I chose to believe Cruz for the time being. After all, we had been in love for a long time.

He was a decent man.

After a while, relatives from his family arrived.

We discussed that we would go to pay respects to our ancestors later.

Cruz's relatives came. There were many people.

During the meal, Cruz's aunt asked about my dowry.

Cruz and I had discussed this.

He, who came from a farming background, didn't want to spend all his parents' savings on his marriage.

I could relate to him and agreed to get no dowry.

After all, my family was not short of money.

Cruz and Lane couldn't help but smile all the time upon hearing this.

But the conversation between the mother and son today always made me feel uncomfortable.

In my heart, I started to doubt them.

After thinking for a moment, I spoke up.

"When it comes to the issue of dowry, my parents have the final say."

The mother and son couldn't hold up anymore. They stopped smiling.

"Oh..."

Cruz's aunt spoke with a long tone, looking at them with sarcasm.

"So we need to discuss it. I thought your family could get a cheap daughter-in-law."

After dinner, Cruz couldn't wait to pull me aside.

"Didn't your family agree to no dowry? Why do we need to discuss it again? Did you change your mind?"

He held my shoulders tightly, and it hurt.

I casually spoke a few words to him, trying to break free from his grasp.

"Your family is supposed to be a scholarly family, but it's all a lie."

"You were so firm in your words before, but now you're going back on your word."

I explained that I had said it casually.

"Putting aside the issue of the dowry, with so many people at the dining table, we should consider my and my mother's face even if we need to discuss it. You can not say such things."

"Looking at the smug and sarcastic look on my aunt's face, I am so angry at the thought of it."

Before I could say anything, he went out in a huff.

I felt inexplicable and clicked open my cell phone to complain to Vivian, my best friend.

When she replied to my message, I quietly saw Jack James leaning on the door frame and looking at me.

I waved to him to come over.

"Sister, are you fighting with Cruz?"

His eyes were red as if he had been crying.

I felt sorry for him instantly.

During holidays and festivals, Cruz was the most welcoming one to me in his family.

He saved up money for a long time to buy me lollipops.

He shared his favorite toys with me.

Whenever I left, he always looked reluctant.

He was muttering that Cruz should hurry up and marry me.

I thought to myself, "What does it have to do with kids when it comes to my marriage?"

I touched his head.

"Of course not. I am getting along with your brother."

"Really? You're not lying to me?"

James stared at me with wide eyes.

I nodded.

"Will you marry my brother?"

I was stunned. I didn't expect him to ask that.

"Well, you still can't marry my brother."

James burst into tears suddenly.

I hurriedly comforted him.

I told him that I would marry Cruz. Then he stopped crying.

He turned around and started playing with his toys.

I jokingly asked him casually, "Why do you like me so much? Why do you want me to marry your brother?"

...

James fiddled with his toys.

Looking serious, she said, "My mom tells me that if you marry into our family, you will buy me a house, and a car, and find a wife for me."

...

"Your money is my brother's money. My brother's money is mine."

As soon as I heard him say so, the toy in my hands fell to the ground.

Judging from James's serious look, he didn't seem to be acting.

If it weren't for the adults mentioning these things frequently, a six-year-old child wouldn't earnestly say these words without being influenced.

...

A burst of chill ran down my spine.

I felt the urge to escape from here.

Cruz and Lane suddenly came in, asking James to leave.

They wanted to talk to me.

James took the toy and went to the living room.

"Maria, I was rude just now. I apologize to you."

Cruz looked apologetic.

"I love you too much. I'm afraid of losing you."

"When it came to the sensitive topic of dowry, I lost control."

He took my hand.

"You know about my family's financial situation. Being able to marry you is truly a blessing from heaven."

Cruz, from an ordinary rural family, changed his destiny by taking the SAT.

I come from a wealthy family. My parents owned a company. I had been raised like a princess since I was young.

Lane chimed in, saying, "Maria, even if there is dowry needed, I'm willing to let my son marry you despite losing everything."

...

"We're not interested in your family's wealth. We like you as a person."

The two of them spoke so sincerely that I almost believed it.

I took the initiative to hold Lane's hand.

"Lane, I know what you're thinking."

"It was my fault just now at the dinner table. I shouldn't have contradicted you and embarrassed everyone."

Seeing that I was being so considerate, Lane cried.

She nodded repeatedly to show her agreement.

Cruz was beside us with his eyes slightly red.

After speaking, Lane left, leaving the room to me and Cruz.

He looked at me with a look of satisfaction in his eyes.

"Maria, you have matured now."

He used to think he was mature. He always couldn't stand my way of doing things.

Cruz, who came from a humble background, always felt that he had more experience than me in doing things.

When there were ambiguities between us, he shook his head mysteriously.

He indicated that I was inexperienced, and I needed more practice to keep up with him.