Out of the Blue, He Announced He Would Cover the Wedding’s Major Costs, Leaving Me to Foot the Entire Bill for the Trip.

Author Harlan CovingtonReading 3 minViews 1

It was a sudden proclamation, the moment he said he would take on the bulk of the wedding costs, leaving me to fund the entire honeymoon out of my own pocket.

Six months ago my dear friend Emily tied the knot, and I was there on the day, watching the ceremony with a smile. Not long after, I learned she had lodged for a divorce. They had seemed a pictureperfect pair, so something must have gone wrong; I rang her that weekend and we agreed to meet.

She turned up a little late at our favourite tea room, breathless as if shed been running. I teased her about the tardiness, but she seemed drained, not her usual witty self.

Emily, I wont beat around the bush. Why are you getting a divorce? Did he cheat? Whats the story? I asked.

He hadnt cheated, nor had he laid a hand on her; he was simply avaricious, she told me, and that was enough for them to part.

Greedy enough to end a marriage? I pressed.

From day one he wanted everything split down the middle. At first I thought he meant just the wedding. Of course he couldnt foot the bill alone, so I chipped in a little. Then he began demanding that I match his contribution pound for pound. My earnings are three times his, and Id hoped hed be a touch generous now and then, but he wasnt. He set about teaching me how to scrimp.

Each day they tallied the previous days outlay, receipts in hand, and he even asked to see the slips. I thought it was only about wedding expenses, but he claimed it was to improve their finances. When they organised the wedding, they paid everything themselves, their parents offering no help, and the pressure only grew. He kept a meticulous ledger in which Emily had to record every purchase and justify it.

Did he make you ask for permission before buying groceries? I asked.

One time he blew up over a pair of shoes I bought without consulting him. He told me henceforth to ask before splurging and to report every purchase back to him.

Why didnt you walk away earlier?

I cant say. The worst part was the ruined honeymoon to Spain. Wed planned it before the wedding, hoping it would be our first holiday as a married couple. Id saved for years and even borrowed from friends, trusting hed match me. Then, out of the blue, he announced hed covered the main wedding costs, so I was to pay for the whole trip myself. He scolded me for not being able to save, but that was nothing. Two days ago he suddenly declared he would travel to Spain himself and foot the bill. I nearly fainted at the thought. That evening he packed a suitcase and left without a goodbye. I started packing my own things, and yesterday I signed the divorce papers.

I stood by Emily through it all. No one needs a man so parsimonious. Its a pity she didnt see the truth before the wedding, but its far better to part now than to endure years of misery. A man like that would never spare his own children.

I Can’t Be Your Mum and I Can’t Promise to Love You, But I Will Care for You and You Mustn’t Be Upset—You’ll Still Be Better Off With Us Than in the Children’s Home It Was a Tough Day for Ivan, Who Laid His Sister to Rest—Estranged Yet Still Family, Five Years Apart and Then This Tragedy. Vicky Did All She Could to Support Her Husband, Taking on Most of the Arrangements Herself. But After the Funeral, Another Important Matter Awaited: Ivan’s Late Sister Irina Had Left Behind a Young Son. All the Relatives Who Came to Say Goodbye Quickly Decided the Best Solution Was for Irina’s Younger Brother to Take Responsibility. After All, Who Else But His Uncle Should Look After the Boy? It Wasn’t Debated—Everyone Simply Assumed That Was the Only Right Thing to Do. Vicky Understood and, Truthfully, Didn’t Object—Except for One Thing: She Never Wanted Children, Not Her Own and Especially Not Another Person’s. She’d Made Her Decision Long Ago and Honestly Told Ivan Before They Married, but He’d Taken It Lightly—Who Thinks About Kids in Their Early Twenties? No Children, Just Us—That Had Been Their Plan Ten Years Ago. But Now She Had To Accept Someone Else’s Child. There Was No Alternative. Ivan Could Never Put His Nephew in Care, and Vicky Wouldn’t Even Dare Suggest It. She Knew She Could Never Love This Boy or Replace His Mum. The Lad Was Mature Beyond His Years, So Vicky Decided to Be Honest With Him. “Vlad, Where Would You Rather Live—With Us or in the Children’s Home?” “I Want to Live at Home, On My Own.” “But You Can’t Stay at Home Alone. You’re Only Seven. You Have to Choose.” “Then With Uncle Ivan.” “Alright, You’ll Come with Us, but I Need to Tell You Something. I Can’t Be Your Mum and I Can’t Promise to Love You, But I Will Care for You and You Mustn’t Be Upset—You’ll Still Be Better Off With Us Than the Children’s Home.” Some Formalities Settled, They Finally Returned Home. Vicky Felt She No Longer Needs to Pretend to Be the Caring Aunt—She’d Feed, Wash, and Help With Homework, But Pouring Out Her Heart Was Another Matter. And Young Vlad Never Forgot For a Moment That He Wasn’t Loved—To Avoid Being Sent to a Home, He Had to Behave. At Home, Vlad Was Given the Smallest Room, Which Needed Refurbishing for Him. Choosing Wallpaper and Decor Was Vicky’s Passion. She Dove into the Project with Enthusiasm. Vlad Got to Pick Out the Wallpaper, While Vicky Selected Everything Else. She Was Generous—Not Stingy, Just Not Fond of Children—So the Room Turned Out Beautiful. Vlad Was Delighted—If Only His Mum Could See His New Room! Oh, If Only Vicky Could Love Him. She Was Good and Kind—Just Not a Children Person. Vlad Often Thought About This Before Falling Asleep. He Found Joy in Everything—The Circus, Zoo, Theme Park—His Innocent Enthusiasm Even Made Vicky Enjoy Their Outings. She Loved Surprising Him and Watching His Reaction. In August, She and Ivan Planned a Beach Holiday, With Vlad to Stay Ten Days with Another Close Relative. But At the Last Minute, Vicky Had a Change of Heart—She Suddenly Wanted Vlad to See the Sea. Ivan Was Surprised but Secretly Pleased—He’d Grown Very Attached to the Boy. Vlad Was Nearly Happy! If Only He Were Loved—Well, At Least He’d See the Sea. The Holiday Was a Success—Warm Sea, Juicy Fruit, Great Moods. But All Good Things End, and So Did Their Holiday. Life Returned to Normal—Work, Home, School. But Something Had Changed in Their Little World; A New Feeling Had Emerged—A Hum of Life, a Whisper of Joy, a Glimmer of Wonder. And Then a Miracle Happened—Vicky Returned from the Coast Expecting a New Life. How Had This Happened, After Years of Avoiding Such Surprises? Vicky Didn’t Know What To Do. Should She Tell Her Husband or Decide Alone? Since Vlad Arrived, She Wasn’t Sure Ivan Was Truly Child-Free—He Was Devoted to the Boy, Always Involving Him, Even Taking Him to Football Matches. Vicky Had Managed One Feat—She Wasn’t Sure She Was Ready for a Second. She Decided Alone. She Was Waiting at the Clinic When a Call Came From School—Vlad Had Been Rushed to Hospital with Suspected Appendicitis. Everything Was Put On Hold. She Raced to A&E. Vlad Was Pale and Shivering. Seeing Vicky, He Burst Into Tears. “Vicky, Please Don’t Leave. I’m Scared—Just For Today, Please Be My Mum. Just One Day, That’s All. I Won’t Ever Ask Again.” He Clung Tightly To Her Hand, Crying Uncontrollably—A True Breakdown. She’d Never Seen Him Cry, Not Even at the Funeral. Now the Dam Had Burst. Vicky Pressed His Hand to Her Cheek. “My Darling, Hang On—a Doctor Will Be Here Soon. I’m Right Here, and I Won’t Leave.” God, She Loved Him So Much in That Moment! This Boy With the Wonder in His Eyes Was Everything to Her. Child-Free—What Nonsense. Tonight She’d Tell Ivan About Their Baby. The Decision Came As Vlad Squeezed Her Hand in Pain. Ten Years Later. Today Is Vicky’s Special Day—Her Forty-Fifth Birthday. Guests, Congratulations—But For Now, Over Coffee, She Let Memories Wash Over Her. How Quickly the Years Have Flown. Youth Gone—And She’s Now a Woman, a Happy Wife and Mum to Two Wonderful Children. Vlad Is Nearly Eighteen, Sophie Ten. She Has No Regrets. Well, Maybe Just One—Those Words About Not Loving. How She Wishes Vlad Didn’t Remember Them—Wishes He’d Forget and Never Recall. Since That Hospital Night, She’s Tried to Tell Him She Loves Him As Often As Possible. But Whether He Still Remembers Her First Admission, She’s Never Had the Courage to Ask.