Chapter 6
I nodded and, following Erin’s suggestion, slapped Caleb twice more. His rage erupted. “Maeve Griffith! Don’t push your luck!”
“Push my luck? It’s just two slaps. It’s not like you’ll get a concussion,” I retorted.
I yanked off my hat, revealing my bald head.
“And this, too, Caleb. When are you going to pay for cutting my hair and pushing me into a concussion? Don’t tell me that you’re not even willing to pay back this little bit of money?”
“Are you really that desperate for money?” Caleb’s expression faltered.
A second later, Erin smacked him across the face.
“You shaved Maeve’s beautiful hair? Are you out of your mind? I think I should really call the police to teach you a lesson. You’re almost 30 years old. How can you do this?”
But before the police could arrive, Julia’s condition worsened, and Caleb rushed to take her
to the hospital. He held her tightly and looked back at me, hesitant to speak. “I’ll explain
later.”
“There’s no need to explain. Just pay me back.”
The way I acted–so unlike my usual self–made Caleb pause mid–step.
Just as he was about to turn around, Julia reached out and tugged at his sleeve. “Caleb, my stomach hurts. I can’t take it anymore.”
Without another thought, Caleb rushed to the hospital with her.
That night, Caleb called me. I didn’t pick up, so I texted him to pay me. He angrily sent me
three text messages.
“Money again? Is that all you care about?
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“I never knew you were so obsessed with money. Guess that holier–than–thou act was just
for show.
“Stop being so dramatic, Maeve.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the messages. I was grateful for everything the Ford family had done for me. But during college, aside from my student loans, I covered nearly all my living expenses through part–time jobs.
Caleb had offered to pay for me countless times, but I refused each time, as I didn’t want to fall into that trap of dependence.
What shocked me now was realizing that Caleb had always thought I was just pretending. He thought I was putting on an act the entire time.
I was relieved I’d never taken his money, or there would’ve been more complicated
entanglements now.
I replied with two words, “Pay up.”
Then I attached the medical bills and a list of the hair products I’d been using for years.
Soon enough, Caleb transferred 500 thousand dollars to me.
“I’m paying the extra 400 thousand dollars on Julia’s behalf. She’s young and doesn’t know any better. I’ve spoken to her, and the police have already issued a warning. Let’s consider this matter resolved. The police suggested we settle it privately since it’s not that serious.”
As I stared at number in my account, any lingering reluctance vanished.
After receiving the money, I immediately blocked Caleb’s contact.
Two days later, I went to the hospital for a checkup. I ran into Julia, who was chatting with
someone.
Her complexion was rosy, and she didn’t look the least bit thin. In fact, she seemed to have gained some weight. She was full of energy and walking around.
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Was that really someone who was gravely ill?
The thought crossed my mind, then quickly faded away.
I had planned to take a different route to avoid her, but then I heard Julia say, “Make sure you have plenty of fake blood bags ready. I’ll definitely get Caleb to marry me. I’m dying, after all. He’s been so good to me. There’s no way he’ll
refuse.”
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