Marco fell silent for a moment, then said a little sheepishly, "I work as a construction worker in the Dock District. I mix concrete..."
Alvin hesitated, then looked at Marco, who seemed determined to turn his life around. "There's still an opening for a security guard at the school. It pays $5,000 a month. The salary isn't great, but Emma can attend school there for free.
Do you think you could support her?"
Marco rubbed his hands together excitedly and turned a few circles on the spot. Then he looked at Emma and grinned. "I can, I can! I don't really need to spend money on myself. I'll save enough for Emma's college tuition, I promise..."
Alvin looked at Paxton and Annie and smiled. "Forgive me for making assumptions, but I don't think you'd refuse to let Emma go back to her father. Right?"
Before Alvin's stunned eyes, Annie covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face as she nodded. "Yes, yes. We're so happy Emma's dad can take her home..."
As she spoke, Annie seemed to realize she'd said the wrong thing. She stood up and rushed to Emma, hugging the girl tightly. Emma looked a little frail, but Annie held on as she cried. "I'm sorry. I'm just so happy you found your dad. We still love you..."
Emma seemed used to Annie's temperament. The little girl, only seven or eight years old, patted Annie's shoulder reassuringly and smiled. "Thank you, Mom Annie. Now I have two dads and one mom. Does that mean I'll be even happier?"
Annie wiped her tears and nodded furiously, then held Emma's face as if she could never look at her enough...
Watching Annie, whose kindness was almost excessive, Shang-Chi finally began to wonder whether he'd done the right thing. Someone so