The Protector

“Why is it Levi?” Zoey sobbed after learning the truth.

Caitlyn snatched the phone over and said, “Sweetie, we had no choice! It was Levi who volunteered to take your Dad’s place!”

“How could you do that? You didn’t even tell me! Wait there, I’m coming home now!” Zoey cried.

Shortly after, Zoey arrived home.

“Sweetie, Levi told us not to tell you!”

“It doesn’t matter if he loses a few fingers anyway, but I can’t lose any,” Aaron said.

A sob caught in Zoey’s throat.

“Sweetie, you’ll have to return the money as soon as possible. That way we can buy Levi a few more days,” Caitlyn said.

“But that just means he’ll lose a finger with every passing day!” Zoey screamed. “How could you bear to do it?”

“It’s not like we have a choice. You can’t just watch your dad suffer, can you? He’s still young so he can take it!” Caitlyn comforted.

you force him to go?” Zoey asked,

his own free will. We didn’t force him!” Aaron

“Sweetie, once we settle this debt, you should get a divorce

your stead! How could you just give him the brush after using him?

won’t go unnoticed,” Aaron and Caitlyn said

not ungrateful people. We’ll compensate him with enough money once this is

“You…”

disappointed

that his fingers are gone, he’s not worthy of you! I can never tolerate my daughter marrying a cripple with incomplete fingers!” said

Zoey was bemused.

cruel

off the debt if you want Levi to suffer a little less,” Caitlyn

Just then, Harry arrived.

point

couldn’t contain

mean, Dad?” Aaron asked