Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem

 noveldrama

Cecil was hanging around the shadowy alleyway near the hospital, waiting.

As soon as he heard the job was done, he was ecstatic and immediately arranged to meet Claire in the secluded alley.

Upon seeing Claire, he hurriedly asked, "Where's the money?"

Claire handed over the cash Elysia had given her, saying, "Here."

Cecil snatched it, frowning, "This is it?"

At best, this was just a few grand. He had told Claire to ask for a cool $100,000!

He had done his homework, finding out that Emmett's adoptive parents were loaded, driving around in luxury cars, staying in fancy hotels!

Plus, they were acquainted with Folly Blythe's heiress, clearly not just anybody.

Most importantly, they adored Emmett!

Considering Emmett, getting them to fork over some cash shouldn't have been an issue.

But Claire brought back just this small amount!

Cecil was displeased, "Didn't I tell you to ask for $100,000?!"

Claire rushed to explain,

"I did ask. This few thousand isn't part of that. This is extra, from Ms. Thorne for Maria's nutrition."

"And the $100,000?"

Claire said excitedly, "They're going to deposit it directly into our daughter's hospital account. We won't ever have to worry about paying for her treatments again!"

Cecil's face darkened, "I wanted cash. What's the use of having it in an account?!"

"It's for our daughter's treatment, Cecil. It doesn't matter where the money is, they've given it to us. Let's not hassle them anymore."

"They've been taking good care of our son and now they're helping us with our daughter's medical expenses. They're good people, a blessing to our family."

"Our situation isn't great, and staying with us, our son is suffering. Maybe it's best if he continues to stay with them, and we... Ah!"

Before Claire could finish, Cecil kicked her to the ground.

"My child's fate isn't yours to arrange! They're so rich, yet you couldn't even secure $100,000, useless! Marrying you was a damn mistake!" Enraged, Cecil unleashed a barrage of kicks on Claire.

Curling up on the ground, Claire didn't fight back, only sobbed quietly.

After venting his anger, Cecil stopped.

He looked at Claire for a moment, then an idea seemed to strike him.

A strange glint appeared in Cecil's eyes.

He bent down, helped Claire up, smoothed her hair, and wiped her tears,

"Why do you think I wanted that $100,000? It was all for Maria!"

"The hospitals here in Silver City can't Maria's condition.

Depositing money here is

waste!" Content belongs Justel

to

"Only if we have the cash, can we take Maria to a renowned hospital elsewhere. I've heard there's hope."

Claire was stunned, "Hope?"

"Yeah! A buddy of mine said his friend's kid had the same condition as Maria, and they got it cured." "Really?"

"Why would I lie?! Of course, it's true!"

Claire immediately became excited, wiping away her tears, "Let's take Maria for treatment then?!"

"We can, but we need money, Claire.

I admit, I haven't been there much for Maria over the years, but she's still my flesh and blood. Of course, I want her to get better!"

"About our son, yes, I did sell him, but why? It was all to pay for our daughter's treatment."

Claire looked at him, astonished,

"You sold our son for Maria?"

"Yeah, what did you think?!"

Claire's expression was a mix of disbelief and confusion, "..

Cecil's tone softened,

"Also, these years, the reason I've been rough with you... there's a reason."

"Our daughter's sick, our son was sold. How do you think I feel? I'm stressed."

"And to pay for our daughter's treatments, I've gotten into debt, constantly hounded by loan sharks! If I was all lovey-dovey with you, wouldn't those debt collectors come after you too?"

"Me hitting you... it's to show them we're not close, to keep them off your back. I did it all for you."