Two Days Until the Abused Hero Reboots

I discover a helicopter in the estate three years after I'm transmigrated. My wife, Diana Snow, decides to drop the act after noticing my crippled legs. "Three years ago, you couldn't accept being my lover after I married Andrew," she says. "So, we trapped you here, tricking you into thinking that you had transmigrated. It seems that you've learned how to behave yourself after working as one of the household staff for three years." I have a hard time believing her words. The housekeeper of the estate tears her mask off and reveals her true identity—my sister, Beverly Graham. "Andrew's son is all grown up, so you can finally go home now, Connor," she says. "Your plan was absolutely flawless, Elise!" I slowly turn my head. The estate's doctor is smiling at me. "You were right the first time. I'm actually your childhood sweetheart, Elise Jefferson. I came up with this plan because I was worried that you would harass Andrew." I believe that I have been transmigrated for the past three years. I am beaten, trafficked, and tormented by countless people before Diana buys me and forces me to slave away in her estate. My legs are crippled, and I'm blind in one eye. In the beginning, I cry all day and all night about wanting to go home. Eventually, I become numb to my terrible life. It turns out that I didn't actually transmigrate. I suffer a complete mental breakdown. Seconds before I take my own life, strange words suddenly appear in my vision. "Congratulations to the male lead of this AI-written tragedy. Remaining time before you turn into a real person: Two days. "48:00:00. "47:59:59." Chapter 1 I remained silent during the helicopter ride. According to the strange words that suddenly appeared in my vision, I had to continue living a numb and obedient life for the next two days before I died. If I followed its instructions, it would reward me with a second chance at life. It wasn't difficult to follow its orders. I had already suffered so much. It didn't make much of a difference if I died now or two days later. A tall figure blocked the helicopter's exit right after I got off. The fake heir of the Graham family, Andrew Graham, gave me a once-over. "You're back?" he asked. "I'll have you know that Diana and the others only agreed to bring you back because you were well-behaved for the last three years. If you harass me again like you did three years ago, I'll tell them to blind your other eye!" Truth be told, I couldn't recall when I ever harassed Andrew. However, it didn't matter anymore. For the past three years, if I ever talked back to the steward of the estate, he would punish me by either slapping or whipping me. It was why I had learned to behave myself a long time ago. When I remained silent, my wife, Diana Snow, rapped her knuckles against my wheelchair in warning. "Andrew's talking to you, Connor," she snapped. "We just brought you home, but you're already misbehaving. Do you want us to send you back to the estate to remind you about the rules?" My body jolted in fear. I hastily hung my head and answered, "I understand. I'll do my best to serve both you and Mr. Andrew." Andrew scoffed, though he seemed pleased with my response. "At least you know your place. Let's eat. I've already had the maids prepare dinner." A pleased smile stretched across Diana's lips. She reached out and tried to pat my head. I reflexively closed my eyes and shrank back as if I were scared of being beaten. Diana's eyes dimmed when she noticed that I was terrified of her. She intentionally softened her voice and said, "Don't be scared. I won't punish you ever again. I won't hurt you because I love you. You're still my husband, Connor, just like before." I shook my head wildly before I smiled and said, "I wouldn't dare. I'm just your kept man. I'll be good." Diana's smile stiffened. She was suddenly at a loss for words. There was a conflicted and complicated look in her eyes when she gazed at me and said, "You don't have to be scared of me, Connor… Forget it. There's no rush. We have plenty of time." … The clear sounds of clinking cutlery filled the dining room as we sat around the table. When my childhood sweetheart, Elise Jefferson, noticed that I hadn't moved an inch, she cut up a steak and placed the slices on my plate. "Why aren't you eating?" she asked. "Have you forgotten how to use a knife and fork? Go ahead and eat mine. I've already cut it up for you." I remained motionless. I hung my head even lower and said, "The steward at the estate told me that I didn't deserve to eat proper meals because of my despicable existence. Please go ahead and eat as much as you want. I'll just have the leftovers." Elise was stunned. She exchanged looks with Diana, who was sitting beside her. "Listen to me, Connor," Elise said comfortingly. "Those rules don't apply to you anymore now that you're back home. We'll treat you well just like before as long as you behave yourself. Go ahead and eat." I whipped my head up before swiftly lowering it again. I was still too scared to eat. My sister, Beverly Graham, seemed deep in thought. She shot a tentative look at me before saying, "Diana asked you to eat, Connor. That's the rule." I looked up again and brought the steak to my mouth with trembling fingers. I ate very slowly and only had a few slices. My arm trembled in my sleeve as I raised the fork to my mouth. I had lost an alarming amount of weight. An oppressive atmosphere had descended upon the dining table. Only Andrew was still in high spirits, excitedly talking about his son, Finn Graham. Diana and the others listened to him quietly, but it was obvious that they were distracted. I stopped eating after only two bites of steak. Suppressing the metallic taste of blood that had suddenly surged up my throat, I looked at Diana and muttered, "I… I think I'm going to be sick." Diana, Beverly, and Elise didn't even have time to panic upon hearing my words. "Can you give me some painkillers?" I asked numbly. "Please don't sell me to someone else." Chapter 2 Diana's expression stiffened as she stared at me in disbelief. I didn't understand why she reacted that way, so I turned to look at Elise. She used to be the estate's doctor, so she had the power to make decisions too. "I was good, and I also ate the steak that you cut for me. I just want some painkillers now… Is that alright? Please don't sell me to someone else." The color drained from Elise's face, but she simply ignored me. Beverly forced herself to stay composed and asked, "What are you talking about, Connor? You just have to focus on getting better if you're sick. It's not like—" I shook my head and said firmly, "You must have forgotten. A sick person is a useless piece of trash. Either you power through the pain, or you'll get sold off. "This is the fourth time that my illness has acted up. If the doctor doesn't prescribe some medicine to me, I'll be sold off." Diana's expression darkened. She dropped her knife and fork before grabbing a fistful of Elise's collar and dragging her away. "Come with me," she hissed as she slammed the door of the study open and dragged Elise inside. The manor had excellent soundproofing, which was why we could only hear muffled noises coming from the study. It sounded like Diana and Elise were arguing. I felt incredibly uneasy. I looked at Beverly in confusion. Pursing my lips, I said, "I think I did something wrong. Will the steward punish me?" Beverly's fingers trembled as she gripped her fork. Her chest felt tight as she studied my cautious demeanor. She felt like she couldn't breathe. She rose to her feet and wheeled me away, saying comfortingly, "No one will ever hurt you again, Connor. You've been very well-behaved, but I prefer how you were in the past. "You knew how to laugh and get angry. You would call me by my full name when you were exasperated with me. You would even twist my ears sometimes. So… Stop being like this, okay?" I lowered my head and mumbled weakly, "I would be overstepping if I did those things. I'll get punished. I was wrong. I won't ask for painkillers again." Beverly frowned but didn't respond. She simply wheeled me away, leaving Andrew alone at the dining table. Andrew had planned to torment me to his heart's content since it had been three years since we last met. He hadn't expected the situation to turn out like that. He never imagined that Diana, Elise, and Beverly would grow softhearted upon realizing the pitiful state I was in. He angrily threw his knife and fork onto the table and barked his orders at the maid who was standing behind him. "Bring Finn back home now. I can't let that useless piece of trash continue his weak and vulnerable act." Meanwhile, Beverly wheeled me toward a guest room on the first floor. I felt a little uneasy when I realized how spacious the room was. It looked too comfortable. I brushed my fingers across the soft blankets before looking up at Beverly, asking, "Is the storage room occupied? I can stay there instead. This room is too nice. I don't deserve to stay here. Besides, there's no clock in this room. I need to get up early to greet all of you and prepare breakfast." I seemed to have said the wrong thing again because Beverly's eyes suddenly reddened. She crouched in front of me and said gently, "Stop it, Connor. Don't say another word… You'll never have to live in a storage room ever again. We're family. I'll treat you well from now on." I didn't believe her. During the last three years, when Beverly was still pretending to be the housekeeper of the estate, she had said something similar to me. However, the steward had barged into my room that same night and whipped me within an inch of my life. But I didn't dare argue with her. I simply nodded numbly in response. Beverly smiled, assuming that I had accepted her words. She assigned two maids to clean me up and prepare me for bed. Fortunately, although there wasn't a clock in the room, I was still able to tell the passage of time because of the strange number. "35:48:21. "35:48:20." Time seemed to move at an agonizingly slow pace as the seconds ticked by. I wanted to die as soon as possible. … The door to the study finally creaked open at 3:00 am. There were bruises on both Diana's and Elise's faces. It was obvious that they had fought. Diana glanced at Elise from the corner of her eye and said, "I believe you. You're not cruel enough to torment Connor like that. I'll investigate everyone in the estate while you investigate the source of the painkillers and how they were exchanged." Elise nodded upon hearing her words. Diana noticed that the lights were still switched on when she walked past the kitchen, illuminating a shadowy figure. It looked like me from where she was standing. I was in the kitchen. My eyes were calm as I lifted a knife and drove it toward myself. The fine hairs on Diana's skin immediately stood on end. "No!" she shrieked, lunging at me and grabbing my hand that was holding the knife. Elise, who was nearby, rushed toward the kitchen when she heard the commotion. She then swiftly knocked the knife out of my hand. Diana stared at me in shock. "Have you lost your mind, Connor?" she demanded. "Why did you try to take your own life?" Chapter 3 I blinked at Diana before looking down at the smashed pumpkin that had fallen to the floor. I smiled at her and said, "There's been a misunderstanding. It was time for me to get up and prepare breakfast for everyone. "Also, there's no need for you to worry. I won't die even if I stab myself with this type of knife." Diana was shocked by my words. She was just about to question me further when Elise called out to her. "Diana…" Diana turned to look at Elise. When Elise knocked the knife out of my hand, the blade had sliced across my sleeve. The torn fabric exposed my inner arm, which was covered in layers of hideous scars. It was easy to tell that some of the scars came from wounds where the blade had been dug deep into the flesh. The scars were signs of self-harm. An apologetic smile stretched across my lips as Diana and Elise stared at me in horror. "Did I disturb the two of you? I'm sorry. I'll be quieter next time." Diana and Elise exchanged looks with each other but didn't say a single word. Instead, they ordered a maid to escort me back to my room, keeping an eye on me until I was tucked in bed. … The next morning, I was woken up by Diana. She looked like she had stayed awake for the entire night. There were dark bags under her eyes. She looked oddly somber when she said, "I'm taking you to the private hospital on the fifth floor of the manor, Connor. Elise has brought in a team of professionals. They'll be giving you a check-up." I obediently followed Elise and cooperated with the doctors as they conducted a thorough check-up on me, including blood tests, ultrasound scans, and CT scans. They also examined the gruesome scars that littered my body, taking notes and pictures. A female doctor with a kind face sat opposite me, asking me questions in a gentle voice. She asked about my sleep, my appetite, my emotions, and my scars. I was very well-behaved. I answered the questions that I could and apologized when I couldn't. The steward always told me that my apology would seem more sincere if I got onto my knees. Unfortunately, I couldn't kneel since my legs were crippled. After the check-up was over, the three of them sat together and looked through the report. I didn't know what was written in it, but I could see their faces turning upset. The number in my vision had counted down to "25:18:03" when Diana finally put down the report and approached me. She spoke to me softly as if she were afraid of spooking me. "The doctors said that your body is really weak, Connor. You need lots of rest to get better. "They've also looked over your wounds. They're really serious. You'll have to be patient because the treatment will take a long time. But you don't have to worry. No one will ever hurt you again while you're here. "I'll hire the best doctors and give you the best medicine. I'll take good care of you until you're back in top condition and heal all these wounds." I pointed at Diana, reflexively wanting to say that she and the others would hurt me while I was in the manor. But Diana misunderstood my gesture. She held my finger and pressed it against her chest. "Don't be scared. We won't hurt you, Connor." Her words sounded strange and ridiculous to me. My life for the past three years was like a living hell precisely because they had banded together to hurt me. Andrew and Finn were waiting in the living room after we left the fifth floor. Andrew had brought Finn home while we were distracted. He had also learned about my condition. He picked Finn up and shoved him into my arms, saying, "I can tell that you've been in low spirits recently, Connor. Here. Finn will make you feel better. "Kids are full of energy. You'll feel better just by looking at him. Although you're sick now, you'll have your own children in the future." I looked at Andrew's smiling face. He looked like a completely different person from the tall and intimidating man who had blocked the helicopter's exit. I wondered if he had also been sent to the estate but swiftly dismissed the idea. Diana and the others wouldn't do that to him. Finn dug his nails into my skin. Children didn't know their own strength. But it seemed that he understood what Andrew wanted him to do. "Hug me, Uncle Connor!" Finn called sweetly as he continued to dig his nails into my skin with all his might. Someone had intentionally shaped his nails into short but sharp points. As a result, he only needed to exert a bit of strength to make me feel like I was being stabbed by small blades. Finn dug his nails into me over and over again. The sharp stings of pain felt unbearable. I could feel myself bleeding where my skin had split open. I had no choice but to try to give Finn back to Andrew. "I'm in bad shape. I'm scared of dropping him. You should carry him instead." Andrew nodded. "You're right. Your body is still weak. You should rest as much as you can," he said softly. "Come here, Finn. I'll carry you." I had just passed Finn back to Andrew when he suddenly loosened his hold, causing Finn to fall to the floor. I was still frozen in shock when Finn let out a bloodcurdling wail. Andrew slapped me hard across the face. "Why did you drop my child, Connor?" he demanded. Chapter 4 The wheelchair flipped over, sending me sprawling to the floor. I lay there helplessly and watched as Andrew continued to shout at me. "I know that you hate me. You despise me for taking your childhood sweetheart, your sister, and your lover from you. But Finn is innocent! He's only a child. He wouldn't be able to survive such a bad fall. How cruel can you be? How could you hurt him like that?" Diana, Elise, and Beverly rushed into the living room from different parts of the manor after hearing the commotion. Diana swiftly approached us, wearing a steely expression. She crouched down and quickly examined Finn before whipping her head up to shoot me a hateful glare. "What have you done, Connor Graham?" she roared. "It's barely been two days since you returned, and you're already misbehaving? Do you want me to send you back to the estate?" Beverly also rushed over, looking between Finn, who was still lying on the floor and wailing at the top of his lungs, and Andrew, who was still berating me. Her eyes burned with rage when she looked at me. "How could you do such a thing to a child, Connor?" she demanded. Meanwhile, Elise handed Finn to a medical staff member standing behind her. She didn't say a single word and simply shot an icy and fierce glare at me. I slowly realized that I was being framed. The circumstances were completely identical to the countless times that I was framed in the past three years. The steward used to accuse me of stealing. When I told him that I didn't do it, he whipped me even more severely. One of the household staff members accused me of seducing a maid. When I tried to explain myself, I was stripped of my clothes and humiliated in front of everyone. When Diana believed the lies that accused me of trying to escape the estate, she locked me in a cell and trapped me in a huge container that was filled with water. I opened my mouth, wanting to explain myself. I wanted to tell them that they were wrong—that I wasn't the one who dropped Finn. I had so much to say, but I stayed quiet because I knew that none of them would believe me. If I tried to explain myself, they would just punish me even more severely, just like before. The only thing that I could do was curl up on the floor and offer weak apologies. "I'm sorry…" I murmured. Andrew rushed forward and shouted, "You're sorry? Do you think that you can sweep everything under the rug just by apologizing? I'm going to beat you to death, you damned bastard!" He then began to rain down blows on me while Diana and the others quietly watched him. "Don't kick his stomach," someone said. "It's a weak spot." Diana and the others didn't speak up again. They didn't try to stop Andrew and simply stood on the sidelines, just like before. Andrew punched and kicked me over and over again, landing blows on my face and body. I was hurting so much. Pain exploded all over my body. As I teetered on the edge of unconsciousness, I noticed that the number in my vision was plummeting rapidly. "24:27:43. "20:13:05. "15:39:17." Andrew finally stopped when someone pulled him away. The number had stopped at "4:01:25". Diana slowly approached me. Looking down at me, she asked coldly, "Have you learned your lesson? Why do you insist on misbehaving?" I choked on the metallic taste of blood in my throat. I didn't answer her questions. Instead, I grabbed the hem of her pants and asked a question of my own. "Didn't you tell me… that no one will ever hurt me again when I'm here?" Diana fell silent. She calmly freed the hem of her pants from my grip and answered, "But you made a mistake. You deserve to be punished for it. Those are the rules. You'll be locked in the storage room for now. I'll let you out once we confirm that Finn is fine." But I didn't want to be locked in the storage room. I had been trapped in the estate for the last three years. I didn't want to spend the last four hours of my life being locked in a cage like an animal. I wanted to plead with Diana, but she had already turned away. I looked at Beverly, but she simply averted her gaze and continued comforting Andrew, who was still in distress, in a low voice. Elise had already left the living room in a rush to check on Finn's condition. As expected, nobody was willing to save me. I stopped struggling and allowed the maids to drag me away and roughly throw me into the storage room. I counted my heartbeats as I watched the number in my vision tick down. I didn't know what would happen to me after the countdown reached zero, but considering my current circumstances, death didn't sound all too bad. At least I would be free after I died. "00:00:00." I closed my eyes when the number hit zero. My heart stopped beating as a dark red liquid pooled around my body. A maid dropped by to deliver food to me about 30 minutes later. She stared at me for a split second before letting out a terrified shriek that echoed through the entire manor. The maid stumbled over her own two feet as she bolted toward Diana and screamed, "He's dead! Mr. Graham's dead! There's blood all over the floor!"