**Diary Entry**
For six hours, I kept asking myself: Why was my daughter-in-law so hostile toward us?
For six years, I wondered: Why did she treat us with such coldness?
I havent spoken to my son, Edward, in six years. I wasnt even invited to his wedding. I knew my daughter-in-law, Sophie, was to blame. I couldnt understand why, but her behaviour caused me so much pain.
My husband and I have three sons together, and he has another from his first marriage. Of course, I love all my children, but Edward, the eldest, was so longed forhe remained my pride and joy.
Six years ago, Edward met his future wife. From the start, things went wrong. My first impression of her was actually quite positive. Her first visit to our home passed without issue. But things soured the second time. We were at the dinner table when she suddenly told Edward, *”Your clothes are dreadful. Ill buy you something nicer.”* He replied, *”No needeveryone has their own style.”* I supported him. Sophie frowned but said nothing.
The next day, Edward kissed me goodbye, but Sophie didnt even come near me. At the time, I didnt realise what had truly happened. Only later did I understand that a single remark had earned me her resentment.
I wasnt invited to their wedding.
After months of silence, Edward invited us to a birthday celebration in BrightonSophie was from there. My husband and I planned to stay at a hotel to give the newlyweds space, but Edward insisted we stay at Sophies, warning we likely wouldnt see hershe had work at her parents shop.
We were supposed to meet for lunch, but she never showed. Days later, Edward told me, *”Mum, Im marrying Sophie.”* He added they wanted a small gathering, not a big wedding. I didnt mindI told him I was happy for him.
A week later, he called to say Sophie didnt want me at the wedding. Only my husband was invitednot even his brothers. I cant describe the pain I felt. I handed the phone to my husband, who refused to go without me and the boys. Edward hung up in anger.
For days, Sophie tried reaching me but always got my husband. When she finally spoke to me, her tone was sharp: *”Oh, finally!”* I was so furious I snapped, *”I dont ever want to hear from you again.”* That was our last conversation.
Soon after, they moved to France. Two years passed without a word. My sister wrote to themSophie replied: *”Edward has a new family now.”* In truth, he only kept in touch with his brother William, who saw him occasionally, but he never visited us. Six years of silence.
A few months ago, I tried reaching outI missed him terribly. I wrote two apology letters, one to Edward, one to Sophie. No reply.
When my mother died three years ago, Edward didnt attend the funeral. Nor when my older sister passed. In six years, we received only one brief texton my husbands birthday. Then, nothing.
I feel as if a part of me has died. I only learned by chance theyd moved towns, but I dont even know where. Every day, I think of Edward. The worst part? I still dont understand why we ended up like this. I long believed Sophie manipulated him, that she wanted him all to herself. I kept asking: *Why was she so hostile?* She never told me. Maybe I handled it wrong from the start. How I wish things had been different!
Two months ago, my husband and I won a short holiday to France in a raffle. While strolling through a quiet village, we stopped by a playground, daydreaming of grandchildren. A sweet little boy ran up to us, chasing a ballhe looked just like Edward as a child! I smiled, my husband helped kick the ball back, and they began playing Then a voice called, *”Oliver!”*
I couldnt believe itthere stood Edward and Sophie! After tearful embraces, words tumbled out, leaving us all overwhelmed. Wed been so closed off, wed stopped trying. If someone had told me, *”I never want to hear from you again,”* I wouldnt have reached out either. But it took years of separation to realise this. Theyd suffered too. Yet one question*”Where are my grandparents?”*made our grandson reconsider. Wed all learned hard lessons, and now, we wanted to leave the past behind.
We left our tour group and lingered in that little French village, as if starting anewchanged, seeking understanding.
Now, were making up for lost time, cherishing love and respect wed forgotten we deserved.
