Youve got no mother left! the motherinlaw snarled, her voice cracking like old plaster.
Forget any notion you have of a mother. After youre married, youll leave me alone, act as if I never existed. I wont even fling a penny at you for the wedding. If I didnt pick the bride, I wont foot the bill for this farce.
Margaret felt a rare surge of joy when her little son, Sam, clutched her neck and whispered,
Mum, youre the best in the world. Ill do anything to keep that smile on your face.
Sams innocent words ripped through Margarets heart. She swelled with pride at the sight of her goldenhaired, blueeyed angel, a child who seemed born of aristocracy. As he grew, she turned every potential daughterinlaw into a checklist: noble lineage, immaculate looks, a lithe figure, university degree, flawless manners, a respectable job at a prestigious firm, and a wellconnected social circle.
My son already has a flat in Mayfair. He just needs a proper lady to keep the place immaculate, ready to welcome guests at any hour, even three in the morning. Thats what a wife and housekeeper must do.
Time passed, and Margarets demands hardened.
No woman past twentyfive, or shell bring forth a frail child. And the child must be Sams, no ifs, ands, or buts.
Margaret, have a bit of mercy, her sisters warned. Nowadays no one meets those standards. If you keep meddling, Sam will stay single forever.
Sam graduated with top honours from both school and university, landed a highpaying position in a London finance house, yet his love life stalled. Every time he introduced a girl to his mother, she conjured a thousand reasons to reject her.
At each meeting shed order him, Sam, could you slice some fruit? Well have a little chat while you do.
The first girl Margaret had to assess was Emma. Emma came from a modest family: a mother who was an accountant, a father who worked the night shift at a power plant, and two younger brothers. Emma worked as a pharmacy assistant, which made Margaret uneasy.
So she has constant access to medicines. What if she poisons my son? Or me? she muttered. And those bluecollar parents? We cant have that.
Sweetheart, you do realise you cant marry Sam, right? Margaret snapped when she found herself alone with Emma. Youre too different. He grew up in a world you cant imagine. Forget him and find someone more ordinary.
Emma rose without a word, left the room, and never looked back at Sam. When he pressed for an explanation, she replied coldly,
Ask your mother, the one who raised you in a gilded cage. Shell say youre too good for me, and I should look for someone simpler.
Mum, why did you hurt Emma? I liked her, truly liked her. What did you tell her? Sam pleaded.
Son, you forgot something, Margaret said slowly, eyes hard. Im your mother, I know what makes you happy. Not that Emma, thats for sure. Where did you even find such a…? As if no respectable family existed.
Realising the futility, Sam walked away. He would sometimes mention a new girlfriend, but never brought her home. Margaret offered her help in finding a wife, which Sam politely declined.
Thats my life with my future wife, not yours. Ill choose when Im ready.
I know exactly who youll pick, Margaret growled. Some cleaninglady with nothing in her head but mops and cloths.
At least the floors will shine, Sam replied with a bitter grin.
Dont you dare talk to me like that! Margaret shouted, her face flushing.
Sam retreated to his room. Eventually he moved out, taking the flat Margaret owned and had been renting out. His relationship with his father, who had left his mother years ago, had been barren. The father, who hadnt spoken to Sam since the divorce when Sam was six, finally agreed to meet.
You know why I left Margaret? She never let me breathe. She monitored my every move, my whereabouts, my plans. When I tried to spend time with you, shed berate me, saying Id never teach you anything because I lacked a degree. Why should she have had to raise a child for me? I was just a bull for her, did my job and walked away. I thought, why waste my life on a madwoman who never gave a damn about me? I spat on her, divorced, she refused child support and stripped me of parental rights.
And youre happy now? Sam asked, his brow furrowed.
What did I the father began, then stopped. I bought you a flat, gave you the keys. Didnt she tell you?
What? Sam stared, disbelief flashing.
I saved ten years of my wages to give you a place of your own. God forbid you stay with her; youd have no life. She doesnt consider anyone a person.
Why didnt you ever speak to me? Sam asked, voice trembling.
I didnt want you to suffer. Margaret threatened to whisk you off to another city, and Id never see you again. So I watched you from afar.
Those words made Sams view of his mother shift. He began to think she was the best thing in his life, frequently saying he wanted a partner who reminded him of her. Margaret smiled smugly, certain Sam would never find anyone like her; she was one in a million, perhaps a billion.
After Emma, Sam met several other women, but none passed Margarets gauntlet. Finally he gave his mother an ultimatum:
Either stop meddling in my life, or Ill cut you out completely.
You ingrate! Margaret roared. Who do you think youre talking to? I gave you a home, an education. How dare you?
Mum, enough, Sam pleaded. I know who really bought that flat. I talked to my father; he told me everything.
And you believe him? she exploded. Not my mother, but some loser?
That loser is my father. Or not?
Margarets face turned ashen. She stared at him with contempt before retreating to her room. The next morning she didnt appear for breakfast. Sam knocked, hearing a harsh shout:
Leave me alone and crawl back to your worthless dad!
Mum, why? Sam entered, finding her slumped on the bed, hair a mess, dress crumpled, eyes staring at the ceiling. It was a stark contrast to her usual immaculate appearance, perfume, and polished demeanor.
You know what, son? she whispered slowly. Marry whomever you like, even a halfPapuan with a dash of penguin and Indian rhino. Just forget you ever had a mother. After the wedding, dont bother me. And I wont throw a penny at your wedding. If I didnt pick the bride, I wont fund this charade.
Got it, mum, Sam said, bowing with a wry smile, and quietly closed the door behind him. That very day he moved into his own flat.
Six months later, Sam invited his mother to a restaurant to announce his engagement.
And who is she? Margaret asked, disinterested.
Shell never please you, Sam replied coolly. Just so you know, my fiancée is Lily. Shes twentysix, from a long line of doctors. A perfectly respectable woman.
Heaven help me, where did you get such confidence? Margaret rolled her eyes. Show me a photo.
Sam pulled out his phone, displaying Lilys picture. Margaret pursed her lips, shook her head disapprovingly.
And you call that the future mother of my grandchildren? What a nightmare!
The photo showed a girl of Eastern Asian descent.
Thats a Gulchatai, not Lily. Why the name?
Lilys halfKorean, Sam explained patiently.
Even better, Margaret sneered. Like a bulldogrhino mix.
Youll grow to like her once you meet her after the wedding, Sam smiled.
Margarets breath caught at his words.
After the wedding? Youll actually marry? To spite me?
Why would I? For my own happiness, Sam grinned, flagging a waiter to place an order.
She sat in stunned silence, trying to picture grandchildren from a woman who looked nothing like her. The thought made her skin crawl.
On the wedding day, Sam pulled his mother aside, voice firm.
No drama, okay? If Lily walks out because of you, I wont forgive you.
Margaret was forced to sit mute, a small, invisible figure watching the radiant bride and her son exchanging vows, laughing, dancing, basking in unfeigned joy. The next morning the newlyweds arrived with a gift for Margaret, but she shut the door.
Listen, son. I did everything you asked. Now listen to me. Dont bring that mixedblood woman into my house again. Do you understand? You could have a thousand wives, but Im only one mother.
The couple left, and Margaret, in a fit of spite, tossed the gift into the bin.
I wont take a single thing from that halfbreed, she spat.
Soon after, Margaret fell ill often, and Lily began caring for her, hiring night and day carers so the old woman wouldnt be left alone. Margaret could not accept the daughterinlaw she despised, especially after hearing Sams earlier remark that hed find someone like me.
You said youd find a woman who looks like me. Wheres the resemblance? Margaret muttered, furious that she now depended on Lilys help.
When the phone rang, Lilys voice came out bright and melodic:
Hello, Lily. How are you? My blood pressures spiking a bit. Could you pop over? Alright, see you soon
The drama lingered, the English sky over London watching a family torn between love, control, and the stubborn pride of a mother who would not let go.
