Dear Ex-wife Marry Me by Twin Bridge

Abner kicked the first-aid kit under the bed, put on some clothes, and opened the door.

Shirley stood at the doorway, peering inside. Seeing the half-finished exam papers on the desk, she sighed with relief.

"Mr. James mentioned you've been at it again. Is the pressure getting to you? Why have you been coming back so late?" "No, I'll keep acing them."

Shirley walked over to his desk and flipped through the other test papers he had completed. Each one was meticulously written, and he had even graded them himself.

Feeling reassured, she turned to leave but paused, her nose twitching. There seemed to be a faint scent of ointment in the room, though she wasn't sure if she was imagining it. "Shirley, you look exhausted. Why don't you get some rest?"

Shirley had also been working late nights, and with the added stress of comforting Mrs. Davis, she and Abner rarely saw each other. Tonight, however, her concern had driven her to check on him. Seeing him seemingly fine, she reached out and tousled his hair affectionately before leaving.

As soon as she was gone, Abner's face turned pale, and cold sweat broke out. He took a deep breath, rolled up his sleeve, and continued applying ointment. His skin was burning, and even the slightest touch caused searing pain.

With sweat beading on his forehead and wary of taking a shower, he wiped down with a towel and curled up in bed. But the pain was too intense, and he couldn't sleep. Tossing and turning, he even got up to vomit blood at one point.

Early the next day, Mrs. Davis contacted Shirley, ecstatic that they had managed to clear their debts. Mr. Davis wouldn't have to face jail time.

did all that money

coming home tonight. We thought we'd

relationship was already strained as it was. But she didn't want to

asking him

afternoon, Mrs. Davis arrived with groceries in

be here by seven. Will Abner be late? We

her in the kitchen, and for a while, neither spoke. Finally, Mrs. Davis

"Shirley, about Mark..."

"It's over between us."

my way here. The money... it was

her brow. The guilt was evident on Mrs. Davis's

it was him. The money's already paid back, and we can't return it now. I thought we

hundreds

dollars wouldn't be easy. Especially since Mr. and Mrs. Davis were already retired with modest pensions. This

silent, a bitter smile tugging at her lips,

Davis set aside the vegetables she was