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560words
"I have an online meeting later.I need to grab it,"she said,stressed.
So I got a cab,and sent my parents back home while I went to dinner alone.
I found the private dining room Nathan had texted me about.As I reached to open the door,I heard his mom's voice:"Son,you can't put her name on the house deed.This is our family's hard-earned money.It can't go to an outsider!"
"Exactly,Nathan.Emma's family might have a few properties themselves,but she's got a younger brother.Those houses will likely all go to him.Once you're married,make sure she gets a couple of houses—from her parents!"
That was Nathan's sister,Sarah.
"Son,just promise her everything she wants for now and get married as soon as you can.And after the wedding,get her pregnant fast.I don't believe she'll fight you with a big belly!Then,whether her name's on the deed is all up to us Brooks!"
Nathan's dad,usually a mild old man,said this shamelessly,blowing my mind.
What good actors this family would made!I was livid,itching to storm in and slap them all.But I reconsidered—they would probably twist it to make me the bad guy.
I stepped back,loudly asking a waiter for the room's location.The chatter inside stopped instantly.
"Emma,over here!"Nathan opened the door to greet me.
"Sorry,my parents went back to grab something.They sent me ahead,"I said,smiling at the Brooks family.
"No worries,we all know your folks are busy people,"Nathan's mom,who moments ago was scheming,now beamed warmly, she took my hand in hers and gestured for me to sit down.
"Yeah,Emma,your parents are still working at their age.They must be planning a big dowry for you,huh?"Sarah said with a half-smile on her face.
"My parents gave me$50,0000 as my dowry,told me to build our lives well together with Nathan,"I said,eyeing the Brooks clan.
"Mom,I told you!Her parents are big shots,super generous—$50,0000 just like that!"Nathan's face lit up.His parents grinned ear to ear.
"Emma,you two should get the marriage license on Monday and have the wedding mid-month!"Nathan's mom urged.
"No rush,Mrs.Brooks.I bought a small apartment.It's now being renovated.We can get the license after that's done,"I said calmly.
"What?An apartment?"Nathan gaped.
"You've got a house already.Why buy an apartment?What a waste!No wonder Nathan says you're a spender,"Sarah jumped in.
"Nathan said a home's a safe haven for us.I bought an apartment,so now we've got even more guarantee for our life after marriage,isn’t that a good thing?"I smirked at them."Besides,Nathan bought a house for our marriage,so it’s only fair for me tov get an apartment too to match his status,no?"
"But that$50,0000 dowry—you didn't spend it all on the apartment,did you?"Nathan stammered.
"You guessed right, my smart gollege boy!$45,0000 for the apartment,$5,0000 for renovations.Money well spent.You won't say I'm bad with money,right?"I looked at Nathan.
"You—Emma,are you insane?Spending all that on an apartment?How are we supposed to renovate our home?"Nathan exploded.
"Wait,if it's gonna our home,shouldn't your family handle renovations by tradition?You didn't spend all your money,did you?"I asked,curious.
"That's not fair to say!We bought the house.Shouldn't your family pay for renovations?"Nathan's mom pointed at me.
I laughed."Mrs.Brooks,that house is Nathan's premarital property—my name isn’t on the deed.You're not giving me a cent for dowry or jewelries.Why should I pay for renovations?"
