Chapter 3

That same night, Tim uploaded a post just as I thought.

It was a photo of his fingers interlocked with Nana's, captioned: [Finally marrying the one I love.]

The comments came before long.

[Did your family agree to it?]

Tim replied: [They couldn't even wait for me to be gone.]

[I've been living under their control from the start.]

[This time, I'm living for myself.]

I started at those lines, my fingers hovering over the screen.

When I saw those same lines in my last life, I tried to call him to ask him to delete it, but he never answered.

When I sent dozens of texts asking him not to put our disagreement online, his reply was: [All you care about is being embarrassed? Have you ever cared about me?]

This time, I didn't call or text him. I merely liked his post.

I then looked up and saw Joe pursing his lips as he stepped out of his room. "He was being so mean, but you liked that post?"

I put my phone on the table. "He can say anything he likes."

Joe looked worried as he sat beside me. "That girlfriend of his seems suspicious…"

"That's his problem."

Joe held my gaze for a while. "Did something happen, mom?"

I felt pain inside me as I tousled his hair. "Nothing… I just suddenly realized that everyone should bear the consequences of their actions."

-

Tim and Nana were back early the next morning.

Tim slammed a budget sheet for his wedding on the table.

"I've chosen the wedding planner, and there'd be thirty tables for the banquet. Add that along with the wedding photography and wedding dress, that's $28,000. Nana said simple renovations at the new house will surface, and that's around $60,000. Wire the money to me now."

As I scanned through the budget sheet, I asked, "Where will the wedding be held?"

"The five-star hotel downtown, of course," Tim replied as if it was only natural. "It's grand, and our relatives would feel honored being invited to such a prestigious venue."

"With what money?" I then asked.

"You can cover for us."

I slid the budget sheet back to him. "No, I won't."

Tim's face dropped. "You agreed to this yesterday. "

"I agreed to give you my blessing, not my money."

Nana frowned as she interjected, "We're going to be family soon, ma'am…"

I turned to her. "And you're spending my money already? Even before you're legally his wife?"

Nana was left stumped, while Tim's eyes went red with rage. "You have the money! Why won't you help me?"

I didn't bother to argue. "It's your wedding. Pay for it yourself."

He glared at me, but soon grabbed the budget sheet and stormed off.

Nana didn't follow him immediately, instead watching me and said quietly, "Please, Mrs. Liston. Tim is just hotheaded, so don't hold this against him… But I will definitely give him what he wants."

I turned to her. "And what are you going to give him?

Nana smiled. "Happiness."

"And that's worth $600,000?"

Nana's smile stiffened, but I didn't care.