Emily didnt want to get married at all. But at nineteen, she found herself pregnant by a classmate shed been seeing for three years. She felt she had no choiceshe couldnt let her child grow up without a father.
Although Daniel was older than Emily, immaturity clung to him like a shroud; he was always reliant on others, never fully growing up. Still, he didnt shy away from his responsibilitieshe promised to marry her and raise the child together. So, the preparations for a wedding began.
Emily would have been content with a simple ceremony, but her family pushed for a grand celebration. She couldnt understand the need to spend thousands of pounds on other people, especially when that money could buy everything her baby might need. No one listened. The restaurant, the wedding dress, the guest listher mother-in-law and her own sister made all the decisions for her.
When she was sent to try on a dress, she hesitated. Emily pictured a monstrosity covered in layers of ruffles and sparkling stonesneither her sister nor her fiancé’s mother were renowned for good taste. When her family heard her refusal, they called her ungrateful and were furious. Yet Emily could hardly care; she had more pressing worries: finishing her A-levels, exams, getting ready to welcome her baby.
On her wedding day, she walked into the registry office in a plain white dress, one that suited her and felt comfortable. And thats where the drama ignited.
The relatives didnt know Emily had decided to keep her surname. Daniel knew, and didnt object. But his mother erupted, her voice echoing through the room: Why dont you want to take our familys name?
Emily smiled serenely and stepped aside. Tomorrow would bring the next rounda village wedding in Daniels hometown, packed with his relatives. She knew she had to conserve her nerves.
The marriage lasted only a few years. Daniel proved a hopeless husband and an absent father, glued to his computer every weekend, ignoring his wife and child. When Emilys patience finally snapped, she packed her bags and left.
Her mother-in-law was furious at the turn of events, but Emily let out a sigh of relief. At last, she felt truly free and happy.
