Dear Ex-wife Marry Me (Maja and Ian) novel Chapter 2001

After the fiasco, the atmosphere at Abner Olson's place was somewhat off-kilter, mainly because so many people wanted his contact information. It was so disruptive that one classmate joked, “Are we assembling a soccer team with all the people coming to see Abner tonight?”

“Is this what being an adult is like? So straightforward. Love it.”

The classmate's comment lightened the mood considerably.

However, Abner was visibly downcast. He had lied earlier about Shirley returning abroad to throw Mark off the scent. In reality, Shirley hadn't been in touch for ages.

A wave of panic washed over him, a fear of being left behind.

Could Shirley be over him?

His heart tightened, and his grip on his beer can intensified, leading to a sharp pang of pain and a warm sensation in his eyes.

An hour later, when the party wrapped up, Abner grabbed a cab back to his apartment complex and from a distance, spotted Shirley. His heart leaped, but as he started to approach, he noticed a middle-aged man standing beside her.

“Shirley, if I hadn't made a trip to Mark's firm, I wouldn't have known you two had split up so long ago. Don't tell me it wasn't because of Abner?”

Shirley had rushed back from overseas just to celebrate Abner's birthday. She hadn't even set foot in her house before her father cornered her.

She was exhausted.

“Dad, Abner's doing great in school, he's top of his class now. Mr. James even said he's a promising student who's bound to get into Solstice College. Please, stop being prejudiced against him.”

“Enough! If it wasn't for him, would you and Mark have broken up? After I left Mark's company, he kept calling, trying to feel out the situation. I can tell he's not over you. Go talk to him, aim to settle your marriage within six months.”

Shirley, suitcase in hand, was physically and emotionally drained.

Hearing this, her headache intensified, probably due to overwork and lack of familial support, which was wearing on her spirit.

“Can't you just stop interfering?”

These words visibly changed Mr. Davis's expression.

He raised his hand and slapped her across the face.

Shirley felt the sting on her cheek and a ringing in her ears.

Abner stiffened and immediately ran over, positioning himself between Shirley and the middle-aged man.

Shirley was in shock; she had never been hit before, and now, over Mark, she had received a slap.

Something inside her snapped, and she remained silent, her lashes drooping.

Mr. Davis instantly regretted his action. He intended to apologize, but upon seeing Abner, he knew this was the boy.

He had expected Abner to be smaller, not as tall as he now stood.

“So you're Abner?”

Having already known the man's identity, Abner nodded, calm and respectful, “Mr. Davis.”

“You!”

But Shirley, suitcase in one hand, Abner in the other, headed for the entrance.

“Shirley!”

Mr. Davis wanted to follow, but Shirley's next words stopped him cold.

“The moment you hit me over that ideal son-in-law, you lost any respect I had for you.”

Mr. Davis froze, unable to move forward.

Shirley led Abner into the elevator.

Once inside, Abner gently touched the slap mark on her cheek.

“Shirley, I'm sorry. It's all because of me.”

Shirley touched her cheek, feeling the pain.

Back in the room, she watched as Abner courteously opened the door for her and made his way to the kitchen with practiced ease.

A wave of emotion overcame her, and tears threatened to fall. Everyone around her criticized Abner, but in her darkest moments, it was Abner who provided warmth and comfort.