Chapter 16
Around six or seven in the evening, the night market was buzzing with activity. Alex pulled Ellie to a stop behind a car and pointed ahead. “Ellie, check this out. I didn’t stir up any drama between them this time.”
Ellie followed his gaze and saw Haley arguing with Aaron on the sidewalk. Haley was clearly upset, pointing at Aaron and crying about his mistakes. Ellie felt a knot in her stomach.
“Why did you take a job at the Earl Hotel, Aaron? It’s the fanciest place in town, and you know my family goes there all the time!” Haley cried, frustration spilling over. Aaron reached out to wipe her tears, but she pushed his hand away.
With a sigh, Aaron replied, “Haley, you know my family’s situation. I took that part-time job to help pay for my dad’s medicine.”
Ignoring the curious stares from people passing by, Haley’s emotions were spiraling. “You’re always focused on your family and making money for your dad. Have you ever thought about how I feel?”
Haley continued. “The Owens family is well-respected in town. If people find out my boyfriend is working as a bellboy, carrying bags and opening doors, what will that do to my parents’ reputation?”
Aaron looked hurt. His hands, which had been on her shoulders, fell to his sides, clenched into fists.
After a moment, he spoke, surprisingly calm. “Haley, I know it’s tough being with me, but I’m earning money honestly. I don’t think that’s something to be ashamed of.”
Frustrated by his stubbornness, Haley burst into tears. “Aaron, you need to quit that job and find something better, or we’re… done.”
Aaron’s expression shifted to serious. “Haley, if you want to break up, think it through and talk to me when you’re calm. I don’t like it when you use breakups as a threat to get me to change.”
Ellie couldn’t stand it any longer. She turned away from her brother, her eyes filling with tears. Watching him being threatened by Haley was just too much.
That defeated look on his face didn’t suit him at all. How much can poverty bring someone down? It felt like Aaron was living proof.
Since she joined the Warren family, Ellie had learned to play nice, trying to keep everyone happy, even the staff. She was scared that if she upset someone, she might lose her tuition for the next semester.
Aaron had it even tougher living with their parents; whenever he bought anything, the first thing he did was check the price.
They say kids without a safe home don’t look forward to going back. But for Ellie and Aaron, there was no resentment toward their parents or their home—just a heavy sense of guilt.
They wished they could work harder to afford the best medicine for their dad and make sure their mom didn’t have to wear those faded sleeves anymore. Is being poor really a fault?
“Are you brave enough to make a bet with me?” Alex’s teasing voice pulled her out of her thoughts.
With red-rimmed eyes, Ellie shot him a look, feeling the joy on his face was a cruel joke. “What do you want to bet on?” she asked.
“I bet that Haley will break up with Aaron and choose me,” Alex said, a smirk on his face.
Ellie looked down, and Alex added, “If you lose, you have to do whatever I say from now on.”
Her lashes fluttered, glistening with tears. “And what if you lose?” she asked softly.
