Love and Money Are Difficult to Balance

Seven months into my pregnancy, my boyfriend finally said that he had saved up enough money for the betrothal gift, and we could get engaged.

At the engagement party, my boyfriend said that he had lent all that money to his younger brother to buy an apartment the day before, but I didn't even complain.

But after seeing my dowry, he beat me.

A single hard slap of his in my face made me sober up. You money-grubbing, miserly man, go to the hell!

As soon as the gift-showing session started, my face started burning, and I felt extremely embarrassed.

I was pregnant, so the engagement party was very humbly held, and we only invited our close relatives and friends.

According to the local customs, the parents of both the bride and groom must publically display the betrothal gifts and dowry to relatives and friends, which mirrors the parents' concern and love for the new family. Our parents agreed earlier that the betrothal gift should be 188,000 dollars.

Isabella, this card contains the betrothal gift, take it. My boyfriend's mother took out a bank card and handed it to me casually.

I reached out to take it, but my mother slapped my hand.

Mrs. Moore, this was against the rules. When we show off our betrothal gifts, cash is preferred. What's the point of giving a card? Who knows how much money this card contains, if any?

My boyfriend's mother was so embarrassed and angry that she said, "What do you mean? Why would I lie to you? There is surely 188,000 dollars in this card, not a penny less!"

My mother sneered and said, "It's OK. I won't pick on you for not having cash. This card isn't Isabella's, right? You can just transfer the money directly to Isabella's account via mobile banking."

But my boyfriend's mother refused to transfer the money and started arguing with my mother.

Damian Moore quietly tugged me on my sleeve and said, "Isabella, please persuade your mother. I'm telling you the truth. My mother took those money two days ago to pay for my brother's apartment. His girlfriend was a snob and she firmly insisted on buying a house. I know, you're different, Isabella. You have never been that materialistic. Today is a significant day of ours. Don't let these trivial matters affect your mood."

I glanced at my friends and relatives, who were whispering among themselves, then looked down at my bulging belly and gritted my teeth. Then I agreed.

I walked up to my mother and pulled her away. Under her disappointed look, I saw my own reflection, which did not even have the least bit of self-esteem.

I was so stupid, which made for my pathetic situation. I was manipulated like this by him!

If my mother knew that I had given these 188,000 dollars to Damian, she must have already hit the roof!

Soon, it’s time to display my family's dowry.

My mother took out the bank passbook with a balance of 1 million dollars in my name, as well as the property ownership certificates of two houses and three shops under my name, and showed them to the relatives and friends present.

After Damian's mother took a closer look, she started to yell,

Why isn't my Damian's name on these certificates?

Isabella, I'll help you safekeep this one million dollars. You young people spend money lavishly and can't manage your money. When you need it, you can ask me for it anytime. As for the other properties and shops, you must share their ownership with Damian! Damian was a grown man, and all the family property must be under his control!

My second aunt couldn't stand it anymore and interrupted her, "In accordance with our local customs, dowry was always given to girls. It's considered the girl's pre-marital property. Why should Damian get a share of their ownership? Your requirements are simply unreasonable! I think your Moores were crazy about money, right?"