James, hurt by his mothers behaviour, decided to live apart from her.
“You dont respect me at all!” His mothers angry voice crackled down the phone line, sharp and commanding, leaving Emma stunned.
Emma sighed heavily, weighed down by the demands of the woman whose tone left no room for argument. She remembered the moment before her wedding when fate itself seemed determined to meddle. The grooms mother, a woman of rigid principles and unyielding opinions, had come down with a coldthough in her words, it was nothing short of the plague, threatening to ruin everything.
The call had come that morning, just as the ceremony was about to begin. Surprise quickly turned to frustrationhow could they possibly postpone now? Everything was arranged: the reception, the guests Her own parents had flown in from Manchester just for the occasion.
James listened in silence, knowing a difficult conversation with his mother lay ahead. No one ever dared to contradict herbut now, he had to speak up.
“Mum, a cold is just a cold. I get that youre worried, but we cant cancel the wedding over something so minor.”
His firm tone took her by surprise. She had always held sway over him, but now he sounded resolute. There was a stifled sob on the other end of the line, as if she was fighting back angry tears.
“Fine. If neither of you care about my health Just know thisif anything goes wrong, itll be on your heads.”
The line went dead. Silence settled, broken only by Emmas restless fingers tapping the table.
Jamess mother clutched the phone, her hand trembling slightly as she scrolled through her contacts. Her heart pounded, but her resolve was clearthey wouldnt celebrate while she was suffering.
“Hello, Lydia? Its me. Im so sorry to call last minute, but the weddings been postponed. Ive come down with flu, so well have to reschedule. Of course James agreeshes worried sick.”
A pause, then a sympathetic whisper. “Oh, you poor thing! Get well soon, darling.”
She exhaled in relief. Lying didnt sit right, but what choice did she have?
Next call: “Hi, Natalie! Yes, you heard right. Weve had to delay the wedding. Im dreadfully illdoctors orders.”
Natalie gasped. “Oh, what awful luck! Get plenty of rest, love.”
One after another, the calls continued, each met with pity and concern. Only the quiet voice in her head protestedthis was wrong. She was hurting her son, his future, herself.
When the last call ended, she sank onto the sofa, exhausted. The phone buzzed in her hand, demanding confirmation. Silent tears rolled down her cheeks.
That evening, as guests gathered for the ceremony, only Emmas closest friends, a few of Jamess colleagues, and distant relatives showed up. The rest had vanished, swayed by his mothers warningsthough no official cancellations had been sent.
Emma felt a wave of dizziness, then anger. But despite it all, the celebration carried onlaughter, dancing, warmth filling the room.
Meanwhile, miles away, Jamess mother sat alone, weeping quietly. Bitterness twisted inside her. “To them, my illness means nothing. Was it too much to ask for a little consideration?”
When Jamess relatives learned the truth, some were furious, others stayed quiet, fearing confrontation. But one thing was certainhe had had enough.
Hurt by his mothers actions, James chose to leave. Soon, the newlyweds moved to another town, far from her and the memories shed tainted.
