Chapter 2

Taking a deep breath, I did my best to remain calm.

"Since things have come to this, there's no need for us to marry anymore. I refuse to do all those chores. I'm not marrying into your family to become a free housekeeper, especially since housekeepers get paid at least a few thousand dollars each month. I didn't even ask your family for a bride price."

At that, Anthony's head snapped up, his face flushed a bright red as he yelled lividly, "You're finally speaking the truth, huh? You're still hung up on the fact that I didn't pay you a bride price, aren't you?"

The moment he said that, my vision went dark, and it was almost like all the strength had left my body.

Anthony and I were alumni from the same university. For eight entire years after we graduated, he remained by my side as a friend. Whenever I broke up with my boyfriends and needed comfort, he would spend the whole night chatting with me. When I was sick, he would buy me medicine.

Like a knight, he silently protected me for eight years.

I had always thought that finding such sincerity in this shallow, fast-paced society was a rarity. So when he eventually confessed to me, I didn't hesitate to agree to be with him.

After we got together, he treated me very well. He was gentle, thoughtful, and understanding, and would always go along with whatever I wanted.

The only problem was that he had no money.

Hence, out of consideration for his pride and feelings, I never once put him in a difficult spot. Every time we went out on a date, I would use all sorts of excuses to pay the bill.

"I have vouchers for this restaurant.

"I won a prize for a free two-person meal.

"There's some money in my membership card, so let's use that to pay first."

When he received his salary and wanted to buy me something, I would think up different reasons to refuse, then come up with various other reasons to transfer him money.

For the past few years, I nurtured our relationship with the utmost care.

Then, at the beginning of this year, he said he wanted to marry me, and I thought that the difficult days were finally over.

However, when I returned home and told my parents about it, they adamantly disagreed.

Mom tugged on me with tears streaming down her face. "One should always marry someone who is their equal. Only suffering and hardship await you if you marry him."

Yet, I repeatedly said to her, "But he really does treat me very well. I'm marrying him because of who he is as a person, not because of his family's wealth. Or in this case, lack thereof."

Unable to win against my stubbornness, Mom finally relented. Her eyes were red-rimmed as she told me, "Then I'll prepare a million-dollar wedding gift for you, along with a marital home at the city center and some other properties. With this, at least you won't have to suffer once you marry him.

"Go on and pursue your happiness. I'll always have your back."

At the time, I thought I was being brave for love.

Yet now, in his eyes, all my sacrifices and sincerity amounted to nothing more than being hung up on that bit of wedding gift.

Thoroughly disappointed in him, I couldn't even find the energy to argue with him.

"If you're convinced that I'm looking down on you because of that, then so be it. I'm calling off this marriage."

I picked up my purse and got ready to leave. All I could think about was how I wanted to escape from this suffocating place as quickly as possible.

However, Joana rushed over and seized my arm in a tight grip, shrieking at the top of her lungs, "Trying to leave already? So you came to our home today to sponge off of us, huh? You drank two glasses of fruit juice and ate almost half a pound of strawberries, then now you're going to leave just like that?

"Marrying into our family is an honor, but you clearly don't have that luck. Whatever the case, you have to pay us compensation for what you ate and drank! Either you do those chores, or you pay up! How are we supposed to live if every woman who comes to our house eats and drinks for free?"

I was dizzy from the sheer anger coursing through me at her shameless behavior, and all I wanted was to get out of here as soon as I could.

"Five dollars for the two cups of juice and ten dollars for the strawberries. I'll transfer Anthony 50 dollars. Is that enough?"

Taking out my phone, I transferred 50 dollars to Anthony on the spot.

"There. I've transferred the money. Can I go now?"

But Joana simply exploded once more.

"What's the meaning of this? Are you looking down on our family? We won't take advantage of you! However, since you insist on calculating everything so clearly, let's break everything down properly! Don't you think you should also pay back all the money my son spent on your birthdays, presents, and flowers?"

Anthony spoke up in a small voice, his tone timid yet self-righteous. "Mandy, it's true that I spent quite a bit on you all these years…"

It was then that I discovered that people really would laugh when pushed beyond the limits of their rage.

I laughed at myself for being so oblivious to Anthony's true character, for allowing myself to be blinded by my love, and for giving my whole heart to someone so unworthy.