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 He's too proud, too obsessed with this outdated notion of honor, ready to throw away money at the slightest provocation.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?

name; even giving away all of it would hardly scratch the

on the couch, growing angrier by the minute at every reckless decision her

if only he had listened, they wouldn't be

the ultimate authority in the household,

a heavy sigh, Shirley closed her eyes, only to

opened her eyes

of the conversation.

with tears as

lunchtime. "Abner, I'll order

was Wake me when

utterly exhausted. Abner covered her with a blanket,

uneventfully until she received a call from

heard about the debt

felt a wave of

a brief silence before Mark said, "Marry me, and I'll settle your family's

breath, Shirley replied, "Mark, I've made myself clear. Stop bothering me about

a surge of

never felt

is a bother

In

where else

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