Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja) novel Chapter 1978

After leaving Mark's place, Shirley received a call from her dad.

"Shirley, Mark said you two had a row. Try to be a bit more understanding, will you? The guy's swamped with lab work. Can't you just sit down and talk it out? You're not one for arguments, what's gotten into you?"

Shirley felt a lump in her throat and couldn't hold back any longer.

"Dad, this is between us younger folks. Please, stay out of it. You said it yourself, I don't like arguing. So, clearly, he's the one at fault."

"What fault can Mark possibly have? We've known the lad for years. Don't be so headstrong."

Tears welled up in Shirley's eyes. "So, without knowing anything, you've decided it's my fault, right?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end before her father spoke again, "I used to tutor Mark myself. Even back then, he was a good kid. I know him well. Just go easy on him."

Shirley hung up, marking the first time she ever hung up on an adult.

Back at her rented apartment, her head was throbbing with pain.

The letter was still lying on the coffee table. After some thought, she sent it to Mark.

"Remember the kid we met in Maplewood during our club internship? He's run into some trouble."

They had just had an unpleasant argument, and her reaching out was a peace offering.

Indeed, there was no need for the argument. Mark had no intentions towards Jessica. If things ever crossed a line in the future, she could always break up then. There was no need for suspicion now.

But Mark's reply came swiftly.

"After leaving Maplewood, our club's mission was over. You chose to sponsor that kid. Shirley, sometimes you're too saintly. You're not exactly rolling in dough, yet you're dishing out $2,000 every six months. I worried you were trying to 'keep up appearances.' Yes, the kid's situation is sad, but the world's full of sad stories. Take care of yourself first."

Reading his message, Shirley burst into tears.

Her family was comfortably middle-class, not poor by any means. She had earned a decent amount of money translating online and teaching abroad with her professor, saving up a tidy sum. Sponsoring a child was no issue for her, but in Mark's eyes, it seemed like she was just pretending to be more generous than she could afford.