“Yasmine, that workbook is a total waste of time, and the tutor Anthony’s mom hired is a joke. I can’t even answer half the questions!” Holly complained.
My parents were quick to soothe her. “If you’re struggling, chances are everyone else is too. We Shaws have always been lucky, so you’re bound to ace it!”
Holly perked up at that, a hint of optimism in her voice.
“You know, you might be onto something. Maybe I’ll slide into a top university after all!”
I could not help but snicker at her hopeful logic.
Holly, already on edge and making excuses, caught my laughter and saw it as an opportunity to lash out.
“If I don’t make it, it’s all going to be your fault and that lousy workbook’s,” she declared, storming over to me with a raised hand.
However, before she could land a hit, Anthony had her arm twisted behind her back.
“Ouch! Anthony, let go!” Holly yelped, drawing a crowd of curious onlookers fresh out of their exams.
Anthony, still in his crisp military uniform, did not want to cause a scene, so he released her but stood firm, shielding me like a human fortress.
Holly massaged her wrist, her gaze landing on the transfer orders in my hand.
“So, you’re off to the frontier? Anthony, no hard feelings, but apart from your looks, what else have you got going for you?
“Even though your dad’s a high–ranking official, he never pulled any strings. You, Anthony, you’re a one–of–a- kind leader’s son in Riverton–because you’re nothing like one!”
Marvin, Anthony’s dad, never played the power card, and Anthony never hid behind his dad’s shadow. Those were the virtues of their family, but Holly twisted them into something stupid.
I snapped, “Holly, Anthony is my husband no matter what. You’ve got no right to bad–mouth him!”
That set Holly off.
She lunged at me, fists ready. “Yasmine, standing up for your man now, huh? Who are you to talk back to me?!
