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Home / A Joke: Love to Me and Money to Her / Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 7

Lahat ng Kabanata ng A Joke: Love to Me and Money to Her: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 7

7 Kabanata

Chapter 1

After I was reborn, I sold the cheap watch that Jerome Shaw had given me.I exchanged it for some money, bought some grains, and went home to cook a meal, saving the two children who were on the brink of starvation.Once the children had recovered a little, I took them with me to find Jerome.After a long and bumpy journey, about half a day later, we arrived at the place where Jerome lived.Only then did I realize he had been living less than 30 miles away from us. Yet, in the past three years, he had not come to see us even once.I spoke to the guard, and he warmly led us to Jerome's place."Mr. and Mrs. Shaw! You have guests!" the guard shouted.The door opened, and a familiar voice shouted, "Who is it?"When we met face to face, both I and Miranda Jones froze. She was wearing a floral blouse and clean black pants.I wore an 8-year-old short-sleeved shirt, one that had already faded from countless washes.My hair was messy, and my skin had become rough from years of exposur

Chapter 2

I had already witnessed this scene in my previous life.Eight years ago, Jerome's elder brother was severely injured in a mining explosion. Before dying, he entrusted his wife and two children to Jerome.From that day onward, our two families became one.At first, Miranda and her children lived with us in the countryside. Jerome always divided his income and gifts into two portions for the family back home. Life was tight, but we got along reasonably well.Three years ago, Jerome was promoted and given a dormitory. He discussed with me that it was not proper for a widow like Miranda to stay in the village—it would invite gossip.She did not have good social ties like I did, so he planned to take her with him. He said that he would bring me and our kids over after she and the children got settled in.Naively, I agreed.What I did not expect was that, along with Miranda, our living expenses also left.Every month, he sent me letters saying he missed me, loved me, and missed the c

Chapter 3

I was stunned by the words that came out of his mouth."When did you send me money?""I sent it every month!"As soon as he said that, something seemed to occur to Jerome. He strode into the bathroom and called Miranda into the study.Soon I heard her crying. When she came out, her eyes were red.Jerome looked embarrassed. He explained to me, saying, "I gave all my salary to Miranda to manage. I told her to send you half every month. She…she must have forgotten.""Forgotten?" I laughed in disbelief. "For one month—maybe I'd believe that. But three years? She didn't send a single cent in three years. Funny how she never forgets to eat."My tone clearly displeased Jerome. "Nathalie, don't speak like that. Miranda manages everything in this family. It's not easy for her either. She told me the household expenses were much more than I imagined. She doesn't earn money, and those two kids are growing. She didn't pocket anything."I could not hold it in anymore. "Her kids are growing,

Chapter 4

Jerome and Miranda were stunned when I knelt and cried.Everyone around us went silent, their eyes turning toward us in unison.Many of them recognized Jerome and began whispering."Isn't that Jerome and Miranda? Who's the one kneeling?""She just said husband—wait, don't tell me he and his wife…"The hushed gossip reached Jerome's ears. His face paled and he tried to pull me up.However, my knees were stuck to the ground—I did not move.He leaned down and pleaded softly in my ear, "Nathalie, come on. I know you're upset, but this isn't the place to cause a scene. Let's find somewhere to talk privately."I bit my lip and wrapped my arms around his waist."Jerome, don't drive me away. I know I'm not as pretty or capable as Miranda, but I can learn. Back then, you said that she was a widow with no one in the countryside, and she'd be bullied—so you brought her to the city and left the three of us behind. But it's been three years now. Can't she take care of herself now?"Don't

Chapter 5

My arm was covered in large bruises and puncture marks from needles.Once they were exposed, a gasp echoed from the crowd.Those people were children of farmers. They knew all too well that survival in the countryside depended on the land. Without food, there was no life.It was then that someone finally noticed—the clothes worn by Miranda's children were made of expensive, high-quality fabric, while my children were dressed in rags, their sleeves tattered. They also had frostbite covering their tiny arms."Oh my god, how did she survive in the countryside with two children?""The government already gave her compensation. Yet, she's still shamelessly clinging to another man's life and taking up someone else's resources. That's just wrong."When Jerome saw the marks on my arms, his eyes finally flickered with remorse.He knew life had been hard for me—but he never imagined it had come to the point where I was selling my blood."Nathalie, I…I…" he stammered, unable to form a comp

Chapter 6

In the end, Jerome and I got a divorce.Despite everyone urging him to send Miranda away, he still could not bear to let her go.After the divorce, I felt utterly disillusioned. I had no interest in the mess that was their private life anymore.Once everything was settled, the chief gave me a sum of money.He said it was to make up for what Jerome should have given me in compensation.He also told me that a portion of Jerome's future salary would be deducted to pay child support.With that money, I settled in the city.I had gone to school when I was younger and knew a bit of Drakovian, so I found work as a foreign language teacher at the local middle school.My two children officially started elementary school.Life was still difficult, but compared to before, it was already much better.I never stopped Jerome from visiting the kids—but he never once came to see them.The children no longer talked about their father like they used to.After seeing Jerome's true nature, the

Chapter 7

From that day onward, Jerome appeared frequently at my doorstep.At first, he brought small things—food and daily necessities. Then, he came with bigger things—like a television and a telephone.I told him time and again not to waste his efforts. I had no intention of forgiving him.He just smiled bitterly. "I'm not asking for forgiveness anymore. I just want to make it up to you and the children."I did not stop him from interacting with the kids.I had thought, given their personalities, they would eventually forgive Jerome.However, to my surprise, although they accepted what he brought, they never said they forgave him.When I asked them why, my son said, "That night, when you knelt and begged for him to come back, and he still refused us—I stopped acknowledging him as my father."Dad didn't come back because he knew he was wrong. He came back because no one else wanted him anymore."I was shocked by my son's clarity and maturity.Later, I ran into the chief's wife on the

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