Chapter 1

"You materialistic woman, who gave you permission to buy a milkshake? There's free plain water to drink, yet you insist on getting a milkshake? What a waste of money!"

Leah Doherty was the mother of my boyfriend, Jonathan Jenson. Upon seeing the milkshake in my hand, she was absolutely furious with me and went off the rails.

I was utterly dumbfounded at her sudden outburst.

What did I do? It was just a milkshake.

Besides, I had been working the entire day and was exhausted. Was there any issue with me rewarding myself with a delicious beverage?

Before I could say anything, Leah snatched the drink from my hand and dumped it in the trash bin.

"All you know is to waste money on such drinks. You're not the least bit frugal or good at running a household. In fact, you're nothing like a proper, virtuous woman!"

I was so enraged by her action that a harsh laugh escaped my lips.

"I bought this milkshake with my own money. What, can't I even have the freedom to do that? Besides, are you implying that you're virtuous and frugal? In that case, what's with the branded bags you carried around every day? If you really wanted to manage the household finances well, you could always just use a plain canvas bag!"

My words caused Leah to freeze momentarily before she replied, "As if I'm the same as you! I'm spending my son's money!"

I couldn't help but find her words hilarious.

"The money your son spends is also my money."

"What do you mean, yours? You're dating my son, which makes all that money his! What right do you have to spend that money without asking for our permission first?"

She slammed a hand on the table in fury, subconsciously raising her voice.

At that, I turned to look at Jonathan, who was playing a game on the couch, in hopes that he would make her see reason.

"Jonathan, could you talk to her?"

I was sure he would speak up on my behalf. After all, we'd been dating for over a decade, and he had always been very good to me.

Back in high school, I was ostracized and picked on by the other students because of my poor background. Someone even framed me for stealing money, and after that, everyone treated me coldly. Jonathan was the only one who believed I was innocent.

Not only had he stepped forward in my defence to clear my name, but he had even comforted me with a milkshake. After that, he would often bring breakfast for me or give me snacks.

After we got together, we agreed to go to the same university. Every time I had a conflict with someone else, Jonathan would stand on my side without any hesitation.

He was like a ray of light, constantly by my side as he illuminated the dark moments of my life.

That was why, when he lost his job, I offered for him to move in with me.

Knowing he'd be feeling down, I showered him with good food and drink, even gave him my money to spend. All in all, I treated him almost like a deity.

It wasn't long after that that Jonathan brought his mother over to live with us, without even asking me first. We got into an argument because of it, but he explained that she simply wanted to take better care of us. Eventually, the issue faded into obscurity.

Leah knew nothing about taking care of others, and I kept getting this feeling that she was inexplicably hostile toward me. Still, she was Jonathan's mother, so I decided it might be better for him to talk sense into her.

However, what came out of Jonathan's mouth next had me so shocked that I stood rooted to the spot in astonishment.

"Cassie, my mom is right. Since you're my girlfriend, naturally, that money belongs to me."

I was stunned that Jonathan would side with his mother when she was clearly the one out of line.

Was this still the same young man I remembered? The one who was warm, gentle, and understanding?

In the past, he had always been biased toward me and would spoil me unconditionally.

"What sort of twisted logic is that? Why should the money belong to you just because we're together?" I snapped somewhat unhappily, frowning.

Jonathan continued speaking as though he hadn't noticed my dark expression. "Hasn't it always been like that since ancient times? A woman listens to her father before marriage, and once she's married, that authority goes to her husband. Isn't it only normal for a woman to be virtuous, proper, and manage a household well?

"If you ask me, you've been watching too much brainrot on the internet! That's why you've now become so materialistic and vain."