Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja) novel Chapter 2032

For the past week, Shirley had barely touched any food. Abner often visited her in the evenings, sitting by her side, burying himself in test papers.

Clutching a cup in her hands, Shirley's voice was hoarse as she asked, "Another test?"

The whole school was buzzing with the news that Abner had been expelled for refusing to apologize, but he thought Shirley was still in the dark. Knowing how much she cared about his grades, he’d always bring a stack of test papers and quietly work on them by her hospital bed.

"Yeah, took it. Still topped it."

Shirley didn't respond, gripping the cup tighter. Abner stood up, taking the cup from her, "Shirley, want more water? Hungry?"

He had expected her to be down for a while, but in the past few days, she had calmed down, starting to inquire about his grades and school matters.

"Abner, do you think you can be the top in the city in the SATs?"

Abner didn't want to bring up his expulsion. Holding her hand, he promised, "Top of the city, Shirley. Just focus on getting better, I'll bring back that top spot."

Shirley’s lips quivered, and tears streamed down her face immediately. Abner scrambled for tissues nearby, dabbing at her tears. But Shirley seemed to touch a raw nerve, crying with swollen eyes.

"Shirley, please don’t cry. It hurts me."

Shirley shook her head, patting his head gently. "Really now, do you know how hard it is to top the SATs?"

"I’ll do it, no matter how hard."

Mark leaned back confidently. "You know my terms."

Shirley's palms were sweaty, just hearing his voice brought back memories of that night. She suddenly felt nauseous, struggling to breathe.

Mark was blunt, "Marry me, kick Abner out of your house, and I'll let him go."

Silence fell. Mark's impatience grew, fueled by jealousy. "Take it or leave it, Shirley. Do you want to see him suffer because of you for the rest of his life?"

Shirley swallowed hard, her eyes stinging. She was truly out of options. Since graduation, it had been one thing after another – her parents' debts, selling the house, and then her parents conspiring with Mark against her.

Her heart was already battered and bruised, yet it was Abner, the boy she had personally brought back from the mountains, who stood by her through it all.