Seeing me get hit, Mr. Walker slammed the table and said, “I’ve changed my mind! Just two thousand dollars, take it or leave it. Five thousand dollars to marry your abused, worthless daughter? No way.”
Hearing that the five thousand dollars might slip away, my mom immediately changed her attitude: “We can still discuss this further!”
Mr. Walker was firm: “There’s nothing to discuss. Two thousand dollars. If you agree, sign and put your fingerprints, and give us the girl. If not, we’ll call it off.”
It was the first time I had seen Mr. Walker so fierce, and it was all to free me from my family.
Suddenly, my brother kicked me and cursed, “You jinx! Say another word and I’ll beat you to death!”
Lachlan was about to rush over.
Mr. Walker stopped him.
I also shook my head at Lachlan, and only then did he calm down.
Mr. Walker repeated his offer.
My mom and brother were getting anxious. They glared at me several times, clearly wanting to beat me to vent their anger, but they knew if they hit me again, they wouldn’t get any money at all.
The mayor stepped forward and said, “Rosemary, Mr. Walker only has two thousand dollars left. He’s donated money to the school, and your youngest is studying there, isn’t he? He’s able to study
to Mr. Walker. You can’t be ungrateful! Two thousand
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youngest is studying there, isn’t he? He’s able to study in such a good environment thanks to Mr. Walker. You can’t be ungrateful! Two thousand dollars to marry Brynn is already a favor to your family. Go ask around, which family in this area spends two thousand dollars on their daughter’s marriage?”
My mom quickly said, “Yes, yes, just two thousand dollars then! We’ll sign, we’ll sign right now!”
My mom, my brother, and I all put our fingerprints on the paper.
Mr. Walker looked around, “Where’s Brynn’s father? And her younger brother? They should sign and put their fingerprints too.”
The mayor said, “Her dad’s working in the fields. I’ll go get him right away. Her brother’s at school, I’ll send someone to the school.”
Mr. Walker frowned, “Such a big event as a daughter’s marriage, and he, as the elder, isn’t even present? What kind of behavior is this?”
My dad never cared about me. Even if I were beaten to death by the family, he wouldn’t bat an eye.
He would only think that I was a girl, eventually belonging to someone else’s family, and that feeding me was a waste of the grain he grew.
The mayor smiled apologetically and sent people to find my dad and my brother.
Only after the white paper with black text had the signatures and fingerprints of my entire family did Mr. Walker hand the two thousand dollars to my mom.
My dad glared at me and said viciously, “You jinx, don’t ever say I’m your dad again. I’m afraid your bad luck will get me killed! You only know how to waste my time!”
Lachlan supported me, “Brynn, don’t be afraid. My dad is your dad too!”
