Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3037

Shawn was so furious he nearly jumped out of his wheelchair, his face turning purple. "Are you out of your mind? I was lying in the emergency room! You showed up, got terrified you'd have to pay the medical bills, and rushed to sever ties. You dumped me on Emily like a piece of trash, and now you have the nerve to blame her?"

Gina flared up. "Oh, I'm out of my mind? Did you two act like human beings? When things were tough, I was the one suffering! Now that the good days are here, you hide everything from me so you can secretly enjoy the high life!"

"You know exactly why we hid it from you!" Shawn yelled.

Gina's face twisted in grief. "Shawn, do you have any conscience at all? When we were young, you gambled and racked up debts, and I was the one who paid them off! I raised two kids all by myself while you hid like a coward and took zero responsibility. And now that you're living it up on your daughter's dime, you cast me aside and say it has nothing to do with me?"

A look of deep pain crossed his face. "If I were a cripple begging on the streets to pay off debts today, would you even acknowledge me? I know I owe you, but Emily doesn't owe you a damn thing! The only reason I'm alive today is because of her. I can't use her to compensate you!"

"If you want me to make it up to you, fine! Take me back home. I'll work like a dog to serve you, and I swear I won't complain once!"

She gritted her teeth. "How the hell is a cripple going to serve me?"

"Why not?" he shot back stubbornly. "I can still cook and do chores. You can even send me out to the streets to beg for money to pay you back! Just keep your hands off Emily!"

Gina's face drained of color. For a moment, she was completely speechless. Finally, she let out a bitter, venomous laugh. "I know. You always loved her the most, ever since she was little!"

A heavy silence fell over the room. Elliott stood up. "Mom, let's go!"

Seeing Shawn's dark expression, Gina knew she wasn't going to get anywhere today. But she knew where he lived now, so there would be plenty of opportunities to come back.

She stood up. "Shawn, I'm leaving. Think carefully about what I said. What family gives away their daughter without asking for a bride price? Especially when a family like ours is marrying into the James family. If we don't ask for it, people will just think we're kissing their asses. I'm truly thinking about her future."

Elliott couldn't listen to another word. "Just stay out of her business! Forget the relatives and neighbors—I'm not even planning on going. You and Dad shouldn't go either. Let her have a quiet, peaceful engagement and wedding!"

"How can you say that?" she gasped in shock. "If we don't show up for her wedding, what will people think?"

"Mom!" he yelled, furious. "She doesn't owe you anything anymore! Can you just leave her alone?"

"I'm doing this for her own good!" she argued back.

"For her good, or to latch onto the James family's power?" he demanded bluntly. "If she were marrying some broke guy with no status, would you still be preparing a dowry for her?"