Mike followed up, [Yeah, we'll be get married tomorrow. We won't need to video chat anymore, we can see each other every day, Kate.]
Milena echoed, [Besides, you know we have a custom here: the bride and groom can't meet the day before the wedding. It's considered bad luck.]
I frowned, my tone leaving no room for argument, [If you don't answer the video call within one minute, the wedding is canceled.]
The group chat fell silent instantly. My parents rushed into the room.
"Kate, you're not kidding, are you? What happened?"
I recounted the entire video I had seen. My parents' expressions instantly turned serious, "This can't be. Can it be a coincidence?"
I looked at them firmly, "I don't believe in such coincidences. I won't marry him until this is cleared up."
The group chat exploded quickly.
[What does this mean? She's refusing to marry him just because of a video?]
[Father-in-law, you be the judge. Does she expect the whole world to revolve around her? Refusing to marry because of a little dissatisfaction, is that reasonable?]
My father glanced at me. Then he typed in the group chat, [Traditional customs are irrelevant. Whether a marriage works depends on whether the couple are reliable and whether they have other motives. My daughter has her own ideas and we fully support her.]
After this, everyone in the group seemed guilty and fell silent. A minute later, the video call connected.
Mike and Rebecca were on their own beds in their separate bedrooms. I heard Mike saying, "Kate, I was originally going to take the child home, but my mom said it was too late, so I stayed here. Don't misunderstand."
This made me sound so heartless. I didn't speak, only noticing that Toby, who always clung to his mother, was sleeping next to Mike.
I couldn't let any suspicious detail slip by, "Why isn't Toby sleeping with Rebecca?"
Mike's eyes were still red and he paused, startled, "Probably because he can't bear to leave me."
Just then, as if I'd woken him, Toby rolled over and snuggled into Mike's arms. This revealed the pink lace bra he was wearing underneath his back. My heart sank. Last time, when Rebecca tried on her bridesmaid dresses, I saw she had one exactly the same.
"Wait, Kate, don't misunderstand..." Mike tried to explain.
In his haste, I took a screenshot and sent it to the group chat. [Men and women should be in different room. Are they now afraid of being misunderstood?]