When Anthony’s sister got married, they demanded 288,000 dollars.
I had told my parents we would only ask for a symbolic 88,000.
How foolish I had been, lowering my own worth so easily. Looking back now, I feel that my willingness to compromise felt nothing short of pathetic.
***
On Monday, Anthony returned.
He looked exhausted, his face drawn with guilt.
I acted as if I knew nothing.
That day, I had overheard him arguing with his parents. He had fought back—maybe not enough, but at least he had tried.
Perhaps a part of him still cared.
So, I decided to give him a chance. A chance to prove himself. A chance to fight for me… and for himself.
I set the table, filling two tall glasses with red wine.
Anthony adjusted his glasses, looking hesitant. Guilt flickered in his eyes.
"Aurelia, I’m sorry… I’ve been busy lately and didn’t prepare a gift."
Today marked our sixth anniversary.
Every year, he gave me something, no matter how small, that he always remembered.
Maybe this time, the wedding had preoccupied him.
I pulled out a chair and gestured for him to sit.
"It’s okay. You know I’m not the type to care about gifts. What matters to me is sincerity…"
His face shifted as if something had just occurred to him.
For a brief moment, excitement flashed in his eyes.
I ate slowly, taking unhurried bites and sipping my wine, letting the silence stretch before casually steering the conversation.
"How’s the wedding discussion with your parents going?"
His chewing stopped. For a fleeting second, his expression stiffened before he forced a smile.
"It’s almost settled."
My voice turned colder, my grip tightening around the stem of my glass.
"What about the banquet? The betrothal money? Have they been decided?"
He gave a small nod.
"Yeah."
A bitter sting crept up my nose and I tilted my head back, draining my glass in one go.
My heart clenched, my thoughts tangled into knots I couldn’t unravel.
Was he truly just obeying his parents?
Or was he planning to stall, waiting until I was too far along, until I had no escape, before taking me in?
I looked at the man I had loved for six years, yet, in that moment, he felt like a stranger.
It wasn’t as if he didn’t know what I wanted.
I majored in fashion design.
Back in college, I had already sketched, sewn and perfected a wedding dress meant only for me.
And I had told him, so many times, I wanted to marry him in the dress I had created.
And now… was he truly going to stand by and let his parents scheme while shattering my dream with his own hands?
Doubt gnawed at me, creeping into every corner of my mind, unraveling the last threads of trust I had left.
After that night, I packed my things and moved back to my mom’s place.
Life carried on. I went to work every day, stuck to my routine, never missing a beat.
After all, I wasn’t the one who should be panicking.
And sure enough…
A week passed before someone finally cracked.
Just before the end of my shift, my phone buzzed with a string of messages.
[Aurelia, I’ll pick you up after work. My mom made all your favorite dishes.]
Anthony rarely took me home unless it was for something important.
This time, it was clear he hadn’t come up with this on his own.
After a moment of thought, I typed a single word in reply.
[Okay.]
One way or another, I deserved an explanation.
The doorbell rang, and in an instant, Anthony’s mom was at the door, rushing forward with a radiant smile.
"Aurelia! You’ve finally arrived! I’ve missed you so much!"
I forced a smile, my face carefully blank.
"Auntie, I’m sorry. With the wedding coming up soon, I’ve been spending more time with my mom."
Her face lit up and she seized my hand, patting it reassuringly.
"Don’t worry, dear. Once you’re married, I’ll make sure Anthony takes you back to visit often."
She spoke cheerfully, but her eyes kept drifting, almost as if searching for something lingering on my stomach.
As she led me to the table, I noticed Amelia, Anthony’s sister, sitting there.
She gave me a stiff nod, her face like stone.
It was clear she wasn’t in the best of moods.
