"Oh, I know exactly how much it is." My mother-in-law didn't flinch. "I just asked around. These days, the going rate for a live-in husband starts in the tens of millions."
"Look at the casino mogul's son-in-law. After he married in, the old man handed over his entire empire as a dowry!"
"My son graduated from a top university. He makes a million a year. He's an only child. His looks and credentials are every bit as good as that mogul's son-in-law! So why should he settle for one measly house?"
She shot me a glance and kept going.
"Just earlier, one of my relatives told me that the biggest real estate developer in our state is also looking for a live-in son-in-law! He sent my son's resume over, and they said if my son married in, they'd give him ten million dollars!"
"And after the first baby? Another ten million!"
Her voice rang with self-righteous conviction. "My son has already given your family two children! Asking for a million is perfectly reasonable!"
I turned to Jim, my expression dark.
"Jim Fox! I had no idea your mother was still setting you up with other families while I was in labor giving birth to your children!"
Jim pressed his lips together and kept his head down.
"I didn't know. I really didn't know."
I drew a deep breath and said it outright.
"Jim Fox, I'm only going to ask you once! Today, right now, do you choose me or your mother?"
"If you're any kind of man, if you still care about me at all, then sign the papers and change the kids' last name!"
Amelia's face flushed scarlet. She threw herself onto the floor, thrashing and wailing.
"You're standing right in front of me, turning my own son against me! What kind of daughter-in-law does that?!"
"Don't test me! I'll make him divorce you!"
My expression went cold. I looked straight at Jim, enunciating every word.
"Fine. If you won't sign, then we're getting a divorce."
Jim dropped to his knees beside my hospital bed, tears streaming down his face.
"Honey, I don't want a divorce..."
Looking at him like that, I felt equal parts fury and heartbreak.
Did he really think I wanted a divorce?
I'd just given birth. I was weak, exhausted, desperate for my husband to be by my side. The last thing I wanted was to end my marriage.
And a divorce wouldn't just affect us. It would affect my parents too.
If the elders found out, the stress alone could put them in the hospital.
My father looked at Jim with undisguised disappointment.