Gifts from My In-laws

Part 5. Asset Handover

Harry let the envelope lie on the table. He seemed completely uninterested in touching it.

"Should I explain?" I asked when I saw him still unmoved. Maybe he was confused, considering that all this time Harry only handled everything at the beginning, while I managed the financial arrangements every month.

My hand reached for the envelope again and took out the documents one by one.

"Nika can also pay attention, because later you will be the one managing Harry's assets," I said. I glanced at the face that I thought was ordinary. However, it was typical of a Jasperville woman. Maybe that's what made her so special in the eyes of Mother and Harry.

'Sorry, Nika. I'm passing on this heavy responsibility to you, so you don't get used to wanting to take something just because you're captivated by its outer beauty,' I thought to myself.

"These are the house documents." I handed several important sheets of paper to Nika. The woman received them with a gleam on her face. Her eyes focused on the sheets, seemingly reading the writings there. Subsequently, the valuable documents were taken by Mother. The woman also observed the sheets carefully with a similar gleam on her face.

"This is ...." I observed another paper tucked among the documents. My forehead furrowed, trying to recall the item.

"Oh ... this is the car price list. Last time, Harry and I planned to buy a car this year so that if we travel, we won't have to bother renting. But it hasn't been realized yet. Maybe you can continue the plan later," I said while handing the paper to her.

I paused for a moment, feeling the pain every time I remembered the beautiful moments with Harry, which were shattered by the arrival of a woman from his past.

'Be strong ...! Be strong, Sapphire! Not every worry and trial you face is meant to make you stronger in life. Everything will be beautiful in the end, if it's not beautiful yet, then it's not the end.' I strengthened myself.

"This is the vehicle registration document for the motorcycle that Harry uses." My hand took out another item from the envelope and handed it to them.

"Nika, this house and motorcycle, Harry and I bought at the beginning of our marriage. We bought this house when it wasn't as big and nice as it is now. We have improved it every month to make it look beautiful like it is now." I paused, observing her reaction to my words. Was she aware that it was a jab at her for only wanting to take the results? Did she feel any reluctance or did she just feel benefited?

I shook my head slightly, grimacing. Her expression didn't change. She was happy that the documents were transferred to her hands. Even though if I claimed this house, I had every right. It's just that I didn't want to argue over assets that I could earn myself. Assets can be earned, peace must be created.

"We bought this house by installments at the Bank," I continued, "Here are the records. The installment is paid no later than the 15th of each month. The monthly installment is 250 dollars. The loan term is ten years. It has been running for three years, seven years remaining," I explained. Nika's expression spontaneously changed, her expression turned cloudy.

'Ah, Nika. You only want the easy parts. Once you get something unpleasant, you react like that. This is just the beginning, there's still a lot in the envelope.'

I handed her the sheets stamped with the bank's name with a sweet smile. To slightly lessen the bitterness she received when the sheets were transferred to her by looking at my smile.

"This is the motorcycle lease agreement for Shane, because Shane wanted to upgrade to the latest model, so the loan has only been active for five months. The credit term is 36 months. The monthly payment is fifty dollars. Payments should be made at the leasing office, which Harry is familiar with. A late fee of two dollars per day will be charged if payments are late." I handed the credit agreement to her. She accepted it reluctantly.

"Here is the electricity account number. The monthly bill is typically at least seventy-five dollars" I explained. I frequently complain about this electricity bill each month. The house occupants are hard to persuade to save electricity.

"This is the latest water bill receipt. When you pay, bring this last receipt. The monthly cost is approximately twenty dollars."

Nika received each debt asset record one by one, with Mother as a witness. Their faces no longer shone brightly. Nika's hands trembled as she received each sheet, unlike when she was given the house documents earlier.

"This is Harry's salary ATM card." I took the flat object the size of three fingers from the wallet pocket and handed it to Nika. This time the woman's face brightened a bit.

"However, I've already used it to pay all the bills and for additional expenses for Father and Mother to return to the village yesterday. So it's already empty," I explained. It instantly dimmed the bright glow on her face again.

"Each month, the incoming funds amount to approximately 475 dollars," I explained.

"Yes, it's quite a challenge managing it, Nika," I chuckled wryly, "Indeed, the expenses don't match the income. To help, Nika can look at the expense records I make every month." I handed her a book.

"To keep things more organized. This already includes expenses for kitchen needs and knick-knacks, toiletries, cleaning supplies, pocket money for Harry, Father, Mother, and Shane, as well as Shane's college fees." Excluding Shane's semester fees, the total expenses recorded are almost equal to Harry's salary.

"If we record it like this, we can estimate the money that needs to be set aside, Sis," I continued.

Harry rubbed his forehead while still bowing. Meanwhile, the others looked pale. Mother even looked agape. Maybe she was truly shocked. Let her be, let her see her son's real life. The son she always proudly boasted about having a good position in the plantation. Whom she thought had a high salary.

From the outside, all this time, Mother saw Harry's finances as quite luxurious. So she always boasted about her son and belittled me. Mother never knew how I managed to make ends meet. I did it so they would be comfortable, not needing to think about the difficulties of making a living.

Now Mother herself has pushed me aside. Hopefully, her college-educated future daughter-in-law will be able to handle everything. Keeping her as the queen in this house.

What looks beautiful from the outside may not be as beautiful on the inside. We often forget that our vision is limited. We don't know what problems someone is facing, which cannot be comprehended by the eyes.

Nika sat frozen. She was stunned after hearing my explanation. I was just being kind enough to explain so she wouldn't be shocked when she gets married later. However, it seems it's the same. Knowing now or after marriage is equally shocking.

Is it wrong for me to feel grateful and laugh wickedly?

'Serves you right!' I chuckled inwardly.

"Then how are we supposed to eat if the ATM is already empty?" Mother snapped irritably.

"Mother doesn't need to worry," I responded gently, "You have a son and a college-educated future daughter-in-law. Surely they can handle everything well. Even I, with only a high school diploma, can do it." I retorted.

"Besides, I think the rice and all the kitchen needs are enough until the end of the month. It's just a matter of shopping for daily side dishes and vegetables, that's easy for Harry. He's great, isn't he?" I asked. I echoed the praise that Mother always had for Harry.

"What misfortune, having a wife like you who is uneducated." One of Mother's hurtful remarks, which she repeated many times.

"A college graduate with a good job at the plantation, yet ends up with a wife who's just a high school kid." Another of her remarks, but along the same lines.

That's how lowly I am in Mother's eyes, just because I'm only a high school graduate. Education is indeed important. I'm not one of the lucky ones who could pursue it to a degree level. However, finishing high school is not a misfortune.

Knowledge isn't only gained through formal education. It's better to be a high school graduate like me than a degree holder like that woman, who lacks empathy. She lacks manners and is willing to enter the home of a man who already has a wife and child.

Life isn't just about education; character is equally important. Attitude isn't just about knowledge; what's most important is manners.

Harry remained silent, either unwilling or unable to respond. He can't even adequately provide for the family, yet he dares to take another wife.

The man repeatedly sighed heavily, leaned back, bowed his head, rubbed his forehead, or roughly wiped his brown face. That's what happens when you act without thinking things through, just following desires.

"Is there anything else we need to discuss, Harry?" I asked the man.

"If not, I'd like to move into Emil's room," I requested. We had indeed prepared a special room for Emil and planned to add another room if we had another baby. But now, that dream is just a painful memory.

"Yes." Harry replied weakly.

"I hope you find happiness, Harry," I said softly. I gave them all a final smile before leaving. Then I walked firmly to the room, moving all my personal belongings to the room intended for Emil. With my little angel, tonight I begin a new status.