Chapter 4

I thought it was his apprentice helping to send the message, so I didn't think much of it and grabbed my bag to head out.

As soon as I arrived at the scene, I saw Emily arm-in-arm with a slim elderly woman, smiling sweetly.

While Michael had injuries on his face, they weren't severe enough to cause him to be unconscious.

He stood on the stage like a king, wearing a golden belt, and placed a crown studded with precious diamonds and jewels on Emily's head.

He planted a passionate kiss on Emily's forehead:

"For you, my beloved queen of the ring."

Michael turned and saw me, looking a bit flustered:

"Sarah, why... why are you here?"

"I was worried about your safety, so I came to check on you."

Before Michael could speak, Emily said in a coy tone to the elderly woman:

"Auntie, Sarah is here. You should tell Michael to give the crown to Sarah instead. After all, she's Michael's wife and your daughter-in-law."

I widened my eyes in surprise. Had Michael found his birth mother? He'd never mentioned it to me.

Mrs.Everhart glanced at Emily's haute couture outfit and jewelry, then scrutinized my simple, modest attire, his eyes filled with disdain:

"My son has never mentioned having such a shabby darling. He's always been sending me pictures of you, Emily. Who knows where this stray cat or dog came from?"

"Dressed like a beggar. My son is the underground The Champ, how could she be fit to be my daughter-in-law? All these years, she hasn't given me, her mother-in-law, any gifts. Unlike you, Emily, always so obedient and thoughtful, always buying me this and that."

I felt like laughing as I listened. It wasn't my fault that Michael hadn't told them, was it?

I looked towards Michael. In the past, if anyone said even one bad word about me, he would grab their collar and force them to apologize to me.

But now he was busy adjusting Emily's hair near her ear, as if I didn't exist.

Emily caressed his abs, saying with concern:

"Michael, you've worked so hard to get me this tiara. Let me rub some medicinal wine on you."

Michael grasped her hand gently, saying softly:

"As long as it's something you like, I'd die to get it for you.""Your hand is so white and delicate, made for enjoying life's pleasures. How could you let it touch something as harsh as medicinal wine?"

With that, he had someone bring in a hundred sets of jewelry, from rings to necklaces, everything imaginable. Each piece was a unique treasure, one of a kind in the world.

"Emily, these are the spoils I've won from competitions over the past few years. Your little hands are meant to wear these, nothing else. You don't need to do anything else."

I looked at my own fingers, long soaked in medicinal wine from massaging him, now pale, slightly swollen, and misshapen. Suddenly, it all felt very ironic.

My body is allergic to alcohol. Even the slightest touch would cause red rashes all over, unbearably itchy.

But for Michael's sake, I'd take handfuls of allergy medication, then massage him all night long, fearing that the bruises from his matches wouldn't heal properly and he'd be in pain.

At first, he would feel bad for me, but as time went on, it became a comfort he took for granted.

Emily happily kissed his cheek:

"Michael, you're so good to me. You've given me so many gifts. Won't Sarah be upset?"

Only then did Michael remember I was still there. He hurriedly explained:

"Sarah, don't get the wrong idea. Even though Emily married someone else, she's still my older brother's widow. Giving her some jewelry is just my way of looking after her on his behalf.""She's never suffered hardship before. She can't do massage work, and as for that Boxer's Crown, I was just..."

Before he could finish, Emily suddenly shivered and said weakly:

"Michael, I feel so cold. I wonder if I've caught a chill."

Michael quickly picked her up in his arms and said anxiously:

"Did you cool off too much? Did you take another cold shower last night? You're always so naughty. Next time you shower, you need to video call me. I have to keep an eye on you."

"Come on, I'll take you to rest."