Chapter 12
Preston walked over to Agnes, held her hand and said, “Agnes, why didn’t you tell your old man about something so serious?”
Agnes replied, “There’s not much to tell, really. Just a breakup, it’s all in the past now.”
Despite Agnes‘ dismissive words, Preston knew his daughter too well. These two kids had been best friends since childhood, with a bond as thick as thieves. The Pritchard and Taylor families had long considered each other as in–laws, but no one could’ve predicted this turn of events.
Preston sat next to Agnes and said, “Well, what’s done is done. No point crying over spilled milk. Maybe it’s for the best. You’ve always been top-notch in your studies, while that Elton kid never took anything seriously. I always thought he wasn’t good enough for you. Only the best man in the world deserves my girl.”
With that, Preston took an invitation out of his pocket and said, “This is an invite to Tim’s 70th birthday bash. All the big families in Willowbrook Town received one, specifically asking to bring a daughter along. It’s pretty clear they’re setting up a dating event for Jared from the Whitfield family. Each family gets only one female spot, and I was thinking of taking you.”
Agnes was surprised to hear Jared’s name at home. She wondered how Preston would react if he knew she was already married to the man he mentioned.
But Agnes didn’t spill the beans,
Preston handed the invitation to Agnes and said, “Agnes, I know I’ve been neglecting you at home, but you have to know that you’re always my favorite.”
If Agnes were still a little girl, she would have believed him. But now, she just nodded and said, “I know.”
Preston sighed at Agnes‘ indifference and then left the room.
Agnes just stared at the invitation blankly. The Whitfield family was setting up public dates for Jared?
Agnes looked at the date on the invitation. It turned out that Tim’s birthday was in a week, but she had never heard Jared mention it. She felt a little sad, but even if Jared had mentioned it, what difference would it make? Their marriage was a secret, and Jared wouldn’t really bring her home.
Sometimes, when Agnes had quiet moments to herself, she felt that her marriage to Jared was nothing but a farce.
While she was lost in her thoughts, the door was pushed open, and in strutted Beatrice.
Agnes frowned and asked, “What do you want?”
Beatrice blurted out, “I heard everything Dad just said to you, Agnes. The idea of you catching Jared’s eye is laughable. Hand over the invite.”
Agnes hadn’t decided whether to attend or not, but seeing Beatrice’s attitude, she didn’t want to give it to her. So, hiding the invitation behind her, she said, “Beatrice, you’re underage. You want to go on a date?”
Beatrice retorted, “In two months I’ll be 18. Even though I’m still underage, my chances of becoming his wife are much higher than yours. Elton doesn’t even give you a second look, and Jared is even less likely to fancy you. You’re just chasing rainbows. You might as well give me the invite. At least our family would stand a chance to tre the knot with them.”
Agnes replied coldly, “You can leave now. I’m not giving you the invite.”
Seeing that words were ineffective, Beatrice decided to physically take the invite, pinning Agnes to the bed in an attempt to snatch it from her.
Agnes didn’t expect Beatrice to be so brutish. With a quick judo move, Agnes had Beatrice pinned down instead. She had been studying Taekwondo since she was a child and had reached the level of a fifth–degree black belt.
Beatrice’s wrist hurt so much that she yelled, “Agnes, how dare you do this to me! I’m telling Dad, let me go now!”
Agnes let Beatrice go, “Go ahead, tell him. I’m not afraid.”
Beatrice left with a face full of resentment. She knew about Agnes‘ martial arts skills, so she usually stuck to verbal attacks. Just as she was about to leave, she noticed a hickey on Agnes‘ neck.
