Weddings should bring families together, not tear them apart. Mine was perfect… until my mother-in-law decided that money was more important than love. She tried to kick my parents out because they ‘didn’t pay for her.’ But karma had other plans.
Even when Andrei kissed me and our guests burst into applause, she just clapped half-heartedly, as if watching a mediocre performance at a village fair.
I still remember the first words she said to me: “Oh, how… sweet. A teacher at a regular school? Andrei has always had a soft spot for… charitable causes. But to marry one of them…?”
We were good people, but definitely not in the same weight class as the woman who had just publicly humiliated my parents. When Andrei proposed to me, his mother, Raisa, took control of everything.
‘Darling,’ she said, ‘let’s leave this to someone with… experience in organising sophisticated events.’
She even ‘charmingly’ insisted on paying for everything, refusing my parents’ offers to contribute. ‘Oh, don’t worry,’ she said. ‘It won’t make much difference anyway. I want a grand wedding for my son. Not some cheap, ordinary ceremony!’
I tried so hard to earn her approval. One night, Andrei found me packing my suitcases. ‘I can’t take it anymore,’ I sobbed. ‘I’m not good enough for your world… for your mother.’
He took my face in his hands, his gaze unyielding. ‘You are my world. Everything else is just noise.’
And then the wedding day arrived.
‘If I may have your attention for a moment,’ said Raisa, tapping her glass. ‘I would like to address something that has been bothering me all evening.’
‘Mum, what are you doing?’ whispered Andrei.
‘You know, I find it absolutely astonishing that some people think they can just come to a wedding they haven’t contributed a penny towards.’
‘Mum, stop it right now,’ Andrei’s voice became firmer.
‘I mean, seriously, when you think about it, isn’t it fair that those who pay for the wedding decide who stays?’
‘And since our family covered all the expenses, while others couldn’t contribute anything… well, I think it’s time for some guests to leave.’
‘You know what?’ My father, Ivan, stood up. ‘You’re absolutely right, Raisa. We’ll leave. But first, if you don’t mind, just one small thing?’
Raisa waved her hand majestically. ‘Oh, of course, Ivan. Have your last word.’
However, watching my father standing there with calm dignity, I realised something was wrong. ‘I never thought I’d say this,’ Andrei muttered in my ear, ‘but I can’t wait to see what your father does next.’
She had no idea what was in store for her.
