Karen wanted to leap up and sew Jeffrey's mouth shut.
Of all times, he still had the nerve to crack jokes! As expected, Derek's expression turned increasingly grim, and he could barely contain the anger brewing in his eyes. "You two broke up, didn't you?" "Uh, technically, yes, but we kind of patched things up.” Karen flashed a grin and sidled up to her dad. She playfully swung his arm, "Dad, | still really like Jeffrey, so | thought I'd give him another chance!" Derek immediately frowned, "You are okay with his shady dealings with other women?" Jeffrey heard that and quickly interjected, "That's a big misunderstanding! | swear!" "Don't swear it. | can't bear it!" "You can! You are my father-in-law and that's the fact!" And the grandfather of my kid! Of course, those last few words were left unspoken.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtKaren had warned him when they left the house to take it slow, not to reveal everything all at once for fear of shocking their elders.
Derek looked at his daughter, "He says it's a misunderstanding. Do you believe that?" "I do! It was really a misunderstanding. | was too impulsive back then and didn't let him explain, which is why | insisted on breaking up. Later, he came to me many times and showed me proof, and that's when | realized | had truly wronged him." Karen claimed to be afraid of facing her parents and said she was even shaking in fear. But when she actually stood before them, she feared they would be too harsh on Jeffrey and took most of the blame upon herself.
"It wasn't all Karen's fault. I'm to blame, too! | made her sad and upset, and that's my mistake." Jeffrey clenched his teeth, stepped forward, and slapped himself twice, loud and clear. "Please give me a chance! | promise this will never happen again!" he exclaimed.
His display caught Derek off guard, making it awkward for him to even get angry.
"| think you young folks toss around 'together' and ‘break up’ too lightly! You don't consider things carefully. Karen, you said you would never get back together.” "I did say that." "Your mother and | are getting old, and you still make us worry about you! You said Jeffrey mistreated you, and as parents, we have to protect you no matter who we offend. It's our duty! But then you go and make up with him. Have you considered how hard it is for your mom and me to be caught in the middle?" Karen hung her head. Guilty had washed her over.
She knew her father was right to scold her.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBacking up their daughter meant offending Jeffrey. And in order to protect her, they'd at least argue with him; or maybe they'd cause a brawl. Then suddenly, she made up with her boyfriend—how were they supposed to face Jeffrey now? It was a classic case of being caught between a rock and a hard place.
"Derek, I'm not the least bit upset about the things you've said to me! | truly think | deserve it, and you were too soft on me. You should have been harsher or maybe even knocked some sense into me!" Jeffrey understood Derek's point and quickly added, "As | said, if Karen broke up with me, it's because | let her down. Whatever you do to me is justified!" Derek pursed his lips and remained silent. However, his expression was not softened.
Jeffrey took a deep breath, went back to his car, and retrieved a paper bag.
"I know you have a lot of concerns, so here is an unconditional property transfer contract. I've already signed it, and now I'm giving it to you. If mess up again, you and Karen can strip me of everything!"