Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja) novel Chapter 2007

Shirley was so caught up in her nostalgia that she failed to notice the growing discomfort on Abner's face. By the time she realized it, he had already let go of her hand and was making his way towards the exit.

“Abner?” she called out, snapping back to reality, but Abner only quickened his pace and soon disappeared through the front door.

Shirley hurried to follow him. “Abner!” she shouted, but just as she took a step, Mark grabbed her wrist.

“Shirley, does this mean you agree?” he asked.

Shirley shook off his grip, her brows furrowed. “Agree to what?”

“To get back together.”

“I didn’t agree to anything. I just think you’re right about one thing — high school was great. But we’re college graduates now; we can’t live in the past forever.”

With that, she took off in the direction Abner had gone. It was her oversight. She had noticed his unease, how the presence of her father, and especially Mark, seemed to trigger feelings of abandonment in Abner.

By the time she got outside, Abner was nowhere to be seen. Mark, left standing alone, looked increasingly grim, as if he had made some significant, unsettling decision.

Shirley got into her car and tried calling Abner, but he didn’t pick up. That kid, showing a bit of temper now. She drove around but couldn’t find any trace of Abner.

She searched till midnight and, not finding him, headed back to her apartment complex in defeat. That's when she saw Abner, looking forlorn, sitting at the entrance.

His knees were drawn up to his chest, making the tall figure seem like a lost child. Relieved, she quickly got out of the car and approached him. Seeing him looking so deserted broke her heart. After all, he had been so dedicated at school, it was unlikely he made many friends. And here in Greenfield, without his family, where could he go? Probably just wandered around before ending up back here.