Chapter 2

I knew Alisa's jacket was Chanel because the second I walked in, she had run over to me to brag about it.

Back then, Skylar quickly dragged her aside and explained to me that he had gotten a discount through a mutual connection and that it barely cost him anything.

Before I could ask more questions, Helen started pressuring me with their so-called hometown customs.

"Seriously, if you're this stingy on your first visit to Skylar's house, won't you drain him of everything he has the moment you marry him?

"It's embarrassing that you can't even fork over 4,000 dollars. How does someone like you think you deserve him?"

Alisa spat onto my shoes with a look of disdain.

I looked up to meet her arrogant gaze.

"Shut up, Alisa," Skylar barked, then turned around to soothe me. "Don't be upset, Freya. Alisa just meant well.

"What will our family think of you if you don't hand out the cash gifts today? What will they think of me?"

Unbelievable.

I looked back and forth between the two of them, one playing the good cop and the other the bad cop. They were trying to guilt-trip me.

"Fine. I can hand out the cash gifts."

The moment the words left my mouth, Skylar's eyes lit up.

I stood up straight and added, "But have your mom transfer that 9,200 dollars to me first. Once I have the cash, I'll immediately hand out the gifts to your relatives.

"That way, your family keeps their pride, and my family's traditions are respected. It's a win-win."

"What?"

Before Skylar could even respond, Alisa's eyes widened. "Do you have any shame at all, Freya? It's your first visit, yet you dare to demand money. Are you for sale or something?

"Ah! What are you doing?"

I stomped hard on her slipper.

She screamed out in pain and stumbled backward until Skylar caught her.

Crossing my arms, I looked at her and said, "Watch your mouth. Who exactly is the shameless one here?

"Your aunt demanded thousands of dollars from me the second I walked in. How is that any different from daylight robbery?"

"How dare you!"

Enraged, she lunged forward and reached out to grab my hair.

"Enough!"

Skylar checked her foot before turning back to me with a dark expression. "Why are you being so petty with a kid, Freya? You've gone too far."

A kid? A giant infant in her twenties?

I couldn't even be bothered to argue anymore. I pushed past him, walked into the living room to grab my bag, and headed for the door without looking back.

"Freya! What are you doing?"

The relatives' glances darted between us.

Helen's face flushed between a pale white and a furious red. When she saw me walking out, she let out a sharp, sarcastic snort.

"Uneducated and uncultured! Don't you dare chase after her, Skylar. A daughter-in-law like that needs to be taught some discipline!"

Behind me, I heard Skylar's hesitant footsteps stop at the door.

…

The snow fell heavily.

By the time I finally made it home, I was shivering violently from the freezing cold.

Mom and Dad already had dinner ready. When they noticed the distressed look on my face, they anxiously asked what had happened.

After I explained the ordeal, Dad sat in silence and downed a glass of beer. "You need to reconsider this marriage carefully, Freya."

"He's right," Mom said with a sigh. "I don't care if the man you marry is wealthy or not; I just want him to truly love you.

"It's completely fine if he's a little poor. What matters most is that he doesn't play psychological games with you or make you suffer."

That night, I lay in bed and stared at the photos of us in my album. A bitter, heavy feeling settled in my chest.

Two years ago, I was hospitalized for sudden acute appendicitis. Skylar had stayed by my bedside for days on end, with dark circles under his eyes and stubble under his chin as he gently fed me soup.

He used to remember all anniversaries in our relationship and constantly planned secret surprises for me.

We had joined the company at the same time. During our initial prohibition period, his monthly pay was only 2,000 dollars, yet he had willingly spent 1,800 dollars buying me a necklace.

When I felt bad about him spending so much money, he solemnly told me, "You deserve the very best, Freya."

When had he started to change?"