2: 2
2.
He let out a small, reflexive laugh. "Peggy, quit joking around and get to the hospital already. Otherwise you're the one who ends up humiliated today."
Right.
In everyone's eyes, I loved him more than he loved me, so of course I'd never leave him easily. Maybe that was exactly why he kept letting me down, again and again, without a shred of hesitation.
Three months ago.
His first love called to say she was flying home, and he rushed off to pick her up from the airport. Then he moved her right into our new place.
Back then I was foolish enough to think that bringing his first love home meant he'd truly let that relationship go. If there were anything left between them, he never would've brought her under my roof.
Then, on my birthday, he was with her.
Once became twice. Every time afterward, he'd find some excuse to keep me calm.
Looking back now, I realize what a complete fool I'd been.
Just then my father snatched the phone away and said to Allan on the line, "Allan Gilbert, since my daughter says the two of you are finished, don't you dare cling to her ever again."
Allan explained frantically, "Uncle, please don't be angry. Peggy and I have already worked it out. We're going to the county clerk's office to file the papers tomorrow. Can you put Peggy on? Please?"
The moment my father heard that, he hung up, his eyes full of fury.
"Good riddance. A man like that doesn't deserve my daughter."
Then he turned to me, his face grave. "Sweetheart, what did the two of you break up over?"
I clenched my fists and didn't dare tell him the truth.
Seeing that I wouldn't speak, he sighed. "Whatever you decide, sweetheart, your dad's behind you."
The next second, a text from Allan came through.
*Peggy, are you going to donate the kidney or not? Joyce James can't hold on much longer. Are you coming to the hospital?*
*Peggy, your whole family's here. You don't want to leave your father with egg on his face, do you?*
My father read the messages, then immediately called the manager over.
"Cancel today's engagement party. Turn it into a small family dinner instead."
The manager looked at him, unsure. "Sir, are you certain?"
I caught his arm, torn. "Dad… maybe we could wait a little longer."
He was ready to blow, but he held his temper and pulled me aside, his voice low and earnest. "Sweetheart, today he used your engagement as a bargaining chip to make you give a kidney to another woman. Even if you married him, he'd keep trampling on you for other women."
Right then I could feel everyone in the room watching me. And while I was still trying to figure out how to handle all these relatives, Great-Uncle Cornelius rose from his seat at the head of the table and looked at me.
Great-Uncle Cornelius was the oldest member of our family, and the most respected elder among us.
"Peggy, girl, this is your engagement party, and that scoundrel Allan Gilbert still hasn't shown up. That alone tells you the man can't be relied on at all. If you ask me, this match should be called off, right here."
The moment he said it, the relatives beside him took up the thread. "That's right, Peggy. Who shows up late to his own engagement party? Clearly this Allan Gilbert doesn't value you one bit."
"Exactly. I never liked the look of that boy. Peggy, take it from us, don't go through with this engagement."
Looking around at all of them, every voice full of concern for me, not a hint of blame, everything I'd been holding in came rushing up, and the tears fell before I could stop them.
"I… I… I'm sorry…"
Just then a call came in from an unfamiliar number.
The moment I answered, a woman's voice came through.
"Peggy, I'm so sorry. I'm the one who ruined your engagement party with Allan. Don't worry, Peggy, I'll make Allan come straight over."
