Chapter 1990
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.Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.
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."
Shirley nodded, her eyes tired.
Mr. Davis headed to his car, sighing as he opened the door.
"Shirley, I know you think I'm being materialistic, but once you're 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 to work things out. Marriage will make your life much easier than if you were on your own. You're upset with me now, but once you're out in the real world, you'll thank me."
With that, he got into his car and closed the door behind him.
Shirley stood there, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over her.
She barely made it back to her room, collapsing on the couch in the living room and falling asleep without even having dinner.
It was 11 PM when Abner finally got home.
The living room was dark, but the light from outside revealed Shirley asleep on the couch.
Abner stopped in his tracks, intending to turn on the light but then thought better of it.
He moved closer, contemplating waking her but decided against Instead, he went to grab a blanket from his room and gently covered her with it. t
After putting his backpack away, Abner headed down to the supermarket to pick up some vegetables. He fumbled with the checkout process, observing others until the cashier waved him over to help him through.
Relieved, he made his way back and quietly started cooking in the
kitchen, preparing a simple mene
of
porridge and a couple of side dishes.
He kept everything warm, leaving a note where Shirley would easily see it upon waking.
After finishing up, he washed his hands and returned to his studies until he heard movements outside around 12:30 AM.
He listened, not venturing out until he heard the kitchen door slide open, then returned to his work, relieved.
Shirley woke up hungry, attracted by the scent of food and the sight of the note, which led her to the kitchen. The decent-looking meal warmed her heart.
After eating slowly, she washed up, took a shower, and then messaged Mark.
"Can we get back together? Let's not bring up Abner again."
Mark, working late in the lab, replied swiftly.
"You think you can just decide we're back together? Who do you think you are, Shirley?"
Shirley frowned, knowing Mark's pride well. Taking a deep breath, she replied.
"Didn't you want me to apologize to Jessica? I'll do it. Let's just get back together."
That seemed to improve Mark's mood.
"Fine, come to my lab tomorrow."
Shirley felt a lump in her throat but was too tired to argue with anyone anymore. She just wanted peace until graduation.