5
I was stunned.
“Mom, Dad…”
My parents loved me dearly.
But they were still very traditional.
No matter how poorly Ryan performed, they couldn’t bring themselves to hand over the company to
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Plus, I was still just a student.
Mom and Dad always said, “Let’s wait, let’s wait.”
Perhaps Ryan would one day be able to stand on his own, or perhaps they could wait until I was older
and more mature…
“Your brother is unreliable.”
Dad looked at me, his eyes more determined than I’d ever seen them.
“We used to think that since you were a girl, you just needed to be happy every day and not bear too nany burdens.”
“We were too narrow-minded, my dear.”
Mom wiped a tear, choking up.
“You’ve always been strong-willed and quick to learn since childhood. This family will depend on
you now.”
“Just don’t be like your brother, letting people exploit you and then thanking them for it.”
I took the transfer agreement, my heart heavy.
My parents had many white hairs at their temples.
My mind flashed back to Ryan’s mindless defense of Brittany just moments ago…
I knew, this family was completely different now.
Sunlight streamed in, falling on Mom’s still-pale face.
Dad gently stroked my head and slowly spoke.
“My dear Chloe, you’re only 19, still too young. Your mom and I can help you carry the burden of this family now.”
“But when we’re old, you’ll have to stand on your own.”‘
I murmured “Okay” and snuggled into Mom’s embrace.
Ryan didn’t come home until Mom was discharged from the hospital.
I saw on his Ins that he’d gone back to Brittany’s rural hometown with her.
I returned to school.
One day, my roommate frantically told me,
“Chloe, hurry to Professor Clarke’s office! Your family said they want you to drop out.”
My mind buzzed.
Drop out?
It had to be Brittany.
She really wouldn’t give up,
would she?
When I arrived at Professor Clarke’s office, I saw Brittany, a middle-aged woman, and a man in his thirties or forties.
From the moment I appeared, the man’s eyes were glued to me.
Ì frowned.
Before I could say anything, Professor Clarke spoke first.
“Chloe, is this your sister-in-law?”
“Sort of.”
Reluctantly, I admitted it.
She’d registered their marriage, so technically, she was.
Brittany shot me a sidelong glance.
“I’ve already spoken to your teacher about you dropping out. Pack your bags and come home with
us.”
She pulled the man closer.
“Oh, by the way, this is my older cousin, Kevin. He served in the military years ago and hasn’t married yet.”‘
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“I think you two are a perfect match. Once you get married, we’ll be even closer family.”
The middle-aged woman was Brittany’s mom, Brenda.
Brenda put her hands on her hips and chimed in, her triangular eyes scrutinizing me up and down.
“My Brittany is carrying the Davis family’s golden heir now, so as his sister, you should be sensible and drop out early to get married!”
Kevin, Brittany’s older cousin, took a half-step closer to me.
His greedy gaze stuck to me.
“She’s really beautiful, I agree to marry you.”
“I own a hardware store in town, and I’ve got a two-story villa back in the countryside. Marry me, and I guarantee you’ll live the good life.”
Listening to him, my stomach churned.
I looked at Brittany.
“Hey, aren’t you shameless enough? Forcing me to drop out isn’t enough, now you’re audaciously trying to arrange my marriage?”
“What’s wrong with arranged marriages? Back in our village, parents’ word is law for marriage.”
Brenda shoved her hand almost into my face.
“Besides, Kevin is such a good man! Marry him, and you’ll have someone to rely on.”
Professor Clarke, listening from the side, couldn’t take it anymore.
“Arranged marriages aren’t common anymore. If you force her, it’s illegal. And Chloe is an excellent student; it would be a waste for her to drop out…”
