Neighbors and passersby started criticizing me, "These days, bride prices are always in the tens of thousands. For an average family, that's their life savings!"
"Young lady, it's better to part amicably and return the money."
"Stop defending her. Who knows, maybe this is her regular scheme."
Standing at the doorway, my mother listened to everyone's accusations. Like a protective lioness, she pulled me away from Thomas and shielded me behind her.
I stared at her back, red-eyed, as she faced the mob alone for my sake, "What exorbitant bride price! It was clearly just 18,800 dollars. If even that is too much for Thomas's family, how could I dare let my daughter marry into such poverty?"
The clenching of Thomas's fists told me his patience was hanging by a thread. When we were together, there had been a bond of mutual understanding.
We both came from single-parent families. Life hadn't been easy for our mothers, so our engagement was just a simple family meal and a brief ceremony. But I never expected him to use the bride price as leverage against me.