Dear Ex-wife Marry Me

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?"Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

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."

As he said this, his eyes briefly met hers, fearful Shirley might bring up that night in the bathtub. He had been testing the waters these past few days, but Shirley had shown no romantic interest, treating him purely as a brother. This

brother-sister dynamic was a hurdle he couldn't, and dared not, cross. Every thought had to be strictly controlled.

Shirley glanced at the wall clock. "Abner, shouldn't you be heading back to rest? You have school tomorrow."

Abner stood up, "I'll visit you tomorrow, Shirley. Try to rest early."

Previously, from the moment he arrived at the hospital in the evening, he would stay till dawn. But Shirley wouldn't allow it now. So, before ten, she urged him to go home.

Once he left, Shirley stared into the dark night outside, slowly pulling back the covers, and headed to Mark's room. Mark was also

recuperating on the same floor, but

they had avoided each oth net

week. .

all

Her fingers trembled as they hovered over the door handle. After a long moment of hesitation, she pushed the door open. Mark seemed to expect her visit, showing no surprise at her arrival. Shirley stood at the doorway, not daring to come closer, as if he was some ferocious beast. "Mark, please leave Abner alone."

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.