Chapter 2012

"So what now?"

Shirley couldn't help but laugh, a genuine, amused chuckle escaping her lips.

"Didn't I warn him when he got all caught up in the stock market craze? I told him not to dump all his savings into it, that stocks are a game for spare cash, not for gambling away everything you own. And when he decided to start a business with that friend of his-a guy with a shady past, no less-didn't I say it was a bad idea? He was all about 'brotherhood' and 'loyalty,' wouldn't listen to a word of reason, stubborn and self-righteous. And now, when the money runs dry, he thinks he can just marry off his daughter to fix his problems?"

Mrs. Davis's expression soured, at a loss for words.

Shirley took a deep breath. "I'm not getting married off, no matter what anyone says. If you really push me, I'll just take Abner and leave the country for good."

"Shirley, honey, I'm not forcing you, I'm really not. It's just... sigh, I'll try to talk some sense into your father."

Wiping away a tear, Shirley finally said, "Mom, don't you find it exhausting, living with a man like Dad? Always having to obey him, because whatever he says goes, even though most of his decisions turn out to be mistakes. He's too proud, too obsessed with this outdated notion of honor, ready to throw away money at the slightest provocation. How can you stand by him all these years?"

And it seemed most men were just like that.

Mrs. Davis had no response. Seeing Shirley's agitation, she stood up. "Shirley, you've just come back. Try to rest a bit, I'll leave you be."

Rest was the last thing on Shirley's mind, with a debt of two million dollars looming over them, creditors already knocking. What could their family possibly offer?

Mr. Davis was now thinking of marrying her off, but what could Mrs. Davis do to persuade him otherwise?

three hundred thousand dollars to her name; even giving away all of it would hardly scratch the surface of their

growing angrier by the minute at every reckless decision her father had

only he had listened, they wouldn't be in this

always believed he had the ultimate authority in the household, so he never

her eyes, only

she opened

had overheard most of the conversation. "Shirley, try

stung with tears as

lunchtime. "Abner, I'll order

was

exhausted. Abner covered her with

passed uneventfully until she received a call

you heard about the debt

wave

silence before Mark said, "Marry me, and

Shirley replied, "Mark, I've made myself clear.

a surge of

felt so

is a bother

In

where else

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255