Chapter 3
Frank refused to believe me.
He pointed at me and harshly warned me.
“Our issues are between us. Don’t you dare bother innocent people!”
I wished I could explain that I had never made things difficult
for Mable.
Instead, it was the seemingly innocent Mable who had mercilessly reached out and caused my downfall.
I watched as they exchanged affectionate glances and embraced.
Mable remained in the hospital for days under Frank’s attentive
care.
On the day of her discharge, Frank handled everything.
After he brought Mable home, she clung to him, reluctant to let
go.
“Frank, I don’t want to worry my parents.
“But I’m so clumsy that I can barely look after myself. Could you stay? Keep me company?”
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Frank reveled in her dependence.
He embraced her and gently comforted her.
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“It’s alright. I’ll take some more time off and stay to take care of you properly.”
The pain in my heart was indescribable.
I never anticipated that the man I once hesitated to bother would offer himself so freely to another woman.
Their tender embrace was shattered by the insistent ringing of the phone.
Seeing an unfamiliar local number, Frank answered, puzzled.
From the other end, Henry’s voice boomed.
“You heartless bastard! How dare you do this to my daughter? You made her die with regrets!”
Frank’s face shifted instantly.
“Aren’t you bored? Are you in cahoots with Gianna, trying to deceive me again?
“Is pretending to be sick not enough now? Has she upgraded to faking death?
“Tell Gianna I won’t believe her! Even if something did happen to her, she had it coming!”
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Henry was incensed by Frank’s words.
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“You killed my daughter! You and that woman deserve to die!”
Perhaps blinded by fury, Henry’s words tumbled out, somewhat jumbled and incoherent.
After listening for a moment, Frank frowned and hung up.
Mable approached, with curiosity in her eyes.
“Who was that?”
Frank shrugged nonchalantly.
“It’s Gianna’s father, playing along with her act.
“How could there be such a father? Willing to curse his own. daughter, saying she’s dead.”
Frank wore a bemused expression.
“The Wells family will stop at nothing to marry me off.”
Mable’s gaze dimmed.
“So, are you still planning to marry Gianna?”
Frank knitted his brows deeply, betraying his conflicting
emotions.
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“We’re officially engaged, and my parents adore her. Breaking it off could get messy.”
As he spoke, Frank suddenly sighed.
“Actually, apart from the whole picking on you thing and the endless squabbles and cold wars over you, she’s not half bad in other respects.”
Frank was right.
I was with him for eight long years, engaged for six months.
Beyond the constant anger and upset directed at Mable and Frank, I could be described as unconditionally tolerant of Frank.
I understood his work kept him busy, so even when neglected, I’d suppress my frustration and remain his steadfast support.
When his parents fell ill, I was the one who spared no expense or effort in caring for them.
Yet, I feared Frank’s current indecision wasn’t born out of lover for me.
I worried he simply saw me as a suitable match for marriage.
As Frank spoke of this, Mable’s expression grew increasingly
sour.
Just as she was about to press Frank for answers, he received a call from his father, John Cullen.
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“Frank, you’re absolutely ridiculous! How could I have fathered
a son like you!”
John berated Frank.
“Gianna has suffered a tremendous tragedy, and you’re just going to ignore it?”
Frank was momentarily stunned before offering a nonchalant smile.
“Dad, don’t let Gianna pull the wool over my eyes with you,” he implored.
John was so furious he was rendered speechless.
“Who would risk someone’s life just to cause a scene?
“Don’t you realize Gianna is dead? Your wife–to–be, Gianna, is
gone!”