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“I’m telling you, getting married is a big deal. You need to think it over carefully. It’s not too late to back out.”
“Let’s not even talk about Ethan for a second. What about his mom’s attitude? Do you really think you can get along with her?”
After ten minutes of his well–meaning advice…
Tue, Oct 29
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My dad sighed. “Megan, promise me you’ll take some more time to think
about it.”
Tears fell into my takeout box.
“Dad, what are you thinking? I just lost my ID, so I needed the family record book to get it replaced.”
Even over the phone, I could hear my dad’s sigh of relief.
He wasn’t wrong, though. I had hesitated before, because of Ethan’s mom.
Ethan’s mom isn’t an easy person to deal with. We’ve only met twice.
Ethan’s dad passed away when he was young, and his mom raised him alone. She worked multiple jobs just to get by.
When he finally graduated college and got a job, Ethan became her
greatest source of pride.
The first time I met her was about a year after I started working. Ethan invited me to dinner at his mom’s place.
On the way, his mom called, fussing over him. Not a single word for me.
Just before hanging up, he said, “Mom, Megan’s got a sore throat. Can you avoid using any hot spices in the cooking tonight?”
When we arrived, she ignored the gifts I’d brought, rushing over to brush the snow off her son’s coat.
Ethan tried to calm her down and then introduced us.
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If her barely–there smile wasn’t a big enough hint, the food on the table definitely made things clear.
The entire spread was fiery red with spice. I just smiled quietly and bowed my head. Ethan squeezed my hand under the table, his face showing his
frustration.
“Mom, didn’t I ask you not to make spicy food today? Didn’t you hear me?”
He was obviously trying to give her the benefit of the doubt.
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“I heard you. But you love spicy food! You’ve been away so long, and I just
wanted you to have something you like.”
“You can’t put spice in every single dish!”
(
“How was I supposed to know which one you wanted most?”
There was no arguing with that.
Ethan pulled me up from my seat. “We’re going out to eat.”
That’s when the tears started.
“Oh, I see how it is! You get a girlfriend, and you forget all about your
mother. After everything I’ve done for you all these years… when you were
little, your mother…”
In the end, I left by myself.
I told Ethan, “You should stay with your mom. I’m heading home.”
Ethan wanted to come with me, but his mother clung to him and wouldn’t
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let go.
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♡ Fo
That’s when I really started having doubts. But every time his mom called
to cause a fuss, Ethan would handle it efficiently.
He’d stroke my hair and say, “Megan, my mom’s had a hard life. But don’t worry, I won’t let you suffer.”
Back then, I believed him. I naively thought, I’m marrying him, and as long
as he treats me well, that’s all that matters.
And eventually, his mom and I started getting along a little better.
One day, his mom asked me, “Is it okay if you two get married without
owning a house?”
جوانی مقدم
That was the one time her tone didn’t have a hint of arrogance in it.
“Yes, it’s fine. Ethan and I can buy a house together later,” I said honestly.
She nodded, clearly satisfied. Then she turned and praised her son, “I’m
not just saying this, but my Ethan has it all–looks, brains, and a great job.
You’re lucky to marry him.”
From then on, her attitude toward me improved.
She even started sending me my favorite pomegranates whenever she sent Ethan a box of oranges.
But thinking back now, last month’s box of oranges didn’t have any
pomegranates.
That must bow
18:51 Tue, Oct 29
3
That must have been around the time she started setting Ethan up on
dates again.
36%
After my shift, it was early morning. I ate a bowl of pork congee at a cafe near Cedar Grove Estate. I didn’t bring any food home for later like I usually did. I figured I wouldn’t need to anymore.
Ethan was asleep on the couch, the ashtray full of cigarette butts.
He doesn’t smoke much, usually just a pack every two weeks.
Rocky jumped onto my lap, and I sat down on the edge of the couch.
Ethan woke up. He saw it was me, then rolled over, “You just got off?”
I stroked Rocky’s fur. He was starting to show signs of age.
fo
“Ethan, we’ve been together for seven years. Let’s end it on good terms. At
least tell me why?”
His eyes, which had just closed, snapped open. After a moment, he asked,
“What do you mean?”
“Your family’s been setting you up on dates. You’re sitting there, having your cake and eating it too. Doesn’t that make you feel a little guilty?”
My tone was calm, but his face had gone completely pale. He rubbed his neck and sat up. “How… how do you know?”
“That’s not the point.”
“My family wants me to find someone who can help me buy a house.”
