"Enough. Stop fighting. Let us know what happened first." Florence said w
orriedly.
"I'm not sure what happened either." James sobbed. "I blacked out after d
rinking with my friends. By the time I
woke up, I was already in the car, and there was wreckage everywhere. I w
as so scared I ran away immediately, but I got caught the same night."
"You did a hit–and–
run? Do you know how severe this crime is? You won't be getting out witho
ut a decade or
two of jail time!" Dahlia spat.
"What?" James immediately paled. "I'm still young. I don't want to go to
jail. Please save me!"
"You have to pay the price for your mistakes. How can you think that you'
ll be safe after killing someone?"
Dahlia sighed. Although she loved her brother dearly, she could do nothin
g about his crime.
"Sis, Mom, help me! I swear I'll never do this again! I've learned my les
son, I swear!" James swore frantically. unable to stand the thought of li
ving out his life in prison.
"Calm down, James. I'll call you aunt right now. With the Glenstead Nicho
lsons' help and some money, we
should be able to get your out." Florence quickly drew out her phone and
called Jane. "Hello? Jane? James is in danger. He ran
his car into somebody and killed them. Could you make a few calls to get
him out?"
"It's not that I don't want to help you, Florence, but Dahlia ran away fr
om her date last night, so our family is very unhappy. They've given the
order that unless Dahlia marries Mr. Longford, our family will not be pro
viding any assistance," Jane responded calmly.
"What?" Florence stiffened and turned to look at Dahlia questioningly.
"I'll never marry him!" Dahlia immediately refused.
"Then forget about it. Deal with James on your own." Jane hung up.
"Just agree, Dahlia. What's wrong with marrying Mr. Langford? He's powerf
ul and rich, and he comes from an aristocratic family. As long as you mar
ry him, we can save your brother and live comfortably for the rest of our
lives." Florence urged.
"Mom, I don't like him!" Dahlia frowned.
"You'll fall in love with him after some time. Would you rather see your
brother being sent to prison?" Florence
wailed.
"That's right, Sis. Just marry Mr. Langford, or I'm doomed!" James sobbed
.
"Did the two of you ever think of my future?" Dahlia was troubled.
"You'll have a wonderful life if you marry Mr. Langford, and our family w
ill become powerful too, What's not to like about that? Besides, I'm your
brother. Do you want to see me rot away in jail?" James roared, his eyes
bloodshot.
"Let me think about it. T–
there must be another way." Dahlia shut her eyes helplessly.
"What's there to think about? We're running out of time." James shouted f
rantically.
"He's right. Won't you please help him? I'm begging you!" Florence cried
and fell to her knees.
"What are you doing, Mom? Get up!" Dahlia paled and tried to help Florenc
e stand.
"I won't get up until you agree!" Florence declared.
At the sight of her mother's firm attitude and her brother's terrified ex
pression, Dahlia stood rooted dumbly, at a loss. She never thought that t
hings would turn out this way. The happiness she'd been
praying for was just
a few steps ahead, so why was God treating her this way? Didn't she deser
ve happiness?
"Fine. I'll do it …" Dahlia shut her eyes, tears spilling down her cheeks
.
She had given in..