Shirley, d in her cozy pajamas, entered Abner''s room to set up his bed before heading downstairs to the convenience store to pick up some toiletries for him. "We can grab anything else you need tomorrow. Dinner''s almost here; let''s eat first," she suggested, having ordered a feast that now covered the dining table. Pulling out a chair, she gently pushed Abner down by his shoulders. "Make sure you eat up. It''d be a waste otherwise."


    Back at his aunt''s ce, Abner had never had his fill, facing scorn even for grabbing a piece of meat. Having lived like that for years, now having enough to eat and a warm room seemed like a dream he was afraid to wake up from.


    Shirley, seeing him eat heartily and behaving sopliantly, felt a surge of contentment. Her lips curled into a smile. "Try these meatballs, eat plenty of them. I''ve tried them at the diner myself; the owner makes them fresh. You need to get your protein."


    Looking up briefly, Abner murmured a shy "Thank you, Shirley," before continuing his meal. Shirley felt a wave of emotion, exhaling softly.


    Driving over, she''d questioned her decision repeatedly, wondering if it was too impulsive. After all, she was still a student. Was she ready to take on such a big responsibility? But seeing Abner now, she felt it was meant to be, as if they were destined to be siblings.


    "You don''t need to thank me. If I''ve brought you here, I''m responsible for you," she said with determination.


    As Abner finished eating, Shirley stood to clear the table, but he insisted on doing it himself, offering to cook since he was skilled in making homestyle dishes.


    "You don''t need to worry about cooking. Once school starts on Monday, you''ll have a hefty workload. You might have been a standout where you''re from, but here, you''ll need to work harder to keep up," Shirley advised, noting a spark of anticipation in Abner''s eyes.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Not scared, then?" she chuckled.


    "Not scared," he replied, just as the doorbell rang.


    Frowning slightly, Shirley went to answer the door, finding Mark standing there with a bouquet of flowers, which he offered somewhat awkwardly upon noticing Abner not far behind her.


    "Who''s this?" Mark''s face darkened, having evidently forgotten Abner''s appearance and mistaking him for someone of lesser standing due to his modest clothes.


    Without epting the flowers, Shirley turned to Abner, "Head back to your room, and get some good sleep tonight."


    As Abner nodded and closed the door, Mark''s voice rose in anger, "You''re letting him stay at your ce? Is this your ''little brother''? Shirley, what are you thinking?" "Keep your voice down. This is Abner, the kid from Maplewood I''ve been helping," Shirley exined, her tone firm.


    "And? He''s practically an adult, living in your house? Where''s your sense of propriety?"


    Shirley''s expression darkened; she found Mark''s insinuations repulsive. She saw Abner as a child in need, not through the twisted lens Mark was using.


    "I''ll be his guardian in legal terms, ensuring he gets to school," she rified, her patience wearing thin.


    Mark''s usation, suggesting a scandalous rtionship between Shirley and her younger charge, was thest straw. With a swift motion, Shirley pped Mark, her hand trembling with rage at his vile implications.


    Mark, spoiled and unused to confrontation, dropped the flowers in shock. "Shirley, is this you breaking up with me?" he asked, his voice cold.


    Stepping back, Shirley was resolute. "Mark, you''re a hypocrite. You''re cozy with your ''little sister,'' and I''ve


    I''ve turned a blind eye to her antics. I''m trying to help a kid get an education, and you use me of the worst. If you want to break up, I have no objections."


    As Mark stormed out, throwing down a credit card in a final act of defiance, Shirley''s decision was clear. She was done with his double standards and ready to focus on what truly mattered: giving Abner a chance at a better life.