He Watched Me Shine Without Him novel Chapter 80

Samantha’s lips twitched as her face flushed a deep, liver-colored red. In the end, all she could muster was a weak deflection: “My Ethan’s in his doctoral program. You think that little bit of money from her was enough?”

Vivian’s mother shot Ethan a sideways glance, her voice sweetly sharp. “Ethan, you need to watch your spending from now on. You’re a husband and father now. If you burn through your money, what’s your wife and child supposed to live on? Fresh air?”

Ethan hurriedly nodded.

Samantha’s face darkened. She had counted on Ethan supporting her and Chloe, but now that Vivian’s mother was already trying to seize control of his wallet, things were going sideways fast.

Before Samantha could adjust her calculations, Vivian’s mother cut her off with a saccharine smile laced in steel. “Young people have it hard these days. Housing prices are through the roof, then there’s car loans, daily expenses… We elders may not be able to give much, but at the very least, we shouldn’t burden them. Don’t you agree?”

Samantha forced a laugh. “Of course.”

Vivian’s mother went in for the kill. “Since the kids are getting married, where’s the wedding house you’re providing, dear in-law?”

“Wedding house?” Samantha turned to Ethan. “You found a woman without a house or a car? What were you thinking? Now you want me to buy you a place to live? Are you trying to kill me?”

Ethan immediately bowed his head toward Vivian’s mother. “I’m sorry, Mom. My family is poor. We can’t afford a down payment. If it’s okay, maybe we could just use my family’s old house in the countryside for now? Once I have the money, I promise I’ll buy Vivian a new home in the city.”

Vivian’s mother scoffed. “Your mud-brick house? It’s worse than my dog’s kennel. My Vivian grew up in luxury and you want her starting a marriage in a shack?”

Ethan hung his head lower and lower.

Thankfully, Vivian’s father appeared and stepped in. “Ethan just graduated. How could he afford a house? I’ll pay for the wedding home.”

Vivian’s mother exploded. “So we’re marrying off our daughter, yet we’re paying for the wedding, the house—might as well let the groom move into our family!”

Samantha’s ears perked up at that and she jumped in defensively. “My son still has to support me in old age. He’s not marrying into your family!”

Vivian’s mother smirked coldly. “Oh? If you’re relying on him to support you, shouldn’t you at least contribute something now? No money, no house, and you still expect him to support you in your retirement?”

Samantha retorted, “Raising a son to care for you in old age is how it’s always been. I raised him. Whether or not I funded his education, he owes me care when I’m old.”

Vivian’s mother was fuming. She turned to her daughter. “Look at the family you picked. Are you marrying him or rescuing him?”

Vivian sat stiffly on the couch and said coldly, “Don’t worry, Mom. The house you and Dad give me will be under my name. As long as you buy it before the wedding, the Walker family won’t be able to touch it.”

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