The Three Hundred Dollar Wife Chapter 2

The next morning, I got up to make breakfast as usual.

When Carter came out of the bathroom, freshly showered, he frowned at the table. There was nothing but two bowls of plain oatmeal and a glass of water.

"This is it? Just oatmeal? Not even an egg?"

I pushed a bowl toward him. "We’re out. That’s the last of the oats."

"Out? I gave you three hundred yesterday," he said, annoyed.

"Oh, right. I used that to pay the electric and gas bills on my way to work. And remember that two hundred you borrowed for lunch with your colleagues last week? I reimbursed myself. So, we have about twenty bucks left." I ate my oatmeal methodically, not bothering to look up.

"I..." Carter’s face darkened. He wanted to explode, but he didn't have a leg to stand on. Utilities were a household expense, and he did owe me that money.

He swallowed his rage along with the bland oatmeal, slammed the bowl down with a loud clatter, and stood up.

"I'm going to work!" He grabbed his jacket and stormed out.

I watched his angry retreat, a cold smirk playing on my lips.

Buckle up, Carter. We're just getting started.

Around mid-morning, Loretta called me while I was at my desk.

"Elena, come home early today. Your Aunt Debbie and her family are coming for dinner. Go to the market and get the good stuff—seafood, steaks, the works." It wasn't a request; it was a command.

"Sure thing," I said cheerfully. "But Mom, I’m completely tapped out. Could you..."

Silence on the other end for a few seconds, followed by her impatient snap. " no money? Carter just gave you the allowance yesterday!"

"Yeah, three hundred. Paid the utilities. Gone." I kept my voice innocent.

"You—!" Loretta was seething. "Fine, fine! I’ll have Carter transfer you something. Just make sure you buy decent food. Don't embarrass this family!"

She hung up on me.

I put my phone down, feeling lighter than air.

Minutes later, a notification popped up. Carter had transferred five hundred dollars.

Attached was a cold text: Make it last.

I accepted the transfer and replied with a single smiley face emoji.

That evening, I hauled bags of groceries home. Chicken, fish, expensive cuts of meat, fresh organic vegetables—I stuffed the fridge until it groaned.

When Aunt Debbie and her crew arrived, they couldn't stop praising the spread.

"Oh wow, Loretta! Your daughter-in-law is a wonder in the kitchen. Look at this feast!"

Loretta preened, soaking up the praise, though she waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, it’s just a simple family dinner. Elena, go get the soup."

"Coming," I called out, retreating to the kitchen.

Dinner was lively. Glasses clinked, voices rose.

Once the alcohol started flowing, Aunt Debbie cleared her throat. "Carter, honey, your cousin Jason is looking at houses. He’s ready to settle down, but he’s a little short on the down payment. We were wondering if you could..."

My heart skipped a beat. Showtime.

Before Carter could even open his mouth, Loretta jumped in, puffing up her chest. "Family helps family! How much is he short? Just tell your cousin. Carter is doing very well these days. He makes good money!"

Aunt Debbie beamed. "Oh, that’s wonderful! It’s just twenty thousand. Not much!"

Twenty thousand dollars. Not much?

I almost choked on my water.

Loretta’s smile froze for a fraction of a second, but she’d already boasted, and she couldn't back down now. She turned to Carter. "Son, your aunt needs a hand. We have to help. You still have money in the account, right?"

Carter looked pained. "Mom... you took the money from the account last month to buy Cousin Mike a car, remember? There’s less than five grand left in there."

Loretta’s face fell.

She knew the account was empty. She’d brought it up because she was pivoting the target to me.

Like clockwork, her eyes swiveled in my direction.

"Elena, you’re working too, aren't you? How much do you have saved up? Take it out for Jason. It’s an emergency."

Here it is. Finally.

I set down my chopsticks, dabbed my mouth with a napkin, and put on my most distressed face. "Mom, that is such bad timing. I just lent all my money to my brother a couple of days ago."

"What?!" Loretta’s voice hit a screeching octave. "You lent it to your brother? What does he need money for?"

"He’s getting married too. Buying a house. Short on the down payment." It was a half-truth. Lucas was looking, but he hadn't asked for a dime.

"You!" Loretta pointed a shaking finger at me, speechless with rage.

The air in the room grew heavy. Aunt Debbie and her family shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

Carter’s face was so dark it looked like a thundercloud. He leaned in, his voice a low, dangerous hiss. "Elena, when did you give money to your brother? Why didn't I know about this?"

"Just a few days ago." I blinked, the picture of innocence. "You give your paycheck to your mother without discussing it with me. I thought that’s how we did things? Mutual respect, separate finances, right?"

"You are being completely unreasonable!" Carter slammed his hand on the table and stood up.

The atmosphere at the table shattered.

Aunt Debbie looked like she wanted to crawl under the table. "Carter, Elena... please, don't fight... we’ll figure something else out..." Jason mumbled, trying to diffuse the bomb.

"What is there to figure out!" Loretta stood up too, her face twisted. "Elena, let me tell you something! My son carries this family! Everything you eat, everything you drink, comes from the Jiang family! The peanuts you earn should go to this house! And instead, you send it to your own family behind our backs? I am telling you right now: get that money back by tomorrow! Or you can get the hell out of my house!"