Chapter 2

The next day was a Saturday.

Shelly rushed through breakfast, then went to put on makeup and change her clothes.

Before leaving, she stood at the door putting on her heels.

Watching her carefully made-up face, I slowly asked, "Will you be back for dinner?"

She pulled the door open without looking back. "Not sure. Depends on how much work there is. I might not make it back. Don't wait for me tonight."

The door clicked shut.

I walked to the window and looked down.

Shelly didn't head toward the bus stop. Instead, she got into a black Mercedes that had been waiting by the curb.

I took out my phone and made a call.

"Hello? I need your help with something."

The noon sun was a bit glaring.

Carrying the carefully prepared gift, I went to Shelly's parents' house alone without telling her.

Her mother, Nadine Drake, froze for a moment when she opened the door, then immediately warmed up.

Her father, Franklin Hartman, also stood up from the couch and walked over with a smile to greet me.

Mrs. Hartman took the noticeably expensive gift from my hands, her tone growing more cordial.

"Emory, what brings you here? Why didn't Shelly come with you?"

"She's working overtime today. I realized I hadn't visited you both in a while, so I thought I'd drop by."

"What perfect timing! I'll whip up a few more dishes—you have to try them."

The table was laden with a generous feast, and Mrs. Hartman kept piling food onto my plate.

As we chatted, the conversation gradually turned to serious matters.

Mr. Hartman set down his fork and asked tentatively, "Emory, you and Shelly have been together for several years now, so don't you think it's time to get married?"

I swallowed the food in my mouth and replied with a measured smile, "Mr. Hartman, Mrs. Hartman, don't worry. I've already got the wedding date in mind. I just need to finalize it with Shelly. As for the wedding gift…"

I paused, noticing them subconsciously lean forward.

"My family and I have discussed it, and we've decided to give 1.8 million dollars in cash," I said casually, as if I were talking about the weather.

Mr. Hartman and Mrs. Hartman were both stunned. They exchanged a glance, unable to hide their surprise.

I continued, "Plus a fully paid-off two-thousand-square-foot apartment downtown and a BMW—both will be under Shelly's name alone."

"1.8 million dollars? And an apartment and a car?" Mrs. Hartman repeated in a trembling voice. She could hardly believe it. "Emory, Shelly never mentioned your family being this well-off before."

I'd come prepared with an answer.

"We just got lucky, I guess," I replied with an easy-going laugh. "There was a demolition on some old property back in my hometown, and we got a settlement. My parents said it worked out perfectly, as it could go toward starting our life together as a married couple."

This reason was simple, straightforward, and hard to verify.

The doubt on their faces vanished in an instant, replaced entirely by a pleasant surprise.

Mr. Hartman gave my shoulder a firm pat, his face beaming with happiness.

"Good! Wonderful! We don't have to worry about Shelly anymore now that she's in good hands."

Mrs. Hartman was smiling from ear to ear, looking at me as if I were a treasure.

I sneered inwardly. Although they had always been polite to me before this, there had always been a subtle judgment—the kind reserved for a lowly office worker.

Now that the money, apartment, and car were laid out, their attitude toward me had completely changed.

Like a dutiful and devoted son-in-law, I continued to raise the stakes.

"Mr. Hartman, Mrs. Hartman, once the wedding is behind us and we're settled, I'll send you two on an all-expenses-paid luxury tour across the country. You just have fun and buy whatever you like."

"An all-expenses-paid luxury tour?" Mrs. Hartman exclaimed, her eyes lighting up.

"That's right. Since you're both retired and don't have much going on, you might as well get out and have some fun."

I smiled, painting a picture they had never even imagined for themselves.

"Oh my, we couldn't possibly accept the offer," Mr. Hartman said politely, but a smile was already plastered all over his face.

"It's only right," I said sincerely. "Shelly is the best thing that's ever happened to me, so it's my responsibility to take care of her family as well."

I spoke so genuinely that even I almost believed it.