Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Future Bride’s Warning: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

I gripped my phone, unable to say a word. By the time Mom and Craig Eaton reached me, I managed to compose myself.Craig ruffled my hair. "Diane, why are you so quiet? Are you still upset we took Gwen on vacation without you?"At Mom's frown, I shook my head instinctively. "No," I said. "I just finished packing. I'm a little tired."Her expression softened, and she held out a bag of groceries. "You've had time to rest. Go get dinner started. Gwen's eating with us tonight. I'll go pick her up from Asher's."I left the bag hanging in her hand and looked at her. "Gwen's just our neighbor's daughter, but you always seem to care more about her than me. Why is that?"Mom froze, and Craig's smile faded. He took the groceries from her and nudged me toward the stairs. "Come on, don't say that. You're her daughter. Of course, she loves you most. Let's go. I'll help with dinner."Back in our apartment, Craig rolled up his sleeves and washed vegetables beside me at the sink. I studie

I stared at Craig for a long moment, then nodded. "Fine. I won't make this hard for you. I'll stay with Gwen for another year. But if you want me to be her maid, you'll have to pay me. Ten grand."Mom exchanged a look with Craig. She slowly lowered her hand instead of slapping me again and let out a relieved breath."Alright. I'll transfer it in a minute. Just take good care of Gwen."Craig hurried over, staring at my swollen cheek. "Does it hurt? Let me get you some ice."I walked past them and went to my room, still holding a hand to my face.Another text from Peyton appeared on my phone.[Don't worry. Your visa should be ready tomorrow. Your scholarship covers full tuition, and I can help with living expenses.]Before I could reply, a bank notification popped up.[You received a transfer of 10,000 dollars. Memo: Take good care of Gwen.]Mom sent it. My lips twisted into a bitter smile as I read the message.Growing up, I couldn't even ask for money for school without a l

Mom, Craig, and Gwen froze as the officers took out their handcuffs."Come with us."Craig stumbled as an officer led him away. Looking back, he saw another officer crouched outside my bedroom, examining the lock.The officer took a few photos, then stood. "It locks from the outside. Looks like they were holding her against her will, too."The lead officer nodded, then turned back to them. "Keep moving."At the station, they sat under harsh fluorescent lights. Gwen turned to Craig. "I thought you took her phone. How did she call the cops?"The officer taking notes looked up. "You took her phone?"He checked the belongings collected from Craig during booking and found it."You took away her only way to call for help," he told Craig. "That could mean another charge."Gwen's eyes widened. She quickly looked down, realizing what she had just admitted.Mom leaned forward. "All he did was take her phone. Since when is that a crime?"She bought it with scholarship money. She wo

I gave Gwen a cold smile. "You offered to pay. If you don't want to, take your chances in court. As far as I'm concerned, 50 grand doesn't begin to make up for what you did."Gwen fell silent.Mom stepped forward, her eyes red. It took her a while to manage an apology."Diane, I was wrong. But calling the police? On your own mother?"Her voice rose, and any trace of remorse disappeared."I worked hard to raise you. Yes, I bought the medication, but I didn't know your allergy was that serious. What will people think when they hear you sent your own mother to prison?"My throat tightened. "You raised me? No, Dad raised me. Did you ever even ask how I was doing? All you cared about was shopping and gambling."When Dad was away on business, I came to you because I was hungry. You wouldn't even give me money to buy food."You slapped me and told me to leave you alone so you could keep playing. You said you already spent enough money on me, then blamed me for losing the game."You

Over the next seven years, I earned my bachelor's degree and stayed on for a PhD under Peyton. I published papers in leading journals, won awards, and became the youngest researcher to lead a team in the lab.One day, I stopped by Peyton's office with the latest issue of a journal. She was looking at the cashmere scarf I bought her the week before."Diane, what did I tell you about spending so much on me? You're making good money now. Put some aside for yourself. I don't need anything this fancy."I smiled and draped the scarf over her shoulders, adjusting the ends. "You deserve something nice. Besides, I plan on having you around for a long time."She gave me an affectionate smile. "You really don't give up, do you?"Then she patted my hand, her expression turning serious. "I've had a job offer back home. I've decided to take it and move back for good. Would you come with me?"I hesitated, and she quickly added, "Only if you want to. You can stay here at the lab. It's your cho