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.

He was about to leave.

He accidentally glanced at the bag I had bought.

"Didn't I tell you before that one bag is enough? There's no need to buy so many of them."

Cruz was confused about my behavior in buying bags.

But I liked buying bags before I met him.

"Thanks to me, he can now identify the brands of bags."

"This is the latest model in the series. With a purchasing agent's help, it costs about 5,000 dollars."

I casually mentioned the price of the bag.

Cruz was caught off guard.

"Maria, I praised you just now. You disappointed me again."

Looking solemn, he started to educate me.

"Didn't we agree to save money before? Why are you spending money recklessly again?"

"A bag of yours costs as much as my family's food expenses for a year."

He sighed when he saw that I didn't speak.

"Forget it. You're used to being extravagant. It's not your fault."

"Give me the pocket money from your parents, I'll save it for you and give it to you when you need it."

He looked as if he were doing this for my good.

"I don't want your money. I'm saving it. After we get married, won't the money still be yours?"

"Besides, with the money, we should buy a car."

I knew Cruz. The 5,000 dollar's deposit for the car was probably going down the drain.

He should be cursing the seller in his heart.

"With a car, it will be more impressive for us to drive it around. It's worth more than a small bag."

With a few words, he made all the arrangements for me.

I nodded.

"Next month, I'll transfer my pocket money to your card."

Hearing this, he nodded in satisfaction.

As he left, he looked as if he had been greatly wronged despite getting so many benefits.

It was like by managing money for me, he was suffering losses.