Chapter 2

That afternoon, Chloe and her fiancé Ethan showed up empty-handed, ready to eat and drink as soon as they walked through the door.

At dinner, I decided to bring up the subject of Chloe’s dowry.

"So, Ethan, now that you’re marrying our precious Chloe, how much are you thinking for the dowry?" I asked, half-joking, half-serious.

Ethan froze for a moment. "Sophie… We agreed on $18,800."

I chuckled. "Oh, lucky numbers, huh?"

Then I turned to Mrs. Rivers. "Hey, Mom, that’s not a bad amount. How much are you planning to send Chloe off with?"

"Do you have enough? If not, I can chip in. That dowry money is still with Brad, isn’t it?"

Mrs. Rivers gave a nervous laugh. "Oh, don’t worry about it. I’ve already got everything set aside for her."

Then she turned to Ethan. "I’ve been saving my retirement money for years, and I’ll give it to Chloe as her dowry. It’s not much, but I hope you don’t mind, Ethan."

Ethan quickly waved it off. "Not at all."

They all thought they were playing me for a fool. But without solid proof, I didn’t dare confront them at the dinner table.

After dinner, they sat in the living room, laughing and chatting about wedding plans. The atmosphere was warm and lively, but there was no room for me on that couch.

I looked at the chaotic dining table and the kitchen, which looked like a war zone.

I took off my apron, excused myself, and went to my room, claiming I wasn’t feeling well.

Mrs. Rivers looked slightly irritated, but with guests in the house, she didn’t say anything.

I shut the bedroom door and collapsed on the bed, letting the tears I’d been holding back fall.

A week later, Chloe and Ethan got engaged.

They didn’t invite many people, and of course, I wasn’t one of them. How ridiculous.

Mrs. Rivers told Brad I had to work, so I couldn’t attend. She sent Brad to bring me food at the office, making sure I ate before he left.

But after he left, I took the rest of the day off and followed him to the Crystal Ridge Country Club.

Not many people were there, but all the important folks from back home showed up.

I watched as Chloe and Ethan posed for photos in front of an elaborate display. Not only was there a hefty dowry from Ethan’s family, but there was also a stack of cash—$75,000—waiting for Chloe.

The reality hit me like a slap in the face. There it was—$75,000, not a penny short.

Mrs. Rivers’ face turned pale when she saw me walk in.

I handed the bouquet I had brought to Chloe and smiled. "It’s your big day, Chloe. How could I, as your sister-in-law, miss it?"

Chloe’s face flushed with embarrassment.

Brad rushed over, clearly annoyed. "Didn’t you already eat? Why are you here?"

I raised my voice. "What? Just because I ate means I’m not allowed to attend the engagement party?"

"Or are you worried I’ll see the $75,000 you’re giving Chloe?"

The moment I mentioned the money, Mrs. Rivers' face darkened.

Once the secret was out, there was no more pretense.

Chloe strutted over to me, full of arrogance. "So what if I’m getting $75,000? Can your family give you that?"

"Your parents couldn’t afford a dowry like that, so what are you trying to prove?"

Her words left me fuming. "Chloe, you know exactly where that $75,000 came from!"

Mrs. Rivers jumped up, panicked. "Sophia, watch your mouth! What do you mean, ‘where it came from’? I saved every penny of that myself!"

Brad frowned and added, "Sophia, stop causing trouble!"

Ethan’s family sat there watching like they were at the movies, probably happy to see me humiliated. After all, marrying Chloe meant they were about to pocket $75,000.