Mom's Disobedient Girl
Mary Lee stood behind me, hands on her hips. The ticking clock in the living room sounded like a countdown to doom with every tick.
You're going to Capital University! I already boasted about it to my friends!
Her voice shot up, making my eardrums ache. I remembered last life—because I refused, she pressed my head against the table corner until it bled.
I touched my forehead; the dull ache from last life still lingered there.
So I really was reborn, back to the day I was eighteen and had to fill out my college application.
Last life, I refused to apply to Capital University, and she yanked my hair, smashing my head into the table corner.
I fainted and came to again, but in the end, she forced me to repeat a year.
I didn't sleep a single peaceful night the whole time. Later, to score favors from Mr. Clark, she wanted me to marry his son Mike, saying, "The Clark family can help you cover your college tuition; marrying in means an easy life."
I hated those words treating me like a bargaining chip, and in the end, I wore a red dress and jumped off the balcony.
"What are you spacing out for? Hurry up!"
Mary Lee's hand reached over, about to snatch the mouse. I snapped back to reality and clicked on the application for Capital University. I couldn't be impulsive like last time; I had to keep her calm first.
"That's more like it. I raised you for eighteen years, didn't I? Just so you could make me proud!"
She smiled with satisfaction, the fine lines around her eyes bunching up, but I felt sick. Last time, right after I submitted my application, she quickly brought up the 'support agreement' with the Clark family; this time, no different.
I had just closed the application page when she came over, her tone deliberately soft: "Shirley, Mr. Clark said if you're willing to be Mike Clark's girlfriend, once you start university, he'll cover all your tuition and living expenses, and we can even get a new refrigerator for our home."
My heart sank suddenly, nails digging into my palm: "My marriage, my studies—why should he get to decide?"
"How ungrateful you are!" She raised her hand and slapped me hard; the force made me turn my head, my cheek burning with pain.
Memories from my past life flooded back—she was just like this, using hitting and scolding to shut me down every time I fought back.
"Mr. Clark's waiting outside. He says he wants to talk to you about the 'support agreement.'"
She grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the door. I struggled, but then I heard Mr. Clark's voice from the living room: "Mary, talk to her nicely—don't lay a hand on her."
Mr. Clark pushed the door open, clutching a few sheets of paper. His collar was open, revealing a dark mole on his chest.
In my last life, he used 'paying tuition' as bait, inching me step by step into giving in. My mom watched the whole time, silent.
"Shirley, I know your family's struggling to get money for your tuition," he said, handing over a paper stamped with the big words 'Support Agreement.'
"Sign this, and I'll wire your first year's tuition right away. In exchange, after you graduate, you'll work for three years at my hometown's building materials factory. Not a bad deal, right?"
I skimmed the Agreement and caught the fine print hidden in the back—'During this period, you are not allowed to unilaterally terminate the relationship and must cooperate with the marriage arrangements with Mike Clark.'
This isn't help at all; it's clearly a trap to tie me to the Clark family.
He reached out, trying to shove the Agreement into my hand. I stepped back, but Mary Lee pressed her hand on my shoulder: "I am trying to help you, why are you running away?"
My mind was racing—no way I could just push back head-on; I had to find a chance to escape. "Mr. Clark, where's my dad? This is a big thing; I want to talk to him first."
Mr. Clark froze, probably didn't expect me to bring up Gavin Lincoln. But Mary Lee snapped, "Why talk to your dad? Your dad already agreed!"
Taking advantage of their distraction, I suddenly shoved Mary Lee aside and dashed for the door.
In the living room, Gavin Lincoln was sitting on the sofa, smoking. When he saw me running out, he reached out and grabbed my ponytail: "Where do you think you're going? Mr. Clark is doing this for your own good!"
He was so strong that my scalp tingled as he yanked me back, forcibly dragging me back to the room.
Mary Lee and Mr. Clark followed behind, their eyes filled with greed and coldness—just like in my previous life. I knew if I waited any longer, the tragedy would repeat itself.
I broke free from Gavin Lincoln's grip, spun around, and rushed into the kitchen. I grabbed the cleaver from the cutting board and held it to my neck: "Don't come any closer! If you force me to sign the agreement again, I'll die right here!"
The cold kitchen knife pressed against my skin. I looked at them, my voice trembling, but I didn't dare to ease up. Mary Lee panicked, her face as pale as death: "Shirley! Put the knife down! Let's talk this through!"
Mr. Clark dropped his earlier friendliness and took a step back: "Don't be impulsive. We can talk."
Last life, it was because I was too patient that they kept pushing their limits. This time, I won't be weak: "I don't want any help, and I won't marry Mike Clark! If you bring this up again, I'll commit suicide right now!"
I pressed the knife against my neck; the skin broke slightly, and beads of blood seeped out. Gavin Lincoln panicked, "Shirley! Don't be stupid! We're your parents—how could we hurt you?"
"I don't want you to take me to the hospital. Call an ambulance!" I was afraid they'd do something to me on the way, so I needed outsiders present.
Mary Lee had no choice but to grab her cellphone and call 911. Those ten minutes waiting for the ambulance felt like an eternity.
I held the kitchen knife tight, staring at them, not daring to blink. Gavin Lincoln tried to approach, but I shouted, "Don't come any closer! Take one more step and I'll do it!"
The sound of the ambulance grew louder, and I let out a breath of relief—but I didn't lower the knife. Only when the doctor and nurses came in did my legs go weak, and I collapsed to the floor. "Doctor, call the police... they forced me to sign the agreement and even beat me..."
As they lifted me onto the stretcher, I saw Mary Lee trying to follow, but the nurse stopped her. "The family has to wait outside; the patient needs to rest."
I closed my eyes with just one thought running through my mind: this time, I'm going to make them pay.
At the hospital, the doctor treated the wound on my neck, and the police showed up as well. I sat in the emergency room chair, telling the police everything about my last life and this one: "Sir, my mom hit me, Mr. Clark forced me to sign an agreement, wants me to work at his factory after graduation, and is even pressuring me to marry his son!"
Mary Lee came in, and the moment she heard that, she freaked out: "You're lying! You just don't want to study and even self-harmed yourself!"
She pointed at the old scar on my forehead: "This injury was made because of yourself. It's got nothing to do with me!"
The police looked at me, so I hurriedly said, "This scar was from when she forced me to fill out my college application last time! And this time she hit me again—look at the slap mark on my cheek!"
I pointed at my cheek, still swollen with a bright red print.
The police looked at Mr. Clark, and he hurriedly explained, "I just wanted to help the kid get the tuition. Writing the Agreement was only to help her. How could I force her?"
"There's fine print at the back of the Agreement! It says I have to marry Mike and work in your factory too!"
I blurted out, standing up despite the sting of my wound. The two policemen stepped forward and told Mr. Clark to hand over the Agreement.
Mr. Clark panicked, scrambling to hide it in his pocket, but the police searched him and pulled it out.
Mary Lee quickly defended him, "Mr. Clark is a good man, he lives right next door to us—how could he do something like that?"
Gavin Lincoln also said, "Sir, our kid just got too emotional. It's just family conflict, nothing that serious."
I watched them echo each other, feeling my heart turn as cold as ice. In my last life, they did the same—pinned all the blame on me.
"I want to find my grandpa!" I suddenly remembered Grandpa.
In my last life, Grandpa loved me the most. When Gavin Lincoln tried to hit me, Grandpa knocked him to the ground. As long as Grandpa showed up, he would definitely defend me.
"Waaah... I want Grandpa... You're all bullying me..." I cried, my wound bursting open and blood seeping out.
The doctor rushed over: "Stay calm! The wound's torn open again! Everyone out!"
The police took Mary Lee and the others outside. I grabbed the doctor's hand: "Doctor, can I borrow your cellphone to call Grandpa? Grandpa will save me..."
The doctor sighed and pulled out his phone: "I'll make the call for you."
The call connected. Hearing Grandpa's voice, tears streamed down my face: "Grandpa, please come to the hospital fast! My parents and Mr. Clark are forcing me to sign an agreement. They want to hurt me!"
Grandpa's voice was urgent on the line: "Shirley, don't panic, I’ll be there right now!"
The doctor stalled deliberately, keeping Mary Lee and the others out. Only when Grandpa and Grandma arrived did the police let Mary Lee and the others in.
Mr. Clark had already slipped away on some excuse, and Mary Lee and Gavin Lincoln didn't even dare to look up when they saw Grandpa.
"What did you do to Shirley?!" Grandpa trembled with anger when he saw the bruises on my face and the bandages around my neck.
Gavin Lincoln stammered, "Dad, it's just some trouble over the college application and tuition fees..."
"Trouble? Look at how badly Shirley is hurt!" Grandpa grabbed a nearby stool, ready to smash it at Gavin, but Grandma stopped him. "Don't lose your temper—let's talk this through."
I grabbed Grandpa's hand. "Grandpa, I don't want to go back with them. I want to live with you."
Grandpa nodded, "Alright! Come with me! Nobody is going to bully you!"
Mary Lee wanted to protest, but seeing grandpa's look, she swallowed her words.
I only felt relieved when I got to grandpa's house.
Grandpa made me a bowl of noodles. Watching me eat, his eyes welled up, "Shirley, I'll protect you from now on."
I nodded, feeling a little warmth inside—at least someone still cared about me.
But before I could get comfortable, the next morning Mr. Clark came over with Mike. They walked in holding fruits and a basket of eggs, smiling as they said, "It was my fault. I'm here to apologize to Shirley."
Grandma's anger eased up by half when she saw the gift. She always loved taking advantage. In my last life, because Mr. Clark gave money, she pushed me to marry Mike Clark.
"Please, have a seat." Grandma accepted the gift, invited them to sit, completely forgetting the humiliation I endured yesterday.
Grandpa frowned, his face darkening, "What are you here for?"
"I want to talk about Shirley's tuition and the Agreement."
Mr. Clark pulled a wad of cash from his pocket and laid it on the table: "This is the first year's tuition. As long as Shirley signs the Agreement, I guarantee I'll pay the rest on time. After she graduates and marries Mike, I'll give another ten thousand as bride price."
Grandma's eyes lit up as she reached out to grab it, but Grandpa held her back firmly: "Mr. Clark, Shirley is only eighteen and still in college. Signing an Agreement and talking about marriage this early is just too soon."
Grandpa's tone was resolute, but Mr. Clark wouldn't give up: "Don’t worry. Do you think I'd ever treat Shirley unfairly?"
"I won't sign!" I stood up, staring right at Mr. Clark. "Even if I have to take out a student loan, I don't want your money! Marriage is a freedom, and how dare you force me to marry Mike Clark?"
Mike, who had been sitting quietly nearby, darkened at my words: "Shirley, don't mistake kindness! My dad is doing this as a favor, so don't be ungrateful!"
Mr. Clark's tone changed too: "Mike has a house and a car. Marrying him is a good deal!"
"I won't marry him!" I said firmly, and Grandpa backed me up: "Don't pressure her, this can't happen."
Mr. Clark had no choice but to leave with the money.
But Grandma was upset: "That's a whole year's tuition! Plus a hundred thousand bride price, what a great deal!"
"All you care about is money! Shirley is my granddaughter, not something to be traded for cash!" Grandpa snapped.
Grandma dared not say more but still shot me a glare.
I know Mr. Clark isn't going to just let this go.
Sure enough, that afternoon, Mary Lee and Gavin Lincoln showed up, bringing Mr. Clark and Mike with them.
"Shirley, apologize to Mr. Clark and sign the Agreement!" Mary Lee shouted the moment she stepped in, her tone harsh and unyielding.
"I won't apologize, and I'm not signing the Agreement!" I hid behind Grandpa. "If you push me any further, I'll commit suicide!"
Gavin Lincoln was desperate: "Shirley. Mr. Clark said, as long as you sign the agreement, he can help our family get a new refrigerator!"
"I can cover my tuition myself—I don't need your money!" I won't take Mr. Clark's money; it's freedom bought at a terrible price.
Grandpa said firmly, "I'll pay Shirley's tuition myself; you don't have to worry about it!"
He grabbed his cane and swung it at Gavin Lincoln, "If you keep pushing Shirley, I'll break your legs!"
Gavin Lincoln dodged back, and Mr. Clark quickly tried to calm things down: "Let's talk this through calmly."
Grandma also urged, "Don't get so worked up—we're family after all..."
"Who the hell says we're family?" Grandpa was furious, "You think you can trade Shirley for money? No way!"
Mr. Clark and Mary Lee exchanged a look, their intentions unclear. After a while, Gavin Lincoln said, "Dad, let's talk outside. Don't let the kid hear this."
Grandpa hesitated for a moment, then followed them outside. Worried he might get a raw deal, I sneaked behind the door to eavesdrop.
But outside it was completely silent—I couldn't hear a thing. Suddenly, I heard a splash, then Grandma's scream.
I rushed out, and the scene before my eyes sent a chill down my spine. Grandpa had fallen into the river at the doorstep. The water was rushing fast, he was struggling in it, while Mary Lee, Gavin Lincoln, Mr. Clark, and Mike Clark just stood on the shore watching—no one moved to save him.
"Quick, save Grandpa!" I wanted to jump in, but Mary Lee grabbed me. "It's flood season, and you can't swim. Jumping in would be suicide!"
She was so strong I couldn't break free. All I could do was watch Grandpa drift farther and farther away in the water.
"Call the police! Dial 119 now!" Mr. Clark shouted. Mike fumbled to pull out his cellphone, but his hands shook and the phone slipped to the ground. Mr. Clark had no choice but to make the call himself.
By the time the police and firefighters arrived, Grandpa was already lifeless. They pulled Grandpa out and covered him with a white cloth. I lunged forward but was held back by Gavin Lincoln. "Shirley, don't touch him. It's bad luck..."
I stared at my grandfather's outline under the white sheet, tears streaming uncontrollably, hatred boiling in my chest against them.
We were all taken to the police station. The police asked about what happened, and their stories were shockingly consistent: "My dad was too excited, lost his footing, and fell into the river. It's got nothing to do with us."
Gavin Lincoln said so, and Mary Lee, Mr. Clark, and Mike Clark all nodded along.
"No! It was Mr. Clark who pushed Grandfather into the river! You all saw it, yet no one saved him!"
I cried out, but the police just shook their heads: "We have no evidence, and everyone insists your grandfather's death was an accident."
Grandpa's house is in the countryside; there's no surveillance at the door, so no way to prove Mr. Clark pushed him.
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