Chapter 1The Hunt for a Husband

"I'm sorry, Ma'am, but this card has been declined."

I was slightly stunned but quickly pulled out another card.

The red light on the terminal blinked again.

"Sorry, this card is also invalid."

"...What?"

I steadied my breath and dialed my husband's number.

"Honey, hasn't your paycheck come in yet? The baby's out of formula."

There was not a trace of warmth on the other end:

"This family isn't supported by me alone. I hope you can be independent, not a parasite living off others."

That single sentence marked the beginning of his war.

Very well.

Then let the hunt begin.

* * *

"Ma'am, do you still want this formula?"

The cashier's tone was impatient.

I snapped back to reality, realizing a long line had formed behind me.

"I'm sorry... I don't want it for now."

Pushing the empty cart out of the supermarket, I called my mother-in-law.

The phone rang over ten times before being picked up, with the fierce sound of Mahjong tiles in the background.

"Spit it out if you have something to say, I'm on a winning streak!"

I took a deep breath, every word incredibly difficult:

"Mom, Caleb's company... his salary is delayed this month. Do you think you could watch Mia for a couple of days so I can find some temp work?"

"No way!"

I was cut off before I could finish.

"I've done my duty raising Caleb! Spare me the moral kidnapping. If you need money, ask your own family. Didn't I give you a $10,000 bride price? Make your family spit it out!"

The phone was hung up abruptly.

A sourness rushed up my nose.

When did they change?

Probably a year ago, when my daughter fell seriously ill.

Besides the bride price and dowry, even my pre-marital savings were poured into it.

Caleb was on a business trip at the time.

He promised solemnly over the phone:

"Wifey, my money is tied up in wealth management. You figure out a way to cover it first. Once it matures, I'll definitely pay you back."

From that day on, my mother-in-law looked at my daughter with nothing but disgust:

"Some children are born debt collectors, bringing bad luck just to drag the family down."

And Caleb started complaining to me frequently:

"Uncle's company is restructuring. Although I wasn't laid off, the economy is bad, and my salary was cut in half."

"You don't work, so you don't know what it's like out there. Ask Mom and Dad to help out more. Once Uncle's business turns around, the salary will go back up, and I'll definitely compensate you double then."

This wait lasted a year.

Waiting for him to go from "starting a business" to "in debt."

Waiting for his salary to shrink from $3,000 to $800.

Waiting for my daughter and me to become "parasites" in his mouth.

Finally, I called my brother.

After hearing my plight, he sighed deeply.

"Sis, honestly, seeing you live like this makes me sad too. Take this thousand dollars, no need to pay it back."

"But I really hope this is the last time. You have to climb out of that pit yourself."

Hanging up the phone, the tears finally broke the dam.

It turns out when you hit rock bottom, even your shadow leaves you.

Those who banged drums urging you to marry and have kids are now gathered around the pit, laughing at your wretchedness and helplessness.

Their lines are always shiny:

"You have to have a son to gain a foothold in your in-laws' house."

"He works hard outside to make money, how can you not even take care of a child properly?"

"Women must be kind and magnanimous, otherwise how can you keep a man's heart?"

I wiped the tears from my face and picked up my crying daughter.

Only after getting married did I understand that "I'll support you" is the biggest lie in marriage.