As I grew older, I pushed my mother to find someone else. She frequently mentioned how lonely she felt, especially on quiet evenings at home. So, when she contacted me one day, her voice full with enthusiasm as she told me she had a lover she wanted me to meet, I was overjoyed for her. To make introductions, she invited me to supper. I only knew Aaron’s name and that he worked as a pastry chef.
To make a good impression, I picked up a bottle of wine on the way. Given my limited funds, it was a luxury—one that meant I’d be eating instant noodles for the rest of the week. I was struggling financially, saving every penny to realize my ambition of owning my own restaurant. When I arrived at my mother’s house, I felt a rush of nervousness sweep over me. Within seconds, the door swung open.
“Casey! “You’ve finally arrived!” My mother was beaming. “We have been waiting! “I was about to call you when the doorbell rang!” I offered her a comforting nod. “I’m confident everything will be alright. “You chose him, so how could I not support you?” We strolled into the dining room together, but the minute I stepped inside, my stomach wrenched. A man of my age stood near the table, with dark hair, a well-trimmed beard, and a confident demeanor. I looked at my mother, who kept smiling as if everything was totally normal.
Love-themed home decor. She looked between me and him, waiting for my response. But I was speechless and locked in place. “Are you kidding me?!” My voice sounded louder than I intended. “Is this some kind of joke?!” “Casey, this is not a joke,” Mom explained quietly. “Aaron and I are dating.”
I turned to him, my rage rising. “Why are you with her?” “Is it for the money?”
“Casey!” My mom let out a gasp. I ignored her and clinched my fists. “You two need to break up!” Mom’s expression tightened. “We’re not breaking up!” she said. “Aaron proposed, and we’re getting married in two months!” Aaron’s jaw constricted. “I guarantee you, Casey, that I do not care about your mother’s money. “I love her.
Mom breathed, obviously fatigued. “I’m done with all this ranting. “Either you calm down and join us for dinner, or you leave.” “Great!” I shot back. “If a random guy is more important to you than your daughter, then I’m leaving!” For days, I battled to accept my mother’s engagement to someone my age. I lay awake at night, rehearsing the dinner in my mind.
Eventually, I called her and pretended to make amends. “I overreacted,” I explained, trying to sound happy. “I want to fix things. If Aaron makes you happy, I will back you.” She was overjoyed. “That means the world to me, Casey!” she responded. “I want you to take part in this. “Let us plan the wedding together.” So I went to dress fittings, sampled desserts, and helped with decorating. But I still had doubts about Aaron.
A few days before the wedding, I realized I had no hard evidence against him. I searched for flaws but found none. Perhaps I had been mistaken. Maybe he actually loved my mother. That evening, I took a big breath before facing her. “I accept Aaron and fully support you,” I informed her. “Now it’s official.” On the wedding day, as we rushed to the venue, Mom gasped. “Oh no! “I forgot my phone at home!”
I offered to retrieve it. When I returned home, I searched every room. No phone. Then I spotted a closed drawer beside her desk. On impulse, I yanked it open. Papers had tumbled across the floor. As I gathered them, I noticed strong writing on one document: Debt Notice. They were all listed under Aaron’s name. My heart pounded. Then I discovered another document: property paperwork. My mother’s name was there, but the signature at the bottom was not hers. That was Aaron’s.
“Stop the wedding!” I yelled, storming into the venue. I pushed the papers into my mother’s hands. Her hands trembled while she read them. I hesitated before slowly nodding. My legs felt weak as I headed towards the back. The weight of my mistake pressed down on me. She hid her face. “Casey,” she whispered. “These debts… they’re because of you.”
Aaron stepped forward. “Your mom told me you’ve always wanted to operate a restaurant. “We were going to buy one for you with the wedding money.” He exhaled. “We had to finish the deal quicker than expected. I had insufficient finances, so I covered the difference. “That is why there is debt.” Shame overwhelmed me. “Please forgive me,” I muttered. “And you, Aaron. “I was overly harsh.” Aaron’s voice stayed steady. “Casey, take your seat so we can continue the ceremony.”