A Call That Changed Her Entire Life novel Chapter 46

"I was worried about Dad, so…"

"Didn't I tell you not to come back? Your father is in the hospital, but he is feeling much better now. The follow-up treatment will require some more money…" Unable to come up with a good excuse, Debby's voice had a trace of guilt and nervousness.

Emily looked deeply into her eyes, and asked, "Mom, why are you lying to me? Dad is not sick at all, is he?"

Debby was completely nonplussed. "What did you say?

Why would I lie to you?"

"Fine, I believe you. Let's go to the hospital to see Dad now, " replied Emily.

"Emily, don't be in such a hurry. You must be tired from travelling…"

Emily said nothing; she just looked at her mother quietly. After a long pause, she asked, "Where is Dad now? In the gambling house?"

Debby's face stiffened. Her lips moved, but she could not speak of anything.

Emily knew that she had guessed correctly. With mixed feelings, she asked, "Why would you lie to me about such a thing? Do you know how worried I was?"

"Emily..." Debby lowered her head in shame and took Emily's hands. "Let's go inside and I can explain..."

"No, I'll go and get my father back now."

"No! I beg you!" Debby hugged her daughter and pleaded, "He'll be back home soon..."

Disappointed, Emily sighed deeply, and finally entered the house with Debby.

"Emily, I was forced to lie to you. Your Dad gambled a lot of money and ended up with a large debt... Our relatives didn't want to lend us the money, so we had to make up an excuse."

"But, I am your daughter, and you can tell me anything. Why would you keep something like that from me?" Emily couldn't hide the disappointment in her voice any longer. She realized that they never trusted her.

"Emily, I..." At last, having run out of excuses, Debby murmured.

The both of them waited in silence until it was dark. Soon, Andrew staggered home, drunk.

Emily frowned at her father's blushing face and asked, "Dad, where have you been?"

Still inebriated, Andrew struggled as he took a good look at Emily's face. Unexpectedly, he replied, "Mind your own business!"

"Of course it's my business! Dad, where have you spent all the money I had sent to you?"

"I gambled it all away." With an indifferent expression, Andrew added, "Since you're back, give me some more money."

Emily sneered, "So you can gamble and then lose again?"

"How dare you speak to me like that! Believe it or not, tomorrow I'll double it all!" Andrew was hurt by her words. The veins on his forehead seemed like they were about to pop at any moment.

"Dad, if you carry on this, I won't give you a cent in the future!"

"What!" Andrew got furious at her words, as he said, "We have raised you for so many years, and it's only fair that you give us something in return! Is this how you wish to repay us? You ungrateful white-eyed wolf!"

"All right, all right. Don't make a fuss." Afraid of the two getting more angrier, Debby quickly came forward to mediate, "Emily, don't annoy your father..."

But before Debby could finish, Andrew slapped Emily across the face without any warning, leaving behind a thwack.

"She probably thinks she's too good to care about us, heartless dog!"

Completely baffled, Emily slowly covered her swollen face, turned around and rushed out of the door!