"Aurelia, now that you're pregnant, it won’t be long before the baby arrives. You and Anthony should hurry up and get your marriage certificate. Otherwise, things will get messy when it’s time to register the child."

I forced a smile, keeping my voice calm.

"Auntie, there’s still plenty of time. We haven’t even had the wedding yet."

For a split second, Zora’s smile faltered, her eyes flashing with something complicated.

She put down her spoon and fork and turned to Anthony with a dramatic scowl.

"I told you to mention this to Aurelia and you still haven’t?"

Anthony fumbled, unable to get a single word out.

Then, Zora turned back to me, her expression all business.

"Aurelia here’s what we were thinking. Weddings are expensive, so we figured we could skip it and save the money for when the baby arrives."

I feigned surprise, widening my eyes as I looked at everyone.

"No wedding? But I’ve already designed my wedding dress."

Anthony looked troubled, his lips sealed in silence.

I turned to Zora, my voice steady.

"Auntie, you might not know this, but in my family, there’s a tradition: we can’t get a marriage certificate without holding a wedding banquet first."

Zora froze for a moment, her face twisting with surprise before she let out a couple of awkward laughs.

After a long silence, she finally spoke, her tone a little too casual.

"I see… Well, it’s up to you two. If you want a wedding, then have one. But as for the betrothal money, let’s just skip it. When the baby’s born, I’ll spend that money on the child anyway. No matter how you look at it, it’s still going to be for your family."

What a clever scheme. It was so smooth and subtle.

I feigned surprise, coughing as if I had choked, quickly waving my hands in mock panic.

"Auntie… That’s not how traditions work. The betrothal money goes to my parents, not to me and certainly not to my child."

Zora’s face darkened in an instant.

I couldn’t help but feel a flash of amusement. I pressed on, my voice steady but pointed.

"Isn’t it the same in your family? I heard from Anthony that when Amelia got married, her betrothal gift of 288,000 dollars went straight to you."

The room froze.

A heavy silence fell over the table and the shock was written all over their faces.

Satisfaction curled in my chest. I was no pushover.

If you treated me well, I’d repay it tenfold. But if you tried to take advantage of me? Well, don’t expect mercy.