A Mothers Betrayal by Her Own Son
At the graduation party, all the girls wanted to take pictures with him. But he chose Emily She wasnt beautiful, clever, or accomplished. But her father was a local bigwig. And her graduation dress was the most extravagant She got into university too. Just like that, from the moment she took his hand at the party, she didnt let go for yearsuntil she led him to the altar.
***
LIFE AS IT IS. A Sons Story
As a child, he was adored like a painting. Not only was he strikingly handsome, but he was also incredibly charming. Anyone who held him would find him clinging to them like family. Even strangers would slip him sweets. Maria feared they might jinx her child.
At school, girls would bicker over himall of them wanted to be his friend, and later, his girlfriend. Nicholastop of his class, a star athlete. Only terribly poor. But the local fashionistas didnt care that their idol wore the same jeans until they frayed at the knees. Theyd have mocked anyone elsebut not him!
At graduation, every girl wanted a photo with him. He chose Emily She wasnt pretty, sharp, or accomplished. But her father was a man of influence. Her dress was the grandest And she got into university too. From the moment she took his hand, she never let gountil she married him.
Before the wedding, Maria sold her pig and gave Nicholas the moneyjust like that. He took the few thousand pounds and left
***
Maria had arrived in the village years ago with a little boy in her arms. Whether it was gossip or truth, no one knew. Some said the childs father had bought her the house so she wouldnt make claimssince he was married. No one in the village had ever seen her family. She lived simply, working at the village shop and keeping a small farm. Suitors came knocking, but she turned them all away. “I already have a man!” What a joke! The women would tease her”Its hard alone!”but shed snap back.
When she took Nicholas to his first day of school, she met Victor, the new PE teacher, fresh out of university. Their eyes met by chancethen kept seeking each other. Before they knew it, they were together. Victor taught Nicholas to ride a bike, fix a puncture, and in winter, they walked through the woods. By spring, they were planting the garden together.
Maria was afraid to tell her son the truthshe noticed how he stiffened whenever she hugged Victor or even rested a hand on him.
“Why, love? Hes good! Hell be your father” she whispered after Victor left.
“I dont want you to love him! Just me!” the boy grumbled.
One morning, Nicholas woke to find Victor in bed with his mother.
“This is how itll be now, lad!” Victor said, embracing him with genuine warmth.
“No! I dont want you living with us!” he shrieked. He refused breakfast and ran off. Maria found him by evening and brought him home.
“Is he here?” Nicholas asked through tears, pointing at the door.
“Yes”
“Make him leave. Or I wont come in!”
“Son! Hes never said a cruel word to you! Well be a family, like everyone else” she pleaded.
“I dont want like everyone else! Just you! Hes not my father!”
“He will beyoull see”
Victor left with his suitcase, just as hed arrived. He hugged Maria, kissed her forehead.
“Think about it, Nicholas. Im not your enemy,” he said softly. “Will you think?”
“No!” The boy shook his head and turned away.
“If you let him stay, Ill run away!” he hissed as the gate closed behind Victor.
Maria chose her son. Victor left the villagefar away, since no one ever saw him again. That New Year, Maria had another sonGeorge. She feared Nicholas wouldnt accept him, but he adored the baby, never even asking where hed come from. Maria felt a constant guilt toward her eldest, afraid to even scold him.
“My Nicholas is so grown up,” shed boast to friends. “Such a golden childI ask him for advice, not the other way around!”
Theyd scoff, knowing full well it was his “advice” that kept her alone.
She was thrilled when Nicholas started dating Emily from a wealthy family. Maybe theyd help him get on his feet, she thought.
As always, she waited for him to come home on Saturday. She baked pies, made stew. The train had long passed, but no Nicholas.
“Mum!” George ran in from the field. “Nicholas went to Emilys house!”
They waited. He didnt come. Not that night, not the next morning. He barely glanced at her as he rushed for the train.
“Mum! Were getting married!” he announced.
She wanted to scold him for not coming home, to say what shed rehearsed all nightbut the words stuck when he added:
“Youll help me, right? Sell a pig or something!”
“Of course, love! Whens the wedding?”
“Not sure. Well have it in London. Not here!”
By the next weekend, Maria sold the pig and Nicholas came for the money. He took it without countingthen dashed back to Emily.
In the village, everyone knows everything. Word spread that the wedding would be lavishbut Nicholas never came home. No betrothal, no arrangements. Gathering courage, Maria went to the in-laws, offering help.
Emilys mother met her at the gate.
“What help could you be?” she sneered. “We have professionals handling everything! And youve no place at the weddingyoure neither wife nor widow! Your boy grew up a bastard because of you! You think were happy taking in such a family? Himfine, for our daughters sake. But dont you dare show your face!”
Maria stumbled home, humiliated. Had she raised such a son because she was worthless? Shed given them everything
The wedding was the talk of the villagethree days of hired musicians, selective invitations. But the real scandal? The grooms mother wasnt there. Some smirked; others shook their heads.
Maria stayed in bed all day, covered her head. George pretended to read.
At dusk, George slipped into the wedding crowd and grabbed Nicholass arm.
“How could you?” he whispered. “Mums been crying all day!”
“Listen, little fool,” Nicholas hissed, dragging him outside. “Tell her to stop. My deal with Emily and her parents is clearonce I marry, I cut ties with you both. I gave my word!”
“Id give you a thrashing!” George swungbut Nicholas caught his wrist, squeezing hard.
“Get lost before anyone sees you! Dont ruin my life, you brat!”
Maria waited on the doorstep. She didnt ask where hed been. They hugged.
