Chapter 116 Who Would Believe You
"What?" Quinley felt her head buzz like someone had shoved her into an ice cellar. Her cool eyes filled with shock.
"Quinny, I know you'll be upset with me, but your brother kept insisting he had to get married. Your father and I couldn't think of any other way. Consider this money borrowed from Mr. Brown—once your brother gets a job, we'll pay him back. Besides, you two are about to get married anyway. Dennis is his brother too. He's got money—it's only right he helps out a little."
Quinley was floored. Marlee had always played favorites, and Quinley had never complained—after all, she wasn't their biological child. But Dennis was being ridiculous, and his parents were enabling him. How could they go along with this nonsense?
Sure, David had money, but what did that have to do with the Elikin family? Quinley was only fake-marrying him. Were her parents trying to sell her off?
"Mom, why didn't you talk to me before doing this? Do you have any idea how awkward this makes things for me?" Quinley's brow furrowed in pain.
No matter what, she had to return that money to David.
Quinley turned and headed for the door, but Marlee chased after her.
"Quinny, Denny is your brother. We're family. You helped him before—why can't you help him now? Please, I'm begging you. I only have you and Denny. Please don't just stand by and do nothing."
Marlee broke down crying. Through her sobs, she actually dropped to her knees.
Quinley was a rational person, but her soft spot was family. When Marlee hit that nerve, Quinley's feet became rooted to the spot.
"Mom, get up." Quinley grabbed Marlee's arm, trying to help her up.
Marlee seized Quinley's hand. "Quinny, I've failed you. I'm useless—I've made you suffer. But you're about to marry into the Brown family, about to have a good life. Please, just help your brother this once."
She kept pleading. Quinley knew that no amount of logic would get through to Marlee right now. All she cared about was her son—she couldn't bear to see him struggle.
"I'll go thank Mr. Brown. Mom, you should head back inside."
Quinley's heart ached. Marlee looked at her through tear-filled eyes. "Quinny, thank you."
Quinley didn't look back. She walked away with determination, even as the people she loved most kept dragging her into an endless abyss. It wasn't that she didn't feel wronged—but these were her family. Even without blood ties, they'd given her a home. She should be grateful, shouldn't she?
Quinley caught a cab straight to Serenity Health Center. David was on night shift at the hospital. She found him in the on-call room. He'd just finished his final rounds and looked up to see her. His face lit up immediately as he rushed over.
"Quinny, what are you doing here? What a great surprise!" David's smile stretched ear to ear.
Quinley's expression was grim. "Dr. Brown, can I talk to you for a minute?"
Her serious, distant demeanor made David's smile freeze instantly. "What's wrong, Quinny?"
David moved closer, reaching for her arm, but she took a step back.
Quinley pulled a card from her bag and held it out to David. "Dr. Brown, I can't accept this money from you. Here, I'm returning it. Thank you, though."
David looked shocked at first, then something unreadable—almost mocking—flickered in his eyes.
"Quinny, we're getting married. Why are you being so formal with me? I did forget about the bride price initially, but I'm not going to skip anything I should give you. What, does your mom think it's not enough?"
That money was just numbers to him, but to the Elikin family, it was a fortune. With that money, Dennis could have a proper wedding. But if Quinley accepted it, she'd never have peace of mind.
"No, that's not it." Quinley denied it.
A cynical smile played at David's lips. "Then you think it's not enough? Fine. I'll send five hundred grand to your house first thing tomorrow morning."
Quinley knew David wasn't bluffing. He could afford it.
"Dr. Brown, I know you're wealthy, but that's beside the point. You don't need to waste money on me, and I don't want to owe you favors."
She meant every word. She was cautious by nature and wouldn't hand anyone leverage over her.
"I want to. So what? Just take it. Stop with all this back and forth—I don't like being treated like a stranger."
David's voice hardened. He seemed genuinely annoyed.
Quinley didn't want to drag this out. She placed the card on the table. "Thanks anyway." Then she headed for the door.
David chased after her. "Quinley, are you deliberately trying to embarrass me? You think my money's too hot to handle, but you're perfectly fine taking Zachary's?"
The air reeked of jealousy.
"That money isn't from Zachary." Quinley tried to explain, but David didn't believe her.
"Ha. You think I'll buy that? That gold card—there are fewer than ten people in all of Rosewood City who have one. And out of those ten, nine have nothing to do with you. If you're telling me that money didn't come from Zachary, Quinley, do you really think I'm that stupid?"
"You've been investigating me?" Quinley's instincts kicked in. She remembered Detective Wilson mentioning that someone was looking into her. At the time, she'd been too preoccupied with Susan to ask more. But now that David brought up the gold card, it clicked.
David neither confirmed nor denied it.
"Quinny." His tone softened. "You know I care about you a lot. Even though this is just a fake marriage, can you at least try? I told you I'd protect you and your family. You need to trust me."
He sounded so sincere—more genuine than gold itself. But Quinley's inner monologue said, "Who would believe you?"
Still, she was smart. She didn't challenge his promises.
"I understand. It's late—take care of yourself while you're working. I should head back."
They said their goodbyes. On the surface, it seemed like they'd made peace, but only Quinley knew she'd put up even more walls in her heart.
Leaving the hospital, she looked at the streetlights glowing in the night and felt utterly alone for the first time.
All these people claiming they cared about her—which one could she actually trust? Colin and Marlee? Zachary? David?
Their faces flashed through Quinley's mind, but only for a moment before a bitter smile crossed her lips. Maybe it was better this way. With no attachments, she could leave without looking back.
While waiting for the bus, Quinley sent Detective Wilson a message. He replied quickly.
[Be patient. I'll get it done as fast as I can.]
The bus finally arrived. Quinley got on. There weren't many passengers, so she found a window seat. The bus swayed forward. Suddenly, Quinley caught sight of a familiar figure.
It was Lucy. She was still wearing the same outfit she'd worn to the Elikin family home earlier. But the man beside her was different. The two of them were pressed against the front of a car, making out passionately.
Quinley's eyes went wide. She could hardly believe it.
The bus happened to stop at the station directly across from where they were kissing. This time, Quinley got a clear look at the man's face.
In an instant, her face went deathly pale.