Dear Ex-wife, Marry Me novel Chapter 1997

His gaze locked onto Abner, feeling an unsettling hunch about how Abner looked at Shirley. He knew well the type of appeal Shirley had among men, akin to the allure of "true love" personified. Beautiful, kind-hearted, and ambitious. The more he thought about it, the more his sense of crisis deepened.

"Shirley, can we talk?"

But Shirley just frowned, "There's nothing to talk about. Enjoy your meal, I'll be going."

Mark, always concerned about his image, was growing frustrated after being rejected multiple times.

"Are you cheating on me with Abner?!"

Shirley stopped dead in her tracks. From the moment Abner had arrived, Mark had been suspicious. Now, nearly half a year later, he still harbored those suspicions.

"Shirley, don't think I'm clueless. Some guys in our circle just love the 'fresh ones.'"

Slap!

Before he could finish, Shirley's hand had struck his cheek hard.

Mark was in disbelief, touching his face, "You hit me over him?"

It was then Shirley realized, Mark, pampered since childhood and wealthy, was inherently selfish. He was used to being adored by everyone, and the moment someone didn't, he'd get uncomfortable.

"Mark, I can't believe you're this disgusting!"

Mark noticed his classmates looking uneasy and immediately regretted causing a scene with Shirley, let alone getting slapped. Now, he was the butt of the joke. But since the damage was done, he felt compelled to clear the air.

"Isn't it obvious? Didn't you see the way that kid looks at you? I'm a man; I know what that look means!"

Shirley was so furious, her chest was shaking.

Abner, lowering his gaze, stepped forward and patted her back.

"Shirley, don't be upset over me. I'd feel guilty."

Standing there, Mark's eyes narrowed, feeling as if the tables had turned. Now, he was in Shirley's shoes, and Abner was the interloper! When Mark was the one being adored, he felt on top of the world. But being on the receiving end of disdain felt like swallowing a fly—disgusting and impossible to spit out.