Mrs. Davis probably regretted it by now, but parents always feel a sense of superiority over their children, never feeling the need to humble themselves.


    Especially since Mark had done so much for their family, paying off their debts.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    She took a deep breath, and her words came outced with threats.


    "Shirley, have you thought this through? If you walk away now, don''t ever think abouting back. Did your father and I ever force you? If it weren''t for Abner showing up, you and Mark would''ve been married by now. He''s the one who ruined everything between you two. We should never have agreed to let you go to that vige; it''s ruined your life."


    Abner held Shirley close, feeling her trembling in his arms, her body burning with fever.


    "Shirley?"


    Her grip tightened on his shirt, as if she was clinging to him for dear life. And was it her imagination, or was there a strong scent of blood on Abner? "Shirley, what do you want to say?"


    He bent down, trying to understand her muffled words.


    Shirley tried to lift her head, but she was too feverish, barely aware of her surroundings.


    All she felt was anger, a burning rage.


    Seeing her struggle to speak, Abner made to leave.


    But Mark stood up from the ground, blocking his path.


    "What right do you have to take her?"


    "More right than a rapist," Abner shot back, his gaze sharp and prating.


    Mark, however, felt justified. Mrs. Davis was right; it was Abner''s arrival that had disrupted his rtionship with Shirley. Had it not been for him, they would already be married.


    Abner kicked Mark in the stomach.


    "Get lost!"


    The kick,bined with his existing difort, made Mark spit out blood and faint.


    Mrs. Davis screamed at that moment, probably terrified by Abner''s aggressive demeanor. She shakily pointed a finger at him.


    "Just as I thought, if your parents are no good, you''re bound to be the same. You have a violent streak. Being with Shirley will only harm her."


    Abner found these people absurd. They imed to want the best for Shirley but always ended up hurting her the most.


    His lips twitched in a half-smile, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on both Mrs. and Mr. Davis.


    Mrs. Davis shrank back, while Mr. Davis said nothing.


    A mother submissive to outdated gender norms, a father obsessed


    and a


    with maintaining his authenown


    BUM


    daughter too obedient for her own good.


    What outsiders saw as a harmonious family was internally rotten to the core.


    They had managed to hold on because Shirley was truly a good daughter, enduring more than she should.


    Abner didn''t want to say anything more, especially since Shirley''s arms were now wrapped around his neck.


    He stiffened.


    "Shirley..."


    He quickly carried her out, and by the time they reached downstairs, Shirley was shaking, cold and hot at the same time. Abner was frantic, immediately trying to hail a cab to the hospital.


    But Shirley curled up in his arms.


    "Don''t go to the hospital..."


    She didn''t feel safe anywhere, wanting only to go home, to hide where no one could find her.


    "Shirley..."


    Abner felt an overwhelming


    sadness. If he, an outsider, felt this


    way how much worse must it be for Shirley, the eye of this storm?


    Shirley curled up tighter in his arms, suddenly bursting into loud sobs.


    The cab driver nced back but said nothing.


    Abner gently patted her back. "Shirley..."


    She didn''t respond, her cries continuing unabated.


    Once home, she wanted to shower but had no strength.


    Abner prepared the bath for her, helping her into the tub.


    The bathroom filled with steam, and soaked form revealed


    as Shirley Sure, Abner recoiled as


    her


    if burned, taking arge step back.