**»Better to Be a Beloved Wife Than a Perfect Daughter»**
«Lydia, choose: either me or your parents!» This time, my husband was firm, leaving no room for argument.
«Rodney, you know Id follow you to the ends of the earth. But dont shut out my parents. You called them ‘old’ yourselfhave some mercy…»
«I want nothing to do with them! Visit them if youre such a dutiful daughter,» Rodney shot back, glaring at me.
My first marriage was to a man whod served in Afghanistan. Simon seemed fearless, heroica decorated major, a seasoned soldier. Our son, Matthew, was born, and my parents couldnt have been prouder of their son-in-law and grandson.
«Lydia, love, your mum and I can rest easy now,» Dad would say. «Simons a good man. Weve handed you to safe handsdont disappoint us.»
But Simon paid Matthew little mind. If our son reached for him, Simon was either off fishing, meeting army mates, or just «not in the mood.» Over time, Matthew stopped trying.
Things got worse. Simon sank into black depressions, and I learned to keep my distance. One night, when Matthew was five, Simon drank himself senseless, put on his uniform, and pointed his service pistol at our boy. That was the breaking point. His mind had been shattered by war, and I couldnt risk our lives any longer. We divorced amicably.
My parents were furious. «Youre a terrible wife! A man like Simon? Youll never find his equal!»
Turns out, I didnt need to. Simon spent years searching for a wife before marrying a deaf woman. Meanwhile, I moved on quickly.
For work, I travelled between villages, drafting contracts. In one, I met Rodneytall, charming, smiling. We clashed at first, but after a few meetings, he asked me to dinner. «Lydia, let me take you out before you leave. Ill drive you home myself.»
Matthew was with my parents, so why not? One thing led to another…
We fell hard. Rodney was six years younger, divorced, with a seven-year-old daughter. I knew my parents would disapprovetoo young, too brash, «still wet behind the ears.» But I didnt care. I loved him fiercely.
«Mum, Dad, Im getting married. Rodney and I want to take you to dinner.»
Their faces froze. «Youre joking, Lydia! We thought youd patch things up with Simon. You have a child!»
«Forget Simon. He forgot Matthew. End of story.»
Rodney arrived with gifts and a proposal: «After the wedding, lets all live together. Youre not getting any youngerwell be there to help.»
Dad scratched his head. «Where, though? Weve got a tiny flat. Lydia has her placeSimon left it to her. What about you?»
«Ill build us a three-storey house. Everyone under one roof.»
We married, honeymooned on a Mediterranean cruise, and Rodney treated Matthew like his own. But his daughter, Julia, glared at me, whispering in his ear whenever we met.
Three years later, we moved into that housegardens, orchards, everything. Rodney had thought of my parents comfort: their bedroom and kitchen on the ground floor, ours on the second, Matthews at the top («Let the lad run»). A summer kitchen, a triple garage…
He spoiled usa motorbike for Matthews 20th, a car for my birthday, spa trips for Mum, a fishing boat for Dad. Yet they sneered at his kindness, clinging to Simons memory. Rodney shrugged it off. «Let them gossip. Ive done my part.»
But the tension grew. Then Matthew brought home a girlVera. She lounged on our sofa, smoking, calling me «Lydia,» no respect. «Were moving to the second floor. Im pregnant.»
«Not while Im in charge,» I said.
She shrieked for Matthewwho shoved me. I hit my head, ended up in hospital. Rodney wanted to call the police, but I lied: «I slipped.»
Later, Rodney told me Vera had crawled into our bed while I was gone. «I kicked her out.»
My parents turned venomous. «Rodneys a womaniser! Dump him!» Their poison seeped in. We fought, and he left. A month later, a friend called: «Saw Rodney with some woman!»
Foolishly, I panickeduntil I learned it was Julia, still single at 25. I begged Rodney back.
«Choose, Lydia: me or your parents. Or well end up divorced.»
We moved to a cottage in the countryside. Ten acres, no meddling. My parents cursed me: «Youre no daughter! Abandoned us for that man!»
Vera now threatens to put them in a home.
But Rodney and I? Were happy. Quiet. Married in the village church.
Some lessons take a lifetime to learn.
