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420words
Right after college, during the worst economic downturn, I landed an $8,000-a-month job purely based on my skills.
My salary climbed—$10,000,$15,000,$20,000,$30,000…
I spent a lot of money on my family.
My brother’s laptop,phone,bike…
My dad’s teapot,tea leaves,fishing rod…
My mom’s necklace,gold bracelet,cosmetics…
Back then,I didn’t even know Fiona!
They’d seen my ability with their own eyes!
Now,I was considered “useless,” a “gigolo,” living off a woman…
My dad paused,softening his tone.
“Alright,don’t be mad.”
“Love,cheating—none of that matters. What matters is living a good life!”
“She didn’t hide it from you.That’s already decent!”
He tapped my cousin on the shoulder, exchanged a look, and then my cousin walked off.
My dad continued.
“…You can’t divorce.Your brother and cousin’s jobs can’t be lost.”
“Go back,charm your wife, and get her to give you a son!”
“That way,even if she's unfaithful,a kid will tie her down,and you’re set for life.”
“I sent your cousin to get her.Lower your head,apologize,and this is over…”
Footsteps approached,and my dad’s face lit up with a smile.
He turned,pushing me forward.
“Fiona,we’ve talked to him.He knows he was rash.”
“No divorce.Live well from now on,okay?”
His hand pressed my back,urging me to apologize.
He winked,signaling:Don’t just stand there—apologize!
Fiona stepped closer,nodding to my dad,reaching for me.
“Let’s go home.I’ll restrain myself…”
I took a deep breath,gritted my teeth,and slapped my dad’s hand away.
Family? They are not worth it!
Fiona?Even less so!
No one is going to walk all over me!
No one!
To my dad’s disbelief, I raised my hand and slapped Fiona hard.
The sharp crack stunned her and my family.
Fiona clutched her face,staring at me.
“You…you dare hit me?”
I didn’t answer or stop.
I kneed her hard,sending her crashing to the ground like a sack of potatoes.
I kicked her in the face, and blood started streaming from her nose and mouth.
As she wailed, with one hand on her face and the other on her stomach, I stomped on her face.
“Restrain yourself?To hell with that!”
“No one who wrongs me gets off easy!”
I’d barely finished when my dad’s roar erupted.
He lunged,yanking my hair,pulling hard.
“Evan White,you’re dead!”
“How dare you hit her,and so viciously…”
Roaring,he slapped my face.
He worked out regularly.
The rough palm drew blood instantly.
The blood on his fingertips and the metallic taste in my mouth told me he hadn’t gone easy.
But in my rage,I felt no pain.
Without hesitation,I turned and slapped him back hard.
