After graduating with my master's degree, I got a job at a research institute through my mentor, Mortimer Grey.
I worked there for three years, living frugally. Eventually, I was able to save enough for a down payment on a 40-square-meter apartment near my family’s home.
My mom always believed Pierce was ambitious and had a bright future. However, she also thought the apartment was too small and wouldn’t be practical once we got married.
So, when Pierce first came to our house for dinner, she promised to buy me a separate apartment as a dowry.
At that time, Pierce looked genuinely touched, repeatedly saying how lucky he was.
But in such a short time, it seemed like he had turned into a freeloader, taking advantage of my family.
“You wouldn’t believe it, but lately, Mr. Grey's niece, Tessa, has returned from abroad. Mr. Grey has been trying to set them up,” my mom said. “If your family doesn’t have any dowry to offer, don’t blame me for speaking bluntly. I’d rather Pierce marry someone else than let him marry your daughter.”
What seemed like a warm conversation quickly descended into an awkward silence.
I looked over at Pierce.
He was sitting there, head down, absorbed in his phone, his lips curled into a smile.
He looked completely uninterested in what was being said.
My mom sat beside me, her brow furrowed.
After a long pause, she spoke.
“Marriage has always been about mutual affection. If your family is forcing things, then we’ll have to put the wedding plans on hold.”
She finished speaking without looking at either of them on the couch and walked straight to her room.
I followed her inside.
As the door slammed behind me, my mom finally lost her composure.
“What kind of family is this? They’re already way below us financially. I let it slide because I thought Pierce had good potential. But now look—this is ridiculous. We're being wronged for no reason at all.”
She fumed, her voice rising.
“And now they’re talking about getting married because of the baby? And the kid’s supposed to take their last name? Who does she think she is to bring that up? Did she get a diamond or lose her mind?”
The more she ranted, the angrier she got. She raised her hand as if about to slap me.
“I told you to find someone from a similar background, someone whose family was on the same level. But you didn’t listen. Now look at Verna, strutting around like she owns the place. If you get involved with this so-called 'phoenix man'—someone who has nothing to offer—you’ll be stuck with him for life.”
She was seething now, waving her hand in frustration.
“Enough! Send him a message right now! We’re done. Pack up all your things from his place and bring them back today!”
My mom moved quickly, grabbing her coat and heading out the door.
She hailed a cab and headed straight for the apartment Pierce and I usually stayed at.
Though Pierce had bought a house here, he rented it out to save money, and we lived in a free government-subsidized talent apartment.
At the time, he’d gently convinced me.
“Of course, the wedding house should be reserved for after we get married. Let’s rent it out for now. The rent we make can go toward the renovations. Once it’s done, it’ll be a brand-new house, and we can pick the style together. It’s a win-win.”
I was naive back then, and somehow thought he made sense. I ended up living with him in a cramped 15-square-meter apartment for a few months.
I spent even more money, buying him appliances like a fridge, washing machine, and air conditioner.
Since we were together, I often felt sorry for his family’s situation and ended up paying for most of our living expenses.
But recently, when Verna came to town, Pierce didn’t hesitate to pay the tenant two months’ worth of breach-of-contract compensation.
Then, he let Verna move into what was supposed to be our wedding home.
It was around that time that I started to realize something.
It wasn’t that he couldn’t afford certain things.
It was that he didn’t think I deserved them.
When we reached the apartment, I packed up my personal things.
But my mom thought that wasn’t enough.
She began removing all the appliances I had bought, including the computer and speakers I’d gotten for Pierce, and packed everything up.
