Chapter 3 Their Visit

• My mom asked me why I was back, and I just told her I missed her and wanted to visit. I didn't bring up the mess with Michael's family.
• That afternoon, Michael's parents showed up at my house, bringing his sister and brother-in-law along.
• As soon as Fiona Lorenzo walked in, she handed my mom a large bag of snacks.
• “Mrs. Nichols, we're here to bring you some good news.”
• My mom wore a bewildered expression as she instinctively took the obviously low-quality gift bag.
• “Mdm. Lorenzo, what are you talking about? I don't understand.”
• Michael glanced at me in surprise.
• I avoided his gaze and looked away.
• Fiona sat down on the couch with Michael, casually waving her daughter and son-in-law over.
• “Sit down, Mirana, Zachary! Make yourselves at home.”
• The way she acted as if she were the host made my mom's eyebrows twitch in annoyance.
• But out of consideration for me, she didn't say anything.
• “Mrs. Nichols, Amy is pregnant, and that's wonderful news for both our families. Wouldn't it be best to move the wedding up a little?”
• As she spoke, her eyes darted around the room, greedily taking in every corner of my mom's house.
• My mom turned to me in shock. “Amy, is what Mdm. Lorenzo says true?”
• I sighed and nodded. “Yes, Mom, I'm one month along.”
• My mom shot me a look full of disappointment and frustration, then turned her attention back to Fiona. “Well, if Amy is pregnant, it's true that we need to move the wedding up. So, when are you planning to send over the betrothal gift?”
• Mirana Fuller's expression changed, as if she wanted to speak but held back.
• Fiona gave her a sharp look, silencing her.
• “Mrs. Nichols, that's why we're here today—to deliver the betrothal gift!” Fiona declared.
• She turned to Michael. “Mike, go ahead and hand over the betrothal gift to your mother-in-law.”
• I turned to Michael in surprise. Did his sister actually return the money?
• Michael pulled four stacks of cash from a bag. “Mrs. Nichols, this is the betrothal gift from our family,” he said.
• Even though I hadn't handled cash in a while, I could tell at a glance that something was off.
• My mom looked at the small pile of cash on the table, her face full of confusion. “Is that it? Didn't we agree on One hundred and eighty-eight thousand?”
• I turned to Michael too, but he avoided making eye contact with me the entire time.