Chapter 2

"Condoms."

The moment that word left his mouth, my mom almost fainted.

But Ethan didn’t show a hint of shame. He stood there, microphone in hand, oozing confidence.

"Over the last three years, we used exactly seven boxes."

"Chloe, let's be logical. They were used to keep *you* from getting pregnant."

"Biologically speaking, you are the primary beneficiary of this product."

"Without them, you would have faced the risk of an unwanted pregnancy and medical procedures that would harm your body."

"So, logically, you should pay for them."

He paused, seeing that I remained silent, and clicked on the very last row of the spreadsheet to show the details.

"The ultra-thin one we used last night was five dollars."

"You still owe me $2.50."

"According to our 50/50 rule, even if it was our last night before marriage, we have to keep the accounts clean."

The guests gasped in disbelief.

Then, my phone buzzed again with social media notifications.

Ethan had just posted a screenshot of the unpaid Venmo request on Snapchat and Instagram.

His caption: *“Marry a wife, not an ancestor. Even brothers keep clear accounts! Avoid women who try to leech off you for $2.50!”*

His toxic bros were already hyping him up in the comments.

*“Bro, you’re a legend! Setting boundaries!”*

*“Modern women are so entitled. Trying to get a free ride over a few bucks.”*

*“Don't let her leech off you, man!”*

Looking at those comments, I suddenly burst out laughing.

Ethan thought he had intimidated me.

"Chloe, don't play dumb," he said, adjusting his collar.

"The total is twenty-three thousand, four hundred and eighty-two dollars and fifty cents."

"Send it over, and we can go ahead with the wedding."

"But under one condition: after we marry, my mother will manage our finances."

"We will establish strict household rules. Everything will be 50/50."

"However, since you’re the woman, the chores are naturally your responsibility. That part won't be 50/50."

The sheer audacity was mind-blowing.

He wanted to split the bills 50/50, but wanted me to do 100% of the labor.

I pulled out my phone and tapped the screen.

Ethan’s eyes lit up as his phone buzzed. But the moment he saw the notification, his smile froze.

It was a payment of $2.50.

My note on Venmo read: *“Breakup fee. Keep the change.”*