Unexpectedly, Thomas, who had been hiding in the shadows, appeared the moment he saw the transfer record. This time, he didn't call me a gold-digger.
Instead, he said, "You clearly took 188,800 dollars from me, so why are you now transferring 18,800 dollars back? What does this mean?"
He looked at me with bitter disappointment, "I thought you were greedy and wouldn't repay, but I didn't expect you to play tricks. You think, just because the bride price was given in cash and there's no record, you can cover it up, right?"
Seeing his heart-wrenching act, I couldn't help but feel speechless. Thomas and I had met through a blind date. Since we were both older singles, neither of us demanded much financially.
We quickly hit it off and even had a sweet and passionate courtship. My mother was eager to marry me off and his mother was eager to gain a daughter-in-law.
The bride price of 18,800 dollars was a result of discussions between our mothers and I never expressed any opinions from beginning to end.
Thomas only showed up briefly at the engagement ceremony. Seeing Thomas's current act, it was hard not to treat him as a scammer.
"The bride price was always agreed to be 18,800 dollars, a decision between our mothers. If you don't believe it, go ask your mom!" I rolled my eyes at him and lifted my foot to walk back inside.
But Thomas rushed up and grabbed my hand, "You're not leaving! If you don't return the money today, I'll accuse you of fraud!"
"Olivia, who's making all this noise?" My mother's voice rang out, sending a wave of panic through me.
My face turned pale instantly and the image of my mother gasping for breath in the previous life was fresh in my mind.
But in Thomas's eyes, my pale face became evidence that I had indeed taken the bride price for myself.
In the past, Thomas had always shown concern and warmth toward my mother, but this time he ignored her entirely, unlike his previous eagerness.
All he cared about was using my pale face as proof to show the crowd.
He grabbed my chin and turned my face to the crowd, "Look! Everyone, just look! If she didn't take it, then why does she look so guilty?"
Neighbors and passersby started criticizing me, "These days, bride prices are always in the tens of thousands. For an average family, that's their life savings!"
"Young lady, it's better to part amicably and return the money."