She even criticized his clothing. “Doesn’t he own anything that isn’t from a department store?”
The night before our wedding, she cornered me in my childhood bedroom.
“It’s not too late to call this off,” she said, sitting on the edge of my bed. “People would understand.”
I stared at her, incredulous. “I love him, Mom.”
“Love doesn’t last, Eliza. Security does. Money does.”
“I don’t care about money… he makes me feel secure.”
“With what? Library books?” She shook her head. “I raised you for better things.”
“You raised me to be happy, Mom. At least, Dad did.”
Her face hardened. “I swear I’ll behave tomorrow. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Just promise me you won’t make a scene,” I pleaded.
She pressed her hand to her heart. “I promise to only act in your best interest.”
I should’ve known then what she was planning.
On our wedding day, everything seemed perfect. The venue—a historic library with vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows—was Brian’s dream.
Guests were seated among ancient books, and when the music started, I walked down the aisle with my dad by my side.
Brian waited at the altar, looking more handsome than ever in his tailored suit. His eyes filled with tears as I approached.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered as Dad placed my hand in his.
The ceremony proceeded smoothly until the officiant asked the dreaded question: “If anyone has any objections, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
There was a moment of silence, then the rustle of fabric. My blood ran cold as I saw my mother standing, her expression grave. A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.
She dabbed at her eyes with a silk handkerchief and dramatically cleared her throat. “I just need to speak my truth before it’s too late.”
The room fell into stunned silence.
“Mom,” I hissed, “what are you doing?”
Ignoring me, she addressed our guests. “I love my daughter, and I want the best for her. But this man—” she gestured to Brian as if he were something she’d scraped off her shoe, “—is simply not good enough. She could have had a doctor, a lawyer, someone with real success. Instead, she’s throwing her future away on…THIS.”
