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.

go?” Zoey asked,

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

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

incredulous. “What? Divorce? Dad, Levi suffered in your stead! How could you just give him the

sacrifice won’t go unnoticed,” Aaron and

him with enough money

“You…”

so disappointed

for you in the first place, and now that his fingers are gone, he’s not worthy of you! I can never tolerate my daughter marrying a cripple with incomplete fingers!”

Zoey was bemused.

cruel to Levi just

pay off the debt if you want

Just then, Harry arrived.

turning point is

couldn’t contain his

mean, Dad?”