When I told them about my plan to retake my exams, their joy was evident, and they immediately began talking about selling our pig to cover tuition.
I stopped them in time, assuring them I still had the money from returning the phone – a sum that would be enough for another year of school.
Despite having missed the exams, my grades were good enough that several schools were willing to offer me a spot.
For the first time, I was ready to focus solely on my studies, preparing for another year. But just a month later, I was stunned to see my ex, Olivia, standing at my door.
Gone was the excitement I used to feel upon seeing her; all that remained was a calm indifference.
Beside her stood her mother, Margaret, who wasted no time jabbing a finger in my face and cursing at me.
“You little punk! Taking my daughter off to work with you was bad enough, but getting her pregnant and running off? Do you have a death wish?”
With that, Margaret lunged forward, clawing to get her hands on me.
Fortunately, her round build made her slow and clumsy, and a light push sent her staggering back several steps.
Her accusations left me completely bewildered. Though Olivia and I had once been close, I’d never crossed any boundaries.
I wasn’t someone ruled by impulse; I wouldn’t do anything reckless without being certain I could offer her a future.
My slight push only seemed to intensify Margaret’s anger, and she swung her hand back, ready to slap me.
I could have dodged easily, but instead, Olivia stepped in, taking the hit herself.
The blow swelled her cheek, tears filling her eyes from the pain.
Once, seeing her hurt like this would have been unbearable, but now, her act seemed nothing more than a manipulative ploy.
It’s true – falling out of love clears your head.
Seeing me unmoved, Olivia looked somewhat deflated but still struggled to say good things about me in front of her mother.
When Margaret finally calmed down, Olivia asked to speak to me alone.
Curiosity got the best of me, so I followed her to a secluded corner.
There, she grabbed my hand, eyes swimming with tears. “Brian, please, just help me this one time. If you don’t, my mother will kill me,” she pleaded.
I shot her a skeptical look. “Cut the act, Olivia. Just spit it out and stop wasting my time.”
She looked taken aback, likely unused to my new, indifferent tone.
After a pause, she finally confessed her reason for being there.