"One million dollars. Not a penny less!"
My husband and I nearly dropped our jaws. One million?
The audacity of this girl.
"Claire, do you have any idea how much money that is?"
She waved dismissively. "It's just a million, Mom. It's not like you can't afford it."
My husband's brow furrowed. "You think a million dollars grows on trees? And we already agreed the baby would take our name. Now we have to pay for that privilege?"
Edward, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. "Mom, Dad—a million is pocket change to you. But it would mean the world to my parents. It would ease their minds."
He paused, then added with a hint of defiance: "Besides, Claire and I have decided. You'll be raising Noah anyway. He's a Carter now—isn't that what you wanted?"
His tone bordered on petulant. I opened my mouth to snap back, but my husband tugged at my sleeve and shook his head.
"Fine," he said flatly. "A million it is. From now on, Noah lives with us. He's a Carter, through and through."
The moment the money transferred, Edward's demeanor transformed. Suddenly all smiles.
My husband said he understood. After all, Noah was a boy—of course the Chavez family wouldn't want to give up the family name easily. Consider the million... compensation.
Once Noah moved in, our home filled with laughter again.
Claire and Edward started visiting more often too.
One evening at dinner, Claire mentioned she wanted a new car.
I chuckled. "So buy one. Since when do you need our permission?"
She grinned, tilting her head. "Well, I was hoping you and Dad might chip in a little."
My chopsticks froze midair. "Claire. Are you out of money?"
"Mm-hmm." She nodded without a trace of shame. "Completely broke."
My grip tightened until my knuckles went white. The anger rose in my chest like steam from a kettle.
Last time, she'd demanded a million to "compensate" her in-laws.
Then came another request—fifty thousand more for Edward. After all, he was the father. A man. Having his son carry another family's name had wounded his pride, apparently.
So we transferred another fifty thousand.
That was less than a week ago. And now she wanted car money?
At this rate, I'd be bankrupt before Noah even started kindergarten.
"Claire!" I slammed my palm on the table. "Your father and I are not running a bank!"
"Yesterday it was a million. Today it's fifty thousand. Tomorrow you'll want a house! I can't keep funding your lifestyle!"
"What happened to the fifty thousand we just gave Edward? Wasn't that enough for a car?"
Claire pouted. "Well, Ulysses Chavez is getting married. They need money for a car, a house, the bride price—you know how it is."
My blood ran cold.
"The million for your in-laws? The fifty thousand for Edward?" I stared at her. "All of it went to fund his brother's wedding?"
My husband and I exchanged glances. His face had gone pale with fury.
"They used our money to marry off their younger son?" His voice trembled.
Edward stepped forward, palms raised. "Dad, please understand. My brother's fiancée's family demanded a car and a house. You know my family doesn't have much, so..."
He shrugged helplessly. "I couldn't just watch him lose his chance at marriage. Everyone spends money on weddings, right?"
Claire jumped to his defense. "Exactly! We're all family here. Why do you have to be so stingy about everything?"
I drew a long breath, forcing myself to stay calm.
"Edward." My voice was ice. "You just said everyone spends money on weddings."
I leaned forward.
"So tell me—how much did you spend to marry my daughter?"
The color drained from his face.
Claire immediately stepped in front of him like a shield. "Mom, enough! You know perfectly well his family doesn't have money!"
I slammed my chopsticks onto the table with a crack.
"If they don't have money, then they should act like it! They should be humble! Grateful!" My voice rose. "Instead of treating us like an open wallet!"
