âI came to your house, encountered your daughter, and when I mentioned I was looking for you, she locked me, my friend, and my friendâs child in your attic. At the end, your wife even threatened me with a knife.â
Arnold looked ashamed, but deep down he was seething with fury. If only he could rush home right now and deal with those two bumbling women.
They were asking for trouble.
âMarlinie, Iâm sorry that my family has hurt you! I apologize on their behalf, and Iâll cover your medical expenses!â
Marlinieâs expression was indifferent, and she only gave him a nonchalant hum. âThatâs not necessary. I came to ask you something about my daughter.â
Upon hearing Marlinie mention her daughter, Arnoldâs face turned extremely ugly.
âUm⦠about that, I owe you an apology! Iâm sorry that I didnât take better care of your daughter, and she passed away at such a young age.â
Marlinie frowned. âUntil now, youâre still not willing to tell me the truth?â
Arnold looked stunned. âWhat truth? Marlinie, didnât I tell you about this over a decade ago? Didnât I give you your daughterâs urn?â
Marlinie, who had been leaning against the headboard, sat up straight when she saw that Arnold showed no signs of repentance. She was so angry that she felt like vomiting blood.
âYouâre lying! Donât you dare curse my daughter! Arnold, Iâm giving you another chance. If you still donât tell the truth, Iâm going to invite those guys outside who brought you here to have a private chat with you!â
Upon hearing this, Arnold looked clearly scared. âMarlinie, what are you doing? Weâre old classmates, and I even helped to take care of your daughter. How can you be so ungrateful?â
Ungrateful? That was the funniest thing she had ever heard. Marlinie took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure and explain everything calmly. âYes! When I was desperate, you extended a helping hand and promised to take care of my daughter for a while. But did you really? Did you really take good care of her?â
Arnold looked extremely guilty. âIâ¦â
Marlinie didnât expect him to admit it, so she interrupted him. âMy daughter must have suffered a lot from your wife and daughter, right? She was so young, and you found her troublesome, so you abandoned her in the countryside and ignored her. The necklace I gave you as a thank-you gift could have at least bought her some decent meals, but you didnât give her anything. You never took care of her!â
Arnold knew that his lies had been exposed, and there was no point in denying them anymore. So, he tried to defend himself. âNo, Marlinie! I did send her to relatives in the countryside and ask them to take good care of her, but I didnât mean to ignore her. She was disrupting the harmony in our family. My wife and daughter didnât like her, so I had no other choice!â
Marlinieâs eyes turned red with anger. âEven if you sent her to the countryside, why did you tell me she was dead when I came back to get her? What were you trying to achieve? If you didnât want to take care of her, why didnât you let me take her back?â
Arnoldâs face was etched in shame, but he couldnât find the words to explain.
Marlinie had indeed come back to get her child, and he did tell her that her daughter had passed away.