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."

nodded, her

to his car, sighing as he opened

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

his car and closed

wave of dizziness wash

collapsing on the couch in

was 11 PM when Abner finally

living room was dark, but the light from outside revealed

stopped in his tracks, intending to turn on the light but then thought

moved closer, contemplating waking her but decided against Instead, he went to grab a blanket from his room and gently covered her

down to the supermarket to pick up some vegetables. He fumbled with the checkout process, observing others until the cashier waved him over

he made his way back and quietly started cooking in

preparing a simple

of

a couple

a note where Shirley would

he washed his hands and returned to his studies until he

venturing out until he heard the kitchen door slide open, then returned to his

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