Mark, usually so timid, suddenly looked menacing. “Lily, you’ve disappointed me greatly.”
He raised his hand to strike me. At that critical moment, Jake pulled me aside.
“You’re going to hit my sister in front of me? You’ve got some nerve!”
Jake’s timely intervention made Mark’s swing miss, only fueling his rage further.
He pointed at me, yelling:
“Lily Miller, if you don’t want us to get divorced, then get on your knees and apologize to my mom. Then we can go on living peacefully together.”
“Otherwise, don’t blame me for turning my back on you.”
Brenda, hearing this, suddenly stood up from the floor, dusting off her pants. She sneered at me. “Too late! An apology isn’t enough. Give your brother–in–law the house your family gave you as a wedding gift. Otherwise, don’t even think about stepping foot in our Miller family home again!”
Mark and Brenda were convinced I’d apologize and give in.
After all, I had loved Mark to death back then, willing to break ties with my own parents just to be with him.
I remained cold and silent.
Mark gave Kevin a look. Kevin immediately took a few of his friends and dragged Jake away, pushing him into
“What are you doing?” A bad premonition gripped me.
“Mark Miller, you’re breaking the law!”
a
room.
Mark’s face was smug. “Lily, a funeral is a solemn occasion. Jake’s causing trouble at my dad’s memorial. Even if you call the cops, he’ll still be charged with disturbing the peace.”
“If you want him to walk out of here unharmed, then just do as I say.”
I felt incredibly stifled, but I had no choice but to back down.
Kevin, quick–witted, pulled up a chair for Brenda.
Brenda sat on it, looking down her nose at me.
Under everyone’s gaze, 1 reluctantly walked up to her and bowed three times. “I’m sorry, it was my fault!”
Brenda held her head high and said nothing. Mark cleared his throat.
Brenda reluctantly spoke:
“Hmph, it’s good you know your place. Just like Mark said, after your dad’s funeral is over, transfer the house to Kevin!”
I was expressionless. “Can Jake be released now?”
Mark’s face was a little awkward. He took my…..
12:24 AM
<
Mark’s face was a little awkward. He took my hand, trying to calm me down.
Brenda, seeing this, got angry again. She scoffed. “Let her go home. Just looking at her unlucky face makes me furious. Your dad probably doesn’t want to see her most of all right now. Let her leave, we don’t need her to wear mourning clothes!”
No sooner had Brenda finished speaking than I ripped off my mourning clothes and shoved them into Mark’s arms.
I grabbed Jake’s hand and hurried out.
This time, not a single one of the Miller family’s relatives or friends tried to stop me. They all stood in small groups, whispering.
On the way, Jake was indignant. “Cousin, why did you apologize like such a doormat? I don’t believe they would’ve actually laid a hand on me!”
“I couldn’t risk you, Jake. Apologizing doesn’t mean I lose a limb. I can handle it.”
“Cousin, do you still want to stay with Mark?”
Jake asked cautiously.
I scoffed. “Me? Stay with him? I’d have to be out of my mind! Don’t worry, every injustice we suffered today, Jake, I’ll make sure they pay for it!”
I returned to the house Mark and I shared.
I opened a drawer. My wedding jewelry was still there, untouched. Luckily, the house deed was also there.
I packed up the house deed and other valuables. I glanced over and saw the watch I’d bought Mark. Without a second thought, I grabbed it too.
After we got married, I’d completely let my guard down with Mark, keeping all our valuables in one place.
In my previous life, Brenda and Kevin had shown up demanding money. I tried desperately to explain, but they wouldn’t listen.
Brenda said arrogantly, “If you don’t give us three million today, then the house will be transferred to Kevin. Otherwise, you won’t like the consequences.”
Of course, I refused.
Kevin blocked me, and Brenda, knowing exactly where it was, easily found where I hid the house deed.
She also took my gold and silver jewelry with it, then just ran off.
Kevin shoved me hard and ran off too.
12.26
