Meeting His Family Cost Me More Than I Expected — Novel

About

In a family where tradition reigns supreme, Ashley finds herself thrust into the chaos of Ivan's world when she unwittingly walks into a funeral—one that becomes a stage for unexpected demands and shocking revelations. Ivan's mother, cold and calculating, insists that Ashley must pay a heavy price for her acceptance into the family. As tensions flare, Ashley grapples with the suffocating expectations placed upon her. Can a budding romance withstand such pressure, or is she merely a pawn in a game she never intended to join?

The stakes rise as Ashley realizes that her relationship with Ivan is more complex than she ever imagined. Torn between love and self-preservation, she faces a choice: conform to the oppressive customs of the Lopez family or stand her ground and risk losing everything. With whispers of betrayal echoing in the shadows and a mother-in-law who seems to have ulterior motives, Ashley must navigate a treacherous path filled with secrets and lies.

As alliances shift and power dynamics shift, will Ashley find the strength to carve her own identity, or will she become another casualty of the family’s ruthless ambitions? The answer lies in her determination to defy the odds.

Meeting His Family Cost Me More Than I ExpectedChapter 1

The first time I visited my boyfriend's house, I came prepared with generous gifts to make a good impression.

What I didn’t expect was to walk straight into a funeral.

As soon as I stepped through the door, Ivan's mother shoved a set of mourning clothes into my arms.

“The old man passed away last night,” she said matter-of-factly. “You’ll kneel here for the next three days to keep vigil. Consider it doing your part as a filial future daughter-in-law.”

Before I could even react, she stuffed a bill into my hand.

“The funeral costs totaled three hundred thousand dollars. We’re not unreasonable people—just pay two hundred thousand, and we’ll call it even.”

Stunned, I stared at her. “Auntie, Ivan and I are just dating. This isn’t something I should be responsible for.”

Her eyes narrowed, and she spat sharply, “What do you mean shouldn’t? My son is a high-level executive with a bright future—you should feel lucky he even chose you.”

“If you won’t show some basic respect and filial piety now, how do you expect to serve us after marriage?”

“I’m telling you, if you want to marry into this family, this is the bare minimum.”

I was speechless.