Chapter 53
Matthew only realized belatedly that his impulsive purchase might be a bit pricey for Valerie. “A friend recommended this brand. It’s expensive but very practical. Since it’s something to be used long–term, I might as well get a good one.” His explanation was stiff, his face expressionless.
If someone had told him a month ago that the mighty CEO of Noria Group would one day find himself having to explain a purchase to a woman, he definitely would laugh it off.
Luckily, Valerie didn’t say much. Although they were husband and wife, she didn’t feel she had the right to interfere with his spending. However, she truly had no intention of letting him purchase anything else.
She said, “We’re inviting my brother and sister–in–law for dinner tomorrow. If we order now, the delivery will take two or three days, which is definitely too late. So I suggest we go shopping in the market early tomorrow.”
As Valerie wasn’t dwelling on the dishwasher, Matthew secretly breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ll drive you there in the morning then.”
“Okay,” Valerie replied.
The kitchen was already cleaned up. Valerie changed her shoes, took a half–hour stroll on the balcony, and then returned inside to shower.
Matthew’s room was already closed when she came out, and he really went to bed early, as he said. Valerie wanted to remind him a few more things, like not to be nervous, so her brother wouldn’t notice anything weird tomorrow.
At this moment, it suddenly dawned on her that it was she who was actually nervous. After telling a lie, she would become anxious and apprehensive about what was to come.
To be honest, Matthew was a really good partner. In her memory, her parents had been bickering for years. Her father managed the finances, while her mother stayed at home to take care of the kids. Every month, her mother had to beg her father for the living expenses, only to be scolded for being wasteful. Not dareing to confront her dad, her mom would take out her frustration on the kids… More accurately, on her.
Her mother doted on her brother, Julian, so the few living expenses mostly went to him. Having been through times of scarcity since childhood, resentful yet helpless, she learned the importance of money early on. She wished that her family could be like her classmates, where the mother managed the finances. If her mom had more money at hand, maybe she’d be treated better, too.
But then, Julian’s situation turned her beliefs upside down. Julian handed over almost all his earnings to his wife to manage. His fruit business was actually pretty decent, raking in a cool 2 thousand dollars without breaking a sweat. Yet, here they were, still bickering, almost turning into bitter enemies. Julian, the breadwinner himself, was living the most pathetic life.
Valerie thought Julian was right in his last reminder. No matter what, having the cash in your own hands was the most reassuring. Only money kept you from going hungry and allowed you to stand straight without having to beg from others.
She was determined to make and save money. After fing up and financially independent, she was not about to live her life at anyone’s
mercy anymore. She was never going back to that situation.
Valerie had mentally prepared herself to draw a clear line with cards into her hands.
atthew, to split every bill. But in just a few days, Matthew had already shoved two
Having seen couples calculating against each other, eager to empty the other’s pockets down to the last penny, Valerie was quite unsettled by Matthew, who was so proactive about giving money. From a young age until now, no one except Julian had treated her like this.
Valerie mused to herself, Aside from his gloomy face, Mr. Grant is a great guy!
The next day, Valerie woke up early as usual to clean the hamster cage.
When Matthew emerged, Valerie was cradling the hamster in her palm, her face full of
“My dear little Peanut, why do you seem so listless
these days? Are you not adjusting well to the new environment?” she cooed gently, stroking the hamster’s fur with her fingertips, completely unaware that the culprit behind the hamster’s lethargy was standing right behind her and watching her.
Matthew sneered inwardly, wondering what was cute about that bald, chubby hamster.
*Mr. Grant, you’re awake?” Valerie saw Matthew and greeted him with a smile.
Matthew was quite pleased when Valerie immediately put down the hamster and walked toward him, thinking, ‘It’s just an ugly hamster; can’t even file a complaint anyway?
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