Chapter 4: Family Ties and Big Decisions

After five years together, Natalie always hinted at buying a house and getting married. I knew she felt insecure.

When I agreed to meet her parents, she was overjoyed.

She gave me countless reminders, but nothing prepared me for her family’s reality—a trailer less than 200 square feet, four people squeezed in. Her parents shared a sagging mattress in the corner; she and her brother squeezed into a creaky bunk bed by the window. There was barely room to stand.

The outhouse was the worst—no running water, waste piled up like a little mountain. You had to hover over the seat or risk touching the mess.

But her mom was warm, cooked a table full of food, never mentioned cars or houses, just said she hoped her daughter would marry well.

The kitchen was barely bigger than a closet, but it was alive with the smell of garlic bread and fried chicken. The Formica table was covered in mismatched plates, and her dad offered me a Miller Lite with a shy grin.

When we left, Natalie asked me awkwardly if I minded her family background.

Under the maple trees, we held hands, swinging them gently.

"My dad always told me, you can’t choose your birth. With such a low starting point, you still got into a top college and work at a big company. I’m proud of you."

She teared up, threw herself into my arms, and whispered on my shoulder: "Caleb, I really, really want to build a home with you. I’ll love you for a lifetime."

That was when I knew I wanted to marry her.

When I told my dad, he considered for a moment, then waved his hand and finalized the trailer park redevelopment with the city.

The location: the very trailer park where her family lived.

"This land will definitely lose money, but my daughter-in-law is there. Give her family a few extra condos—let her feel secure. If you ever treat her badly, she’ll have somewhere to go."

I was deeply moved. My dad is amazing.

Because of our close partnership, news that Harper Holdings was redeveloping the trailer park spread fast at work.

I never expected something so good would become a test for Natalie and me.