Dear Ex-wife Marry Me (Maja and Ian) novel Chapter 2012

"So what now?"

Shirley couldn't help but laugh, a genuine, amused chuckle escaping her lips.

"Didn't I warn him when he got all caught up in the stock market craze? I told him not to dump all his savings into it, that stocks are a game for spare cash, not for gambling away everything you own. And when he decided to start a business with that friend of his—a guy with a shady past, no less—didn't I say it was a bad idea? He was all about 'brotherhood' and 'loyalty,' wouldn't listen to a word of reason, stubborn and self-righteous. And now, when the money runs dry, he thinks he can just marry off his daughter to fix his problems?"

Mrs. Davis's expression soured, at a loss for words.

Shirley took a deep breath. "I'm not getting married off, no matter what anyone says. If you really push me, I'll just take Abner and leave the country for good."

"Shirley, honey, I'm not forcing you, I'm really not. It's just... sigh, I'll try to talk some sense into your father."

Wiping away a tear, Shirley finally said, "Mom, don't you find it exhausting, living with a man like Dad? Always having to obey him, because whatever he says goes, even though most of his decisions turn out to be mistakes. He's too proud, too obsessed with this outdated notion of honor, ready to throw away money at the slightest provocation. How can you stand by him all these years?"

And it seemed most men were just like that.

Mrs. Davis had no response. Seeing Shirley's agitation, she stood up. "Shirley, you've just come back. Try to rest a bit, I'll leave you be."

Rest was the last thing on Shirley's mind, with a debt of two million dollars looming over them, creditors already knocking. What could their family possibly offer?

Mr. Davis was now thinking of marrying her off, but what could Mrs. Davis do to persuade him otherwise?

Shirley had only three hundred thousand dollars to her name; even giving away all of it would hardly scratch the surface of their problems.

Frustrated, she slumped on the couch, growing angrier by the minute at every reckless decision her father had made.

If only he had consulted her, if only he had listened, they wouldn't be in this mess.

But no, he always believed he had the ultimate authority in the household, so he never listened to anyone else.

With a heavy sigh, Shirley closed her eyes, only to be roused shortly by footsteps.

Feeling a gentle massage on her shoulders, she opened her eyes to see Abner sitting beside her.

Her father had been absent for much of her life, and she had done her utmost.

She had already given the three hundred thousand dollars she had, and that was all she could do.

Whatever happened next was out of her hands.

Call her heartless or cruel, but it was the best decision a grown adult could make at the moment.

To continue selling off assets to pay debts would only ensure Mrs. Davis's remaining years were filled with hardship.

Mark was taken aback by her words, unable to comprehend someone being so indifferent to their own father's fate.

"Shirley, you've become a stranger to me."

Shirley glanced down, a faint smile on her lips. "I'm just more clear-headed than you all."