These were the means used by Bruce to force me to surrender. I could ignore myself, but I couldn't ignore my family.
Dylan said that it didn't matter and that if he couldn't find a job, he could take it as a holiday. My parents also told me to be at ease and not to give in, because at worst, they could close the restaurant.
I knew that they did this because they didn't want to embarrass me, but I couldn't implicate them.
For my family, I had to find Bruce and give in, forcing myself to say those words against my will. "Bruce, I was wrong. I shouldn't have treated Carol like that. Please let my family go."
Bruce cut the steak elegantly and said in a commanding tone, "I said that I will only stop punishing you if you apologize to Carol in person."
Gritting my teeth, I came to Carol, the person I hated the most, and said with difficulty, "I'm sorry, Carol. I was wrong."
Carol pretended to be a good person and kindly reached out to take my hands. "Flora, it's all a misunderstanding. It's okay."
I suppressed my nausea and let her take my hands.
I knew that I would not gain any advantage if I confronted Bruce head-on.