Chapter 13 Big Trouble
There, lying in bed, was my father–bruised, battered, and covered in injuries.
My face fell. “What is this?” I demanded, anger rising in my voice. “Who did this to him?”
My mom just kept crying, unable to form words. I turned to my father, but he only groaned in pain, refusing or unable to speak.
Frustration boiled over. “Tell me,” I insisted, my eyes stinging. “Was it our enemy? Who the hell did this?”
Finally, between sobs, my mother stammered, “I–it was the gambling, Annie. It’s your father’s fault.”
I stared at him, stunned. “What? You gambled? You’re the one who always said it ruins lives. Who always stay away from it. Why would you do that?”
“I just wanted to win back some money and make a fresh start,” he mumbled, wincing. “They must have cheated. My luck was terrible.”
I was too angry to speak for a moment. “And the injuries? How did you end up like this?”
He avoided my eyes and stole a glance at Mom, staying silent.
My mother cried out, “He lost everything. He owes millions. They beat him when he couldn’t pay.”
I took a sharp breath, trying to stay calm. “How much did you lose?”
My father hung his head even lower.
“Including the 3.5 million Charles gave us…” my mother whispered tearfully.
“What? You asked Charles for money, too?” I was shocked.
“No,” my father grumbled defensively. “After he cleared our debts, he gave me an extra 3.5. I thought I could double it and start over. But I lost it all. Now I owe another 2.5 million.”
“Dad,” I cried, my voice breaking. “You don’t win at gambling. How could you be so reckless? 6 million… you lost 6 million just like that?”
“Enough,” he snapped, impatience flaring in his eyes. “Don’t make a fuss over it. Just ask your husband for more. It’s not a big deal.”
I stared at him, my heart sinking. The man before me wasn’t my father. The kind, patient man I knew was gone, replaced by a restless, entitled stranger.
A cold laugh suddenly came from the doorway.
I turned quickly to see lan standing there, glaring at our father with icy contempt.
“No big deal?” he said, his voice sharp. “Then why have you gotten beaten up? And now you’re roping Mom into calling Anna back?”
“Shut your mouth, you little brat. How dare you speak to me like that,” Dad shouted, furious.
lan didn’t back down. “Look at yourself! Yesterday I told you not to gamble, but you didn’t listen. Now you’ve lost another 2.
5 million. If you’re so tough, handle it yourself. Don’t expect Anna to clean up your mess.”
“You–Ouch!” Dad was so enraged that he tried to lunge off the bed, but he jerked his back and cried out in pain instead. Mom hurried over to him, tears welling in her eyes as she looked my way.
“Annie, please,” she begged. “They’re going to cut off his hand if he doesn’t pay in three days! Charles has so much money; 2.5 million is a drop in the bucket for him. If you just asked-”
“That’s enough!” lan’s voice was sharp with anger. “That’s his money. Why do you keep forcing Anna to swallow her pride and ask for it? How much more embarrassment do you want her to suffer?”
“Nonsense,” Dad snapped, still wincing. “She’s Charles’s wife. What’s his is hers. What’s the big deal about asking for a lousy 2.5 million?”
lan let out a harsh laugh. “You really have no idea, do you? Charles divorced Anna a long time ago.”
“What?” My parents stared at each other in shock, and then turned to me.
I lowered my head in silence. So lan knew about the divorce. Clearly, it was out in the open now.
Soon enough, everyone would know I’d been nothing more than Charles‘ mistress. The once–respected princess would become the punchline of every gossip circle in town.
My parents could hardly believe it when they heard. “You really divorced Charles?” my mother kept asking.
When I confirmed it, my father launched into a stream of curses aimed at Charles.
1/2
Chapter 13 Big Trouble
lan snorted beside me, “He paid off all our family’s debts and gave you 3.5 million. What else are you expecting? After how we treated him back then, he’s done more than enough.”
“That doesn’t mean he gets to just toss Annie aside now that he’s successful,” my mother fired back.
I let out a tired sigh. “Why not? He never loved me. He doesn’t owe me anything. What’s so surprising about him leaving?”
That shut her up.
My dad started panicking. “Even if you’re divorced, getting 2.5 million out of Charles shouldn’t be a big deal, right? Annie, please, you have to help me. They’re coming for the money in three days. They’ll cut my hands off.”
My mom grabbed my arm, tears in her eyes. “Yes, Annie, please, just do this for your father. Charles is filthy rich. For old times‘ sake, I’m sure he’ll help.”
“Old times‘ sake?” I laughed bitterly. “What ‘old times‘? There’s nothing between us.”
They kept pushing, trying to guilt me into it.
Finally, lan had heard enough. “Enough,” he snapped. “Annie isn’t a bargaining chip. She was our treasure. You know how proud she is. And now you want to send her back to beg Charles for money? Have some shame.”
My mom dissolved into sobs. My dad opened his mouth to protest, but lan shut him down with a cold glare.
lan sneered, “Leave her out of this. I’ll get the money in three days. Even if I have to break my back to do it, I’ll make sure they don’t touch your precious gambling hands. Satisfied?”
Without another word, he grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the room. By the time we reached the bottom of the stairs, I was already crying.
lan pulled me into a hug and said quietly, “Don’t let him get to you. He dug his own grave.”
“But he’s still our dad,” I choked out. “The same one who used to adore us. How did he end up like this, lan?”
lan sneered, “Who knows? Maybe he never recovered from the bankruptcy. He’s stuck in this fantasy where he’s making a comeback, completely out of touch with reality.
“Let’s be honest. He was never that great at business. He just rode on our grandparents‘ coattails. These days? The market‘ s full of hungry, smart kids. There’s no room for guys like him. A comeback? Not gonna happen.”
I didn’t say anything. What was there to say?
Gently, lan wiped my tears. “Stop stressing over this, alright? I’ve got a job now. I’ll find a way to get the money.”
I knew he was just trying to reassure me. There was no way a regular job could scrape together 2.5 million in three days. Then lan’s tone shifted. “Y–you’re still staying at Charles’s place?” he asked, watching me closely.
I nodded.
His expression turned serious. “He hasn’t… bothered you, has he?”
I forced a bright smile. “No, nothing like that. He’s been respectful.”
“Then why is he divorcing you?”
I let out a weak laugh. “Do we need a reason? We don’t have feelings for each other. This is better for both of us.”
lan didn’t look away. His gaze felt like it could see right through me.
Afraid, I quickly made an excuse to leave.
He offered to drive me back, but I told him to stay, “Go check on Mom and Dad,” I said. “They need you more than I do right now.”
*****
Walking home after failing to catch a cab, I trudged down the street, my mind weighed down by the crushing pressure of that 2.5 million. Just then, a flyer skittered across the pavement and landed against my foot.
2/2
