People who presume they know your value without ever asking exhibit a certain form of hubris. I let my fiancé’s parents to believe their version of me when they demanded that I sign an unjust prenuptial agreement because they believed I was a gold digger. However, they were going to get an unpleasant shock the following day.
I never imagined that love could swiftly become a battleground. One day you’re arranging your wedding with the guy of your dreams, and the next you’re sitting across a table from his parents, who are grinning as they attempt to deprive you of your honor.
I knew Ryan was unique the moment I met him at a cookout hosted by a mutual friend. He sat next to me on the deck, laughing at my awful jokes, discussing his work as an engineer without being conceited, and giving me a sense of visibility that I had never experienced before.
Six months later, as we strolled through the park’s fall foliage, he remarked, “I know this might sound crazy, but I’ve never felt this way about anyone.” His eyes met mine, real and vulnerable. “Christina, I don’t want to be with anyone else.”
That was my favorite thing about Ryan. He was sincere. No pretense, no games. Just the truth. He was refreshingly direct in a society where everyone seemed to be playing some angle.
But his family? That was a whole other story.
During our first meeting, his mother Victoria refilled my cup without waiting for me to respond, asking, “Another cup of tea, Christina?” She grinned broadly, her pearl necklace glistening in the dim light of their dining room.
“I’m so happy that Ryan is finally getting married.”
Ryan grabbed my hand beneath the table and said, “Mom,” warning me.
“What? It’s a compliment! With a glance at her husband Richard that made my skin crawl, Victoria insisted.
I gave a courteous grin. Managing these kinds of encounters with people who made snap judgments before getting to know you is something I grew up doing. I learned from my parents that private enterprise was the source of our family’s riches.
According to my granddad, “Old money stays quiet.” I so learned to live my life on my own terms, never revealing anything about my upbringing.
“I’m going to meet my friend Greg for an hour,” Ryan muttered, squeezing my hand. For a while, will you get along with my parents?
I kissed his cheek and whispered, “Of course.” “Take your time.
Richard told him, his smile falling short of his eyes, “We’ll take good care of her.”
Victoria’s posture shifted as soon as Ryan closed the front door. Why don’t you participate in the study with us, Christina? We need to talk about something.
All of the books in the study were leather-bound and dark wood, and they were tastefully chosen to make an impression. Richard had already taken a seat in an armchair across from the desk when Victoria pointed to it.
With a honey-sweet voice and calculating eyes, she started, “I hope you know how much we care about Ryan’s future.”
With a knot in my stomach from anxiety, I nodded. “I do, of course.”
Victoria slid a hefty manila folder over the shiny desk, her grin fading. “This is merely a formality, and your signature is requested.”
I gazed intently at the folder. “What is this?”
“A prenuptial agreement,” said Richard dryly. “Normative practice.”
Victoria added, “Just a little protection, dear.”
“Protection? What sort of defense? I looked up from the papers and inquired.
As I raised the folder, my fingers shook a little, but my face remained expressionless. Pages of legalese were included, but the point was obvious: they wanted to make sure I couldn’t touch Ryan’s assets in the event that we parted ways in the future.
Victoria spoke in a patronizing whisper as she leaned forward. “Honey, we know girls just like you. We’ve witnessed it previously. Being married into our family is a blessing for you.
I exhaled the air. I had previously been evaluated by strangers, but this was more painful.
Richard placed his hands on the desk and folded them. You won’t mind signing, of course, if your love is genuine. Ryan stands to lose far more than you do, after all.
Anger and humiliation seared in my cheeks. Not because of the prenup itself, as I was a proponent of asset protection. However, their conceit and belief that I was a gold digger after their beloved son infuriated me.
I inhaled deeply while cautiously shutting the folder. “I understand.”
My composure was interpreted by Victoria as acquiescence. “You’ll sign it, then?”
I made eye contact with her. “All right, I’ll sign it. However, there is a requirement.
Victory was already shining in their eyes as they looked at each other.
Victoria’s mouth twisted in satisfaction. “Obviously, my love. Give it a name.
“I need time to thoroughly go over this. I will respond by tomorrow.
Victoria’s grin wavered a little. “It’s actually not required. Our attorney has made sure that everything is equitable.
I said calmly, “I’m sure he has.” However, I would like to review it. I’ll return tomorrow morning with my response.
Richard scowled. “For the time being, this should remain between us. Ryan shouldn’t have to worry about these… practicalities.
I grabbed the folder and got to my feet. “Obviously. So tomorrow?
Victoria, obviously proud of herself, nodded. “Tomorrow.”
My hands trembled with rage as I made my way to my car. Not at the prenuptial agreement, but at being so wildly undervalued.
I said to myself, “They don’t know who they’re dealing with,” as I started to dial a number on my phone.
Think of it as finished. But have you spoken to Ryan about this, Christina? I described my circumstances, and the speaker on the other end inquired.
My heart pounded. While he was out, I was ambushed by his parents. They particularly requested that I keep it a secret from him.
“I understand. And you feel at ease moving forward in this manner?
I considered Victoria’s arrogant grin and how I had earned my own prosperity by hard work, only to be labeled a gold digger. They decided on a course of action. I’m building mine now.
“All right, see you in the morning. They will undoubtedly come to regret this!
I didn’t get much sleep that night. I wanted to call Ryan and tell him everything, so I repeatedly gazed at my phone. However, I had to see this through to the end and see the expressions on Victoria and Richard’s faces when they learned how gravely mistaken they had been about me.
At precisely ten in the morning, I arrived at their home. However, I wasn’t by myself this time.
When Victoria opened the door and saw the dignified gray-haired man standing next to me in a perfect suit, her warm grin froze.
“Who is this, Christina?” Her voice was tight as she asked.
I gave a charming smile. Richard, this is Mr. Burton. Victoria. My lawyer.
Victoria’s jaw dropped. “A lawyer? What on earth? How dare you?
Richard’s face darkened as he emerged behind her. “What’s happening here?”
After we entered the living room, I quietly took a seat and set a heavy folder on the coffee table.
“Oh,” I remarked lightly, “just some paperwork.” “I thought it only fair that we protect our assets as well, since you’re so worried about Ryan’s.”
Richard looked dismissively at my packet and scoffed. “Yours? What on earth would you have to defend?
Mr. Burton interrupted, carefully opening the folder, “Ms. Christina has asked me to outline her financial position.” “For your consideration.”
As Mr. Burton painstakingly laid out the records, pointing to figures that caused Victoria’s eyes to expand and Richard’s jaw to drop, the room fell silent.
“My client founded a successful tech consulting firm at the age of 22, and it is currently valued at about $3.8 million,” Mr. Burton said.
Richard’s smile started to falter.
“Three rental properties in the downtown area generate about $12,000 per month in passive income.”
Victoria gripped her necklace of pearls.
“A trust fund, now worth $2.3 million, that her grandfather established.”
Richard gave a restless cough.
“And just over $900,000 in personal savings and investments!”
I saw the realization cause their faces to fall apart. Victoria was looking as pale as paper.
“Y-you possess all of that?” She stumbled.
I cocked my head. “Oh? You assumed I was chasing Ryan’s money, but you didn’t think to ask first?
Richard cleared his throat. “Well, if that’s true… Maybe we could change the contract to ensure that you are both equally protected.
I chuckled quietly. “Oh, not at all. I’m following your lead if you’re so sure Ryan should keep his money segregated. Mr. Burton pushed a document across the table after I nodded. “My counter-allegation. He will receive none of what I have created or inherited in the event of a divorce. Fair is fair, isn’t it?
Victoria grasped for the document, her hands shaking. “This is absurd. All we were attempting to do was—
She was in the middle of saying something when the front door slammed. Confusion, fury, and betrayal raged on Ryan’s face as he stood in the doorway.
“What’s happening here?” He looked from his parents to me and back to Mr. Burton before making his demand.
Victoria got up right away. “Darling Ryan, we were just…”
“Attempting to have Christina sign a prenuptial agreement against my will?” His voice was cold as he ended. Yes, I am aware of it. This morning, Drew filled me in on everything.
My heart fell. Their parents’ plot had been disclosed by his younger brother.
Victoria let out a gasp. “Drew was not entitled to—”
“No, mother. You were not entitled. As Ryan entered the room, he fixed his gaze on the papers arranged on the table. A prenuptial agreement? without ever discussing it with me?
Richard got to his feet. We were only watching out for you, son. We were unaware of Christina’s financial stability.
After looking at the papers Mr. Burton had brought, Ryan turned to face me. “Christina? What is this?
I inhaled deeply. My parents offered me a prenuptial agreement to sign. I made the decision to respond with one of my own.
Ryan was processing what was happening in the room, and the stillness was deafening. With fresh insight in his eyes, he took up one of the paperwork and read the figures before turning to face me.
“All this time,” he murmured quietly. “None of this was ever mentioned by you.”
Suddenly feeling vulnerable, I shrugged. It didn’t seem significant. I desired to be adored for who I am, not for my possessions.
Ryan’s voice was sharp yet hushed as he turned to face his parents. “You left me in the dark. After all this time, you acted as though Christina was after my money. He pointed to the papers. Before passing judgment on her, did you even make the effort to get to know her?
I couldn’t tell if the tears in Victoria’s eyes were genuine or only for show. “All we wanted to do was keep you safe.”
“No, mother. You were defending your personal biases. You got to see what you were hoping for.
Ryan grabbed my hand as he crossed the room. “Christina, I sincerely apologize. I didn’t know they were going to do this.
I gave his hand a squeeze. It’s alright. You were unaware.
An unsettling hue of red had appeared on Richard’s face. “Look here now—”
Ryan interrupted him. “No, father. You see. I’m in love with this woman. The woman I intend to wed. She obviously doesn’t need our money, too.
Victoria’s eyes were wiped. “Please, Ryan, we were just exercising caution.”
“Cease! This is what will take place. We will decide on a prenuptial agreement together, Christina and I. Now, everything that we had independently remains separate. We will share what we create together. He gave his folks a stern look. “And never again should you do this to my future wife.”
Victoria’s palm flew to her heart as she gasped. For once, Richard was unable to speak and clamped his jaw.
Ryan gathered the papers and gave them to Mr. Burton, saying, “Let’s go.” “I believe we’re finished here.”
We started toward the door, but I couldn’t resist turning around. With their flawless plan in ruins, Victoria and Richard remained motionless.
I whispered, “Thank you for the tea yesterday.” “It was instructive.”
Ryan and I sat on my apartment’s balcony later that night as the city lights below us glowed like stars.
He shook his head and remarked, “I still can’t believe it.” “You were essentially a secret millionaire all this time?”
I rested my head on his shoulder and chuckled. It’s not a secret, in my opinion. It’s more like… private. Money should be like underwear, according to my grandfather, who always maintained that it should be required but not flaunted in public.
After he laughed, Ryan became serious. “I feel terrible for my parents. Their actions were unacceptable.
They were attempting to keep you safe. They simply approached it in the most detrimental manner.
“Yet.” Turning my hand over in his, Ryan took it. “I ought to have anticipated it. Although they have always been critical, this He let out a sigh. “After this, I’m not sure how to proceed with them.”
I reflected on my own family and how they instilled in me the belief that morality was more important than social standing. About how, in spite of the trust fund that was waiting for me, my grandfather had forced me to work in his business from the bottom up.
“Ryan, people can surprise you. In great ways, and occasionally in horrible ways. We might yet be surprised by your parents.
He gave me a forehead kiss. “I am not as good a person as you are.”
“No.” I smiled. “Mr. Burton listed my assets a bit too much, and I just liked the expression on your mom’s face.”
The rich, unrestrained sound of Ryan’s laughter cheered me up. That was quite valuable. IT consultancy company? Properties for rent? A trust fund? I’m getting married to a real boss woman.
“You certainly are!” I straightened my posture. “Well, what about that prenup?”
Ryan’s grin dimmed. “We don’t require one. I have total faith in you.
I gave a headshake. In fact, I believe we do. It’s the right thing to do, not because we don’t trust one another. What each of us has created should be safeguarded.
“You’re correct. However, we’ll do it our way—together, truthfully, and without deceit.
“Agree.” When I properly held out my hand, he shook it and drew me in for a kiss.
I considered all the presumptions people make and how they see what they expect to see as we sat there, planning our future with open hearts and clear eyes. Richard and Victoria had recognized a gold digger in me. They never bothered to investigate further.
However, Ryan had. He had known me since the first day.
He noticed that I was silent and said, “What are you thinking about?”
I grinned as I observed the city below, which was teeming with its own mysteries and tales. “I believe that sometimes getting even isn’t the best kind of retaliation. It’s living well and ensuring that those who undervalued you get a front-row seat to your joy.
I knew we’d be alright when Ryan took my hand and we cuddled under the stars. Because we had made the decision to see the truth in one another, not because of what we had or had earned.
