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"Mom,don't get worked up.Sit now,"Nathan said,helping her to a chair.
"Emma,since you bought and renovated the apartment,let's leave it at that,"Nathan said magnanimously.That wasn't like him.What was he plotting now?
"But we've got no money to renovate our home.Your family rents out a few properties,right?Have your parents gift one to you.We'll live there for now,save up,then renovate our home later.Sound good?"
Nathan's audacity was beyond belief."No,"I shot back.
"Emma Thompson!You're pushing it!You tell everyone your family gave you$50,0000,but you spent it all,and Nathan got nothing.You got the glory,and we got the pain.You can’t have everything good going to you!"Sarah snarled.
"At least my parents gave a dowry.Sarah,Nathan said when you got married,your parents didn't even give you a blanket.True?"I asked,curious.
Sarah's face went red,then pale,then red again.The rest of the family's expressions were a sight to behold.
"How dare you!My parents aren't well,and my brother's not married yet.I didn't want a dowry—that’s called being a good daughter.You wouldn't get it!"Sarah snapped.
I had heard about Sarah since I the day met Nathan.She paid his college tuition and rent after he started working.His parents had pensions and weren't that poor—they could've covered his tuition.Why did they ask Sarah for money?
"Exactly!Sarah's always been a good girl.She even chipped in$10,0000 for your house.You should thank her,not start a fight with her!"Nathan's mom said.
"Really?Thanks,Sarah.Let me toast you!"I raised my glass,smiling.
"Mom,that money—I borrowed it to Nathan,not gifted it!"Sarah blurted,stunned by her mom's words.
"Pfft!A married daughter isn’t exactly part of family anymore.We raised you,and you want your$10,0000 back for your brother's house?Heartless little thing!"Nathan's dad,usually quiet,roared.
"Yeah,sis,you said it was a gift.Now it's a loan?"Nathan asked.
"Mom,you didn't say that!I borrowed that money behind my husband's back.If you don't repay,what should I do?"Sarah was near tears.
I knew Sarah dropped out of high school to work and support Nathan.
After marriage,she became a housewife.Her husband earned well,but without financial independence,her life was hard in her in-laws'home.
Nathan's parents even used and planned against their own daughter—what kind of people were they?
If Nathan treated his sister,who bankrolled his education,like this,how would he treat me?Good thing we hadn't gotten the license yet.It was finally clear to me what kind of people they really are.
