Chapter 2

When I was 8, my family went bankrupt, and my dad became addicted to alcohol and gambling.

When he was drunk or lost money, he would beat my mom and me.

My mom endured it for three years before finally running away on a stormy night.

My dad took out all his anger on me.

That's when Jack Thompson appeared.

He was a year younger than me but saved me from my dad's hands.

He said, "You girls are always crying. Don't cry anymore. I'll protect you from now on."

A promise worth its weight in gold!

He protected me for a full five years, breaking three ribs for me, and my dad went to jail because of it.

Jack brought me back to the Thompson family. He told his parents, "This is the wife I'm going to marry in the future. You better take good care of her, or I won't take care of you in your old age!"

That earned him a good beating from Mrs. Thompson.

Mrs. Thompson would make me lots of delicious food. I especially loved the strawberry cake she made.

I loved listening to Mr. Thompson tell me history stories the most.

The days at the Thompson house were my happiest times.

On my 23rd birthday, Jack coaxed me into getting our marriage license. Mrs. Thompson was as happy as a child and said she wanted to prepare a grand wedding for me.

I was spoiled and refused her kindness, even persuading her to go on a trip with me, leaving Jack behind.

If it weren't for that, we wouldn't have encountered my dad, and Mrs. Thompson wouldn't have died protecting me.

My dad was the direct murderer of her death, and I was an accomplice.

Jack hating me was justified.