To test his bride, the rich groom dressed up in a shabby suit and arrived at the wedding in an old junk car. The bride’s reaction shocked everyone

She also performed the role of a cleaner, but even these two women barely held on. The work schedule was not designed for two people. After his daughter’s failed marriage, Nicholas abandoned all his affairs and began to give money to anyone in debt.

The man seemed to want to show all acquaintances and unfamiliar people his generosity and selflessness. But in reality, as soon as the store owner was on the brink of life and death, all the debtors disappeared somewhere. Vanessa was at a loss.

She had never dealt with such matters, nor did she have time for them now. She spent the last available money on her husband’s rehabilitation. Several close relatives supported the family as best they could, but everyone had their own affairs and worries, and all the responsibility for caring for the sick Nicholas fell entirely on her shoulders.

Melanie herself was never interested in parental affairs. Either she was busy studying at school and then at university, or there were other reasons. In fact, Nicholas and Vanessa didn’t want their daughter to be involved in sales.

After experiencing a difficult time in the trade industry, Melanie’s parents had high hopes that their daughter would pursue a prestigious profession vastly different from their own. However, all of Melanie’s plans fell apart instantly. She didn’t know how to help her parents, and perhaps she didn’t want to.

She had no interest in taking care of her father or being involved in the family business. Melanie’s close friends seemed to have vanished into thin air. She used to completely satisfy them when she was cheerful, carefree and financially secure.

What about now? She was always out of money and out of time. She began acting like a victim who had been betrayed and humiliated. Many classmates did not stop gossiping.

She thinks she’s depressed and a victim, but in reality she wanted to sit on two chairs to marry a rich guy and behind his back to have an affair with another. It didn’t work out. And everyone blamed her for her father’s stroke.

There was no sympathy from relatives or friends. Adrian, who was supposed to beg for forgiveness, did not respond to calls or messages. Even her own mother had not spoken to her in days.

At the end of June, Melanie finally received her university diploma. Upon arriving home, the girl flopped onto her bed and picked up her phone without saying a word. Melanie, could you please go get some groceries? Her mother asked from the other room.

Don’t you have anything else to say to me? Melanie replied defiantly. Melanie, we haven’t had milk or bread in the house for two days. So does that mean the bread is more important to you than your daughter’s diploma? Everything was the opposite not so long ago.

Her mother emerged from the room looking very pale. You know, daughter, I didn’t realise what a terrible person I raised. It’s painful for me to accept that you’re my daughter.

Wait, did you just call me a terrible person? Are you out of your mind? I graduated just now and got my diploma. So why do I get an errand to the store instead of congratulations? You’re almost 23 years old, yet you still think like a child. It was a huge mistake for dad and me to indulge you and plan your wedding.

So, are you going to accuse me of being dumped by Adrian now? Yes, I’m going to accuse you and not just of that. Her mother spoke quietly so as not to wake her sleeping husband. Your behaviour caused your father to have a stroke and me to have a pre-heart attack condition.

You started an affair knowing that you were going to get married soon. Mom, I’ve already explained everything to you. I had no relationship with that guy.

We just met for business. I couldn’t even imagine that Adrian’s parents would be there. I’m telling you for the thousandth time I didn’t confess my love to that guy.

I don’t know why Caitlin told dad that I did and why you believed her instead of me. The guy wrote to me on Instagram asking if I, as a beginner designer, could advise him on choosing furniture. I naturally agreed.

Experience needs to be gained, right? We met. I gave him a few tips and he decided to thank me and invited me to our student cafe. We sat, drank coffee and talked.

He started flirting with me. I told him that I was getting married soon so that he wouldn’t expect anything from me. Then he started asking me all sorts of questions like whether I could love him.

I answered no and I started getting ready to go home. Then he asked me if I could pay for myself. I told him, why did you invite a girl to a cafe if you don’t have any money? He started to justify himself asking why is money so important to you girls? Is that the most important thing in life? I told him that yes, money is important to me and my fiance is very wealthy which is why I chose him.

Why did money become your top priority? Melanie’s mother asked her. Melanie, we didn’t raise you in poverty. You had everything you wanted.

Mum, you’re being strange Melanie replied. Money means freedom. Yes, you can’t buy everything in life with it but a good income allows me to work and live the way I want.

Not like you and Daddy. You’ve been working from dawn till dusk in your store. If we’d been better off financially Dad wouldn’t have been so upset about the money we invested in that damn wedding.

Vanessa wanted to get angry at her daughter’s words but suddenly became suspiciously calm. Your father had a stroke. Not because we spent a lot of money on the wedding.

He was very upset to find out what kind of two-faced and selfish daughter he had. Wow! Are you accusing me again? Melanie exclaimed. At least I was honest with Adrian.

He lied to me. Either he was rich or he was poor. A decent person wouldn’t present themselves like that.

I value myself and I don’t want to marry any clowns and liars. So there’s more to think about. Who’s really two-faced and self-serving? Enough talk Melanie.

Vanessa said sternly. I won’t pity you anymore. Tomorrow morning we’re going to the store and you’ll work as a substitute salesperson until we make a good profit.

Me? A salesperson? I don’t know how to do that. Have you asked my opinion? Melanie protested. I haven’t asked and I won’t ask.

You haven’t even bothered to ask how much it costs to rehabilitate your father in these two months? How I pay the salespeople? How I manage all of this? You only think about yourself. She put her money on the table and left the room, said her mother sternly. Put the money on the table and left the room.

Melanie went to the nearby grocery store and was overwhelmed with tears. She couldn’t imagine being a salesperson, eating a sandwich for lunch and gossiping with other salespeople. She felt like the end of the world had come to her young and beautiful life and she would have to forget about her interior design career forever…