Chapter 3

After thinking for a long time, I realized that the feelings between Drew and me were not enough to endure his parents’ open disdain. The idea of breaking up once again took hold, and it was clear that Kolby and Scarlet looked down on me, despising me for earning less and spending more. Since that’s the case, breaking up would be good for everyone.

I was planning to wait for Drew to come back and tell him about this matter. I would explain it in front of his parents, and then we could keep the house thing a secret for now. If necessary, I could hide away for a few days, considering it a wholehearted act of filial piety towards Drew.

When Drew came back, he excitedly said that he had successfully explained things. His parents already knew the reason why I couldn’t balance work and life, and they would understand me in the future. He asked me to be patient these few days, so as not to spoil the old couple’s mood. I have no complaints; I will speak up after the old couple leave.

I agreed to Drew at that moment, purely because I was touched by his filial piety. However, things did not develop in the direction Drew had anticipated. The cause of the new round of conflict was my full wardrobe.

That night, Drew slept on the floor in my bedroom. The next morning, Drew had just finished tidying up the bedding and went out to wash up, while I was putting on makeup. Scarlet then naturally pushed open the door and walked in!

Excuse me! This was my bedroom, and you just walked in like that? As soon as she entered, she looked around and her gaze fell upon my open wardrobe. She coldly asked me, “Are all these clothes yours? How did you buy so many clothes?”

I didn’t turn back and told her that different occasions require different clothes, different seasons also require different clothes, and different clothes also have different combinations.

“But you can’t buy so much! You only make three thousand dollars a month, where did you get the money to buy these two cabinets of clothes? And also, how come I only see Drew with a few sets of suits?”

I didn’t know how to answer her. She looked at my dressing table again and grabbed a jade bracelet, screaming, “Oh my God! What a sin! You bought such expensive jewelry!”

“Oh my goodness! It’s terrible! Come and see, it’s a disaster…”

Drew and Kolby rushed in anxiously, thinking that something big had happened.

Scarlet held my bracelet and asked Drew excitedly, “Can you explain to me what’s going on?”

Drew was confused. “This was a gift given by Penelope’s mother, what’s wrong, Mom? Is there something wrong with this bracelet?”

Scarlet’s face turned red, and she looked at me incredulously, “Did your mother give it to you?”

I burst into laughter. Before I could say anything, Scarlet pointed at my wardrobe and asked Drew, “What about these clothes and cosmetics? Did you pay for them?”

Drew casually said, “Oh, the clothes were all bought by Penelope.”

“How much money does that cost? Tell me, Drew, what’s wrong with you? We have always taught you that money is to be saved! But no, you haven’t saved a penny; you’ve spent it all on one woman! I don’t even know what to say to you!”

“That was all bought with Penelope’s own money, and besides, it wasn’t expensive at all. If she likes it, let her buy it. Stop talking about it, Mom…”

“My own money is not enough! If this continues, how can we afford it if something goes wrong in the future? We eat out every day instead of cooking at home, and we buy so many useless things! What kind of image are we portraying? When will you be able to buy a car and a house at this rate? Who will we rely on in the future, if we can’t afford to live in a proper building? How will our neighbors see us?”

This is already the second time that the old couple mentioned buying a house and a car in front of me after they entered the door.

In an instant, you crossed my bottom line. I am just a young and blossoming flower in my prime! Why should I buy a car or a house for your family?