A Crazy One-night Stand novel Chapter 2

Alina parked her car outside an empty clothing store. No matter what happened, she had to clean herself up before returning home. Otherwise, what sharp words would her mother say?

For the past three years, it was like a battlefield at home. Every day, she had to endure her mother's endless scolding.

Alina was worn out when she arrived home. She was just taking off her shoes as her mother's tirade of abuse started. 

"Alina, where have you been all afternoon? Have you forgotten that you still have a home? Finally willing to come back now? I thought you were dead from a car accident just like your father."

"Mom..."

"Do you still acknowledge me as your mother? Do you even care about me? I have pleaded for you to marry as soon as possible but you disobeyed me. Now, you are fooling around the whole day. What, are you trying to make me die of anger?"

"Mom, please..."

"Don't call me that. I am not your mother. I can't believe that I have a daughter like you!" 

Alina gave up and sighed. She returned to her room and laid on the bed.  

Her mother was still raging in the kitchen, "Useless girl, other young women either have a successful job or get married after graduation so that their families will have a good life. Unlike you, why are you earning so little every month? I have to be careful with how much I spend on groceries, and your brother could only choose the cheapest car. Furthermore, this tiny house is not even ours but a rented one. Why aren't you getting married now that you are already 24 years old? Are you going to leech off the family for the rest of your life? Why is my life so hard..."

Alina couldn't take it anymore. She took the pillow and covered her head with it.

Rosie Jones, her friend had suggested that Alina move out, but she was hesitant. Her salary was meagre and besides that, her mother and brother were her only relatives. However, her mother's abuse had only worsened by the day, Alina did not know how long she could stand it.

Her thoughts wandered to what her mother had said to her last month, "Alina, give me a definite answer. When are you going to get married? You are already 24 years old, you can't afford to be picky. I am telling you, I don't care who you marry, as long as they can pay for your dowry. If you continue to be stubborn, nobody is going to marry an old maid like you."

"Heh, it was all for the sake of money after all," she scoffed.

Alina had tried asking her mother how much she expected for Alina's dowry. Her plan was to fake her marriage by paying up the dowry and then move out. She had some savings and she could borrow some money from Rosie. 

However, her mother had asked for one million dollars for her dowry. 

She couldn't help but think of the cheque given to her three years ago. She had donated all five million dollars to charity. She didn't want her pure love to be contaminated by money, but her mother thought otherwise. Her mother humiliated and hated Alina since then as if she was an enemy. 

Was she wrong in doing so?

In the president's office of Scott Mansion.

Simon Thompson came in with a pile of documents and asked Wilson Scott, his boss, to sign them.

As soon as Simon came in, his eyes couldn't help but be drawn to Wilson's face.