Dont you have a mother any more? Margaret snapped, her voice booming across the kitchen. Forget you ever had one. After youre married, I wont be a bother, and youll act as if I never existed. And I wont be handing over any wedding money either. If I didnt choose your wife, I wont foot the bill for this whole farce.
Sam felt a surge of pure joy whenever his little son, Jamie, clung to her and whispered, Mum, youre the best in the world. Ill do everything to keep that smile on your face. Jamies innocent words turned Margarets heart inside out. She swelled with pride at having raised such a wonderful boy, whom she called her little angel. With his golden curls, blue eyes and perfectly sculpted features, he seemed born for aristocracy. As he grew, Margaret used his appearance as a benchmark for any prospective daughterinlaw: a spotless pedigree, polished looks, a slender figure, a university degree, impeccable manners, and, ideally, a respectable job in a prestigious firm.
The flat is already mine, she would say of Sams future, but we need the right lady to keep it in order. She must be ready to welcome guests at any hour, even three in the morning, because thats what a wife and housekeeper does.
Time went on and Margarets demands only grew harsher. No woman over twentyfive, she warned. Shed only produce a frail child, and we need to be sure any baby is Sams. Her sisters tried to reason with her. Margaret, have some sense. No woman today meets all those conditions. If you want Sam to marry and have children, loosen up or hell stay a bachelor forever.
Sam excelled at school and university, landed a wellpaid position in a London firm, yet his love life was a mess. Every time he introduced a potential partner to his mother, she found a thousand excuses to push the girl away. During each meeting she would tell Sam, Honey, could you slice some fruit while we chat? and then turn the conversation on the girl.
The first woman Margaret examined was Emma. Emma came from a modest background: her mother was an accountant, her father a boilerroom operator, and she had two younger brothers. Emma worked as a pharmacy assistant, which set Margarets mind racing. She has constant access to medicines. What if she poisons my son? Or me? No, shes out of the question. And her family are labourers; we need something more genteel.
Sweetheart, you cant marry Sam, Margaret urged when she and Emma were alone. Youre too different. He grew up in a world you could never imagine. Find someone more ordinary. Emma left without a word, not even saying goodbye to Sam. When Sam pressed for an explanation, she replied coldly, Ask your mother, the one who raised you in those special circumstances. Shell tell you Im too good for you, and you should look for someone simpler.
Why did you hurt Emma, Mum? Sam asked. I really like her.
Son, youve forgotten something, Margaret said slowly. Im your mother; I know what will make you happy. Not Emma, thats for sure. Where did you even find such a woman? It seems theres no one from a respectable family left.
Realising his mother would never be swayed, Sam walked away. He occasionally mentioned meeting new girls but never brought them home. Margaret offered to help him find a wife, but he politely declined, Ill choose my own partner, not you.
I already know who youll pick, she muttered. A housemaid with nothing on her mind but mops and cloths.
Thatll keep the floors sparkling, Sam replied with a sardonic grin.
Dont talk to me like that! Margaret shouted.
Sam retreated to his room. Eventually he decided to move out of his mothers house and into the flat she owned, which she had been renting out for years.
His relationship with his father, who had long since split from Margaret, was strained. After a divorce when Sam was six, his father kept his distance until recently agreeing to a meeting.
I left Margaret because she never gave me space. She controlled everythingwhere I went, who I saw, what I said. When I tried to spend time with you, she warned Id never learn anything because I had no university degree. Why did she want to raise a child for her? I was just a cattlelike worker. I thought, why waste my life on a woman who never cared? I divorced her, she refused child support and stripped me of parental rights.
What a relief for you, Sam frowned.
Whats the point? his father snapped. I bought you a flat and gave you the keys. Did she tell you?
What? Sam replied, stunned.
His father repeated, I saved ten years wages to give you a place of your own. If you end up living with her again, youll have no life of your own. She doesnt value anyone as a person.
Why didnt you speak to me before? Sam asked hesitantly.
I didnt want you to get into trouble. Margaret threatened to move you to another city, and Id lose sight of you. So I watched from afar.
Those words shifted Sams view of his mother. He often said he wanted a partner who reminded him of herstrong, caring, and dignified. Margaret scoffed, Youll never find anyone like me. Im one in a million, maybe a billion.
After Emma, Sam met several other women, but none satisfied Margaret. Finally he gave her an ultimatum: Either stop meddling in my life, or Ill stop seeing you.
Ungrateful wretch, Margaret snapped. Do you forget who bought you a house and paid for your education? How dare you talk to me like that?
Enough, Mum, Sam pleaded. I know who really bought that flat. I talked to my father; he told me everything.
You believe him? she exploded. A loser, not my sons mother?
If it matters, that loser is my father.
Margarets face turned pale. She stared at him with contempt and shut herself in her room. The next morning she didnt come down for breakfast. Sam knocked, hearing an angry shout: Leave me alone and go back to your worthless dad!
Mum, why are you like this? Sam opened the door and entered. She lay on the bed, hair disheveled, dress rumpled, staring at the ceiling. It was a stark contrast to her usual immaculate appearance, perfume, and perfectly styled outfits.
You know what, son? she said slowly. Marry whoever you like, even a man with a penguinrhino hybrid. Just forget you ever had a mother. After the wedding, dont bother me, and I wont give you any wedding money. If I didnt pick your wife, I wont fund any of this charade.
I understand, Mum, Sam replied with a wry bow, closing the door behind him. That day he moved into his own flat, the one he had always wanted.
Six months later he invited his mother to a restaurant to announce his engagement.
Who is she? Margaret asked indifferently.
Youll hate her anyway, Sam answered coolly. Just so you know, her name is Lucy. Shes twentysix, from a long line of doctors. A very respectable woman.
Good heavens, and youre so sure of her worth? Margaret rolled her eyes. Show me a picture.
Sam pulled out his phone and displayed Lucys photo. Margaret pursed her lips and shook her head disapprovingly.
So this is the future mother of my grandchildren? What a fright!
Lucy looked of mixed AsianEuropean heritage.
Isnt she called something else? Margaret asked.
Lucy is halfKorean, Sam explained patiently.
Even better, Margaret sneered. She looks like a bulldog crossed with a rhinoceros.
Shell grow on you once you get to know her after the wedding, Sam smiled.
Margarets breath caught at his words.
After the wedding?! Youre really going through with this? Just to spite me?
Why would I do it for spite? Sam replied, flashing a grin as he called the waitress over.
Margaret sat in shock, trying to imagine the grandchildren that might result from such a match. The mental picture was dreadful.
On the wedding day Sam pulled his mother aside, sternly saying, No drama, please. If Lucy leaves because of you, Ill never forgive you.
Margaret was forced to stay quiet, listening as the radiant bride and her joyous son exchanged vows, danced, and laughed with guests. The following morning the newlyweds brought a gift for Margaret, but she refused to let them in.
So, son, she said, Ive done everything you asked. Now listen to me: dont bring that halfblood into my house again. Do you understand? You could have a thousand wives, but Im only one mother.
The couple left, and Margaret, fuming, tossed the gift into the bin. I wont accept anything from this mixedblood, she muttered.
Soon after, Margaret fell ill frequently, and Lucy began caring for her, calling a nighttime and daytime carer to look after the elderly woman. Margaret never managed to accept the daughterinlaw she despised, cursing the fact that Sam had compared her unfavourably.
Didnt you say youd find someone like me? Lucy asked.
Yes, but youre nothing like me, Margaret grumbled, irritated that she now depended on Lucys help.
When the phone rang, Margaret answered in a strained voice, Hello, love. How are you? My blood pressure is spiking. Could you swing by and check on me?
And so the story drifted on, a tangled web of control, pride, and stubborn love. In the end, Sam realised that trying to shape anothers life only shackles your own freedom. He learned that genuine happiness comes from respecting the choices of those you love, even when they differ from your expectations. The lesson lingered: love cannot be forced, and the strongest bonds are forged by letting go.
