Chapter 3
Back then, when the Grover family was facing a great crisis, I secretly reached out to my father whom I hadn’t been talked to for years, beggin him to help them.
I promised him that I’d definitely pay the money back to him.
Three months ago, his company faced a crisis, and he desperately neede a large sum for cash flow.
He called me several times, saying, “I want the money back from the Grover family! Or marry into the Hoyt family like I said!
“The Hoyt family is top–notch in Washington, D.C. The heir of the famil is disabled. Or why would they want you? I told you men are all ungrateful bastards. But you wouldn’t listen and insist on being with tha Benson guy for free!”
When he called me these times, Benson was right next to me.
I thought he didn’t hear my father’s words, but now I realized he was just pretending that he hadn’t heard.
Just then, a notification from Instagram popped up. Benson posted a photo, and with the fireworks lighting up the sky, even Ethel’s back seemed to be filled with happiness.
Benson’s caption was, “I’m sorry that I can’t reach the stars for you, but I can always make you the happiest princess in the world. Welcome home.”
Someone immediately liked the post and commented: “This is the latest work from the fireworks master, right? I heard it costs millions of dollars. Did you spend a fortune just to please Ethel? Hats off, dude!”
I suddenly remembered my eighteenth birthday. It was two months later we first slept together, and Benson bought me a sparkler.
His face, illuminated by the flickering light, was filled with sincerity. “Marly, I promise. After things get better, I’ll take you to see the most beautiful fireworks show in the world.”
Back then, I didn’t know I was pregnant, and nor did I know things. wouldn’t get better; they’d get worse.
In the ward, Benson looked at my pale face after the abortion. “I’m sorry, Marly. I’ll get the most expensive birth control pills from now on. I’ll never let you suffer again.”
I should have realized it back then.
I deserved all of this.
A cold wind blew, dissipating those memories from the past. I stuffed my phone back into my pocket, my hand already red from the cold.
The last message was from my father.
“The Hoyt family will pick you up tomorrow. Behave!”
I walked into the darkness with my suitcase.
I’d cry for one last time. Then, as tomorrow’s sun rose, Benson would be a complete stranger to me.
After a long night, I finally checked into a hotel. Just as I was drifting off, I was jolted awake by the phone.
Benson’s voice tinged with fury was almost deafening. “Where are you?
“Ethel announced to everyone we’re together. And you’re pissed off by that? Do you really have to?
“It’s the class reunion, and everyone’s here to welcome her back! Do you have to show them how special you are?
“What is it? You’re waiting for me to pick you up?
“Ethel has been uneasy. She doesn’t want you to hold a grudge because of that slap.
“Get your ass down here and tell her you’re cool to put her mind at ease. Now!”
His voice was usually gentle, but now, he sounded utterly impatient. He was known for his bad temper, and I used to think I was the only exception. But now, with the real exception coming back, I realized I was just a ridiculous joke.
I no longer wanted to be a joke.
“Why should I be there? Why should I care whether she’s uneasy or not?
“And who are you to tell me what do to?
“Benson, do you think you mean anything to me?”
It was the first time I talked back to him. In fact, I was short–fused, too, but because I loved him, I chose to give in all the time.
Benson was obviously stunned. After a few seconds, he said in a much- lowered voice, “Marlene, you’re saying this because you’re jealous of Ethel, right? You want my attention back. Cut it out!
“I told you already. We aren’t even a thing. You don’t even have the right to be jealous.
“Ethel and I love each other. Stop making a scene. It won’t change anything.
2021%
“Give me a break, Marlene. No more trouble, OK?”
I hung up the phone and started to dress up in front of the mirror.
The Hoyt family was coming to pick me up today. When I was a little girl, my mother always told me that since I agreed to be a bargaining chip, at least I should be a worthy one.
Then I went downstairs to wait for the Hoyt family. To my surprise, I bumped into Benson, Ethel, and the others in the hotel lobby.
Ethel grabbed my arm and smiled, “I was wondering why Benson suddenly changed the venue. It turns out it’s because of Marlene.
“I knew it. Marlene, you didn’t mean to turn Benson down, right? You didn’t reply to any of us because you wanted to show up out of the blue to get more attention, right?”
It had been eight years since we last saw each other, and that scrutinizing look in her eyes when she looked at me hadn’t changed at all. “No wonder you show up so late. You’re so fully dressed up. Gee, those who don’t know may think you’re trying to steal the spotlight from me.”
She pulled me into her arms, looking as if she was hugging me, but only I knew how much force she was exerting. Even her nails dug into my wrists. She whispered in my ear, “It seems what I said yesterday wasn’t enough to back you down. I gave you eight years, but you still couldn’t win over Benson. Stop latching onto him. It’ll only make you a bigger joke.”
With that, she suddenly pushed me hard, and I fell to the floor.
