When I was about to get married, my mother asked for more gifts. My fiancé, Arthur Gilmore, got angry and married my cousin, Sophie Portman.
I was feeling extremely embarrassed after my engagement was broken off and then my childhood sweetheart, Jasper LeBlanc, suddenly showed up.
He agreed to marry me and my mother took the initiative to asked for less gift so that I could get married smoothly.
Three years later, my cousin and Arthur topped the local rich list.
However, I ended up being a nagging wife at home, taking care of two kids.
During the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (a yearly hot air balloon festival), everyone went to my mother's house for dinner, but I heard the conversation between my mother and Jasper.
"Mom, you're so smart to come up with a way to change the engagement gift and let the Gilmores cancel the engagement. In this way, Sophie can smoothly marry her sweetheart. But if Renata knew that you designed her to marry me for Sophie, would she forgive you?"
——
I came back from the market after buying groceries and heard a conversation in the yard before I even entered the house.
My mother, Rosie Portman, replied nonchalantly while eating honey roasted almonds, "I am her mother. I gave birth to her and raised her. Why should she not forgive me? Even if I asked her to stay single for the rest of her life, she wouldn't dare to say anything."
"I just feel sorry for you. You obviously like Sophie, but for her happiness, you are willing to marry Renata."
My husband sighed.
"It doesn't matter. I'm willing to sacrifice my marriage for Sophie's lifelong happiness. She is so pure and kind. I can't let her suffer all the hardships for life."
"If she can marry her beloved who comes from a wealthy and privilege family and live a carefree life, then my wish will be fulfilled."
She patted Jasper on the shoulder.
"Now your wish is fulfilled. Sophie gave Arthur a son. The Gilmores gave her a reward of one million four hundred dollars because of her son. The family also hired three nannies to take care of her and her son. She is destined to live a life of wealth and happiness."
Jasper smiled with satisfaction.
"Yes, look how happy she was smiling just now. Although Arthur was busy today, he still personally sent her and Alden here, proving that the decision we made was right."
I was so heartbroken and uncomfortable that I could hardly stand. So, it was the truth behind the canceled engagement.
My mother loved my cousin more than me, her own daughter and even my husband only had her in his heart.
So, what am I, anyway? A complete fool?
They were obviously the people I loved the most, but they all side with others.
Suddenly, my daughter behind me, Eleanor LeBlanc, woke up and started crying.
I went to buy groceries alone, carrying my over one-year-old daughter who was sleeping soundly on my back. I felt sorry for my mother who had been alone for so many years and did not want to leave the work to her, but it turned out she cared more about someone else's daughter.
"You're back? Did you buy Sophie's favorite crabs?"
"And the yogurt Alden likes to drink?"
Rosie and Jasper poked their heads and asked me, but no one took the heavy grocery bag in my hands.
I brought the groceries into the kitchen, put Eleanor down and made some milk powder for her first.
Rosie and Jasper went back to the living room to coax Sophie's son. The three adults having a great time playing with a little boy.
I touched my stomach. I was almost three months pregnant with my second child and I had to take care of my daughter and cook for them all by myself.
My nose felt sore. I used to know that my mother favored my cousin, but I did not expect her to be so favored.
Jasper saw me busy and said perfunctorily, "Renata, don't be in a hurry, take your time, it's okay to have dinner later."
Rosie smiled kindly. "See, how much Jasper loves you! You choose the right husband."
Is this a sign of pain? You only talk, but your actions are empty.
Eleanor finished drinking the milk and she asked me to carry her up again.
