A Call That Changed Her Entire Life

Jack, guilt-ridden, answered, "No! I just wanted to give Beryl a surprise. I didn't mean to..."

Grim-faced, Emily said, "My Beryl doesn't need your surprise. And she will not accept a puppy you snatched from who knows where. So spare me the drama."

"Well, then, I will take it back," answered Jack. However, Jack was afraid that the dog would bite him again if he took it back.

"That's entirely up to you," she answered. Emily turned around and let Beryl in the house without further delay.

"Wait! Wait! Miss Lu!" implored Jack, as he quickly wedged his hand between the closing door and its frame. He sincerely begged, "I just want to apologize for what I said last time. It was too abrupt and offensive. I'm sorry for..."

Emily glanced at his wounded arm, and without a care in the world, she said, "Go away!"

"No!" Jack persisted. Disregarding Emily's displeasure towards his determination, he threatened, "If you do not forgive me, I will not move from here."

With a deadpan expression on her face, Emily slowly pulled the door inwards, pressing his hand tightly. "Go!" she demanded.

"No!" Jack refused again. It was as if all shame and dignity had abandoned him. "Even if my hand breaks, I won't move from here," he said, confidently.

Jack thought that Emily would give in to him by now, but he forgot that she was no longer the woman she used to be. She wasn't going to entertain his bluffs and deceptions anymore.

Without a warning, Emily slammed the door shut!

"Ah!" screamed Jack. Although, the pain wasn't bad enough, he cried out loud just to escalate the situation. In doing so, he assumed he could somehow evoke Emily's compassion.

Such a pity, that didn't work either!

"Zoe, get him out of here right now," commanded Emily.

As soon as Emily's orders registered in her head, the babysitter pushed Jack away without hesitation. "Sir, you'd better leave now," Zoe suggested.

Then she whispered, "Otherwise, Miss Lu will resent you more." Jack froze for a second and drew his hand back. Emily closed the door on him without hesitation. "Bang!"

will stop bothering me from now on. I'll move

After a short while, he stopped knocking as he didn't want her to resent him any more than she already did. Jack stood in front of the door

to the puppy, "I thought you would be of great

in despair, he sighed and

getting more

I do?' Jack wondered.

try to

hard to believe him? Jack had developed a skull-splitting headache trying to come up with

caught a glimpse of the wound on his arm, his eyes suddenly lit up. Jack shouted, "Cloris, open the door!

door, and screamed, "It's hurt so much. Could you help me, at least let me in to have

in the house

his lack of audience, Jack continued his dramatic performance. "Please! Open the door, or

living room, Emily was busy processing long beans, completely unaware of

then looked towards the door. She tumbled over in her slippers, carrying a chair with both hands.

eyes were filled

okay, mommy!" Beryl gave her a smile to comfort her mom. And then she looked through the door's peephole

asked, "Is that the new word your teacher taught

And I have already learned how to use it," answered

so good!" said Emily, with a proud look

heard Emily and her daughter talking, Jack silently swallowed his bitterness. Poor guy! No one cared about his injured hand.

more he felt uncomfortable. Suddenly, Jack's stomach lurched and gurgled. Before long, waves of

he heaved, he threw up. However, the first thought on his mind was whether Emily would be

his dignity was growing wider and wider.

through the peephole, she gave her mother live updates on what was going on. "Oh my God! Mommy, that

it was just a trick Jack was playing, so she ignored Beryl's concern and continued

looks so white. He looks

you'd better

think you need to take a look.

about?" asked Emily, as she walked over towards the door. Emily was not interested in Jack's tricks, so she lifted Beryl in her arms and gently put