The engagement party was at a hotel my family booked. Erasmo said it was their custom for the bride's family to handle it. The wedding would be the groom's family's responsibility.

At the party, my relatives barely filled one table.

Erasmo's family took up eight.

"Hmph, my daughter-in-law does all the housework. I scold her if she messes up. Emma, you're too soft," said the woman who'd checked my pulse before.

She was talking to Emma but eyeing me.

She was trying to put me in my place.

I thought, "If you're laying down rules, don't blame me for breaking them."

"Your daughter-in-law must be miserable. A young widow bullied by a nasty mother-in-law," I said, ignoring her fiery glare.

Then I turned to Emma.

I said, "Emma, don't be like that. We shouldn't be so cruel."

Another of their relatives tried to cause me trouble.

He said, "Emma's worked hard for years. Raising a son isn't easy. You should serve them well and do all the chores."

I glanced at the speaker, probably Erasmo's uncle.

My eyes swept over their relatives.

I said flatly, "Oh? Because raising a son is hard, the daughter-in-law should repay? What kind of logic is that?

"Maybe customs differ. Where I'm from, we call that a maid.

"Marriage isn't about hiring help. Housework isn't just for women."

I turned to Erasmo.

I said seriously, "If this is your family's attitude, maybe we shouldn't get engaged."

Erasmo tugged at my sleeve.

He whispered, "Madeline, don't take it to heart. They're country folk with old-fashioned ideas. Don't stoop to their level."

I'd put up with his family for our seven-year relationship. But my patience only made them more arrogant.

"Madeline, it's all family here at the engagement party today, so I'm just going to speak my mind," Emma said.

She glared at me, full of herself.

"Since you're already pregnant, let's keep the ceremony simple.

"The bride price is just a formality anyway since it's all coming back to us. So, why bother with it? It's such a hassle.

"As for the house, sell your place and buy a bigger one. We'll be moving in with you, so I can help take care of the baby."

She said it all so righteously, unwilling to give me anything.

My mom was shaking with anger, and my dad was turning livid. I quickly tried to calm them down.

I glanced at Erasmo, who was sitting there with his head down like a scared quail.

I understood right away.

Turning to Emma, I said, "If that's the case, then let's forget about the dowry too. It's just a formality. My family won't provide one."

As soon as Emma heard that, she exploded.

She said, "No way! The dowry has to be substantial. At least 300 thousand dollars plus a car."

I gave a cold laugh. What a double standard!

I said, "Marriage is just a formality, right? After the wedding, I'll go back to my parents' place. No need to buy a house.

"And the child's surname is just a formality too, so the baby can have my last name.

"Or maybe your son should marry into my family. After all, it's just a formality."

Erasmo finally stepped in to smooth things over.

He said, "Alright, alright. My mom was just joking."

Emma wanted to say more, but Erasmo pulled her aside. They whispered for a long time, and then she came back with a forced smile.

My parents looked at me, worried. I patted my mom's hand to reassure her.

They thought I was weak.

They thought they could treat me like a pushover.

Well, they had another thing coming.

They sure had a lot of traditions in their family. Apparently, we had to sign some sort of guarantee letter for the engagement.

Erasmo's dad acted all haughty.

He said, "Our family has a long line of scholars, and our ancestors were famous."

I didn't know what to say.

Emma chimed in, "As a noble family, we have a lot of rules. We have high standards for our daughters-in-law too."

She glanced at me and paused.

Then she continued, "Madeline, I like you as my daughter-in-law. I consulted a fortune teller, and he said you have a life that will bring prosperity to your husband. Giving birth to a son will bring good fortune to our family."

With a high-and-mighty tone, she pulled something red from her bag.

It was a contract.

On it, in big letters, was written, [Son Guarantee Agreement].

She said, "To become a daughter-in-law of the Page family, you must sign this agreement."

I frowned, wondering if I'd heard right. "Who's having a son? Who's guaranteeing it?"

She cleared her throat and put on a face full of fake concern.

She replied, "This is all for your good. Erasmo is our only son, and we've had three generations of only children. The family line can't end with you. But I'm open-minded. You're lucky to have me. If the first child isn't a boy, that's fine. We can try for a second or even a third. There's no way all three would be girls, right?"

I was stunned for a moment.

I turned to Erasmo. "Is this what you want too?"

He winked at me and pointed at his phone.

I saw the message he'd sent me. [My mom's just like that. The older generation cares about continuing the family line. Just humor her, okay?]

Emma pushed the Son Guarantee Agreement in front of me. I glanced at the content and nearly laughed out of anger.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

It was ridiculous.