Dowry Denied, Destiny Redefined

apartment before I' d even finished my c

ked, rushing to my side and pulling me into a h

verything. I told them about the dowry, the backyard barbecue, and Liam' s sil

th tears of anger, and my dad' s fac

lenching his fists. "How dare they? To thin

a weapon against you," my mom said, her v

concern shifting from the

d. "We' ll call them right now. We' ll cancel ev

I said

tared at me

eaning forward. "The wedding is going to happen. Or at

I laid o

the Davises' terms. I told them how I was going

do whatever they say to protect their 'precious grandchild.' So, that' s exactly what I' m going to do. I' m

s shifting from anger to shock, and t

ing?" my dad ask

pose them in front of everyone they know. I' m

d the full scope of my plan. My mom looke

u can' t put yourself through all this stress. And after... after it'

rt. I took another deep

n' t be a

m like stones. My parents stared

mean?" my d

ot have a child with a man who would let his parents treat me this way. I will not let my baby be seen as 'damaged goods'

ady made an appointment. It' s

didn' t argue. She didn' t try to change my mind. She jus

ice thick with emotion. "One hundred perc

the final piece

ne and called Susan. I put on my b

tle. "It' s Chloe. I' ve been thinking a lot ab

asked, her voice ca

regnancy. I feel so alone in my apartment. I was wondering... to make things easier before the wedding, and

phant smirk forming on her face. She thought her manipulation was complete. I

fake warmth. "We would love to have you! It' s the perfect idea! We

my voice full of fake gratit

nd a slow, cold smile

they were the ones about t

ouse with two large suitcases. Susan a

loe!" Susan said,

law-to-be. I complimented Susan' s decorating, praised her cooking, and agreed

nd 11 PM, looking ple

ed unt

nt to their bedroom door, knocking s

ed the door. "Chl

omach and gave him my

"But the baby... the baby is just craving lobster. Sp

fine-dining spot clear across

brain trying to process the re

I tried to ignore it, but the craving is so strong, it' s maki

s sleepy voice called o

obster bisque,"

oom. But then Susan' s voice came again, sh

Liam! You can' t deny a pregnant woman

le spread across my fa

The game