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I thought meeting my fiancé’s parents would be another step towards our future, but one disastrous dinner revealed the whole truth about Richard’s world. By the end of that evening, I had no choice but to cancel the wedding.
I never thought I’d be the type to cancel a wedding. But life has a way of springing surprises, doesn’t it?
I am one of those people who prefer to make big decisions after talking to friends and family and finding out how they feel about it. But this time, I just knew I had to do it.
I knew I had to cancel the wedding because what happened at the restaurant that day was something I didn’t expect.
Before I tell you about that day, let me tell you a little bit about my fiancé Richard. I met him at work when he joined as a junior manager in the accounts department. I don’t know what it was, but something about him attracted me. Something that made me take notice of him immediately.
Richard fit the definition of a handsome man. Tall, stylish hair, a warm smile and a great sense of humour. He quickly became the office favourite and soon we were chatting during coffee breaks.
We started dating about seven weeks after he arrived and I realised that he was everything I wanted in a partner. Confident, kind, responsible and problem-solving. Exactly the kind of man a clumsy woman like me needed.
Our relationship progressed quickly. Too fast, in my opinion. Richard proposed just six months after we started dating, and I was so caught up in the whirlwind of romance that I accepted without hesitation.
Everything about him seemed perfect except for one thing: I hadn’t met his parents yet. They lived in another state, and Richard always had an excuse for why we couldn’t visit them. But as soon as they found out we were engaged, they insisted on meeting me.
‘They’ll like you,’ Richard assured me, squeezing my hand. ‘I’ve booked us a table at that fancy new place downtown for Friday night.’
I spent the next few days in a panic. What am I going to wear? What if they didn’t like me? What if they told Richard to dump me?
I swear I tried on about a dozen outfits before I settled on a classic black dress. I wanted to look sophisticated, but not too dressy.
On Friday, I got home from work early and got ready. No make-up, cute black heeled shoes, mini bag and natural hair. I wanted it to be simple but perfect for the occasion. It wasn’t long before Richard came to pick me up.
‘You look gorgeous, baby!’ – he said, flashing the smile I adored. ‘Ready?’
I nodded, trying to calm my nerves. ‘I really hope they like me.’
‘You will, baby,’ he took my hand. ‘After all, you have everything a parent would want in their child’s partner. You’re amazing on the inside.’
At that moment, I felt some relief, but I still wasn’t ready for the drama that was about to unfold.
A few minutes later, we entered the restaurant and it looked amazing. There were crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and soft piano music playing in the air. It was the kind of place where even the water glasses looked expensive.
We spotted Richard’s parents at a table by the window. His mother, Isabella, a petite woman with perfectly styled hair, stood up as we approached. Meanwhile his father, Daniel, looking rather stern, remained seated.
‘Oh, Richard!’ – cooed his mother as we approached her, completely ignoring me. She hugged Richard tightly and then held him at arm’s length. ‘You look so weak. Have you lost weight? Are you eating enough?’
I stood there awkwardly until Richard finally remembered me.
‘Mum, Dad, this is Clara, my fiancée.’
His mother looked me over from head to toe.
‘Oh yes, hello darling,’ she smiled, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes.
His father only hummed.
When we sat down, I tried to make conversation.
‘It’s so nice to finally meet you both. Richard has told me so much about you.’
Before either of them could respond, a waiter appeared with menus. As we looked through them, I noticed Richard’s mother leaning over to him.
‘Oh, honey,’ she said in a loud whisper, ’do you want Mummy to order for you? I know how overwhelmed you are with too much choice.’
What the…,’ I thought.
Richard was thirty years old and Isabella was treating him like he was eight. But to my surprise, he just nodded. I thought he was going to tell her to stop treating him like a child, but I was wrong.
‘Thanks, Mum,’ he said. ‘You know I like it.’
I tried to catch Richard’s gaze, but he was focused on his mother. She proceeded to order the most expensive dishes on the menu for both of them. Lobster, ribs, and a $200 bottle of wine.
When it was my turn, I ordered a simple pasta dish. I was too stunned to have an appetite.
While we waited for our food, Daniel finally addressed me directly.
‘So, Clara,’ he said, his voice husky. ‘What are your intentions for our son?’
I nearly choked on my water. ‘I’m sorry?’
‘Well, you’re planning to marry him, aren’t you? How are you going to take care of him? You know he needs his clothes ironed, and he can’t sleep without his special pillow.’
I looked at Richard, expecting him to jump up and tell my father that this was inappropriate. But he just sat there and remained silent.
‘I…er…’ I stuttered. ‘We haven’t discussed those details yet.’
‘Oh, you’ll have to learn quickly, dear,’ Isabella interjected. ‘Our Richie is very demanding. He has to eat dinner at six o’clock sharp every day, and don’t even think of serving him vegetables. He won’t touch them.’
Okay, I didn’t sign up for this, I thought. What’s going on? Why hadn’t Richard said anything to his parents? Why was he letting them treat him like a child?
At that moment, the waiter came over with the food, saving me from having to answer for a moment. As we ate, Richard’s parents continued to fuss around him.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Isabella cutting his steak for him and Daniel constantly reminding him to use his napkin. I was stunned.
As expected, my appetite was gone and I just sat there picking at my pasta. I kept wondering why I hadn’t seen this coming. Why was Richard so reluctant to come with me to my parents’ house when we were dating?
Now all his excuses made sense.
As dinner drew to a close, I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the worst was over. But no… the nightmare dinner had just reached its climax.
When the waiter brought the bill, Isabella snatched it up before anyone could see. Honestly, I thought she did it because she didn’t want me to pay out of politeness, but what she said next made me stare at her with widened eyes.
‘Well, darling, I think it’s only fair if we split it fifty-fifty, don’t you?’ – She smiled at me. ‘After all, we are one family now.’
They had ordered hundreds of dollars worth of food and wine, while I had a $20 pasta dish. And now they expected me to pay half? No way!
Feeling stunned, I looked at Richard, silently begging him to say something. I expected him to stand up for me and tell my mother how ridiculous she sounded. But the man just sat there, avoiding my gaze.
In that moment, everything became crystal clear. This wasn’t just about an expensive dinner. It was about my future if I married Richard. I would marry his parents, too.
So I took a deep breath and stood up.
‘Actually,’ I began in a steady voice, ’I think I’ll pay for my own dinner.
While Richard and his parents looked at me, I pulled out my wallet and put enough money on the table to pay for the pasta and a generous tip.
‘But…’ protested Isabella. ‘We’re family!’
‘No, we’re not,’ I said, looking her straight in the eye. ‘And we’re not going to be.’
Then I turned to Richard, who finally met my gaze. He looked confused, like he couldn’t figure out what was going on.
‘Richard,’ I said softly, ’I care about you. But this…this isn’t the future I want. I don’t need a child to take care of. I need a partner. And I don’t think you’re ready to be that.’
I took off my wedding ring and placed it on the table.
‘I’m sorry, but the wedding is cancelled.’
With those words, I turned and walked out of the restaurant, leaving three stunned faces behind me.
As I stepped out into the cool night air, I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders. Yes, it was painful. Yes, it would be awkward at work. But I knew I had made the right decision.
The next morning, I returned my wedding dress.
As the saleswoman processed my return, she asked if everything was okay.
I smiled, feeling lighter than I had in months. ‘You know what? Everything will be.’
Having said that, I realised that the bravest thing you can do is to give up on something that doesn’t suit you. It may be painful in the moment, but in the long run it’s the kindest thing you can do for yourself.
Don’t you agree?
