Gina is momentarily stunned into silence. Staring at Emily, she feels that in the half-year they haven't seen each other, Emily has completely changed.
She feels like a stranger.
Bonnie's eyes dart around as she carefully chooses her words. "Emily, you can't calculate it like that. After all, the wealth gap between our family and the James family is massive. A matched dowry is impossible. But Mom will absolutely do everything in her power to help you prepare a dowry."
Gina nods vigorously. "Yes, exactly!"
"Mom prepare it?" Emily acts as if she just heard a hilarious joke. "Why would Mom help me prepare my dowry? Didn't we sign a support agreement? Elliott takes care of Mom, and I take care of Dad. Since Dad is the one providing for me, and as you can see, he's in a wheelchair and has no money for a dowry, I simply declined the bride price!"
"Also," Emily looks at the two of them, "Bonnie is due soon. It's not convenient for her to travel, so I didn't send invitations to you or any of those relatives you mentioned. Without an invitation, you can't get into the banquet hall. So, don't bother coming."
Both Gina and Bonnie turn pale.
After a brief flash of anger, Gina immediately shifts to a heartbroken expression. "Emily, you won't even let your own mother attend your engagement? I raised you for over twenty years, and you're really going to cut ties with me over a piece of paper?"
Emily replies coldly, "Back at the hospital, when Dad was in the emergency room and we needed to figure out compensation, you signed that agreement without a second thought. Didn't we make everything perfectly clear back then?"
Gina snaps, "I'm still your mother! The James family's engagement is going to be a huge event. If the bride's parents don't show up, won't people gossip?"
Swallowing her rage, she tries to persuade her earnestly. "Elliott and I are your family. If we're there, the James family won't look down on you. If you don't even have your own family backing you, what do you think the James family will think?"

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The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
This was soooooo sooooo good! I loved it! Thank you for the updates....
Then Melanie and Noreen will both understand that Emily is his wife, who he chooses and cares to be with. We’ve already had so much drama when Emily took off for three years hiding her pregnancy from Charlie. Emily has already confessed that the only man she loves is Kya father, which Charlie is. Now he needs to boldly claim the only woman he loves is Emily…I just had to add my two cents (he he he)....
Now Charlie needs to take Emily to the marriage office like Gabriel did with Sylvia . Reassure her that he will not take for granted. Thank you for the updates. I’m loving it....
May we please have updates. Thank you....
Wow.. finally they're married now. I thought there will be another separation....
Thank you for the updates of Emily and Charlie. It seem that Orval may knows of Amelia and may be helping Emily get around her,...
Waiting for updates..thank you...
More updates please. Thank you...
This was so exciting, from the demise of Evelyn and her departure; to Sylvia’s and Gabriel’ confession of their love, commitment and marriage to one another. Thank you for the updates…I’m loving it!...
Wow...Victory dance 💃💃 finally what we have all been waiting for. Just love the way it is progressing. Cant wait for more and more updates...