My future mother-in-law was always trying to control me.

At our engagement party, she pressured me to sign a contract guaranteeing I'd have a son.

My dad and I flipped the table.

I snapped, "Who's giving birth to a son? Who's guaranteeing it? Well, guess what? This wedding is off!"

After the breakup, I won 30 million dollars in the lottery, and our house was up for redevelopment.

Turned out, that dumping my ex could bring me good luck.

*****

The day before the engagement party, Erasmo Page told me his parents wanted to meet with me alone, and he specifically said I didn't need to bring my parents.

I was a bit puzzled, but I still went.

"Madeline, eat more celery. It's good for your health," said Erasmo's mother, Emma Page.

She picked up a piece of celery in my plate.

I frowned because she didn't use the serving kitchenware, and it seemed like she was trying to make a point.

I thought about it. Since she was an elder, it wouldn't be good to embarrass her.

I said, "Emma, I'll eat the celery, but it doesn't look like it's doing much.

"Erasmo, you should have more of it."

I ignored Emma's sour expression and piled a bunch of celery into Erasmo's plate.

Emma grabbed my hand.

She said earnestly, "Erasmo has never done housework. Madeline, you'll have to work hard from now on."

I smiled slightly.

I said, "Emma, no one is born knowing how to do housework. Don't worry, Erasmo is smart. He'll learn quickly."

Seeing that I wasn't playing along, she was furious.

I realized then that she was trying to test me. No wonder she didn't want my parents there. She wanted to see how much I would put up with.

I loved Erasmo, so as long as he treated me well, it would be fine.

Thus, I turned a blind eye to her odd behavior.

But just when things seemed to settle down, she started up again.

Emma gave me a shrimp, telling me to eat more.

Erasmo knew I was allergic to seafood, and he had told his parents.

So, she was doing this on purpose.

When I hesitated to pick up the shrimp, Erasmo nudged me.

He whispered, "My mom gave it to you, just eat it. Why are you being so difficult?"

I said, "Sorry, I'm allergic to seafood. I can't eat it."

Emma stared at me like I'd committed some terrible crime.

Erasmo furrowed his brow.

He whispered angrily, "It's just an allergy. Eat it already. Everyone's watching."

I refused, "No, I can't. I had shrimp once as a kid, had a severe reaction, couldn't breathe, and had to be rushed to the hospital."

Erasmo's face turned red with anger.

He snapped, "It's just a shrimp. Why are you so dramatic? Are you gonna die?"

I remembered that hospital visit. I could have died.

The doctor said I was lucky to get there in time. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable. He said I could never eat seafood again.

Erasmo's attitude made me feel cold. I didn't know why my usually gentle and considerate boyfriend acted so differently around his family.

Maybe it was the smell of the seafood, but I suddenly felt nauseous.

Emma watched me intently.

Then, she pulled Erasmo aside, and they whispered for a while.

I sipped some water and felt a little better.

Emma came over with a woman whose face was covered in freckles.

Emma said, "Lisa, take a look. Do you think Madeline is pregnant?"

Erasmo leaned over.

He whispered in my ear, "Lisa was a doctor in our village for a few years. Her medicinal skills are great. She can tell if you're pregnant or not."

Lisa closed her eyes and touched my wrist.

Then she confidently told Emma, "Congratulations, she's pregnant."

Emma was ecstatic.

She enthused, "Great. Can you tell if it's a boy or a girl?"

They whispered mysteriously on the side, not even bothering to ask me.

But I was confused. How could I be pregnant when we'd always used protection?

I looked at Erasmo suspiciously. He hugged me, full of excitement.

He said, "Madeline, this is amazing. I'm gonna be a dad."

I pushed him away, puzzled.

I said, "Don't rush to celebrate yet. I'm not ready to be a mom. Didn't we agree to wait a few years before having kids? And we've always been careful, so how could I be pregnant?"

Erasmo touched his nose, looking a bit guilty.

He mumbled, "Well, maybe it was an accident.

"But since it happened, it means we're meant to have this baby, right? Madeline, this is great news."

I didn't think much of it. What was done was done.

But what happened earlier still bothered me.

I couldn't help but ask him coldly, "Erasmo, you knew I was allergic to seafood, yet you pushed me to eat it. What's going on? Is your family trying to control me?"

Erasmo returned to his usual self.

He gently coaxed me, "Madeline, they didn't mean to. They just forgot, and they're my parents after all. I couldn't contradict them, right?"

Seeing his pitiful face, I softened.

Since I was pregnant and the engagement was tomorrow, I decided to let it go and nodded, forgiving him.

Little did I know, the engagement party would shatter my worldview.