:12:47To take you home.
00:12:49But without waiting for his response,
00:12:51I quickly turned around
00:12:52and fled outside.
00:12:56Hey, Chloe!
00:12:58Milo jogged out after me,
00:13:00reaching out to grab the hem of my shirt.
00:13:07Chloe,
00:13:08why are you walking so fast?
00:13:11I ignored him,
00:13:12prying his fingers off
00:13:13to snatch my shirt back
00:13:14and kept walking forward.
00:13:18But my mind was full
00:13:20of the friendly smile
00:13:21Ezra had just shown me.
00:13:25It turned out he was
00:13:26somewhat different
00:13:27from Milo after all.
00:13:31He had a tiny teardrop mole
00:13:33under his left eyelid.
00:13:36Whenever he smiled,
00:13:37that mole would quietly
00:13:38shift upward.
00:13:41Have you been standing there
00:13:42the whole time?
00:13:44Did you hear everything
00:13:45my brother and I talked about?
00:13:47Ezra's legs weren't
00:13:48disabled from birth.
00:13:50It was a condition
00:13:52left behind
00:13:52from saving his younger brother.
00:13:55So pitiful.
00:13:56Much more pitiful than Milo.
00:14:03Hey!
00:14:03I'm asking you a question!
00:14:06Stop playing death.
00:14:08Milo behind me
00:14:09suddenly raised his voice
00:14:11interrupting my thoughts.
00:14:13I couldn't help but frown.
00:14:16I heard it.
00:14:17I heard all of it.
00:14:19His breath hitched,
00:14:20a hint of unease
00:14:21flashing across his face
00:14:23and his voice
00:14:23dropped significantly.
00:14:27I was telling the truth.
00:14:32You do tie me up every day?
00:14:34Yeah.
00:14:35It's the truth.
00:14:38I'm ugly.
00:14:39I'm poor.
00:14:41I abuse you.
00:14:43In your heart,
00:14:45I'm just an unforgivably
00:14:47wicked woman.
00:14:50For once,
00:14:51I didn't argue with him
00:14:52but instead
00:14:53went along with his words.
00:14:57Milo fell silent.
00:15:00Or maybe he was angry.
00:15:02He lowered his eyelids
00:15:04and didn't speak again.
00:15:06On the way back,
00:15:07I occasionally looked up
00:15:09to observe the young man
00:15:10who was much taller than me.
00:15:13He had handsome brow bones
00:15:15and deep-set features.
00:15:18Even among the incubus race
00:15:20known for their
00:15:21high average attractiveness,
00:15:22his beauty was top tier.
00:15:25Yet the black hoodie he wore
00:15:27was just flea market knockoffs.
00:15:31The same style as mine,
00:15:33pilling all over
00:15:34from being washed
00:15:34to many times.
00:15:39Indeed,
00:15:40if he hadn't been bought
00:15:41by a pauper like me,
00:15:42his life would definitely
00:15:43be much better.
00:15:51If Milo resents me,
00:15:53let him resent.
00:15:54I yawned
00:15:55and waved my hand.
00:15:58It's fine.
00:15:59I forgive you.
00:16:01Get out.
00:16:03Milo still didn't leave,
00:16:05rooted to the spot.
00:16:08I patted the pillow
00:16:09next to my hand.
00:16:11Then you're sleeping here?
00:16:14Over the past year,
00:16:15even though he resisted
00:16:16physical contact with me,
00:16:18we always slept
00:16:18in the same room.
00:16:21Even when we fought,
00:16:22we never slept
00:16:23in separate beds.
00:16:26Now that I was
00:16:27suddenly ignoring him,
00:16:28perhaps he wasn't
00:16:29used to it.
00:16:32With that said,
00:16:33Milo lifted a corner
00:16:34of the quilt
00:16:35and took off
00:16:35his pajama jacket.
00:16:38Then,
00:16:38a tight grip
00:16:39wrapped around my waist.
00:16:42He naturally clung to me,
00:16:44his tail pressing close
00:16:45in a fawning manner.
00:16:48I'm very sleepy.
00:16:50Lie down
00:16:51and get some good sleep.
00:16:52I turned on my side
00:16:54to create some distance.
00:16:56Milo instantly got annoyed.
00:17:00It's not like I really wanted
00:17:01to be close to you anyway.
00:17:04I scooted further
00:17:05toward the edge of the bed,
00:17:06getting even further
00:17:07away from him.
00:17:09The man became
00:17:10even more exasperated.
00:17:12Also,
00:17:13you're really fake.
00:17:14Then he tugged
00:17:15at the quilt twice
00:17:16and turned his back
00:17:17to me as well.
00:17:24early weekend morning.
00:17:26I took a trip
00:17:27to the real estate agency.
00:17:30The old house
00:17:31was in a prime location.
00:17:34Though dilapidated,
00:17:35it offered an easy commute
00:17:36and was close to a school.
00:17:39It was probably worth
00:17:41a lot of money now.
00:17:44Last year,
00:17:45I figured I would use
00:17:46all my savings
00:17:47to buy the most
00:17:48beautiful incubus first.
00:17:52Then sell the old house
00:17:53to buy a smaller,
00:17:54fully furnished apartment.
00:17:57and live a comfortable life.
00:18:00But Milo never listened to me
00:18:03and was always causing trouble.
00:18:07I was busy with work too,
00:18:09so I put the matter on hold.
00:18:13Chloe Vance,
00:18:14our current appraisal
00:18:15for your property
00:18:16in a good school district
00:18:17is around $600,000.
00:18:20Are you in a hurry to sell?
00:18:22The sales consultant
00:18:24greeted me
00:18:24with a welcoming smile.
00:18:26I shook my head.
00:18:29No rush.
00:18:30I'm still a bit torn.
00:18:32All right.
00:18:33Please do your time
00:18:34to consider it.
00:18:35We can keep in touch.
00:18:37I took the hot tea
00:18:38she handed me
00:18:39and sat down
00:18:39on a nearby bench.
00:18:42Just then,
00:18:43a young girl
00:18:44walked through the door.
00:18:46Closely followed
00:18:47by a strikingly handsome
00:18:48incubus boy.
00:18:51She was here
00:18:51to rent an apartment
00:18:52through the agency.
00:18:55The girl had a loud voice
00:18:57chatting animatedly
00:18:58with the consultant.
00:19:00Meanwhile,
00:19:01her incubus
00:19:02nestled obediently
00:19:03by her side,
00:19:05occasionally tugging
00:19:06her sleeve
00:19:06and whispering
00:19:07a few words.
00:19:08Sister,
00:19:09the apartments here
00:19:11are so expensive.
00:19:12Let's not rent one.
00:19:15Actually,
00:19:16the place we're living
00:19:17in now
00:19:17is pretty good.
00:19:19I have good stamina,
00:19:21so walking a few
00:19:22extra steps
00:19:23after work
00:19:24can just be my workout.
00:19:26So sensible.
00:19:28My eyes were full of envy.
00:19:30And a bitter ache
00:19:31twisted in my heart.
00:19:33Right then,
00:19:34my phone chimed.
00:19:36It was a message
00:19:37from Milo.
00:19:40Milo.
00:19:40Hey!
00:19:41Where did you go?
00:19:42I'm hungry.
00:19:50No greeting,
00:19:51no care,
00:19:52only demands.
00:19:53Eat instant noodles
00:19:55if you're hungry.
00:19:56I'm out taking care
00:19:57of some things.
00:19:58I no longer had
00:19:59any expectations
00:20:00of Milo.
00:20:03Not that kind of hungry,
00:20:05physically hungry.
00:20:06You ignored me
00:20:07last night.
00:20:08Did you forget?
00:20:10I'm really busy
00:20:11right now,
00:20:12can't you just
00:20:12hold it in?
00:20:14Why should I hold it in?
00:20:15What did you buy me
00:20:16for, then?
00:20:19His tone was aggressive.
00:20:20I hesitated
00:20:21for a moment.
00:20:22Then swiped left
00:20:24and tapped
00:20:24do not disturb.
00:20:30Oh my,
00:20:31if it isn't Chloe!
00:20:33A regular customer,
00:20:35please come right in.
00:20:38There must have been
00:20:39something wrong with me.
00:20:41Whenever I got angry,
00:20:43I would run straight back
00:20:44to that shady shop.
00:20:48Seeing a massive
00:20:49cash cow like me arrive,
00:20:51the boss smiled so wide
00:20:53the wrinkles at the corners
00:20:54of his eyes crinkled
00:20:55like blooming flowers.
00:20:58His tone was
00:20:59almost sycophantic.
00:21:02What wind brings
00:21:03you here again?
00:21:05Oh, right!
00:21:06I just got a few
00:21:07deep-sea Murphits in
00:21:08and they've got
00:21:09plenty of stamina!
00:21:11Two people
00:21:11couldn't even
00:21:12hold one down.
00:21:14Want to take a look?
00:21:18You have the nerve
00:21:20to bring that up.
00:21:21Look at this scar.
00:21:23I sneered,
00:21:24pointing at the
00:21:25dark bruise
00:21:26on my neck.
00:21:28You said the
00:21:28incubus was
00:21:29clingy back then.
00:21:31Is this what you
00:21:31meant by clingy?
00:21:34The boss
00:21:35rubbed the tip
00:21:36of his nose,
00:21:36a flash of guilt
00:21:37in his eyes.
00:21:40Well,
00:21:41well,
00:21:41every incubus
00:21:42does a different
00:21:43personality.
00:21:46we don't do returns.
00:21:47I made that very
00:21:48clear to you last
00:21:48time.
00:21:49Besides,
00:21:50you've already
00:21:50used him.
00:21:51If you return
00:21:52him to me,
00:21:52I won't be able
00:21:53to sell him
00:21:54anyway.
00:21:56I'm not here
00:21:57for a return,
00:21:58just browsing.
00:22:01Hearing that I
00:22:02wasn't here to
00:22:02cause trouble,
00:22:03the boss let out
00:22:04a long sigh of
00:22:05relief.
00:22:07All right,
00:22:07all right,
00:22:07browse all you
00:22:08want.
00:22:16The shop was
00:22:17quite large
00:22:18with many
00:22:18cages.
00:22:20To please the
00:22:21customers,
00:22:22every incubus
00:22:22was dressed up
00:22:23brightly and
00:22:24looked spotlessly
00:22:25clean.
00:22:26But I walked
00:22:27a huge circle
00:22:28around the place
00:22:28and still didn't
00:22:29catch sight of
00:22:30Ezra.
00:22:31Last time I was
00:22:32here,
00:22:33wasn't there
00:22:34another in
00:22:34Cuptus who
00:22:35looked exactly
00:22:35like Milo?
00:22:37Was he bought
00:22:38by someone?
00:22:39Really curious,
00:22:40I turned back
00:22:41and asked after
00:22:42taking only a
00:22:42few steps.
00:22:45The boss's
00:22:46already dark
00:22:47face instantly
00:22:48darkened
00:22:48several degrees.
00:22:50His brows
00:22:51furrowed so
00:22:52tightly they
00:22:52could crush
00:22:53a fly.
00:22:56Sigh.
00:22:57I get a
00:22:58headache just
00:22:59mentioning him.
00:23:00Even though
00:23:01he's still a
00:23:01virgin,
00:23:02he's a cripple
00:23:03with a limp.
00:23:05Who would
00:23:06want him?
00:23:07A complete
00:23:08money loser.
00:23:10He got sick
00:23:11again these
00:23:11past few days
00:23:12so I locked
00:23:12him in the
00:23:13warehouse.
00:23:15Leaving him
00:23:15to fend for
00:23:16himself?
00:23:17After he spoke,
00:23:18my heart
00:23:19suddenly sank.
00:23:21To tell you
00:23:22the truth,
00:23:22my shop is
00:23:23having trouble
00:23:24with cash flow
00:23:25right now.
00:23:27I really
00:23:27don't have
00:23:28extra money
00:23:28to treat
00:23:29him.
00:23:29The boss
00:23:30tacitly
00:23:30agreed.
00:23:32Where is
00:23:32the warehouse
00:23:33located?
00:23:34The elevator
00:23:35reached the
00:23:35first basement
00:23:36floor.
00:23:38It was like
00:23:38an ice cellar
00:23:39where you
00:23:40couldn't see
00:23:40your fingers
00:23:41in front of
00:23:41you.
00:23:44I could
00:23:45only see the
00:23:46path under
00:23:46my feet by
00:23:47the light of
00:23:47my phone.
00:23:53two steps
00:23:54later,
00:23:55that weak
00:23:55voice became
00:23:56exceptionally
00:23:56clear.
00:23:58I turned
00:23:59my phone's
00:23:59brightness to
00:24:00the maximum
00:24:00and shone it
00:24:01in front of
00:24:02me.
00:24:03In a rusty
00:24:04iron cage,
00:24:05a tall man
00:24:06was curled up
00:24:06in a corner
00:24:07covered with
00:24:08weeds.
00:24:10hearing the
00:24:11noise,
00:24:11he raised
00:24:11his eyes
00:24:12and looked
00:24:12over.
00:24:15The face
00:24:16that originally
00:24:17looked very
00:24:17much like
00:24:18Milo had
00:24:19become even
00:24:19more emaciated
00:24:20due to his
00:24:21illness.
00:24:23It also
00:24:24made people's
00:24:24hearts ache
00:24:25even more.
00:24:28Can you
00:24:28bury me
00:24:29tomorrow?
00:24:31Today is my
00:24:32birthday and
00:24:33I want to
00:24:33live through
00:24:34today.
00:24:38Ezra
00:24:39didn't
00:24:39recognize
00:24:40me.
00:24:41Thinking I
00:24:42was a
00:24:42staff member
00:24:43of the
00:24:43shop
00:24:43coming to
00:24:44collect
00:24:44his
00:24:44body.
00:24:46I leaned
00:24:47closer and
00:24:47through the
00:24:48iron bars
00:24:49called him
00:24:49softly.
00:24:51Ezra,
00:24:52it's me,
00:24:53the buyer
00:24:54who adopted
00:24:54your brother.
00:24:56It's Chloe.
00:24:57He murmured
00:24:58softly.
00:25:05But because
00:25:06he had no
00:25:07strength,
00:25:07he fell
00:25:08heavily to
00:25:08the ground.
00:25:10My heart
00:25:10was pounding
00:25:11and I
00:25:11quickly called
00:25:12the boss
00:25:12to bring
00:25:13the keys.
00:25:14If I
00:25:15didn't save
00:25:15him now,
00:25:16he would
00:25:16really die.
00:25:19Even
00:25:19though he's
00:25:20a money
00:25:20loser,
00:25:21you should
00:25:21at least
00:25:22a litty
00:25:22give give
00:25:23a little
00:25:23before taking
00:25:24him away.
00:25:25You have
00:25:26to let me
00:25:26recoup some
00:25:27of my
00:25:27costs,
00:25:28right?
00:25:30The
00:25:30profiteer
00:25:31smiled
00:25:31playfully,
00:25:32holding Ezra's
00:25:33contract.
00:25:36But when
00:25:36he handed
00:25:37it to me,
00:25:37he didn't
00:25:38intend to
00:25:38let go.
00:25:40I sighed.
00:25:42How much
00:25:43do you want?
00:25:44His twin
00:25:44brother was
00:25:45800,000.
00:25:47Let's round
00:25:48this one off,
00:25:49a rock-bottom
00:25:50price.
00:25:51Just give me
00:25:52100,000.
00:25:54And I'll
00:25:55throw in
00:25:55two exquisite
00:25:57collars
00:25:58for free.
00:25:59Inside the
00:25:59hospital.
00:26:00hospital.
00:26:01I
00:26:01carefully
00:26:01wiped
00:26:02the dust
00:26:02off Ezra's
00:26:03face and
00:26:03pulled the
00:26:04blanket up
00:26:04to his
00:26:05shoulders.
00:26:06Then I
00:26:07went to
00:26:07the lobby
00:26:07to pay
00:26:08the fees.
00:26:09And made
00:26:10a call to
00:26:10the real
00:26:11estate agent.
00:26:13Completely
00:26:14finalizing the
00:26:15sale of the
00:26:15house.
00:26:22In the
00:26:22hospital corridor,
00:26:23I turned off
00:26:24the speakerphone.
00:26:28But the
00:26:28irritable male
00:26:29voice on the
00:26:30other end was
00:26:30still loud and
00:26:31grating.
00:26:34Chloe, so
00:26:35you finally
00:26:35decided to
00:26:36answer your
00:26:36phone.
00:26:38Do you
00:26:38have any
00:26:39idea how
00:26:40many times
00:26:40I've called?
00:26:42What's wrong
00:26:43with you?
00:26:43Are you just
00:26:44not planning on
00:26:44coming back?
00:26:46I had been
00:26:47running around
00:26:48all day and
00:26:49half my leg
00:26:49was numb.
00:26:52I had
00:26:52absolutely no
00:26:53energy to
00:26:54coax him.
00:26:56I told you
00:26:57I'm busy.
00:26:59You're an
00:27:00adult incubator
00:27:01and the
00:27:01house is
00:27:02full of
00:27:02my scent.
00:27:03You won't
00:27:03starve to
00:27:04death anytime
00:27:04soon.
00:27:05If you're
00:27:06really
00:27:07desperate,
00:27:08there's half
00:27:08a carton of
00:27:09milk I drank
00:27:10from in the
00:27:10fridge.
00:27:11Go have
00:27:12that.
00:27:13Who wants
00:27:14your stupid
00:27:15milk?
00:27:15I'm asking
00:27:16why you
00:27:17aren't coming
00:27:17back.
00:27:19Whenever I
00:27:20run off,
00:27:20you drag
00:27:21right play.
00:27:21But when it's
00:27:22your turn to
00:27:23disappear,
00:27:23what's that
00:27:24supposed to
00:27:25mean?
00:27:26Milo was
00:27:26relentless,
00:27:27insisting that
00:27:28I return
00:27:28immediately.
00:27:31Rubbing my
00:27:31temples, I
00:27:32had no choice
00:27:33but to tell
00:27:34him the
00:27:34truth.
00:27:36Your brother
00:27:37got sick.
00:27:38His shady
00:27:39boss refused to
00:27:40treat him and
00:27:40he almost died.
00:27:48the doctor
00:27:48said Ezra
00:27:49just had a
00:27:50common cold.
00:27:51But it had
00:27:52dragged on for
00:27:53too long without
00:27:54treatment, plus
00:27:55malnutrition.
00:27:57So now he
00:27:58needs to rest
00:27:59quietly for a
00:28:00while to
00:28:00recover.
00:28:02Fortunately, it
00:28:03wasn't anything
00:28:04serious.
00:28:06when I
00:28:07returned to
00:28:07the ward, Ezra
00:28:08was already
00:28:09awake, looking
00:28:12at me with
00:28:12red eyes.
00:28:16Chloe, I'm
00:28:17sorry to
00:28:17trouble you.
00:28:19The man
00:28:20apologized to
00:28:21me uneasily
00:28:21with a
00:28:22hoarse voice.
00:28:24He still
00:28:25didn't know I
00:28:25had bought
00:28:26him.
00:28:28Drink some
00:28:29water first.
00:28:32I went to
00:28:33the water
00:28:33dispenser and
00:28:34got a cup of
00:28:34warm water.
00:28:36Ezra habitually
00:28:38raised the arm
00:28:38with the four
00:28:39needle in the
00:28:40back of his
00:28:40hand.
00:28:41But I held
00:28:42it down.
00:28:43Never mind,
00:28:44don't move.
00:28:45I'll feed you.
00:28:47The man drank
00:28:48very eagerly.
00:28:50A few drops
00:28:51of water ran
00:28:52down his chin
00:28:53and dripped
00:28:53onto his
00:28:54Adam's apple.
00:28:55Seeing this,
00:28:56I took a
00:28:57tissue from my
00:28:57pocket and
00:28:58casually wiped
00:28:59it away.
00:29:03Chloe, will
00:29:04the boss pay
00:29:04you for my
00:29:05harpernization
00:29:06expenses?
00:29:08After a
00:29:09long while,
00:29:10Ezra asked
00:29:10in a humble
00:29:11tone.
00:29:13You don't
00:29:14need to worry
00:29:14about that.
00:29:16Just focus
00:29:17on recovering
00:29:17for now.
00:29:19When forced
00:29:20to choose
00:29:20between the
00:29:21two of them
00:29:21last year,
00:29:22I didn't
00:29:22choose him.
00:29:24I didn't
00:29:25know if Ezra
00:29:26held any
00:29:26resentment
00:29:27toward me
00:29:28or if he
00:29:29could accept
00:29:30me as
00:29:30his master.
00:29:33I figured
00:29:34I'd let
00:29:35him stay
00:29:35in the
00:29:36hospital first
00:29:38and ask
00:29:39for his
00:29:40thoughts
00:29:40once he
00:29:41recovered.
00:29:43If he
00:29:43refused to
00:29:44acknowledge
00:29:44me, I
00:29:45wouldn't force
00:29:46him to
00:29:46stay.
00:29:48Ezra's thin
00:29:48lips parted
00:29:49slightly.
00:29:51Just as he
00:29:52was about to
00:29:52speak, my
00:29:53phone suddenly
00:29:54rang.
00:29:57get some
00:29:58more sleep.
00:29:59I'm going
00:29:59to step
00:29:59out to
00:30:00take this
00:30:00call.
00:30:02The man
00:30:02obediently
00:30:03nodded,
00:30:04watching me
00:30:04as I
00:30:05left the
00:30:05room.
00:30:11When I
00:30:12got home,
00:30:13the floor
00:30:13by the
00:30:13door was
00:30:14covered in
00:30:14shattered
00:30:15glass.
00:30:16I didn't
00:30:17even need
00:30:17to guess
00:30:17who did
00:30:18it.
00:30:19The young
00:30:19man sat
00:30:20on the
00:30:20sofa with
00:30:21his arms
00:30:21crossed,
00:30:22his short
00:30:22hair a
00:30:23mess.
00:30:24He
00:30:25must have
00:30:25just
00:30:26finished
00:30:26throwing
00:30:26a
00:30:27tantrum.
00:30:30How's
00:30:30my
00:30:30brother?
00:30:31Milo
00:30:32asked
00:30:32grumpily.
00:30:33Much
00:30:34better.
00:30:34Do you
00:30:35want to
00:30:35go see
00:30:35him?
00:30:36After
00:30:37bending
00:30:37down to
00:30:37change
00:30:38my
00:30:38shoes,
00:30:38I
00:30:39replied
00:30:39to
00:30:39him
00:30:39and
00:30:39walked
00:30:40straight
00:30:40to
00:30:40the
00:30:40balcony,
00:30:42pulling
00:30:43out a
00:30:43suitcase
00:30:44to
00:30:44start
00:30:44packing.
00:30:47Since
00:30:47when are
00:30:48you so
00:30:48kind
00:30:49hearted?
00:30:50Last
00:30:51time I
00:30:51went to
00:30:52see my
00:30:52brother,
00:30:52you
00:30:52specifically
00:30:53followed
00:30:53me.
00:30:55I
00:30:55didn't
00:30:55say
00:30:55anything,
00:30:56just
00:30:56sped
00:30:57up
00:30:57my
00:30:57movements,
00:30:57forcefully
00:30:58stuffing
00:30:58clothes
00:30:59into
00:30:59the
00:30:59suitcase.
00:31:01After
00:31:02a few
00:31:02seconds
00:31:03of
00:31:03silence,
00:31:03the
00:31:03young
00:31:04man
00:31:04stood
00:31:04up
00:31:04and
00:31:04walked
00:31:05toward
00:31:05me.
00:31:07Hey,
00:31:08what are
00:31:08you
00:31:09planning?
00:31:10About
00:31:11what?
00:31:12My
00:31:13brother.
00:31:14You said
00:31:15the shop
00:31:15doesn't want
00:31:16him anymore,
00:31:16so what's
00:31:16he gonna
00:31:17do
00:31:17now?
00:31:18I
00:31:18looked up,
00:31:19my
00:31:19tone
00:31:19calm.
00:31:21I'll
00:31:21take care
00:31:22of him
00:31:22for now,
00:31:22of course.
00:31:24Milo
00:31:24froze,
00:31:25and then
00:31:25his eyes
00:31:26widened
00:31:26in disbelief.
00:31:29You'll
00:31:30take care
00:31:30of him?
00:31:33With
00:31:33what money?
00:31:35You can
00:31:35barely afford
00:31:36to keep
00:31:37me,
00:31:37and now
00:31:38you want
00:31:38to bring
00:31:38my brother
00:31:39into this
00:31:39dump,
00:31:40too?
00:31:42Are you
00:31:43gonna make
00:31:43him sleep
00:31:43on the
00:31:44floor?
00:31:49Thinking
00:31:50of the
00:31:50miserable
00:31:50state
00:31:51Ezra
00:31:51was in,
00:31:52locked
00:31:52in that
00:31:52iron
00:31:53cage,
00:31:55I found
00:31:56the current
00:31:56Milo
00:31:57utterly
00:31:57ridiculous
00:31:58in comparison.
00:31:59I suddenly
00:32:00lost control
00:32:01of my
00:32:01tone.
00:32:03Do you
00:32:04think your
00:32:04brother is
00:32:05just like
00:32:05you,
00:32:06some
00:32:06precious
00:32:06little
00:32:06young
00:32:07master?
00:32:08After
00:32:09I said
00:32:09that,
00:32:09Milo
00:32:10naturally
00:32:10threw
00:32:11a fit.
00:32:12He
00:32:13snatched
00:32:13the freshly
00:32:14folded
00:32:14clothes
00:32:15right out
00:32:15of my
00:32:15hands,
00:32:17threw
00:32:18them onto
00:32:18the bed,
00:32:19and yelled
00:32:19angrily,
00:32:20What's
00:32:21that supposed
00:32:21to mean?
00:32:22You think
00:32:23I'm too
00:32:23picky and
00:32:24my brother
00:32:24is easier
00:32:24to please?
00:32:26I didn't
00:32:26want to
00:32:27argue with
00:32:27this drama
00:32:28queen.
00:32:29I stayed
00:32:30silent,
00:32:31reaching out
00:32:31to pick
00:32:31up the
00:32:32clothes
00:32:32from the
00:32:32bed and
00:32:33folding
00:32:33them again.
00:32:34He was
00:32:35so angry
00:32:36that the
00:32:36tail behind
00:32:37him was
00:32:37thrashing
00:32:37wildly.
00:32:39Chloe,
00:32:40I advise
00:32:41you to
00:32:41quickly find
00:32:42a good
00:32:42family to
00:32:43send my
00:32:43brother to.
00:32:44You can't
00:32:45afford to
00:32:46keep both
00:32:46of us.
00:32:47Yeah,
00:32:47I have
00:32:47no money.
00:32:49So,
00:32:49to buy
00:32:50your brother's
00:32:51freedom,
00:32:51I sold
00:32:52this apartment.
00:32:53Don't
00:32:54just stand
00:32:54there.
00:32:55Go pack
00:32:56your bags.
00:32:57We're
00:32:57moving
00:32:58tomorrow.
00:32:59Milo
00:33:00froze
00:33:00in place,
00:33:01staring
00:33:01in sheer
00:33:02disbelief.
00:33:03What?
00:33:05You even
00:33:05sold our
00:33:06house?
00:33:08Just for
00:33:08my
00:33:08brother?
00:33:14In the
00:33:15end,
00:33:15the house
00:33:16sold for
00:33:16$650,000.
00:33:20After paying
00:33:20off the
00:33:21bosses I
00:33:21owe you,
00:33:22I still
00:33:22had a few
00:33:23hundred
00:33:23thousand in
00:33:24savings.
00:33:27Enough
00:33:27to find a
00:33:28comfortable
00:33:28apartment to
00:33:29rent.
00:33:31But the
00:33:32move was
00:33:33so rushed.
00:33:35I couldn't
00:33:36find a
00:33:36satisfactory
00:33:37place right
00:33:38away.
00:33:40I settled
00:33:40for a
00:33:41cheap
00:33:41basement
00:33:41on a
00:33:42short-term
00:33:42lease,
00:33:43fully
00:33:43furnished
00:33:43and ready
00:33:44to move
00:33:44in.
00:33:45Ezra was
00:33:46being discharged
00:33:47from the
00:33:47hospital today.
00:33:50I was
00:33:50busy with
00:33:51work,
00:33:51so I had
00:33:52to ask
00:33:52Milo to
00:33:53pick him
00:33:53up.
00:33:56You
00:33:57haven't
00:33:57seen your
00:33:57brother in
00:33:58a long
00:33:58time,
00:33:58you must
00:33:59miss him.
00:34:01Don't
00:34:01worry,
00:34:01I'm
00:34:02really
00:34:02going to
00:34:02work.
00:34:04I don't
00:34:05have time
00:34:06to stalk
00:34:06you or
00:34:07eavesdrop
00:34:07on your
00:34:08conversation.
00:34:13You
00:34:13two can
00:34:14talk
00:34:14freely.
00:34:16I
00:34:17smiled
00:34:17faintly
00:34:18and handed
00:34:18over the
00:34:19two spare
00:34:19keys to
00:34:20the
00:34:20basement.
00:34:23Remember
00:34:24to give
00:34:24one to
00:34:25your
00:34:25brother.
00:34:26Milo
00:34:27refused to
00:34:27take them,
00:34:28so I
00:34:28shoved
00:34:29them
00:34:29into
00:34:29his
00:34:29hand.
00:34:31The
00:34:32smile
00:34:32faded
00:34:33from
00:34:33my
00:34:33face.
00:34:35Can you
00:34:36just listen
00:34:37for once?
00:34:42I'm
00:34:42really
00:34:43tired.
00:34:44Only then
00:34:44did Milo
00:34:45reluctantly
00:34:46head out.
00:34:48Once at
00:34:49the office,
00:34:49I started
00:34:50processing the
00:34:51backlog of
00:34:51files and
00:34:52documents.
00:34:54during
00:34:55that time,
00:34:56Milo sent
00:34:56a message
00:34:57saying they
00:34:57had arrived
00:34:58home.
00:35:00My
00:35:00brother
00:35:01isn't suited
00:35:01for this
00:35:02place.
00:35:02It's too
00:35:03damp.
00:35:04The walls
00:35:04are covered
00:35:05in cobwebers
00:35:05and his
00:35:06leg is
00:35:06still
00:35:07injured.
00:35:10He
00:35:11definitely
00:35:11won't be
00:35:12able to
00:35:12handle it
00:35:12when the
00:35:13weather gets
00:35:13cold.
00:35:14Ask your
00:35:15friends or
00:35:15colleagues if
00:35:16anyone wants
00:35:16him.
00:35:17Don't let
00:35:18him suffer
00:35:18here with
00:35:19us.
00:35:23Milo
00:35:24sure knows
00:35:25how to
00:35:25worry.
00:35:25I was
00:35:26thinking the
00:35:26same thing.
00:35:28But the
00:35:29prerequisite
00:35:29was to ask
00:35:30for Ezra's
00:35:30own opinion
00:35:31first.
00:35:34After work,
00:35:35I went to
00:35:35the supermarket
00:35:36and bought a
00:35:36bag of
00:35:37daily necessities
00:35:38for Ezra.
00:35:40When I got
00:35:41back, I
00:35:41found him
00:35:42wearing Milo's
00:35:42old t-shirt.
00:35:44The man
00:35:45was standing
00:35:46in the kitchen,
00:35:46scrubbing the
00:35:47greasy
00:35:47range hood.
00:35:49Milo was
00:35:50sweeping the
00:35:51floor in the
00:35:51living room.
00:35:53This basement
00:35:54was on the
00:35:54first underground
00:35:55floor.
00:35:57It wasn't
00:35:58spacious, but
00:35:58it had a
00:35:59fully equipped
00:36:00kitchen, living
00:36:01room, and
00:36:01bathroom.
00:36:04The only
00:36:05downside was
00:36:05the lack of
00:36:06bedrooms.
00:36:06There was
00:36:07only one.
00:36:10Ezra, you
00:36:11just got out
00:36:11of the
00:36:11hospital.
00:36:16You need
00:36:16to rest
00:36:17properly, I'll
00:36:18handle this.
00:36:19I placed the
00:36:20bag on the
00:36:21coffee table
00:36:21and called
00:36:22him over.
00:36:24Try these
00:36:25slippers on
00:36:25first and
00:36:26see if they
00:36:27fit.
00:36:30I bought
00:36:31them based on
00:36:31Milo's shoe
00:36:32size.
00:36:33I only had to
00:36:34say it once.
00:36:37Ezra immediately
00:36:38put down the
00:36:39rag, washed
00:36:40his hands, and
00:36:40came over to
00:36:41me.
00:36:44Chloe, are
00:36:46you going to
00:36:46take me in?
00:36:47His eyes were
00:36:48bright and
00:36:48exceptionally
00:36:49beautiful.
00:36:50I spoke with
00:36:51hesitation.
00:36:52This is entirely
00:36:53up to you.
00:36:55If you're not
00:36:56willing, I
00:36:57won't.
00:36:57Before I could
00:36:58finish, Ezra
00:36:59eagerly interrupted.
00:37:01I'm willing.
00:37:07I'm very
00:37:07willing.
00:37:09I can do
00:37:09chores, cook, and
00:37:12go out to work.
00:37:14As long as I can
00:37:15stay by your side, I'll
00:37:16do anything.
00:37:17Ezra eagerly
00:37:18replied.
00:37:19Meanwhile, Milo,
00:37:20standing to the
00:37:21side with a scowl,
00:37:22gave a cold
00:37:23snort and ran out
00:37:24to the balcony for
00:37:25some fresh air.
00:37:28You can work
00:37:30too?
00:37:31I was quite
00:37:32curious.
00:37:33Because for the
00:37:34past year, Milo
00:37:35did nothing but go
00:37:36out to play or
00:37:37give me the cold
00:37:38shoulder at home.
00:37:40I always thought
00:37:41an incubus was
00:37:42just a pretty
00:37:42vase.
00:37:43Although my leg
00:37:44is a bit
00:37:45crippled, my
00:37:46daily mobility
00:37:47is fine.
00:37:49I've worked as
00:37:50a cleaner in
00:37:50the shop and
00:37:51learned many
00:37:52skills.
00:37:53Don't worry,
00:37:54master.
00:37:54I can make
00:37:55money.
00:37:57Ezra calling me
00:37:58master made my
00:37:59face flush with a
00:38:00hint of
00:38:01embarrassment.
00:38:03Just call me by
00:38:04my name.
00:38:05Sit for a while,
00:38:06I'll go make
00:38:07dinner.
00:38:09The man grabbed
00:38:10my wrist.
00:38:12Chloe, dinner is
00:38:14already ready.
00:38:16I had Milo go
00:38:17buy groceries this
00:38:18afternoon.
00:38:19I figured since
00:38:20you have to work
00:38:21every day, you
00:38:22shouldn't have to be
00:38:23so exhausted when
00:38:23you get back.
00:38:24It felt exactly
00:38:25like a dream.
00:38:27I sat at the
00:38:28dining table, facing
00:38:29a lavish spread of
00:38:30all my favorite
00:38:31dishes.
00:38:32Ezra thoughtfully
00:38:33placed food into
00:38:34my bowl.
00:38:38Master, once you
00:38:39put your finger
00:38:39pinned on my
00:38:40contract, you only
00:38:42need to give me the
00:38:43water you've drank
00:38:43from every day.
00:38:45I paused my
00:38:46chopsticks and asked
00:38:47in confusion.
00:38:58It seemed Ezra had
00:39:00never considered
00:39:00developing a romantic
00:39:02relationship with
00:39:02me.
00:39:04He nodded
00:39:05cautiously.
00:39:07Sitting across from
00:39:08me, Milo, who had
00:39:09been silent all this
00:39:10time, suddenly spoke
00:39:11up.
00:39:15Brother, why do you
00:39:16have to put yourself
00:39:17so low?
00:39:19She sold the house
00:39:20she lived in for
00:39:21years just for you.
00:39:22So that's how it
00:39:23is.
00:39:25Chloe, you've really
00:39:27sacrificed too much
00:39:28for me.
00:39:29I truly never thought
00:39:31anyone would love me
00:39:32this much.
00:39:33As Ezra spoke, tears
00:39:35were about to fall
00:39:35from his eyes.
00:39:38I quickly pulled
00:39:39out a tissue and
00:39:40handed it over.
00:39:42This is what a
00:39:43people-pleasing
00:39:44incubus who has
00:39:45never been loved
00:39:46is like.
00:39:48Watching him made
00:39:49me want to shed
00:39:50tears too.
00:39:53Don't cry.
00:39:55No one will ever
00:39:56lock you in a cage
00:39:57again.
00:39:58The combative
00:39:58incubus beside us
00:39:59was indignant,
00:40:01slamming his spoon
00:40:01and bowl down,
00:40:02making a loud
00:40:03clatter.
00:40:06I frowned
00:40:07and looked over.
00:40:09What's wrong
00:40:10with you now?
00:40:11Milo lowered his
00:40:12head, picking at
00:40:13his fingertips.
00:40:15Nothing.
00:40:16After dinner, I
00:40:17gathered the dishes
00:40:18to wash them.
00:40:19But Ezra wouldn't
00:40:20let me into the
00:40:21kitchen.
00:40:23Let me wash
00:40:24them.
00:40:25It'll be done in
00:40:26no time, and I
00:40:27haven't even taken
00:40:28off my apron yet.
00:40:29No way.
00:40:30I can't let you
00:40:31do everything.
00:40:32Your legs will
00:40:33hurt if you stand
00:40:33for too long.
00:40:35I disagreed.
00:40:37At this moment,
00:40:38the younger man
00:40:38still sitting on
00:40:39the stool suddenly
00:40:40stood up.
00:40:42All this pushing
00:40:43and pulling just
00:40:44to wash some
00:40:44dishes?
00:40:45So annoying.
00:40:46I'll wash them,
00:40:47let me do it.
00:40:48The sun must be
00:40:49rising from the
00:40:50west.
00:40:50How rare.
00:40:52Milo actually
00:40:53volunteered to
00:40:54wash the dishes.
00:41:02Since there was
00:41:03only one bedroom,
00:41:04I thought about
00:41:04laying another
00:41:05quilt on the
00:41:06living room sofa.
00:41:08But once I put
00:41:09it down, I
00:41:10realized the sofa
00:41:11was too small,
00:41:12far from enough
00:41:12for the physique
00:41:13of an adult
00:41:14incubus.
00:41:15Ezra saw my
00:41:16dilemma.
00:41:17He picked up the
00:41:18old quilt from the
00:41:19sofa and walked
00:41:19toward the utility
00:41:20room that hadn't
00:41:21been fully cleaned
00:41:22out yet.
00:41:24What are you
00:41:24doing?
00:41:25The man pushed
00:41:26open the utility
00:41:27room door,
00:41:28revealing an iron
00:41:29bed frame that
00:41:29had already been
00:41:30set up inside.
00:41:33He pointed it
00:41:34out to me,
00:41:34smiling shyly.
00:41:35I can just sleep
00:41:36here from now on.
00:41:38It's quite
00:41:39spacious.
00:41:40The more
00:41:40understanding Ezra
00:41:41was, the more
00:41:42I regretted and
00:41:43feared.
00:41:45If I hadn't
00:41:45gone to the
00:41:46black market that
00:41:47day, would he
00:41:47have been gone
00:41:48long ago?
00:41:50I told him
00:41:51with a hoarse
00:41:51voice.
00:41:54You don't
00:41:55have to do
00:41:55this.
00:41:58I still have
00:41:59money, and I
00:42:00will treat you
00:42:01very, very
00:42:02well from now
00:42:02on.
00:42:03But the man
00:42:04shook his
00:42:05head, saying
00:42:05he was very
00:42:06content.
00:42:09You saved
00:42:10my life, and
00:42:12you've already
00:42:12been good enough
00:42:13to me.
00:42:20my foot is bad.
00:42:21I walk awkwardly,
00:42:25and I've gotten
00:42:26thin now.
00:42:28Compared to my
00:42:29brother, I really
00:42:31have no advantages.
00:42:33Just treat me as a
00:42:35free cleaner, or a
00:42:37punching bag when
00:42:38you're angry.
00:42:39as long as I can
00:42:40provide meaningful
00:42:41value to you, feel
00:42:42free to order me
00:42:43around.
00:42:48I was just
00:42:49feeling touched,
00:42:51when suddenly, a
00:42:52certain young man's
00:42:53sarcastic voice came
00:42:54from behind.
00:42:57Oh, oh, oh, feel
00:42:59free to order me
00:42:59around.
00:43:01Brother, you've
00:43:01been running your
00:43:02mouth all night.
00:43:04Go to sleep
00:43:05already.
00:43:06What's with this
00:43:07whole loyal servant
00:43:08act?
00:43:10I'm speechless.
00:43:11I turned around in
00:43:12shock.
00:43:14Milo, how can you
00:43:15speak to your
00:43:16brother like that?
00:43:17The young man
00:43:18sneered.
00:43:19He's just trying
00:43:20to usurp
00:43:21someone's place.
00:43:22Don't tell me you
00:43:23can't see it.
00:43:24What are you
00:43:25talking about?
00:43:26You're being
00:43:27ridiculous.
00:43:28He's acting and
00:43:29playing the victim,
00:43:30can't you see?
00:43:31Don't you know
00:43:32that an incantus
00:43:33becomes extremely
00:43:34petty after
00:43:35acknowledging a
00:43:35master?
00:43:37Well, I really
00:43:38didn't know that.
00:43:40Because the
00:43:40incubus I kept
00:43:41never acknowledged
00:43:42me as his
00:43:43master.
00:43:45Every day,
00:43:46apart from making
00:43:47me mad, he
00:43:48just gossiped
00:43:48behind my back
00:43:49about how I
00:43:50abused him.
00:43:54Milo, you're
00:43:55the petty
00:43:55one here.
00:43:57Your brother
00:43:57even volunteered
00:43:58to sleep in the
00:43:59storage room.
00:44:00How is that
00:44:00trying to usurp
00:44:01someone's place?
00:44:06Your words are
00:44:07always so harsh.
00:44:08I had already
00:44:09lost all
00:44:10expectations for
00:44:11Milo.
00:44:12But I didn't
00:44:13expect that he
00:44:14wouldn't just
00:44:14insult me, even
00:44:15his brother would
00:44:16get scolded upon
00:44:17arriving.
00:44:22Milo acted
00:44:23like he was
00:44:24crazy, suddenly
00:44:26grabbing Ezra by
00:44:27the collar and
00:44:28pushing him
00:44:29outward.
00:44:31This is my
00:44:32home to begin
00:44:33with, and that
00:44:33is my master!
00:44:35Get out!
00:44:35Get out!
00:44:36Ezra stumbled
00:44:37from the push,
00:44:38nearly falling
00:44:39over.
00:44:41Unable to bear
00:44:41it any longer, I
00:44:43ran into the
00:44:43bedroom, grabbed
00:44:44the contract from
00:44:45under my pillow, and
00:44:46threw it fiercely
00:44:47onto the floor.
00:44:50Milo, get out!
00:44:52Ever since the
00:44:53time he bit me, I
00:44:54had been considering
00:44:54whether it was time
00:44:55to let go.
00:44:57But I always felt
00:44:58there was still room
00:44:59to salvage things.
00:45:02But now, he was
00:45:03still so unreasonable,
00:45:04still refusing to
00:45:05change.
00:45:07I couldn't see a
00:45:08single shred of
00:45:09hope in him.
00:45:10Milo let go.
00:45:12He stared
00:45:13blankly at the
00:45:13contract on the
00:45:14floor with his
00:45:15name on it.
00:45:16Then he looked
00:45:17up at me, his
00:45:18lips trembling.
00:45:21You're telling me
00:45:23to get out?
00:45:27I let out a deep
00:45:28sigh, composed my
00:45:29emotions, and bent
00:45:30down to pick up the
00:45:31certificate marking
00:45:32his belonging.
00:45:35I handed it over
00:45:36calmly.
00:45:38I'm asking you to
00:45:40leave, to set you
00:45:41free.
00:45:44Sorry, my
00:45:46wording was
00:45:46inappropriate just
00:45:47now.
00:45:54Ezra reached out and
00:45:55tugged at my sleeve,
00:45:56his eyes full of
00:45:57worry as he stood
00:45:57in the middle to
00:45:58make peace.
00:46:02I'm sorry, please
00:46:03don't fight because
00:46:03of me.
00:46:07If my brother isn't
00:46:08happy with it, I'll
00:46:09move out.
00:46:11Just don't fight.
00:46:13It's not because of
00:46:14you.
00:46:15We were never meant
00:46:16to be together
00:46:17anyway.
00:46:18You should know, he
00:46:20never liked me from
00:46:21the very beginning.
00:46:23Letting him go is
00:46:24exactly what he
00:46:25wants.
00:46:28I explained
00:46:29expressionlessly, waving
00:46:30the contract in my
00:46:31hand to signal him to
00:46:32take it.
00:46:34But Milo stood there
00:46:36like a block of
00:46:37wood.
00:46:39Aside from his
00:46:40heavy, ragged
00:46:40breathing, he refused
00:46:42to lift a hand.
00:46:46Why aren't you
00:46:47saying anything?
00:46:50I was very
00:46:51confused.
00:46:53Was it wrong to let
00:46:54him go to?
00:46:55Milo's eyes turned
00:46:56red.
00:46:57It was the first
00:46:58time I had ever
00:46:59seen such a wronged
00:47:00expression on his
00:47:01face.
00:47:02The young man pursed
00:47:03his lips, trying
00:47:04desperately to hold
00:47:05back his emotions.
00:47:07He blinked and
00:47:08looked up at the
00:47:09ceiling, not wanting
00:47:10his tears to fall.
00:47:12But the teardrop
00:47:13still rolled down
00:47:14from the corners
00:47:15of his eyes.
00:47:22I didn't understand
00:47:23what there was to
00:47:24cry about.
00:47:26Ezra stood to the
00:47:27side and offered
00:47:28Milo a tissue.
00:47:31But he refused it,
00:47:32abruptly turning his
00:47:33face away.
00:47:36Just ignore him.
00:47:40You go sleep in my
00:47:41bedroom first.
00:47:42At this moment, only
00:47:44Milo and I were left
00:47:45in the living room.
00:47:47I wanted to talk to
00:47:48him calmly.
00:47:51Even though I don't
00:47:51know what you're
00:47:52feeling so wronged
00:47:53about, you won't be
00:47:55able to find a place
00:47:56to live if you go out
00:47:57now.
00:47:58You can stay here
00:47:59for now and leave
00:48:00whenever you find your
00:48:01next place.
00:48:02The man, who had
00:48:04been stubbornly holding
00:48:04back his words, suddenly
00:48:06burst out crying upon
00:48:07hearing me say this.
00:48:10How?
00:48:11How could you be
00:48:12like this?
00:48:13Milo covered his face
00:48:15with both hands, his
00:48:16voice slipping out
00:48:17intermittently through
00:48:18his fingers.
00:48:20Like what?
00:48:23Haven't I been good
00:48:24enough to you?
00:48:26I'm even letting you
00:48:27go.
00:48:27I tolerated all his
00:48:29tantrums and I gave him
00:48:30the freedom he wanted.
00:48:32Why was he never
00:48:34satisfied?
00:48:37But you spent
00:48:38eight hundred thousand
00:48:39trading all your money
00:48:40for me.
00:48:43Are you really willing
00:48:44to let me leave?
00:48:47I wasn't.
00:48:49His figure and looks
00:48:51were indeed excellent.
00:48:52I had chosen him
00:48:53after endless searching.
00:48:55But there was no
00:48:56other way.
00:48:57He was only suited to
00:48:58be pampered by a
00:48:59wealthy family.
00:49:02If you feel bad
00:49:03about it, you can
00:49:03pay me back.
00:49:04Even just a small
00:49:05portion is fine.
00:49:07I said.
00:49:12Milo wiped his
00:49:13own tears away,
00:49:15slowly inching closer
00:49:16until he rested his
00:49:17head on my shoulder.
00:49:20Don't abandon me
00:49:21just because you have
00:49:22my brother now,
00:49:24okay?
00:49:25I pushed him away.
00:49:28sigh, why don't you
00:49:30understand?
00:49:32It's not because of
00:49:33your brother.
00:49:34For the next week,
00:49:34I didn't speak a single
00:49:35word to Milo.
00:49:37Even though he acted
00:49:39like a completely
00:49:39different incubus,
00:49:41taking the initiative
00:49:41to clean and do
00:49:42chores.
00:49:45And sleeping in the
00:49:46storage room at night
00:49:47without complaint.
00:49:49But I still urged him,
00:49:51you should go.
00:49:52You're just used to
00:49:53staying by my side
00:49:54and afraid to go out.
00:49:57When you actually go
00:49:58out and see the world,
00:49:59you'll endingly live
00:50:00they're more comfortable.
00:50:02Milo finally couldn't
00:50:03take it anymore.
00:50:05Grabbing his luggage,
00:50:07he shot a glare at
00:50:08Ezra passing by
00:50:09and stormed out
00:50:09in a huff.
00:50:11Ezra watched the
00:50:12young man's back.
00:50:14After he had gone far,
00:50:16he went back to
00:50:17earnestly wiping the
00:50:18table, casually asking,
00:50:22Chloe, what do you
00:50:23want to eat for dinner?
00:50:27I'll go buy groceries
00:50:29in a bit.
00:50:31Waiting until the
00:50:32early hours of the
00:50:33morning.
00:50:34Milo, who had run
00:50:35away, regretted it.
00:50:39Covered in dirt,
00:50:40he squatted in the
00:50:41hallway, crying
00:50:41secretly.
00:50:44Truly useless.
00:50:48I heard the noise
00:50:49but didn't open the
00:50:50door.
00:50:51I merely reminded
00:50:53Ezra that we were
00:50:53moving to our new
00:50:54home tomorrow.
00:50:56Milo slept leaning
00:50:57against the door all
00:50:58night.
00:51:00The next day, he went
00:51:01out again to find his
00:51:02own way.
00:51:04Because of Ezra's
00:51:05arrival, my life
00:51:06slowly began to
00:51:07improve.
00:51:09Every time I came
00:51:10back, it was no
00:51:11longer a mess.
00:51:13But a clean and
00:51:14tidy house, greeted
00:51:15by the mouth-watering
00:51:16aroma of food.
00:51:18He even wanted to
00:51:19work at a bubble tea
00:51:20shop to help with
00:51:21household expenses.
00:51:24But I worried that
00:51:25standing for too long
00:51:26would harm his
00:51:26health.
00:51:29I can support you.
00:51:31You don't have to
00:51:32work so hard.
00:51:34But Ezra couldn't
00:51:35sit idle.
00:51:37Seeing people live
00:51:38streaming crafts and
00:51:39knitting scarves online,
00:51:40I bought him some craft
00:51:41materials and yarn.
00:51:43About another month
00:51:45passed.
00:51:47One evening after work,
00:51:48I came out of the
00:51:49company and saw Milo.
00:51:51He was a bit tanner,
00:51:53wearing work clothes and
00:51:54cotton linen gloves,
00:51:55looking like he had just
00:51:56finished a blue-collar gig.
00:51:59He stretched his lips
00:52:00trying to greet me.
00:52:06As soon as Milo
00:52:07opened his mouth, the
00:52:08corners of his lips
00:52:09dropped.
00:52:11I've saved up some
00:52:12money to compensate you,
00:52:13master.
00:52:15Can I come see you
00:52:16every month from now on?
00:52:19Seeing Milo's eyes full
00:52:20of exhaustion now, I
00:52:22didn't have the heart to
00:52:22refuse again.
00:52:26Alright, if paying me
00:52:28back gives you peace of
00:52:29mind, then I'll accept it.
00:52:31Also, I am no longer
00:52:33your master.
00:52:35After returning home,
00:52:36Ezra squatted down with a
00:52:37smile, untying my
00:52:38shoelaces for me.
00:52:40He was like this every
00:52:41time, serving me with the
00:52:43utmost care.
00:52:44Even if I told him it
00:52:46wasn't necessary, he would
00:52:47still do it the next day.
00:52:50Did my brother come
00:52:51looking for you again?
00:52:53The man touched my
00:52:54ankle, his gaze traveling
00:52:56upward.
00:52:57His sense of dependence on me
00:52:59growing ever stronger.
00:53:02He wants to pay me back.
00:53:06Just paying you back?
00:53:08Ezra said, still wearing a
00:53:09smile.
00:53:11Chloe, don't see him
00:53:13again.
00:53:14Let him fend for himself.
00:53:17My hand holding the water
00:53:19glass paused.
00:53:20For a moment, I couldn't
00:53:21answer.
00:53:24Then, the man took out the
00:53:26scarf he had knitted from
00:53:27the cabinet and gently
00:53:28wrapped it around my
00:53:29neck.
00:53:36Try it on.
00:53:38Do you like it?
00:53:40If you don't like it, I'll
00:53:43take it and burn it, then
00:53:44knit a new one.
00:53:45My heart skipped a beat and
00:53:47I hesitated before speaking.
00:53:51Ezra, how about you go out
00:53:53and find a job?
00:53:54Ezra lowered his voice.
00:53:56Are you getting annoyed with
00:53:57me?
00:53:59It wasn't that I found him
00:54:00annoying, but rather that he
00:54:02was getting increasingly
00:54:03clingy.
00:54:06You're making me too much of a
00:54:07priority, and it's going to
00:54:09ruin your own mood.
00:54:13But you are important.
00:54:18I'd only be sad if you
00:54:19didn't let me focus on you.
00:54:24In the middle of the night,
00:54:25Ezra would always hold me
00:54:26tight.
00:54:27As if terrified, I might
00:54:29suddenly run away.
00:54:31He even questioned me when I
00:54:32went to the bathroom.
00:54:35I had to wait until daytime when
00:54:37I went to the office to look up
00:54:38his reactions online.
00:54:41Some experts said this was
00:54:42typical emotional paranoia caused
00:54:44by a lack of love.
00:54:47If not corrected in time, it
00:54:49would only get worse later on.
00:54:52Sure enough, sometimes when I was
00:54:53sleeping soundly at night, I would
00:54:55hear Ezra wake up terrified from a
00:54:57nightmare.
00:55:02A grown man, trembling all over,
00:55:04burrowing into my arms.
00:55:07I quickly patted his back, telling
00:55:09him I was there.
00:55:12Ezra looked up.
00:55:15Will you throw me away in the future
00:55:17too?
00:55:20No, of course not.
00:55:22But you got off work half an hour
00:55:24later than usual today.
00:55:25Did you take in another incubus?
00:55:28Can you tell me?
00:55:30I don't mind, but could you just
00:55:32tell me first?
00:55:33I patiently explained why I was half
00:55:36an hour late.
00:55:37Although Ezra said,
00:55:40I believe you.
00:55:42His eyes still looked anxious.
00:55:45The people-pleasing incubus
00:55:47gradually turned into a love-begging
00:55:49incubus.
00:55:51And he was always overly suspicious.
00:55:55The following month, Milo arrived
00:55:57right on time to repay the money.
00:56:00I hadn't seen him in a while,
00:56:01and he had gotten a bit bulkier
00:56:03from his blue-collar gig.
00:56:06Master, I made $20,000 this month.
00:56:11Here you go.
00:56:13His tone was proud.
00:56:16Meanwhile, I was so sleepy I
00:56:18couldn't keep my eyes open,
00:56:19having been kept awake all night
00:56:20by Ezra's fussing.
00:56:25Are you planning to give it all
00:56:26back to me?
00:56:31Keep some for yourself.
00:56:33I yawned.
00:56:36I don't have a sense of taste,
00:56:37so just eating some plain white rice
00:56:39to fill my stomach is fine.
00:56:41It doesn't cost much.
00:56:44Milo had really changed a lot.
00:56:47I simply couldn't connect
00:56:49the young man standing in front of me
00:56:50with the shrew who was yelling at me
00:56:52two months ago.
00:56:55Just as I was about to take the money,
00:56:57my phone rang.
00:57:00Hold on.
00:57:03Hello, Ezra.
00:57:04What's up?
00:57:06Why hasn't Master come back yet?
00:57:08Did you go see someone else?
00:57:12I'm just asking casually.
00:57:13It's okay if you don't want to tell me.
00:57:15I was utterly exhausted.
00:57:20Milo just came to pay me back today,
00:57:22that's all.
00:57:25Oh, then who was the male colleague
00:57:28that gave you flowers yesterday?
00:57:30The male colleague who gave me flowers yesterday?
00:57:34How did he know?
00:57:36I threw those flowers straight into the trash
00:57:39and downstairs at the office
00:57:40right after receiving them.
00:57:43I hung up the phone
00:57:44with a complicated expression.
00:57:49Milo hadn't left yet,
00:57:51he said.
00:57:55My brother's been stalking you
00:57:56these billion these past few days.
00:57:59I was shocked.
00:58:01How do you know?
00:58:06Because when I wasn't working,
00:58:08I'd secretly come to see you two
00:58:09and I bumped into him.
00:58:11I told you he was manipulative.
00:58:13I irritably told Milo to shut up.
00:58:19So what if he's manipulative?
00:58:23He's still better than you.
00:58:24In the third month
00:58:25after moving to the new house,
00:58:27I really couldn't stand
00:58:28Ezra's paranoid attention anymore.
00:58:31Even when I went grocery shopping
00:58:33and passed by the seafood section.
00:58:37He would carefully sniff my scent
00:58:39when I got back.
00:58:42Asking why I smelled
00:58:43like rotten fish and shrimp,
00:58:45and if I was planning
00:58:46to keep another mermaid.
00:58:50So, I accepted Milo's idea
00:58:52and simply confirmed
00:58:54Ezra's suspicions.
00:58:58Actually,
00:58:59I still have lingering feelings
00:59:01for Milo.
00:59:04Would you agree
00:59:05to let me keep him again?
00:59:07Otherwise,
00:59:07I'll always be tempted
00:59:08to keep some other kind
00:59:09of incubeta.
00:59:13That night,
00:59:14Ezra cried for a long time,
00:59:15constantly muttering.
00:59:18I knew it.
00:59:20I guessed right.
00:59:22I just knew it.
00:59:25But after crying,
00:59:26he calmed down.
00:59:30Then you'd better
00:59:31just keep Milo.
00:59:32At least he's stupid.
00:59:35If you bring in
00:59:36a new species,
00:59:37I'm afraid I'll be able to compete.
00:59:39Me.
00:59:42As expected of twins,
00:59:43they have each other's minds
00:59:45figured out so thoroughly.
00:59:47Well,
00:59:47it turns out
00:59:48they only behave
00:59:49when they keep each other
00:59:50in check.
00:59:53Sigh,
00:59:53I finally found
00:59:54the right way
00:59:55to raise them.
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