The day started like a dream. My gown fit perfectly, my bouquet smelled divine, and the chapel was decorated just as I had envisioned. I was about to marry Andrew, the man I believed to be my soulmate. As I waited in the bridal suite, nervous but excited, Andrew’s mother, Mrs. Cole, entered the room. Her smile was polite, but her eyes betrayed a colder intent.
“I just thought we should have a little chat before the ceremony,” she began, her tone syrupy sweet. She shut the door behind her, and the air seemed to grow heavy.
“Of course,” I said cautiously. Mrs. Cole and I had never been close, but I respected her as Andrew’s mother. What came next, though, shattered any chance of a cordial relationship.
“You’re a sweet girl,” she began, her words dripping with insincerity, “but I think we both know you’re not the right woman for Andrew. He deserves someone… better. Someone from his world.”
I blinked, stunned. “Excuse me?”
“I mean someone with the right background, the right family connections, and, frankly, the right financial stability,” she said, her eyes narrowing. “You’re charming, but let’s not pretend this is a good match. If you love him as much as you claim, you’d do the noble thing and walk away.”
Tears stung my eyes, but her words fueled a fire inside me. “And if I don’t?” I asked, my voice trembling with anger.
Mrs. Cole reached into her purse and pulled out a thick envelope. She handed it to me. “This should help you start fresh. Consider it a token of goodwill.”
I opened the envelope and found a stack of hundred-dollar bills. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. She was trying to buy me off—at my own wedding. My hands shook as I shoved the envelope back at her. “You’re unbelievable.”
Mrs. Cole simply shrugged, clearly convinced that I would crumble. “Think it over. You wouldn’t want to ruin Andrew’s life, now would you?”
She left the room, and I stood there, fuming. This wasn’t about the money—it was about her complete lack of respect for me, for her son, and for the life we were about to start together. I knew I couldn’t stay silent. This wasn’t just my fight; Andrew deserved to know the truth about his mother.
When the ceremony began, I walked down the aisle, my head held high. Andrew beamed at me from the altar, and for a moment, I felt my resolve waver. But as the officiant began to speak, I remembered the envelope and Mrs. Cole’s cutting words.
“Do you, Emily, take Andrew to be your lawfully wedded husband?” the officiant asked.
“I don’t,” I said loudly, my voice steady. Gasps rippled through the church. Andrew’s smile disappeared, replaced by shock. “What?” he whispered, stepping closer. “What did you just say?”
I met his eyes, then turned to the crowd. “I don’t,” I repeated, then pointed directly at Mrs. Cole. “Mrs. Cole, how about you tell everyone what you told me earlier?”
The color drained from her face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she stammered, clutching her purse like a lifeline.
“Oh, really?” I said, walking toward her. “Then open your purse.”
She hesitated, but with dozens of eyes on her, she had no choice. Slowly, she opened it, and I reached inside, pulling out the envelope. “This,” I said, holding it high, “is what your beloved mother-in-law gave me this morning to convince me to walk away from Andrew. She doesn’t think I’m good enough for him.”
The room erupted in murmurs and gasps. Andrew looked at his mother, his face a mix of disbelief and betrayal. “Mom?” he said, his voice cracking. “Is this true?”
Mrs. Cole stuttered, unable to form a coherent response. “I was only trying to protect you,” she finally blurted. “She’s not the right person for you!”
Andrew turned to me, his eyes pleading. “Emily, I… I didn’t know. Please, let’s talk about this.”
I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. “I love you, Andrew, but I can’t marry you while your mother tries to control our lives. If you can’t stand up to her, we have no future.”
With that, I walked out of the chapel, leaving stunned silence in my wake. Later, Andrew came to my apartment, apologizing profusely and vowing to set boundaries with his mother. It took time, but eventually, we rebuilt our trust—on my terms. And as for Mrs. Cole, she learned that money couldn’t buy her way out of every situation.
