Shirley was exhausted. A full day's work had taken its toll.

"Dad, can we not talk about Abner anymore? I'm really, really tired."

"If you want me to drop it, then send the guy back to the countryside. I'm not comfortable with someone like that in my daughter's house."

Ever since Abner had arrived, Shirley had been at constant odds with her parents and her boyfriend, Mark. Now, she was genuinely worn out.

Shirley's silence was interpreted by Mr. Davis as defiance.

"If you don't send him away, I'm calling the cops right now to report a break-in."

Tears instantly welled up in Shirley's eyes. "Dad, can you please not push me? You want me to make up with Mark, right? Fine, I'll meet him, and after graduation, we'll quietly get married. I really don't want to argue with you right now."

Mr. Davis frowned, softened by her tears.

"I'm doing this for your own good," he insisted, a justification many parents use to meddle in their children's lives.

Shirley's eyes stung as she clenched her purse. "I'll listen to you on everything but Abner. Can we just compromise on this? I'll call Mark in a bit."

"Alright, but if Abner does anything harmful, you're sending him away immediately."

her eyes

his car, sighing as

materialistic, but once you're married, you'll understand. Success in this society isn't just about effort. Mark has his flaws, but his heart is in the right place. You two just need to work things out. Marriage will make your life much easier than if you were on your own. You're upset with

that, he got into his car and closed the door

there, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over

back to her room, collapsing on the couch in the living room and falling asleep without even

was 11 PM when

room was dark, but the light

tracks, intending to turn on the light but then thought better

waking her but decided against Instead, he went to grab a

his backpack away, Abner headed down to the supermarket to pick up some vegetables. He fumbled with the checkout process, observing others until the cashier waved him

made his way back and quietly started cooking

preparing a simple

of

and a couple of

warm, leaving a note where Shirley would easily see

up, he washed his hands and returned to

kitchen door

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