2
I didn’t say anything, and just left.
I wasn’t like she thought, head–over–heels for
her son, ready to do anything to marry him.
Or give her blood every month for the chance
to get married.
Lucas didn’t come home until late.
I looked at the light I’d left on for him and
laughed.
He used to drink and work late, so leaving the
light on became a habit.
<
Now he had Sunny, why would he come
home?
I went to bed.
The light could stay on.
It was cold. I wasn’t wasting electricity for
Lucas. He could afford it.
At breakfast, I saw a bowl of watery oatmeal
and pickles at my spot.
Lucas’s mom had a bowl of bird’s nest soup…
I frowned, and asked:
“What’s going on, Daisy?”
Daisy, the housekeeper, glanced at me,
looking uneasy.
“I ordered it,” Lucas’s mom said, walking
down the stairs, looking smug.
“Only someone like Sunny deserves to be my
daughter–in–law!”
“You’re from the country. Go back where you
came from!”
She sat down and started eating her soup.
I watched her, then said:
“So, you don’t want to see me?”
“Damn right!”
Lucas’s mom nodded before I could finish.
“Okay, I’m leaving.”
“Go now, and don’t come back! I hate seeing
you!”
I went to my room, got dressed, and left.
An hour later, Lucas was calling, freaking out.
I let it ring three times before answering.
He started yelling:
“Riley Bradford! You think you’re so tough?
Did you forget what today is?”
“Our contract isn’t over! You have to do your
part! Or you pay the penalty!”
I held the phone away, cleaned my ears, and
<
waited for him to finish.
“Your mom told me to leave.”
Lucas took a deep breath.
“Come back. Mom’s sick again. She needs a
transfusion.”
“I’ll give you an extra $50,000 for my mom’s
disrespect.”
I nodded.
I had enough money, but who doesn’t want
more?
I’d be stupid to say no.
Thirty minutes later, I got to the hospital.
Lucas’s mom was in bed, holding Sunny’s
hand, looking happy.
“Sunny! You’re back. You’re my only
daughter–in–law!”
“Let’s pick a wedding date!”
Sunny looked shy.
Lucas stood there, looking weird.
The room was almost a damn party.
If not for the fifty grand, I wouldn’t have
bothered them.
“Knock, knock.”
I leaned against the doorframe, knocking.
