Chapter 4 Marriage Behind Debt

Alice finds herself lost in thoughts again, this time not inside her room but in the living room, right in front of the television. She's alone since Anne and Donny just went out to buy something, while Emberly is in the kitchen. However, Emberly was initially with Alice after she finished eating. Outside, the sky is slowly darkening, and for a few minutes, Alice has been lost in her thoughts, her gaze fixed on the TV screen. She started this contemplation ever since her mother left her alone in the living room.

"Should I just accept Mr. David's offer? It seems like the only way out to solve this problem," Alice ponders, her thoughts continually drawn to the situation that arose that morning.

Alice believes she must make a decision promptly for her family's peace of mind and to settle her late father's debts. She's still torn, but her ego keeps urging her to accept David's offer for the sake of her family.

Considering the impossibility of paying off such a huge debt in two weeks, Alice is more inclined to sacrifice herself rather than let her entire family suffer. She feels more useful in this situation. Moreover, she fears that if they don't repay her father's debt soon, David might take further action by evicting Alice and Emberly from the house, using it as collateral. Alice doesn't want to make her mother's life harder, so it's better if she suffers than making everyone else suffer due to her father's debt.

Rather than regretting making her family's life difficult later on, Alice decides it's better to accept David's offer. And now, Alice's mind seems made up.

"Okay, I think I'm ready to accept Mr. David's offer. Tomorrow, I'll ask for Mr. David's number from Uncle Donny and contact him to discuss his proposal," Alice says quietly, her face clearly displaying despair as she searches for another way out of her current problem.

"I hope Mr. David's child won't be cruel to me once I'm married to them," Alice murmurs with a heavy sigh before briefly closing her eyes and slumping against the sofa she's sitting on.

Not long after, Emberly arrives from the kitchen, carrying a bowl of sliced fruits. "Do you want this, Alice?" she asks while sitting back beside her youngest daughter.

Alice immediately shifts her attention from the TV screen to her mother. She hesitates for a moment. 'Should I talk to Mom about my decision now?' Alice wonders, not entirely focused on what her mother said.

"Hey, why are you just staring at Mom without saying anything?" Emberly interjects, causing Alice to blink several times.

"Ah, sorry Mom, what was it? Mommy asked?" Alice responds differently than when she spoke to Anne earlier. Perhaps her mood is slightly better now, so she doesn't have the same flat tone and expression.

Emberly smiles understandingly, realizing what Alice is thinking about. "Do you want some fruit or not? Mom just cut some and brought extra in case you want," Emberly repeats her offer.

Without much thought, Alice nods in agreement to Emberly's offer. "I want some, Mom, but just a little as I'm already full," she replies, taking one of the forks Emberly brought.

"Sure, sweetheart, take as much as you want," Emberly responds, placing the bowl of fruits on Alice's lap.

"Eat as much as you like first, then it's Mommy's turn," Emberly says, nodding to Alice's agreement.

'Mommy hopes you choose what you believe is right, Alice. Mommy will try to earn money to pay off all of Daddy's debts,' Emberly thinks to herself, silently smiling tenderly as she gazes at Alice from the side.

Don't think Emberly doesn't notice Alice's slightly swollen eyes. She knows very well and can sense that her youngest daughter has been crying since the morning. Despite being aware, Emberly remains silent, afraid to upset Alice by asking about Roberto's debt problem, choosing instead to wait for Alice to reveal it herself.

"Done, Mom."

Emberly is suddenly brought back by Alice's voice, turning her attention towards her daughter. "Finished?" she asks, receiving a nod from her youngest.

Emberly then starts eating the remaining fruit pieces in the bowl. Alice, on the other hand, is back to wrestling with her thoughts, even though her gaze is fixed on the TV screen, seemingly completely absorbed in the electronic device. But in reality, Alice's mind is having an inner struggle.

'I want to tell Mommy now, but I'm a bit afraid she won't agree with my decision,' Alice thinks, considering the potential consequences of telling her mother about her decision.

However, Alice believes it's better to tell her mother now than later. She feels ready to tell her mother, even though she's still hesitant about telling Anne and Donny. 'I have to be sure and tell Mommy,' Alice thinks, trying to convince herself to inform her mother in the afternoon.

Alice takes a slow breath, knowing she must tell her mother about her decision even though she's not entirely confident in the choice she's made.

"Mom," Alice calls softly, still feeling uncertain.

"Yes? What is it, Alice?" Emberly asks with a soft smile, her gaze capable of bringing tears to Alice's eyes.

"I've decided to accept Mr. David's offer," Alice says before bowing her head in fear of her mother's response.