Seeing his pitiful face, I softened.
Since I was pregnant and the engagement was tomorrow, I decided to let it go and nodded, forgiving him.
Little did I know, the engagement party would shatter my worldview.
The engagement party was at a hotel my family booked. Erasmo said it was their custom for the bride's family to handle it. The wedding would be the groom's family's responsibility.
At the party, my relatives barely filled one table.
Erasmo's family took up eight.
"Hmph, my daughter-in-law does all the housework. I scold her if she messes up. Emma, you're too soft," said the woman who'd checked my pulse before.
She was talking to Emma but eyeing me.
She was trying to put me in my place.
I thought, "If you're laying down rules, don't blame me for breaking them."
"Your daughter-in-law must be miserable. A young widow bullied by a nasty mother-in-law," I said, ignoring her fiery glare.
Then I turned to Emma.
I said, "Emma, don't be like that. We shouldn't be so cruel."
Another of their relatives tried to cause me trouble.
He said, "Emma's worked hard for years. Raising a son isn't easy. You should serve them well and do all the chores."
I glanced at the speaker, probably Erasmo's uncle.