Your son is the worstnothing good will ever come of him!
Olivia froze in the doorway, the cake she was carrying trembling in her hands. Her mother stared at her as if Olivia had committed some unforgivable sin.
Mother, what are you on about? Olivia set the cake down on the kitchen table. What does Michael have to do with this?
Because hes already in Year7 and still at a ordinary comprehensive! No specialisations, no accelerated courses. How on earth will he get into a respectable university? How will he ever achieve anything?
Olivia bit her lip. The argument followed the familiar script, and a hot sting of injustice flared in her chest.
Mother, Michael does well at school. He gets As in most subjects, has a maths tutor, and wants to become a software developer like his father.
Thats exactly it! her mother snapped, arms flailing. Software developmentsitting in front of a computer like your Sam. A dull job and a dull wage. And you? A teacher! A tutor! Scraping together pennies. Are you even feeding your child properly?
Olivia clenched her fists. The words cut straight to her most vulnerable spots. Yes, Sam and she werent wealthy; they had to watch every pound. But Michael grew up happy.
Were fine. Michael is happy.
Happy? her mother croaked, moving to the window. Look at Victors boythats a real treasure. Andrew attends a grammar school that teaches intensive English from the first year. He already speaks fluently. Victor and his wife Leah are brilliant they pour money into their child.
Olivia listened in silence. Her brother had always been the golden child. Hed started a small business, bought a larger flat, and his wife Leah stayed at home to look after the house and their son. Every chance the mother got, she compared them with her brothers family.
Andrew is a gifted lad! her mother went on, voice softening. Hell surely make something of himself. Victor says theyll send him abroad for language courses at thirteen. Thats true foresight, not your runofthemill school.
Olivia stepped closer. Her mothers shoulders were tight, her face stern.
Mother, I know you want grandchildren to succeed, but Michael isnt any less capable than Andrew. They just have different paths.
Different paths! her mother snapped, turning sharply. One leads up to success, the other drifts into grey poverty. Is that what you want for your son? To live in want?
Something tightened inside Olivia.
Mother, were not poor. We live within our means. Michael will grow into a good manintelligent, kind, hardworking.
Hardworking! her mother huffed. Thats not enough nowadays, dear. You need connections, money, a prestigious education. What does Michael have? An ordinary school and a mother who barely makes ends meet.
Olivia turned away. In front of her sat the berrytopped cake shed baked with love, now seeming pointless.
Mother, Im not going to argue. Well raise our son the way we think is right, and hes happy.
The future is what matters! her mother pressed, moving closer. Youre ruining him with your carelessness. Victor knows whats needed. Hes doing everything so Andrew becomes someone significant. Youre just drifting.
Olivia shook her head. The debate was futile; her mother would not budge.
Fine, mother. Lets just have lunch. Sam and Michael will be here soon.
As expected, the meal was tense. Her mother boasted about Andrews brilliance, Victors pride spilling over. Michael ate quietly, glancing at his grandmother. Olivia smiled at him, trying to mask the strain.
After that lunch Olivia decided to keep contact with her mother to a minimum. The endless comparisons were too painful. She called her mother and Victor on holidays, sent polite greetings, but stopped arranging family gatherings. Her mother took offense, yet Olivia stood firm, protecting Michael from the negativity.
Years passed. Michael grew, studied, and fell in love with coding. Olivia occasionally heard snippets about her brothers side of the family. Andrew graduated with a gold medal, entered a prestigious university with a little help from his fathers connections.
Michael also finished school, earned a place at a reputable technical college on a scholarship, passed his exams honestly, and by his third year was working for a small IT firm. Olivia swelled with pride; Sam beamed as well. Still, her mothers conversation never left Andrew.
A few more years slipped by. The children were approaching thirty. At their mothers birthday, the whole family gathered. Victor and Leah arrived, as did Andrewa tall, handsome man with a careless haircut. Hed left his graduate job to chase a music career, forming a band. Victor funded the equipment. Two years later the band was still unknown, and Andrew lived rentfree with his parents, not earning a penny.
Olivia watched her mother fawn over Andrew, patting his head, coaxing him about his musical projects. He answered lazily, scrolling his phone, while his mother failed to notice his indifference. To her, he was still the golden grandson.
Michael sat beside his wife Harriet, who was four months pregnant. He worked for a large IT company, earned a solid salary, rented a flat, and saved for a house. Yet his grandmother seemed blind to his achievements.
Olivia saw Sam tense, jaw clenched, while Harriet worriedly glanced at her husband. Michael, however, smiled, gently rubbing Harriets hand. Evening stretched on as her mother regaled the guests with stories of how Andrews band would soon be famous. Andrew nodded politely; Olivia remained silent.
When the night finally wound down, Sam, Michael and Harriet were the first to leave, promising to wait by the car. Olivia was fastening a scarf in the hallway when her mother approached.
Darling, wait a moment. I need to tell you something.
Olivia halted. Her mothers voice was low but serious.
Your Michael is so dull, darling. Grey, ordinaryjust like you and Sam. No spark. Andrew, on the other hand, is a genius, a star. Hell prove it to the world. Your son just works, marries, soon has a child. Theres nothing special about that. He blends in with millions of others.
Olivia stared at her mother, feeling something inside shatter. She exhaled slowly and met her mothers eyes.
Mother, Ive thought about this for a long time. I assumed you wanted me to be a better mother, to push Michael harder, to invest more in him. I thought your criticism came from a good place, to spur me on.
Her mother frowned, but Olivia raised her hand.
But the truth is simpler. You never loved my son. You showed it through endless comparisons, through praise of Andrew, through subtle digs at Michael. You didnt want him to succeed; you just wanted me to feel his inadequacy.
Her mothers face turned pale. Olivia buttoned her coat calmly.
Do you know what? My son is the best. Hes smart, kind, diligent, respectable. Hes become a wonderful man and will soon be a father. Hell be a great dad because I shielded him from your poison, Mother. I made sure he grew up happy.
Her mother stared, eyes wide, as Olivia gathered her bag.
You can keep your opinions about me, Sam and our son to yourself. I dont need them any more. I spent too many years trying to earn your love. I wont do that again. Live as you wish, love whom you like. Im washing my hands of this game. Ill soon have a grandchild of my own, and Ill love him the way a grandmother should.
Olivia walked out, closed the door behind her, and headed to the car where her husband, Michael and Harriet waited. Sam embraced her, Michael beamed. She settled into the passenger seat, feeling a strange, unfamiliar calm settle over her, as if a great weight had lifted. No longer did she have to pretend, adapt, or prove herself.
It took years, but at last Olivia broke free from her mothers judgment. She now has what truly mattersa real family, love, and the peace of knowing that worth isnt measured by comparison but by the quiet happiness you nurture in those you hold dear. The lesson is clear: the only approval you ever need is the one that comes from within.
