Three Years Later, He Came Back Begging novel Chapter 73

Before he could finish, a frustrated voice called out from the kitchen. “That’s enough. The past is over. Why bring it up again? Bachelor, peel the garlic.”

Bachelor swallowed whatever he wanted to say. He didn’t like being bossed around by his wife in front of their daughter, so he sulked and motioned for Bonnie to bring him the garlic instead.

Bonnie bit back her tears, grabbed a head of garlic, and handed it to Bachelor. She almost offered to peel it for him, but then Shirley called to her from the kitchen. “Candie, come help me.”

Left with no choice, Bonnie stepped into the kitchen.

Shirley stood at the sink, back turned, rinsing vegetables. On the cutting board sat already washed and peeled potatoes. Bonnie picked up a knife and started slicing them into thin strips. Her eyes were still red, and every few cuts, she’d pause to wipe away another tear.

Shirley spoke in a low voice, “Your father’s words might have been harsh, but he wasn’t wrong. Think about the last three years—other than a few calls and texts on the holidays, do you really think you’ve done right by us?”

Bonnie said nothing. Back when everyone pointed fingers at her, when her mom slapped her, she honestly wanted to leave this home and never come back.

But after the anger faded, her pride and self-respect kept her away. She felt like coming home and admitting her mistakes would make everyone look down on her.

She pictured herself sitting at those holiday dinners or family gatherings, listening to her grandparents and relatives tear apart her mistakes with Lawrence. The thought of it made her feel sick with dread.

That dread was heavier than missing her parents.

So she ran away.

It was cowardly, maybe even shameful, but she finally had some peace for three years.

Shirley turned around and saw Bonnie crying. With a heavy sigh, she pointed at her. “I raised you to respect yourself, to have pride, to know right from wrong. I gave everything for you, but the minute you mess up and I scold you, hit you just once, you could actually keep away for three whole years. Candie, your mom honestly doesn’t know what to say to you anymore.”

A little bitterness crept into Shirley’s voice. “You should’ve seen it. When your dad was in the hospital, I was running around taking care of everything. Your uncle and aunt showed up, brought nothing but some cheap noodles, and after barely half an hour, they wanted to leave. On their way out, they even asked your dad to lend them twenty thousand yuan.”

“I had to supervise night study, so Nash stepped in at home for a few days. Nash just lay there playing games on his phone. Your dad would get a stomachache and call for him, and Nash would just act annoyed. That whole illness made your dad realize you can only count on your wife when things get tough. Treat her well if you want a good life. No matter how kind you are to other people, at the end of the day, they’re not family.”

Men don’t really change, Shirley said, not unless they have no other choice.

Bonnie’s guilt grew even heavier. This was supposed to be her responsibility, but her mom had shouldered it alone.

She bit her lip and cried quietly, barely able to see the potatoes she was cutting.

Shirley glanced over, waited until Bonnie had calmed down some, then finally asked, “I haven’t asked you yet, but… are you seeing Lawrence again?”