Chapter 4

"Manuel, I... "The moment Ashley saw Manuel Harvey, the youngest of her elder brothers, her eyes welled up and tears started streaming down her checks. She ran to Manarland hugged ham tight, crying her heart out. "What's wrong. Ashley? C'mon, don't cry. Selina, did you mess with Ashley again?" Manuel shot a glare at Selina that could start a fire.

"No. Manuel, it's not like that. It's not her fault, I just... It's not about Selina..

"Good... Just so you know, if Selina ever gives you trouble, you sell me, okay? She won't get away with it." Manuel didn't try to hide his contempt for Selina.

He never understood why his parents bothered to bring Selina back home. If she had turned out to be some refined, smart lady, maybe he could've put up with her. But no, they brought back a zero, as plain as a dry piece of white bread from the sticks. Every time he saw Selina, it was like a bad smell filled the room. Her clothes were cheap and she was shy, like she was always scared of something. He'd rather give her a piece of his mind than let the Harvey name look had. Ashley, thought she was like their little princess-bright, sharp, sweet, and the boys in the family adored her

Normally, Selina would just shrink into herself, staring at the floor, holding back the tears, and trying not to sniffle, Manuel made it clear-he couldn't stand tears, especially from Selina. When she cried, he got mad. But this time was different. Selina climbed the stairs without a care, no

tears at all

Manuel was thrown off for a second but shook it off quickly. Ashley needed him.

Then Sara came in. "Has anyone seen Selina?"

"I don't know. Mom, what's going on? Ashley was bawling earlier.

Before Sara could answer, down came Selina with her bags in tow

doing,

and changing my residency. Let's get the

but snapped, "Just like that, you want out? What will people say? You're not out unless

be back with my husband tomorrow." With that, Selina

up.. Mom, is Selina serious! She's leaving

You can't just walk on Suddenly, Ashley wriggled our of

going?"

tears: "But Selina wems so sad. Manuel, she's our family,

dramal

this husband of hers tomorrow. Like

an Uber, tapped on her phone, and pulled up a well-known dating app, swiping through profiles. One caught her eye: "Tired of the pressure to settle down. Looking for a pretend

paperwork at Insight Group, moving through the tasks methodically. An unexpected ring from his phone made him raise an eyebrow, but he answered

today" Selina wasted no time in getting to the point. She needed to dodge any last-ditch effort from the

him about posting a sham marriage ad. He'd thought she was joking, but she wasn't Recalling the relentless family setups and the marriage nag, he paused before replying, "Alright, let's meet ""It's a

spotted Trevon at their reserved spot in a

a magazine-imposing jawline and all, giving off an air of command. His appearance was flawless, down to the buttons on his shirt and the designer watch on his wrist indicating a methodical and private

that didn't need makeup to turn

2:30 PM

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

Comments ()

0/255