Chapter 8 Going Back Home For The Dowry

• Calliope's smile froze as a wave of melancholy washed over her.
• Marriage is a life-long commitment, but I jumped into the decision without taking the time to really get to know the person I was marrying. I regret not taking the time to date anyone. I have sacrificed my entire life for this relationship, huh? However...
• Calliope's pursed her lips as she replied in a cheery tone, “Why would you pity me? I need to thank Dominic. If he hadn't agreed to marry me, I wouldn't get three hundred thousand as a dowry!”
• All Calliope wished for was for her mother to regain her health and for her little brother to study well. That was enough to make her content.
• “All right, I need to go.” Calliope was in a haste to hang up. “I'm heading back to get the money now. I'll let you know if I get it successfully!”
• Carefully, she placed her phone back into her backpack and soon arrived at the most bustling street in all of Jazona. Coming to a stop, she gazed at the throng of people and stream of vehicles as a wave of nostalgia washed over her.
• “Oh, my darling sister Calliope is back, huh?” Penelope's shrill voice rang out as she descended the steps.
• Her eyes raked over Calliope in contempt as she wondered how the latter was acclimating to the newness of her married life.
• Penelope was inwardly delighted when she remembered that Calliope had gotten married to a notorious ruffian who had nothing to his name.
• Since young, she was never Calliope's match.
• Even though Calliope wore old clothes from a few years ago, people still found her to be incredibly beautiful and would shower her with praise.
• Calliope was meek and kind, so everyone loved being friends with her.
• Even at school, Calliope had better results than her.
• Thus, Penelope regarded Calliope as a thorn in the flesh even though the latter never tried to harm her. She would do anything she could to humiliate Calliope.
• Making Calliope wed the ruffian in her place worked to rid her of an irritating problem, but it did not satisfy her. She wanted Calliope to experience an even greater degree of distress and pain.
• “Calliope, how is life as newlyweds?” Penelope feigned enthusiasm and took Calliope's arm. “I heard that in the past, many couples got married without ever having met each other before the wedding as their parents had arranged everything for them. Your wedding was quite a traditional one, wasn't it?”
• Calliope laughed dryly and retracted her hand gently.
• She had a strong dislike for the Gingrich family and wanted to get out of there as soon as they handed her the money. She wanted nothing to do with them.
• “I heard that my brother-in-law went to prison several times for getting involved in brawls. Is that true?” A disdainful smirk then spread across her lips as she continued, “What is he doing now? Does he have a job? If he's unemployed, how is he going to provide for you and your family?”
• After a pause, she added sarcastically, “If he can't find a job, I'm sure I can help by recommending a few. For example, he could take up a job at the construction site or at the dock. That would be a perfect fit for him, right? Or he can work at the company. The security guard happens to lack a dog, so he can take up the position!”
• Hearing that, Calliope jerked her head up to stare at Penelope.
• Penelope felt her heart lurch with dread. As far as she remembered, Calliope had always been a pushover and never mustered up the courage to stand up for herself. However, there was a different look in her eyes that day.
• Calliope took a deep breath and fixed her gaze on Penelope. “My husband might have some disadvantages, but that doesn't mean he isn't capable of earning an income to provide for our family. Even if he wants to find a job, why would he ask for your help? You can save the jobs for my future brother-in-law.”
• “Hey!” Penelope huffed angrily. “Calliope, who do you think you're talking to?”
• “Why?” Calliope was unperturbed. “You think that working at a construction site, a dock, or acting as a faithful canine companion to a security guard can be incredibly rewarding positions, so I'm sure you recommended those jobs to my husband in order to help us out. However, I'm keen to save those jobs for my brother-in-law in the future. Am I not thoughtful?”
• Penelope started trembling furiously as she had no idea Calliope was that sharp-tongued.
• “Ha!” she scoffed, shaking her head. “Only someone like you would be foolish enough to think a man like him is worth anything at all.”
• Rolling her eyes with contempt, Penelope sashayed upstairs as her lips twitched. “Don't fool yourself. I know exactly why you're here. Dad's not home, and so your visit has been for nothing.”
• “What did you just say?” Calliope's heart sank to the bottom of her stomach.
• She immediately sensed a bad premonition.