Margaret Whitmore lived alone, endlessly complaining to her neighbors about her ungrateful daughter and granddaughter, who had abandoned her.
*”I gave them my whole life, and how did they repay me? The ones I loved most turned out cruel and heartless—left me to fend for myself.”*
A sturdy woman for her age, Margaret never mentioned that her daughter, Eleanor, sent her money every month, and that her granddaughter, Lucy, had tried many times to reconcile—only to be met with a cold ultimatum: *”Only if you leave that husband of yours.”* Each time, Lucy would sigh bitterly and walk away.
Lucy had her own life now. She’d married Daniel. Both had graduated from university, found steady jobs, and were living with his mother while saving for a mortgage. And there was another reason to move—a baby on the way.
How she’d ended up with Daniel was a story in itself, one filled with relentless battles against Margaret.
One evening, Lucy burst through the front door, beaming. *”Mum, Gran—Daniel and I are getting married!”* Nineteen years old, heart overflowing, she laughed with pure joy.
Gran slowly raised her eyes as if doubting her ears. Eleanor kept her head down, silent. Lucy frowned. Why weren’t they happy for her?
*”Mum? Gran? Did you hear me? I’m getting married!”*
*”Over my dead body,”* Margaret snapped. The warmth in Lucy’s chest vanished.
*”What do you mean? Gran, what’s wrong with you? Mum?”* Silence. *”I thought you’d be pleased. This is… strange.”*
*”You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”* Margaret’s voice was icy.
*”No! What kind of rubbish is that? Just because I’m getting married?”*
Eleanor still wouldn’t look at her.
*”Good. Then forget this nonsense until you’ve finished university. Sit down and eat.”*
*”I’m not hungry. Daniel and I already had pizza.”* Lucy hesitated, crushed by their reaction. She’d rushed home, certain they’d share her happiness.
*”Mum, why aren’t you saying anything?”*
Eleanor flinched, shooting a nervous glance at Margaret before sighing. *”Lucy, love… Gran’s right. It’s too soon. Finish your degree first. And really, who marries at nineteen these days?”*
*”I don’t care what’s ‘in fashion.’ Daniel and I love each other. We’ll marry, and we’ll still graduate. Nothing you say will change that.”*
Margaret snarled at Eleanor. *”Well? Look what you’ve raised. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it? Marrying another penniless boy, just like you nearly did—thank goodness I stopped you in time!”*
Lucy froze. She’d never known her father. Her eyes darted to Eleanor, now shrinking in her seat.
*”Gran… did Mum want to marry my dad? You stopped her?”*
Margaret scoffed. *”What was there to marry? Another broke student. Yes, I forbade it.”*
*”He wasn’t broke—he owns a business now,”* Eleanor muttered.
Margaret’s eyes sharpened. *”You’ve been speaking to him?!”*
*”Yes. He found me online. But he lives in Manchester now. Stayed there after university.”*
Lucy reeled. *”Mum… you always told me he left when he heard about me. But you were going to marry him? What stopped you?”*
Margaret cut in, voice sharp as steel. *”I did. I forbid her. Ruined her chance for happiness, did I? Well, my life didn’t turn out either. I thought at least my daughter would marry well. Instead, she chose some boy with three younger siblings—what sort of life was that? A house full of in-laws and struggle?”*
Lucy stared, the lies unraveling before her. *”Mum… why didn’t you fight for him?”*
Eleanor hunched deeper.
*”Fight who? Me?”* Margaret sneered. *”Pointless. I gave her a choice—him, or me.”*
Lucy’s breath caught. *”That’s monstrous.”*
*”We lived on student loans!”* Eleanor burst out. *”With a baby? I’d have had to drop out. His parents couldn’t help—they had nothing!”*
*”But did you even try?”* Lucy’s voice cracked. *”You just gave up? Did he?”*
Margaret answered for her. *”He lurked around for months. I threatened to call the police before he finally left.”*
Lucy turned on her. *”Well, Gran, I don’t give a damn about your approval. I’ll work weekends if I have to, but I’m marrying Daniel. You won’t stop me.”*
*”Mum,”* she pressed, *”why didn’t you ever marry anyone else?”*
Margaret snorted. *”Because she turned her nose up at every decent man I found.”*
Then—something shifted. Eleanor straightened, meeting Lucy’s gaze with sudden clarity.
*”Lucy… marry Daniel. Be happy. If it’s meant to be, it will work. And if not, you’ll find your way. But it’s your choice—not hers. Don’t let her ruin your life like she did mine.”*
Margaret exploded. *”How dare you!”*
*”I’m teaching her to live for herself!”* Eleanor’s voice was steel. *”You crushed me. But you won’t crush her.”*
For once, Margaret was speechless.
The wedding was perfect. Margaret refused to attend. *”Good,”* Lucy told Daniel. *”She’d have soured the day.”*
Eleanor, glowing, watched her daughter take her vows. *”She stood up to you, Mum. I never could.”*
Two weeks later, Eleanor shared her own news. *”Your father proposed. He wants me to move to Manchester. He divorced years ago—he’s waited all this time.”*
Lucy hugged her tight. *”Go. Don’t waste this chance. And I finally get to meet my dad.”*
Her father not only welcomed her—he gave them the deposit for their home.
Eleanor left, married the man she’d loved for twenty years, and learned what true happiness felt like.
As for Margaret? She sat alone, stewing in silence, wondering how everything had slipped so far from her control.
