Dear Ex-wife Marry Me (Maja and Ian) novel Chapter 2002

Abner sauntered into the kitchen to start dinner, pulling an ice pack from the fridge as he went. But Shirley was just too exhausted. Settling into the couch, she leaned back and closed her eyes.

When a cool sensation touched her cheek, she looked up to find Abner watching her, a mix of concern, reluctance, and something deeply hidden in his gaze. Shirley couldn't pinpoint what it was, but it was clear to her that Abner truly cared. She closed her eyes again, missing the straightforward look that suddenly took over Abner’s face as he watched her.

After a while, with the cool pack against her face, she heard him ask, “Shirley, would you ever send me back?”

That question sent a shiver through Shirley, revealing Abner’s underlying anxiety. She recalled all the arguments with her family he’d witnessed since she’d brought him home. Perhaps he’d always been unsettled, too scared to ask her directly.

Opening her eyes, Shirley saw his hand gripping her sleeve tighten, a clear sign of his distress. His eyes were red, reminding her of a puppy begging for affection. Shirley's heart ached. She had always focused on Abner’s academic performance, neglecting his mental well-being. A boy who’d never seen a city skyline, suddenly thrust into unfamiliar territory, must have been terrified. Shirley suddenly understood what her mother meant when she said raising a child wasn’t easy.

She reached out and pulled Abner into a hug. Though taller, Abner allowed himself to be small, resting his head on her shoulder. As she soothed him, Shirley realized how much he’d physically grown since she first saw him in the countryside, a scrawny kid pushing everyone away. Now, he was a normal-sized teenager, but his emotional state was still fragile, like that wary hedgehog.

“I won’t send you back,” she assured him.

Yet, Abner remained uneasy. In the past, he’d never dared to ask, believing he was an expendable part of Shirley’s life, which seemed smoother without him. His presence brought complications, or so he thought. Continuing to comfort him, Shirley felt her shirt dampen with his tears. Looking down, she saw the tall boy crying, a sight that tugged at her heartstrings. Sometimes, the visual impact of seeing someone cry could soften the hardest hearts.

“Really. Even if you don’t get into a university and end up in community college, as long as I’m here, you won’t starve. So, no more worries. I won’t leave you behind.”

Abner, now questioning his own greed, had been too scared to ask before, fearing the answer. Waking up, he’d often worry he was back in that secluded village. But even with an answer, he wasn’t reassured. He feared these were just sweet nothings meant to comfort him. His desires grew; not only did he wish for her not to abandon him, but he also hoped she’d always stay by his side. He hoped she wouldn’t get back with Mark or marry someone else. Ideally, Shirley should always be with him. And if she truly needed a husband, he wasn’t opposed to the idea.

He was more than willing.