The Last Time I Loved Him (Autumn and Ryan)
Chapter 52

Chapter 2 I noticed something was off with Jackson and frowned, asking, "What's going on, Jack? Why are you spacing out?" He took my hand and began to speak quietly. "What are you trying to say? There are so many people watching us!" I was already on edge and sweating with anxiety.

"Sunny, you know about my cousin, right?" Jackson whispered. I was confused about why he was bringing up his cousin at a time like this.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Here's the situation, Sunny. My cousin is getting married to his girlfriend next year, but their family isn't well-off, and they don't have their own apartment yet..."

"So?" Jackson looked at me expectantly. "My mom wants us to transfer one of our apartments to him!"

"What did you say?!" I couldn't help but raise my voice. What did Jackson's cousin's marriage have to do with my husband's family? And what did transferring an apartment mean? I glanced down at the audience. My parents looked at me with concern, mouthing questions about what was wrong. My mother-in-law, however, had a smug expression, as if everything was going according to plan.

It all became clear in an instant. I had been wondering why Jackson and my mother-in-law seemed so compliant with me about the wedding. It turned out they were waiting for this moment! First, they held me back before the entrance, using my urgency to ask for a return of the dowry. Now, during the ring exchange, they were demanding a house for their relative.

Jackson continued talking in my ear. "Sunny, our family works in real estate, so we don't lack for houses. Look, my mom and I promised my cousin we would sort this out. We'd lose face if it's not resolved soon..."

"Enough!" I interrupted, staring him down. "You and your mom are in this together, right?"

Jackson awkwardly touched his nose and answered, "Mainly my mom said you have to provide it, or she won't let us get married."

The audience was already whispering, their hands covering their mouths. Jackson and I had met in college, both in the same year but different faculties. My family owns a real estate company and is the wealthiest in the city, while his family is ordinary working class. Everyone said I was superior to him in every way, whether it was family background or looks. I knew this to be true, but Jackson had always been kind to me, catering to my every whim.

Since we decided to marry, my family, considering his financial situation, didn't ask him to provide a house. I provided the three pieces of gold jewelry myself, and even the dowry was essentially a gift. My parents believed that being good to his family now would prevent future issues. I thought so too, but I never expected such shameless and escalating demands from them!

As Jackson spoke, he reached out to hold my hand again. I pulled away, raised my hand, and slapped his face. The sharp "snap" echoed, leaving him stunned and the audience gasping.

"Who's 'we'?" I shouted, ripping off my veil and throwing it at him. "I marry you, and now I have to provide a house for your cousin?"

"I've accommodated you time and time again, and this is how you repay me? Why should I pay for the mess you and your mom created? Do I owe you anything?"

Jackson's mother, who had somehow made her way onto the stage, shielded him and pointed a finger at me. "Sunny Lee, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Seeing my parents about to approach, I waved them back, glared at Jackson's mother, and said firmly, "I'm done with this broken marriage. Whoever wants it can have it. I'm not putting up with this anymore!" If they want to create trouble, fine- I'll accommodate them!