Chapter 6%
“Fine! But repaying a debt isn’t just about saying the words–you want to repay me? Give me five thousand dollars, and I’ll cut ties with you immediately!”
Wendel quickly stepped in to stop her. “Mom, what are you saying?”
To put things into perspective, as a teacher, Wendel only earned fifty dollars a month. Stella’s demand was nothing short of absurd.
Who in the entire village could possibly come up with five thousand dollars??
Wendel put his arm around Iris‘ shoulders and comforted her. “Don’t worry, Mom is just saying things out of anger. Just apologize, and everything will go back to normal. We’re still a family.”
“Iris…” He leaned closer, his voice gentle as he coaxed her. “Be good, don’t be stubborn right now.“%
Iris lowered her head, avoiding his gaze.
“I understand. I’ll do my best to save up the five thousand dollars,” she flatly stated. “I’m tired. I’m going to rest now.”
With that, she turned and walked back into her room.
However, Stella’s curses continued ringing in the air.
“Ha! Save up five thousand dollars? How much could she even earn in a month? Dreaming in broad daylight, is she?”
“I treated her so well, gave her food, gave her clothes, and this is how she repaid me? What a disgrace to this family! If I had known back then, I would’ve let her die!“}
Leaning against the door, Iris took deep breaths, forcing herself to stay calm.
She wasn’t bluffing–her biological parents were wealthy. Five thousand dollars was nothing to them.
Soon, the house quieted down, and exhaustion took over. She decided to get into bed and sleep.2
But then, a knock came at the door.
“Iris, I know you’re still awake. Can we talk?”
It was Wendel’s voice.
Iris walked to the door and replied flatly, “Brother, you should go rest.“}
Hearing her call him “brother” again, Wendel felt inexplicable discomfort.
Ever since they had agreed to get married, she had never called him that.
For some reason, an unfamiliar sense of loss crept into his heart.
Refusing to give up, he continued patiently, “You were too stubborn today. Think about it–why are you even arguing with Esther? Once we’re married, she’ll be calling you ‘sister–in–law‘ anyway. We’re all family.”
Iris found his words ridiculous.
She couldn’t understand how Wendel could love Esther while still speaking to her like this.
Calming herself, she answered, “Brother, I think we need to reconsider this marriage.“}
Wendel immediately panicked. “Iris, why would you say that? What’s wrong with us getting married?“}
“Are you just trying to spite me?”
“Iris, we’re not children anymore. Don’t joke about things like this. I know you just want me to coax you–is that it? Fine, I’ll coax you, okay?”
Iris let out a long sigh.
Talking to this man was exhausting.
All she wanted now was to close her eyes and rest. “Brother, just leave. I’m really tired.“%
Wendel was silent for a moment before his voice turned cold. “Iris, I’ve already lowered myself to apologize. Don’t say I’m heartless.” With that, he left.
Iris knew he was angry.
He had always been like this–if his coaxing didn’t work within three minutes, he would give up completely.
The next day, Wendel started giving her cold shoulder.
Iris didn’t speak to him either, simply going about her chores as usual.
No one knew that she had already contacted her biological parents.
Until they came to take her away, she would keep a low profile.
Every day, she would find an excuse to go to town for groceries, making sure to stop by the post office, afraid of missing a letter from her real family.
