Marilyn was clearly unwilling to accept it.
She kept her head down as Ahmad lowered his voice with authority, “What do you plan to do? As a wife, is it appropriate to hang out with those men outside?”
He earnestly advised his daughter, whom he had cherished since childhood, “No matter what, apologize to Jaquan, and this matter will be over.”
Marilyn took a deep breath and suddenly pulled out the IV from her wrist. “Why should I apologize? He doesn’t care about me. Why do you care so much?”
Her sudden outburst surprised everyone present. Ahmad stood up immediately, “How dare you speak to me like that?”
Jaquan quickly grabbed a tissue to press against her bleeding wrist. “Marilyn!”
“Have you ever cared about me? From childhood to now, all your attention has been on finding Maevelyn. When have you ever cared about me? Do you know how I survived abroad for years? Did you ever care?” Marilyn’s emotions were intense, her pale face growing even paler.
Ahmad, leaning on his cane, took a few steps back, looking at the scene in disbelief.
“Do you know how I used to hold my doll waiting for you to come home when I was little? But in front of me, all you ever talked about was that lost Maevelyn!” Marilyn burst out in anger.
Callie leaned against the wall, listening to the heated exchange inside. She felt a sudden irritation and wanted a cigarette but found none in her pocket.
“Now that she’s back, you can’t wait to give her the entire Ellison family. What about me? What do my efforts over the past two years count for? Am I not your daughter too?”
“That’s enough!” Sienna scolded angrily. “Haven’t we treated you well enough? You have resources and connections. Both of you are my daughters; how could there be any difference?”
She rarely got angry. Charlotte patted her back. “Mother, Marilyn is just upset. Don’t take it to heart. Let her vent.”
“Shut up, it’s not your place to speak here,” Marilyn suddenly said softly, looking at Charlotte.
Charlotte pressed her lips tightly together and lowered her head.
This remark completely enraged Ahmad. He raised his hand and slapped her!
The room fell silent.
Jaquan shielded Marilyn. “Father-in-law-”
Ahmad clutched his chest, looking heartbroken. “Tell me, haven’t I given you power? And what did you do? You lost projects everywhere, not doing as well as Isaac and Regan. Who can you blame?”
“Before Maevelyn came back, we treated you with the utmost care. How can you take out your dissatisfaction on her now? She wandered outside for so many years; she’s the last person who should be blamed!”
After hearing this, Marilyn glanced around at everyone. “So it’s all my fault? Then why save me? Let me die!”
“Enough!” Jaquan pressed Marilyn down, calming her down. Then he said, “Marilyn is emotionally unstable. Let her calm down by herself. Please understand, Father and Mother-in-law.”
Ahmad glared at Marilyn for a long time before pulling Charlotte out of the room.
Marilyn watched them leave and quickly withdrew when she felt that burning gaze.
After a moment, Jaquan also left and closed the door.
“Marilyn won’t calm down anytime soon. Jaquan will have a hard time during this period,” Nelson said lazily from the side, with a meaningful tone.
“As husband and wife, they must accommodate each other. If everyone were as carefree as Nelson, there would be no point in getting married,” Jaquan smiled faintly.
Everyone understood the implication of his words.