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Ignat, Hurt by His Mother’s Behavior, Decided to Move Out and Live on His Own
Ignatius, wounded by his mothers behaviour, resolved to live apart from her.
“You dont respect me at all!” The lingering echo of his mothers fury travelled down the telephone line, striking Dorothy with its loud indignation.
Dorothy sighed heavily, feeling the weight of the womans demands, her voice sharp and imperious. She remembered the moment before her own wedding, when it seemed fate itself had chosen to interfere and cast confusion into her life. The grooms mother, a woman of rigid principles and unyielding opinions, had caught a simple coldyet spoke of it as though it were the plague, capable of ruining everything.
The call had come that morning, just as the hour of her and Ignatiuss new life together drew near. Surprise quickly gave way to irritation, for the news was utterly unexpected and defied all reason. His mother insisted the wedding be postponed for weeks.
“What do you mean, postpone? Weve arranged everythingthe banquet, the guests My parents are coming all the way from York just for this!” Dorothy protested.
Ignatius listened in silence, knowing a difficult conversation with his mother lay aheada woman no one dared oppose. Yet now it was time for him to speak his mind.
“Mother, a cold is just a passing illness. I understand your concern, but we cant cancel the wedding over something so trivial.”
His firm tone was new to her, and she fell quiet, as if stifling a sob of outrage.
“Well, if neither of you cares for my health then let it be so. But remember this: if anything goes wrong, the blame will rest on your shoulders.”
A sharp click followed, leaving the room in silence, broken only by Dorothys restless fingers tapping the table.
The mothers hand trembled slightly as she clutched the receiver, her fingers swiftly dialling another number. Her pulse raced, but her mind was clear: they must not celebrate while she suffered.
“Lydia? Its me. Forgive the sudden call, but the wedding is postponed. Ive taken illa dreadful fluso we must delay it a fortnight. Yes, of course my son agrees. He worries for me.”
A brief pause, then a hushed whisper: “Oh, you poor dear! Of course, get well first!”
Relief washed over her, though the lie sat heavily.
Another call followed. “Hello, Natasha? Yes, you heard right. Weve had to put off the wedding. Im dreadfully unwellthe doctor insists on rest.”
Natasha gasped, murmuring sympathies. “Oh, what a shame! God speed your recovery, dearest!”
One by one, the calls continued, each repeating the same excuse. Every listener responded with pity and support, while the mothers conscience whispered that she was wrong, that she would harm her son, his family, even herself.
After the last call, she sank onto the sofa, exhausted. The phone still trembled in her hand, demanding confirmation. Tears slipped down her cheeks.
That evening, as guests gathered for the ceremony, only Dorothys closest friends, a few of Ignatiuss colleagues, and distant relativesthose who rarely spoke to his motherremained. The rest had vanished, heeding her warnings, though no formal cancellation had been issued.
For a moment, Dorothy felt dizzy with shock. Then anger rose, mingling with bitter injustice.
Yet despite it all, the celebration remained joyful. Laughter filled the air as guests danced and revelled, creating warmth and closeness all their own.
Far from the festivities, the mother sat alone in her home, weeping quietly and cursing fate for her humiliation. Her fury slowly turned to loneliness, swallowing her like a tide upon the shore.
“To them, my illness is nothingjust a foolish old womans complaint. Was it so hard to show a little care?”
When Ignatiuss family learned the truth, some felt betrayed and slighted, others kept silent, fearing conflict.
Ignatius, wounded by his mothers actions, chose to live apart. Soon after, the newlyweds moved to another town, far from her and the bitterness she left behind.
