Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja) novel Chapter 1979

Shirley paused in her tracks, almost instinctively pushing open the door.

Inside, the child looked taller yet noticeably undernourished, his clothes hanging awkwardly off his frame, his ankles exposed for all to see.

Abner put down his homework and immediately went to check on the child, while Mrs. Thompson sat there cracking open sunflower seeds, idly spitting the shells onto the floor.

"After you've checked on him, get started on dinner. You can't just live here for free, eating and drinking our food. Your parents are gone, and if it weren’t for us taking you in, who knows where you’d be right now, probably begging on some street corner."

The boy remained silent, awkwardly patting the child’s back.

Perhaps Mrs. Thompson had gone too far because a cough from the head of the household caught her attention.

Upon seeing Shirley, Mrs. Thompson's seed-cracking paused momentarily, her expression souring.

"Ms. Dorothy, what brings you here?"

It seemed she recognized Shirley.

Shirley’s brows furrowed as she noticed Abner's ill-fitting clothes, her tone cold.

"Auntie, I thought my sponsorship was for Abner. Two thousand every six months, and that can't even buy him a decent set of clothes?"

The woman had a thick skin. "Oh, you know, with all the eating and drinking, where does the money not go? Ask Abner, we haven’t treated him poorly. School fees, textbooks, that all costs money. Are you suggesting now that I've embezzled the funds?"

Abner was caught off guard by Shirley’s visit, his movements even more awkward.

Shirley took a deep breath. "Abner, do you remember me? I visited you before, just last year. It’s been over a year now, I’m not sure if you still remember what I look like."

Shirley, visibly agitated, picked up Abner’s paper and saw his perfect scores.

"Such a bright kid deserves education, not only for his future but for Maplewood’s benefit too. Mr. Mayor, think about it. And remember, I'm a student at Solstice College. We’re all watching over the child I sponsor."

Mentioning Solstice College, renowned nationwide, lent gravitas to her words.

Hearing that Solstice College’s eyes were on them, the mayor’s expression softened.

The head of the household intervened, "Ms. Dorothy, please, let’s not get too heated. We can discuss this."

But Shirley’s gaze turned icy. "Or I could just report this to the county, let them investigate where the sponsorship money is really going. Also, I informed my professors at Solstice College before coming here. If I don't return in two days, the police will come knocking."

If corruption had seeped into this place, then her lone effort could very well put her at risk.