Though she didn't love her stepfather, she had believed that he was still her family no matter how badly he treated her.
But now, he didn't want to be her family anymore. Yet, he still asked her to brazenly call him dad, to treat him with respect, and to go back and live under the same roof with him.
But how could she accept the food and clothing he provided her?
Therefore, she didn't say yes. She just sat there in silence with pursed lips, as though she was a stubborn mule.
Seeing this, Meredith immediately guessed what she was thinking.
After all, no one knew her better than her mother.
Meredith got anxious. She strived to talk Queeny into this and gave her a long lecture.
She told her that this world was harsh to women, and women couldn't live by themselves if they didn't have a husband.
She also asked her to stand in her shoes and give her stepfather a second chance, because he was not himself that day and he didn't abandon her on purpose.
Anyway, she made a long speech, but Queeny wouldn't take a word of that.
She was puzzled. "Why?"
"Why is my mom taking the bully's side and trying to persuade me to forgive him when she knows I've been hurt?"
"Why is she always asking me, a child, to be considerate to her and her husband?"
"Why has she never considered what consequence their behaviors might bring to them?"
Queeny didn't cry. She just gazed at her mother with round, confused eyes.
Her eyes were clear and innocent. Meredith probably felt she looked rather ugly and evil in comparison.
Thus, seeing that Queeny was still motionless, she whacked her on the back with exasperation.
While she hit her, angry tears rolled down her face. "Why are you just sitting here? Start talking! Are you mute? Your mother is asking you a question!"
"Say something!"
"Don't give me that look, you hear me?"
Queeny heard every word.
Heartbroken, she found this rather ironic.
Then, she looked away and lowered her head. In a whisper, she said, "Okay."
After a pause, she added, "I understand."
The little girl sat there in dejection like a withering sapling.
Meredith was still sobbing. Yet, seeing Queeny's downcast look, she suddenly dropped the palm she just raised.
Tears poured out. She was overwhelmed by sorrows.
Unable to keep a stony face anymore, she took Queeny into her bosom and said between her sobs, "Queeny, you have to understand me. I don't have a choice."
Being held by her so tightly, little Queeny gave a feeble sneer.
"You have no choice..."
"Is that o?"
"I've heard you say this many times."
"You always told me this when he scolded me, hit me, despised me, and repeatedly insulted me with the most hurtful words."
"But why do you always have no choice?"
Queeny couldn't understand. Still, she didn't want to give in.
Later, when Meredith took her back to the Dempsey family, Patrick greeted her with a sneer.
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