The Unfaithful Mr. Scott

Socomo Cuport

Melanie’s words stoned Dylan as she rugged at Pachie’s clothing uncomfortably, Observing her, Melanie parsed her sand and TONIN PANT

Apart from the brus on Dylan’s face, Melanie also notio subtle bruises on Peachie’s neck that weronealed by her coller

Dylan Bhatially descared to spend, but seeing Puchie’s pleading eyes, she could not help the tears that sreed welling up ber eyes She rubbed her eyes hastily with her sleeve and said, “He doesn’t do it often. It’s tst that he was drunk the other day and shoved me”

Melanie frowned, staring at her intently “Did he make you give him the money, or did you do it =~

Dylan closed her eyes in difficulty, and after a moment, she strained her neck to say, “Peachie is still

ooo gS

Melanie watched her silently. Dylan’s ence upright posture gradually slumped, and the hand she had on the table trembled. It was as if she was suppressing immense pain.

Sensing her mother’s emotional struggle, Peachie started crying. Dylan wiped her eyes and comforted be When Peachie finally stopped crying, she looked at Melanie but quickly turned away after a glance.

Melanie had been observing her expressions and had come up with a fairly accurate guess. Just as she was about to get straight to the point, Dylan’s phone rang.

Her phone was an unknown brand and had a cracked screen. Upon answering the call, a man’s voice roared angrily over the phone. “Where the hell are you? I’m starving to death. Did you take that waste -of-money brat out to burn cash again?”

His voice was so loud over the phone that Melanie caught every word he said. Dylan looked embarrassed and quickly covered the phone with her hand, whispering, “George, Peachie is your daughter!”

The man, however, became even more furious upon hearing that. “I don’t have a money-wasting daughter like that! Hurry up and get back here! Don’t delay my afternoon shift!”

Dylan’s expression changed at that demand. “Are you going to gamble again? Peachie needs to get an injection next week!”

George had already hung up the phone by then, leaving Dylan pale—looking as she buried her face into Peachie’s neck, her shoulders trembling.

Peachie blinked and asked, “Mom, can | not get the injection?”

Dylan paused, then released Peachie. Wiping her face, she rubbed Peachie’s head and gently said, ” Sweetheart, why don’t you go play by the flower bed over there for a while?”

Peachie nodded, though a bit confused, and walked over to the designated spot.

Dylan never took her eyes off Peachie, and Melanie observed her silently. After a while, Dylan finally turned to look at Melanie. Pain and struggle were an entangled mess in her eyes, but the emotions gradually calmed.

She forced a bitter smile on her face and asked, “Mel, do you think I’m deceiving you?”

Pursing her lips, Melanie remained silent.

“But he wasn’t like this before. He used to be good to me and Peachie. It’s just that after Peachie got sick, he...” Dylan was unable to continue and just wiped her face again.

“He lost his job. He couldn't find work and resorted to gambling. If | don’t give him money, he'll get beaten to death...” Melanie remained composed, her eyes devoid of any emotion. “So, you tolerate him taking Peachie’s medical expenses?” Dylan fell silent and stopped trying to explain herself. After a moment, she rubbed her handsContent bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

anxiously and looked up at Melanie. “Mel, | know | shouldn’t do this, but can you lend me another 5,000? Peachie needs an injection next week.”

She raised her hand and added, “I promise, this will be a loan from you. I'll definitely pay it back in the future.”