Chapter 3

3: 3

3

I stepped in front of my parents, shielding them.

"There are more than a dozen people here today. How are just my mom and dad supposed to cook this much food?"

"Didn't I hire a caterer to come cook? Why aren't they here yet?"

Today was my thirtieth birthday, and my mother-in-law and husband had insisted on throwing a party.

I'd wanted to book a restaurant.

But Lucy insisted that since we'd just moved into such a big place, the relatives and friends should come eat at the house instead.

Figuring it could double as a housewarming, I agreed, and lined up a caterer to come cook two weeks in advance.

Lucy rolled her eyes at me.

"Made a little money and now you're floating on air? A private chef, really?"

"Your parents worked the land their whole lives out in the country. Making one meal is nothing to them."

"Besides, everyone coming today is close family and friends. Giving your parents the chance to cook for them is doing them a favor."

I didn't take her bait. I just repeated my question.

"Where's the caterer?"

For a second her eyes darted away.

But with so many people in the living room, she pushed through it and shot back.

"I canceled them. Three thousand for one meal, it's daylight robbery!"

"You young people just don't know how to manage money. If I weren't managing it for you, you really wouldn't treat money like money at all."

My hands shook with anger, my chest heaving on its own.

In the five years since I got married, Lucy had never watched my daughter for a single day. A nanny had raised her the whole time.

Lucy spent her days playing mahjong and her evenings out dancing in the square, and every so often she'd book a trip with her old girlfriends.

Those package tours ran into the five figures, and I never blinked.

Yet now, over a three-thousand-a-table banquet with everything included, she stood there righteously accusing me of wasting money.

Never mind that all that money was money I'd earned.

Garry hurried to tug his mother's arm, signaling her to stop talking.

The next second, Garry turned to look at me.

"Penelope, don't be upset. My mom's only looking out for you and your parents."

"It's your birthday, after all. She was just worried the caterer wouldn't cook things the way you like them."

"You're your parents' own daughter. Of course they know your favorite dishes best. Don't read into it."

Mom hurried over too, patting my back to calm me down.

"Sweetie, don't be angry. This is your home. Your dad and I aren't outsiders here. Looking after the guests is only right."

"Don't worry, I love cooking for you most of all. And you've always loved my cooking, haven't you?"

"All right, all right, Garry's already said it, and I'm sure his mother didn't mean anything by it."

And with that my parents started toward the kitchen.

I fought to steady myself and moved to follow them and help.

But Dad blocked me at the kitchen door.

"Enough now. You're the guest of honor today. There's no sense in you lifting a finger."

"Besides, with you in the kitchen, your mom and I won't have room to work."

Just then my daughter toddled over to me, stretching out her chubby little arms, mumbling.

"Mama... up..."

Garry called out to me across the living room.

"Penelope, come over and talk with everyone. Your uncle and aunt have things they want to say to you."

"Everyone came here for you today. Don't leave them hanging."

In front of me were my parents, wronged and still forcing smiles.

Beside me was my innocent little girl, waiting to be picked up.

Behind me was the husband I'd loved for two years and been married to for five.

Seeing me rooted to the spot, Mom scooped up my daughter and pressed her into my arms.

"Go on now, hurry over."

"A harmonious home makes everything prosper. Your dad and I are fine."

My tears nearly spilled again.

A harmonious home makes everything prosper.

Yet in this big home, there was no place for my mom and dad.

But so my parents wouldn't worry, I forced back the wetness in my eyes, held my child, and walked toward the living room.

The moment I sat down, Lucy waved a grand hand, as if she'd just agreed to something.

"No problem, no problem, it's a small thing."

"Penelope's a director at Grandwell Group. Setting up a few jobs is nothing. It'll be no trouble at all!"