Pregnancy Singleton Causes Misunderstanding

I'm a screenwriter for short films, and that pregnancy test result was just a prop from a scene we were shooting. Our production assistant messed up and accidentally put my name on it, so I kept the mistake as a memento from my first short film. I never expected Ryan to find it.

So, I tried to explain, "That pregnancy test isn't real..."

But Ryan's mom wasn't happy. "So what you're saying is that this isn't yours? That my son, Ryan, picked up a fake pregnancy test to fool you?"

I quickly responded, "No, it's mine..."

Ryan's mom shot back, "So you made a fake pregnancy test yourself?"

I shook my head vigorously, about to explain further, but my mom cut in, "Alright, I might've scared you before, but I'm not going to actually break your legs just because you're pregnant."

Well, that's it—there was no way to clear this up now.

My parents seemed to have made up their minds that I was definitely pregnant.

My mom smiled and said, "Mrs. Shaw, since they're getting married, how do you want to handle the wedding expenses, the traditional jewelry, and the reception?"

Ryan's mom smiled back, "Isn't that why we're here today? To talk about their wedding?

"If you ask me, we're not the kind of people who cling to old traditions. Aria and Ryan are both well-educated, so we should move past outdated customs like a dowry.

"Besides, gold prices are way too high right now. Let's wait for them to drop, and then we can buy the jewelry later.

"And as for the engagement ring, I think a fake one will do for now. Once Aria's further along in her pregnancy, her fingers will swell up anyway, and she won't be able to wear the ring. Plus, with a baby on the way, it's not practical to wear much jewelry. Ryan, on the other hand, can have a nice one. Men's rings have a simpler design, and they won't harm the baby, right?"

As Ryan's mom rambled on, my parents were struggling to keep their smiles in place.

But Ryan's mom seemed oblivious to their discomfort and continued, "We can hold the wedding here, but since we don't know the area well, we'll leave the planning to you. Our side doesn't have many guests, so just twenty tables should be enough."

That's when my mom finally dropped her smile. "We can handle the wedding planning, but who's paying for all of this?"

Ryan's mom immediately replied, "Well, since the wedding's happening here, it's only right that you cover the costs. And you'll need to arrange transportation and hotels for our relatives too. After all, this is a big day—everything needs to be top-notch so we don't embarrass ourselves in front of the family."

My mom let out a cold laugh. "Well, that's a first. I've never heard of the bride's family footing the bill for the wedding."

Ryan's mom caught the sarcasm in my mom's voice, and her face turned stern. "If your family doesn't want to pay, then there won't be a wedding. And when word gets out, it'll be your daughter who's left humiliated."

My mom's face turned pale with anger, but she didn't snap back. She just shot me a furious glare.

What could I do? I felt hurt, too.

Seeing Ryan sit there in silence, it was all too clear to me now.

All the love I'd given over the years—I might as well have been giving it to a wall.