Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Coldness manifested in Samantha’s eyes as soon as Simon finished his sentence.

Although she had already guessed that her parents had ill intentions when they took Corey away, she still got angry at their shamelessness when she heard it from the horses’ mouths.

It was bad enough for them to do that to her, but her younger brother was still an underage child! How could they even come up with that kind of idea when his life was in constant danger due to his heart condition!

Simon smiled triumphantly when he saw the change in Samantha’s expression.

“Sammy, your mom and I treat our children equally. Since we’ve found a good man for your marriage, it’s only right that we do the same for Corey. Relax, we won’t treat Corey badly!”

Samantha clenched her fists tightly in an attempt to restrain herself. At that juncture, anger was not the solution to the problem.

She gulped a few mouthfuls of saliva and said calmly while making eye contact with Simon, “Corey is sick. He can have a heart attack at any time. I don’t know how long he’ll be able to live and he might even be gone tomorrow. Which woman would be willing to marry him? Won’t they be scared of being a widow?”

Cynthia seemed to have predicted that Samantha would say something like that, so after taking a sip of some scented tea, she answered slowly, “Sammy, why must you ask such a naive question? It’s almost certain that any normal lady wouldn’t want to marry someone as ill as Corey, but you know…”

She paused and did not continue her sentence, but her eyes looked at Samantha greedily.

Samantha could not have been less oblivious to Cynthia’s implication, but she patiently forced out a smile and continued, “But what, Mom?”

Cynthia seemed to have regained her motherly dignity and said with satisfaction, “Their daughter is just so pitiful. She had been in a car accident as soon as she came of age and passed away last month.”

Passed away…

Samantha frowned sharply.

“Their daughter was all they had, and they loved her so dearly that they couldn’t bear to let her be alone in heaven. That is why they want to give their daughter a marriage, so their son-in-law can be with their daughter.

“Corey meets all their requirements. They’re willing to pay a very high price as a dowry, and of course, we have no choice but to accept it. Corey isn’t going to live long anyway, and when it’s time, he’ll be in the company of that girl. It’s a win-win situation.”

A ghost bride!

Samantha knew that Simon and Cynthia were horrible people who, despite not being fit to be parents, would never do anything to hurt their children. It had never occurred to her that they were willing to sacrifice anything for money, even the life of their own son.

They were worse than animals!

Samantha’s eyes were bloodshot and she stared at her two parents. Her words were practically squeezed out from the gaps of her teeth when said, “Dad, Mom, Corey is your son! Your own flesh and blood! Is that how you should treat your own son?”

She then turned to Cynthia and her voice was trembling uncontrollably, “Mom, you’ve carried Corey for nine months. Don’t you feel any pity for him?”

Although she never expected them to feel anything for her, she wondered if they similarly felt nothing for Corey.

Samantha’s expression was too penetrating and sorrowful, causing Cynthia to feel a little flustered when she saw that. In a flash however, she lowered her eyes, avoided Samantha’s gaze, and said loudly, “You’re right. I did give birth to you, both of you. I suffered during pregnancy and childbirth. I’m the reason you’re in the world, so you should repay me by doing what I ask you to do!”

As she said that, she reached for Simon’s hand and said, “Isn’t that right, Dear.”

Simon slammed the table immediately and yelled at Samantha, “Who are you to question us? You disrespectful girl. I’ll be frank with you right now. Give us money if you don’t want your brother to be married off to a ghost!”

Money.

In their eyes, money was the be-all-and-end-all!

Samantha knew that it was useless for her to say anything. Their goal was clear—they simply wanted money. Their son and daughter were Money and Wealth. She and Corey were mere commodities.

Seeing Samantha’s silence, Simon hurriedly threatened her again, “I’m telling you Samantha, Corey’s wedding will be held in three days. If you don’t give us any money within that time, Corey will become someone else’s son-in-law. We have no control over whether he’s alive or dead.”

Cynthia immediately added, “We know that you’ve learned a thing or two during your years abroad, but don’t expect to find Corey’s location and save him secretly. You know his body is weak and he can’t stand the slightest stimulus. He’ll die even faster if you act rashly!”

…

Samantha walked out of the house.

The weather was still clear earlier, but dense dark clouds had already covered the sky. The wind was blowing and a storm was imminent.

Rather than calling a cab, she turned her back to the house and began walking away.

The only trace of feelings she had toward the home had disappeared completely after what her parents said to her.

After walking for some time, the roar of thunder and the flash of lightning appeared on the horizon, forming the prelude to the pitter-patter of rain.

Raindrops landed on Samantha’s hair, eyebrows, and clothes. Her body was getting wet little by little, but she did not seem to have felt anything.

When she finally reached the main road, she looked at the myriad of characters by the roadside.

There was a mother with her child. The mother placed the umbrella over the child’s head despite half her shoulder being wet.

Then there was a father and his daughter. The daughter was wearing a beautiful little skirt and pretty shoes. She was reluctant to step on the wet ground and threw a tantrum with her dad, who picked her up and smiled. “Alright, I’ll carry you.”

He picked up his daughter, took her into his firm embrace, and blocked her from the heavy rain.

Happiness was so simple…

She was just not lucky enough to experience such moments.

Samantha stared blankly as her eyes reddened. There were water drops on the corners of his eyes, though she could not tell whether they were raindrops or tears.

…

At the villa.

Timothy heard the rolling thunder outside as he sat on the sofa in the living room. He looked up and glanced at the antique clock on the wall.

It was already past 10 at night.

Samantha went out early in the morning and still had not returned yet. Was she really busy with something or was she avoiding him on purpose? Perhaps she went out to meet that rowdy man she liked so much?

Timothy took out his cell phone and dialed her number, but the call went unanswered.

He could not help but lean more toward the latter of his two guesses. An uncontrollable surge of anger soon ensued, which spread rapidly to his limbs.

All of a sudden, there was a sound from the door. Timothy got up, strode over, and seemed to have waves of emotions under his eyes.. His tone was cold and bitter, “Is this how you’re supposed to act as a caregiver, Samantha? Disappearing for the entire day? Why do you even need to come back? Might as well just get lost and never show up again!”