Dragon Healer

Author: Amoreena

Chapter 1: Useless Man

Words : 2350 Updated : Oct 23rd, 2025

"You good-for-nothing, what are you dragging your feet for? Today's the family's annual gathering! You want us all to be late?" a sharp-tongued woman shouted. At her words, Gabriel Jauncy flinched and blurted out, "It's almost done, Mom. I promise I won't hold you up!" "I don't know what the old man was thinking, making you marry into this family," the woman muttered, checking herself in the mirror. A young woman walked into the living room. She had delicate, arched brows, bright eyes, porcelain-like skin, a graceful figure, and long, slender legs. She glanced toward the kitchen and said coolly, "Mom, we've still got time. Stop rushing. Even if we show up now, it won't change how they see you." "At least we won't get scolded," the woman snapped. Gabriel risked a quick look at the woman in the living room. His expression relaxed, and tenderness flickered in his eyes. But when he looked at the middle-aged woman, his eyes went cold. The woman in the living room was his wife, Madison Ades. His wife in name only. He hadn't even held her hand since the day they got married. Madison was beautiful and accomplished, but after Gabriel married into the Ades family, she'd faced the family's scorn for three years, and that turned into a bone-deep hatred for Gabriel. The woman who'd just yelled at him was his mother-in-law, Lauryn King. From the day he married into the family, she'd never had a kind word for him. Gabriel had once been the legitimate heir of the Jauncy family in Yanos. Framed by traitors, he fled to Zerton and was rescued by Timothy Ades. When Timothy noticed the pendant at Gabriel's neck, he made a decisive choice: he married his most cherished granddaughter to Gabriel and made him the Ades family's live-in son-in-law. No one expected Timothy to pass away a year later, never revealing Gabriel's true identity. While Timothy was alive, things were bearable for Gabriel. After his death, everything went to hell, and Madison's branch of the family fell in status with him. For three years, Gabriel never gave up on taking revenge. But his Martial Foundation was destroyed. No amount of training helped. Day after day, he lived with the agony of being too weak to take revenge himself. He looked at Madison, who wouldn't spare him a glance, and at Lauryn's face twisted in disgust, keeping his own face blank. Without his strength, all he could do was swallow his pride. "You good-for-nothing, are you done yet? Do you even know what time it is?" Lauryn barked from the living room as she strode toward the kitchen. "It's ready, Mom. I just finished cooking!" Gabriel called out. He plated the stir-fry with practiced hands and set the rest of the food on the table. Seeing breakfast laid out, Lauryn grumbled, "All he does is eat, and he won't lift a finger unless you yell at him." Madison watched him set the table with easy efficiency. Disgust flashed through her eyes. If not for the Ades family's reputation, she would've divorced him long ago. Looking at Gabriel's meek, compliant face, she wanted to give him a couple of good slaps right then. No connections? Fine. But at least have some real skill. He stayed home for three whole years, doing nothing but sweeping floors, washing clothes, and cooking. Nothing else. She couldn't fathom what her grandfather had seen in this loser. The grandfather who'd doted on her most had married her off to dead weight. Gabriel, though, had grown used to it. He didn't resent Madison for her attitude. There was no foundation for love between them. She'd married him and gone from golden girl to the butt of everyone's jokes. He understood her resentment. After being cast out of the Jauncy family, Gabriel hammered one thought into his head: stay alive. Whatever it took, survive. So even if the Ades family despised him, used him like a housekeeper, or even worse than a housekeeper, he endured. He never forgot one simple truth: he was no longer the golden boy of the Jauncy family. Now he was a live-in son-in-law just scraping by, merely surviving. "After we leave, clean up properly, then you can go. When you get to the hotel, find a corner and keep your head down. Don't run your mouth. Got it?" Lauryn said, glaring at him. "Got it, Mom," Gabriel replied. Madison frowned. "Does he even have to go today?" "You think I want him there?" Lauryn snapped, exasperated. "Family rules. Everyone attends the annual gala. You think I don't know he embarrasses us?" "If you'd listened to me and gone to meet suitors, would they mock us every time?" Squatting in the kitchen with a bowl in his hands, Gabriel listened to their exchange, his face unmoved. But inside, he sneered inwardly. If not for my serious internal injuries, would I be cowering at home? What goes around comes around. Don't look down on me just because I'm struggling now. If I ever rise again, I'll turn the world upside down. He was used to it all. The only one at home who didn't give him grief was his father-in-law, Caspian Ades, who was away. After Madison and Lauryn finished breakfast, they walked out without a word to Gabriel. He came out and cleaned up the mess. Looking at the table, he kept his face steady and got to work. A live-in son-in-law isn't even worth as much as a dog. He let out a breath and laughed at himself. If he hadn't been fleeing killers, if his internal injuries could be healed, why would he put up with Lauryn's abuse? Even if he loved Madison, back in Yanos, he hadn't been someone people could push around. The shrill ringtone cut through his thoughts. Madison's name lit up the screen. He murmured, "She must've forgotten something." "Gabriel, everyone has to bring a gift for Grandma at the annual gala. Go buy one," Madison said, her voice icy. "Oh. Um... but..." Gabriel hesitated. "But what? Spit it out," she snapped. "I don't have any money," he finally said. "Why can't you find a job? You've been living off the Ades family for three years... Whatever. Why do I even bother? You're just useless. I'm transferring you some," Madison said, her tone full of contempt and weary resignation. The call ended, and he got a text from the bank. He checked the time, then moved quickly, tidied up, changed into the best clothes he had, and headed out. At the antique market, Gabriel idly browsed the stalls. With limited funds, he could only rely on the eye he'd once honed as a young scion, hoping to snag a worthwhile find. After combing through the offerings, he picked out a scroll of calligraphy and painting. It would do. The Ades family's matriarch came from a refined, old-school background, and her love of calligraphy and painting bordered on obsession. He checked the time. Two hours left before the banquet. The man didn't plan to go early. Even if he did, he'd only be the Ades family's punchline. He'd be humiliated, Madison would be dragged down with him, and then Lauryn would be on him like a rabid dog. The thought made him shiver. Screech! A car braked hard. Gabriel looked up just in time to see a sports car bearing down on him. Then the world went black. A young woman in her twenties climbed out, beautiful and shapely, with a pale complexion, an oval face, and finely arched brows. Panic widened her eyes as she stared at Gabriel lying on the ground. He lay there, his face bloodied; no one could tell where the blood was coming from. "What are you standing there for? Check if he's okay!" someone in the gathering crowd shouted when the beauty froze. Several people hurried over and helped Gabriel up. The young woman called 911. No one noticed that the pendant at Gabriel's neck, stained with his blood, gave off a faint glow. "Gabriel Jauncy, look what you've done! You animal!" The family matriarch's voice rang out, furious and cold. "Grandma, I..." "Grandma, I'll kill that cur with my own hands!" "Gabriel, this slap is for my wife!" "YMr. Jauncy, don't blame me! I have to survive!" In his coma, voices hammered through Gabriel's skull, replaying the day three years ago when the Jauncy family pushed him toward death. Then a different voice echoed in his mind. "Well, your Martial Foundation is ruined?" "Now I grant you a stroke of fortune." "Since you bear the pendant, we were fated to meet." "From this day on, you are my disciple, the Grand Healer's disciple." "Your ruined Martial Foundation is perfect for cultivating my Mystic Art." "These are the fruits of my life's study. You must master them." "Use your skills to help the world. Treat the sick and save lives." "Remember this. Remember it well." "I take my leave."

Dragon Healer

Chapter 1: Useless Man

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