My Groom Brought a Split-Bill Contract to the Altar novel
He wanted me to shoulder half of all expenses after marriage.
His parents, sitting in the front row, were the first to clap, praising him for being 'clear-headed.'
Then, as if this were the most natural thing in the world, he took out a portable card reader and asked me to pay for half of the wedding rings.
So, in front of everyone, I scanned the code and paid. I smiled as I took the agreement from him and signed my name on it.
Then I picked up the microphone, looked straight at him, and said, From today on, everything I give will also be split 50C50 with you.
He wanted to settle every bill with me?
Fine, Id make sure he lost everything.
The wedding hall was packed with guests, the air buzzing with chatter and clinking glasses.
Right in the middle of the ceremony, my husband, Evan, suddenly took out a 'Post-Marriage Split-Everything Agreement.'
Without a hint of embarrassment, he read it out loud in front of everyone.
To ensure the quality of our married life and maintain financial independence, I hereby state that after marriage, all expenses, including utilities, food, entertainment, and social obligations, will be split 50C50 with my wife.
His parents, sitting below the stage, immediately took the lead in applauding.
My son is so sensible. Truly a modern young man with principles! his mother exclaimed proudly.
With looks of both confusion and discomfort, our friends and relatives all glanced at each other.
Meanwhile, my parents faces had gone dark. They tried to stand up, but I pressed their hands down under the table, silently begging them not to make a scene.
I looked up at Evan on the stage.
There was a standard, almost corporate smile on his face, as if he were giving a business presentation, not getting married.
A moment later, Evan stepped down from the stage and handed the agreement to me.
Sign it, Grace, he said. This is the beginning of our new life. Fair and just.
I stared at him, not moving.
His mother, Patricia, came over then and shoved a pen into my hand.
What? You dont want to sign? she said sharply. Evan is so outstanding. You should be grateful that my son is willing to marry you, and you still want to take advantage of our family?
Her voice wasnt loud, but it carried just enough for the nearby tables to hear.
Countless eyes fell on me, making my skin prickle with discomfort.
Evan frowned slightly.
Mom, dont say that. I believe shes not that kind of person, he said.
Then he turned to me, softening his voice.
Its just a formality, so my parents can feel at ease. Once were living together, I wont treat you unfairly.
I looked into his eyes.
We had been dating for three years, and he had always treated me well. Maybe I was overthinking things, so I grabbed the pen and signed my name.
Evan immediately broke into a broad smile, and Patricias expression finally relaxed into satisfaction.
The wedding continued as if nothing were wrong.
The priest then asked Evan, Do you, Evan Haywood, take this woman, Grace Barlow, to be your lawful wedded wife, to love her and be faithful to her, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for as long as you both shall live?
Evan gazed at me with what looked like deep affection.
I do, he said.
Then he leaned slightly toward me, lowering his voice so only I could hear.
Oh, and the cost of todays wedding banquet. Well split that as well. The total is $200,000. Your share is 0-000,000. Dont forget to transfer it to me.
My blood ran cold in an instant.
Seeing the shock on my face, he added calmly, As for the cash gifts from guests, well keep our own separately. The ones from your friends are yours. The ones from my relatives are mine.
Thats fair, right? he asked, tilting his head as if he genuinely expected me to agree.
I stood frozen on the spot, unable to utter a single word.
...
After the wedding, life became like a perfectly calibrated calculator.
Every morning, Evan would send me a list:
[Yesterdays electricity: $3.2, your share is 0-0.6.]
[Yesterdays water: $2.1, your share is 0-0.05.]
[Yesterdays gas: $4.5, your share is $2.25.]
[Dinner ingredients: $38, your share is 0-09.]
[Total: $23.9. Please pay.]
At the bottom, there was always a payment QR code.
And every single day, I was transferring him money.
One time, I worked overtime and came home late, so I didnt cook.
When I walked into the kitchen, Evan was already sitting at the dining table with a takeout spread out in front of him.
I pulled out a chair, sat down, and reached for the chopsticks.
He pressed down on my hand.
This takeout costs $35. If you want to eat, transfer me seventeen point five, Grace, he said calmly.
My stomach twisted.
Evan, Im really tired today, I murmured.
I know. Thats why you can choose not to eat and go rest instead, he said, like he was just stating a simple fact, nothing more.
I swallowed my frustration, stood up, and went back to the bedroom.
That night, I suddenly came down with acute gastroenteritis. I was vomiting and having diarrhea, over and over.
Clutching the wall for support, I struggled out of the room.
Evan, take me to the hospital. I feel awful I gasped.
He lifted his head from the computer and glanced at me. Is it that serious? Do you want to drink some hot water first?
I replied weakly, Its really bad. It hurts so much I cant stand.
Only then did he get up and steady me.
Alright, Ill take you, he said at last.
On the way to the hospital, I curled up in the passenger seat, the pain making it hard to breathe.
He drove while talking, as if this were just another spreadsheet to walk through.
I checked. Night-time emergency registration is $50. Twice as much as during the day. When we get the medical bills and test fees later, well keep track and split them evenly when we get home.
I kept my eyes closed, too weak to answer.
...
At the hospital, the doctor prescribed some medication and told me to go pay and then get an IV drip.
So I headed over to the payment counter and got in line, with Evan standing behind me, scrolling on his phone like this was just another errand.
When it was finally my turn, the cashier glanced at the screen and said, Thatll be seven hundred eighty dollars.
I took out my phone, ready to pay, when Evan suddenly patted my shoulder.
Wait a second, he said.
He leaned past me toward the cashier and asked, very politely, Hello, can we pay separately?
The cashier froze, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. Sorry, sir what?
I mean, she pays her share, and I pay mine, he explained patiently, as if it were the most reasonable thing in the world.
Arent you two married? the cashier asked, bewildered, looking between us.
Evan nodded and replied flatly, Yes, but were a split-everything couple. She should pay three hundred ninety, and Ill pay $390.
People in line behind us all turned to stare.
The cashier frowned, clearly annoyed now. Sir, we dont have that kind of payment method. It has to be paid in one transaction.
Evans brows knit together, like this was some tragic complication. Then what should we do? he said. This doesnt comply with our agreement.
All those eyes shifted to me. My face burned.
I clenched my teeth and said to the cashier, Ill pay. Ill pay the full amount.
After paying, I grabbed the receipt and just wanted to get away from there as fast as possible.
Evan followed behind me.
Dont be mad. Its not that Im unwilling to spend money, he said. Its just that rules are rules. We agreed on this from the start. The extra $390 you paid, Ill transfer it back to you.
Later, in the infusion room, I sat in the chair as the cold IV fluid seeped into my veins, spreading a chill through my whole body.
Evan sat beside me and took out his phone again.
By the way, the cab fare just now was $28. Ill cover the gas, so you transfer me 0-04. And I came with you to the hospital and lost two hours of work. My hourly rate is $200, so thats $400 for those two hours. Thats my personal time cost. Shouldnt you be responsible for half of that, too?
I jerked my head up to look at him.
His expression was perfectly serious, not at all like he was joking.
Evan," I asked quietly, do you actually think thats reasonable?
In a matter-of-fact tone, he replied, Of course its reasonable. My time is a cost, too. If were going 50/50, then we need to calculate everything clearly.
I didnt respond; I simply turned away and looked out at the night beyond the window.
...
The next day, I received his transfer.
Not a cent more, not a cent less.
Not long after that, I found out I was pregnant.
When I showed the pregnancy test stick to Evan, he just stared at it in silence for a long time.
For the first time, a strange expression crossed his face.
It wasnt joy. It wasnt a surprise.
It was something calculated.
Without saying another word, he took out a sheet of paper and a pen and began scribbling numbers, his brow furrowing as if he was doing a budget report instead of reacting to a baby.
I looked it up, Grace, he stated plainly. From prenatal checkups to delivery, the full package at a public hospital is about 0-05,000. For the postpartum care center, the mid-range cost is $30,000 a month. Formula, diapers, and other baby supplies are at least $20,000 in the first year. These are all shared expenses, so well have to split them evenly.
When he finished, he slid the paper covered in figures over to me.
So, all in all, the total is $65,000. Your share is $32,500. My suggestion is that you start saving now.
I stared at the paper, and a wave of dizziness washed over me, as if the floor had quietly shifted.
Evan, am I having this child all by myself? I asked quietly.
You cant put it like that, he replied. Youre the one whos pregnant, but fertilization was on me. Half and half. Very fair.
Somehow, Patricia had already heard I was pregnant, and she made a special trip over.
The moment Evan's mother walked in, she didnt ask how I was feeling. Instead, she grabbed Evan by the arm and dragged him into the bedroom.
Through the door, I could just make out her voice.
"Evan, you shouldnt go soft on your wife. Having children is a womans duty. Why should our family be the one paying for it? Make her pay. Otherwise, once this child is born, it has nothing to do with us."
After a while, Evan came out of the room.
He was holding a new agreement:
[Split-Everything Agreement for Pregnancy and Child-Rearing Expenses]
Then, he set it down in front of me.
Sign it, he said. Itll prevent disputes later.
My hands were shaking.
And if I dont sign? I asked, my voice barely steady.
Then I suggest you dont keep this child. His voice was ice-cold, stripped of any emotion. Im not going to shoulder a debt that doesnt belong to me, Grace.
I looked at himthe man Id loved for three yearsand at that moment, he was so unfamiliar that it genuinely frightened me.
Evan, do you even have a heart? I whispered.
Patricia chimed in from the side, her tone sharp and impatient. Why bother explaining so much to her? She just wants to cling to our family. Im telling you, if she wont sign, then she can hurry up and get it aborted. The Haywood family doesnt support freeloaders, and we definitely dont raise money-sucking burdens.
I was trembling with anger now, my finger stabbing toward the door.
Get out. Both of you," I finally snapped.
Evan frowned.
How can you talk to my mother like that? he demanded. Shes your elder.
I let out a bitter, shaky laugh as tears spilled down my cheeks.
An elder? I said, my voice breaking. What kind of elder forces her own daughter-in-law to abort her child?
I turned my gaze on Evan, my eyes burning. Evan, how did I never see before what a piece of trash you are?
His face darkened.
Im just following the rules. Youre the one being unreasonable. Since youre so worked up, theres nothing more to discuss.
With that, he yanked Patricia by the arm and slammed the door on his way out.
That night, I received a message from him:
[Think it over. Either sign the agreement, or go to the hospital, Grace. Ill give you three days to decide.]
I lay in bed, resting my hand on my still-flat belly.
There was a tiny life in there.
My child.
I couldnt give him up.
...
Three days later, I called Evan.
Ill sign, I said.
On the other end of the line, he sounded like he had finally let out a breath.
Thats better. Dont worry, Ill fulfill my responsibilities as a father, too. For example, Ill be responsible for providing the other half of the genes.
I hung up and then slumped over the toilet, vomiting until everything blurred.
Throughout my pregnancy, including prenatal visits, morning sickness, and commuting to and from work, I was always alone.
Evan, on the other hand, got out of work on time every single day.
After that, Evan never came near me. If I tried to sit closer on the couch or reach for his hand, he would inch away, always with some detached explanation ready.
He would say, Pregnant women are emotionally unstable. If I stay too close, it might affect my work performance. And my time cost is very high.
So that became his excusefor distance, coldness, and everything else.
In the meantime, Patricia would drop by occasionally.
Every time she came, she brought a scale. Shed set it down with a clunk, make me stand on it, then bend over and jot down my weight.
Why did you gain again? Are you secretly eating something nice? she would demand. Im telling you, everything you eat counts as child-rearing costs, and youll split all of that with us later. Dont even think about taking advantage of our family.
I said nothing and just looked at her.
My stare made her uneasy.
What are you looking at? Did I say anything wrong? Patricia snapped.
I answered softly, No.
Only then did she leave, satisfied.
...
Time crawled by, and finally, the day of my due date arrived.
That morning, my water broke.
A wave of contractions slammed into me so hard my vision went black.
Gritting my teeth, I grabbed my phone and called Evan.
Evan I Im going into labor, I panted.
There were a few seconds of silence on the other end.
So soon? Three days earlier than expected, he said.
Then, almost reassuringly, he added, Dont panic, Grace. Im coming back now.
I was writhing on the floor from the pain when he finally walked in.
However, he didnt offer a hand to help me up. Instead, he calmly retrieved the same portable card reader he had used at our wedding and crouched down in front of me.
Then, he said, The signal at the hospital is bad. Card payment is the most reliable. Hereseven thousand five hundred. Lets settle the bill first.
Evan held the reader near my trembling hand, as if he were waiting for me to purchase a product.
Then he opened a memo on his phone.
We agreed before that hospitalization and delivery cost 0-05,000. Your share is $7,500. Transfer it now. We need to settle accounts before going to the hospital.
Curled on the floor, my clothes soaked with sweat, I stared at him in disbelief.
Evan you was all I could manage.
This was clearly written in the agreement. You didnt forget, did you? he reminded me.
He handed his phone to me, and the QR code was glowing on the screen.
Hurry up. Dont waste time. Hospital beds are limited," Evan urged.
Patricia stood behind him, arms crossed, watching coldly.
What are you dawdling for? Its just giving birth. What woman doesnt? she said with a snort. Transfer the money. Dont even think about skipping the bill.
Using every ounce of strength I had, I crawled up from the floor and fumbled around until I found my phone. My hands were shaking so badly that I could barely hold them.
I opened the payment app and aimed it at his QR code.
[Entered amount: $7,500]
[Pressed pay]
A soft beep sounded.
[Payment successful]
Evan glanced down at his phone, checked the notification, and nodded in satisfaction.
Good. Got it. Lets go, he said, as if wed just finished paying for groceries.
He reached out to support me.
I shoved his hand away.
No need, I said through clenched teeth.
Supporting myself against the wall, I took slow, agonizing steps toward the door.
Every step felt like walking on blades. Blood and amniotic fluid streamed down my legs.
I didnt look back.
But I could feel them, mother and son, following behind me.
I reached the elevator and pressed the down button.
The doors opened with a soft chime, and I stepped inside.
Just as the doors were about to close, I turned my head.
Evan and Patricia stood frozen in the doorway.
I smiled at him.
Then I pressed the button for the underground parking level of the other building.
My car was parked there.
I had already contacted my private doctor and the postpartum center.
From the moment I decided to keep this child, I had been preparing for this day.
'Evan, and your mother, your game ends here. Now, its my turn.'
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