Forgive me, love, for my harsh words, the wouldbe motherinlaw blurted, hurriedly, as if she were apologising for nothing more than a sudden gust. I didnt mean them with malice. Perhaps youll drop by sometime? Victors still alone after parting with you; hes never quite found his destiny. He lives in a world of video games
***
Diana and Victor had been together for almost two years. To Diana their romance seemed solid: she spent many evenings in the Clarke house, where the relatives welcomed her politely, if not warmly. She imagined a sturdy future. Victor, though a little carefree, possessed a charm and a capacity for focus.
The idyll shattered when Victor flunked a crucial English exam. His failure sprang from negligence: during the lockdown he buried himself in endless gaming sessions, abandoning his studies. The threat of expulsion loomed.
In the height of the crisis Diana could no longer hold back and, to Victors mother, she declared sharply:
I wont settle for a man who achieves nothing. I need a selfsufficient partner. Im not going to be anyones housemaid; we must share the chores and the earnings alike!
The words hung in the air, instantly casting doubt on what lay ahead.
Mrs. Clarke took the outburst as a personal affront. She had spent her whole life providing for her husband and son, believing her role was to care, not to demand results. Now she expected Diana to behave exactly as she had.
Oh, what a laugh! She wont be a maid, will she? A proper lady is first and foremost the keeper of the hearth, and a man is the head of the household!
Diana fell silent, unwilling to fan the flames. From then on the front door was no longer opened for her. Their contact dwindled to secret messages, occasional calls, and brief meetings in neutral cafés. Victor suffered the ache of distance, yet he answered with manipulation rather than honesty.
Diana, we have to talk to my mother, Victor urged over the phone. You must tell her you dont really feel that way. Im tired of hiding! Make peace with my parents, will you?
Why should I prove anything to your mother? She didnt raise me. Those are your problems, not mine. Why should I bend to her?
Because you love me, and I love you. Thats the only way to fix this. If you dont, well lose each other forever
With a clenched heart Diana agreed for love she was ready to take a humiliating step: to try and explain herself to a strangers mother.
But the dream twisted beyond her expectations.
When Diana arrived, Victor let her into the hallway. In that instant his father descended the stairs:
Victor, what is that girl doing here? he demanded, voice sharp.
Victor stammered. Diana felt the colour drain from her face. The question sounded as though she were a random acquaintance, not his beloved girlfriend.
Dad, Diana, we were Victor began, but his father cut him off:
I see who she is. Shes out!
From the living room his mother emerged:
Whos making all that noise? Victor, whos with you?
The father, ignoring Diana completely, shouted:
The very one who taught you how to live.
And Diana understood: she was not welcomed. Humiliation and anger drove her to act on instinct.
Im leaving, and you stay! Pathetic, goodfornothing mamas boy! she hissed, storming out and slamming the door behind her.
Victor, stunned, made no move to stop her.
As she stepped into the stairwell, her phone rang. Victors voice crackled through, bereft of remorse, only fury:
Why did you say that?! You ruined everything!
What did I ruin? Your father just turned me into a callgirl on his level!
It doesnt matter who or where he placed me! You caused a scene! Now Mums furious, and Dad wants me to never see you again!
Then he said the final blow:
And you know the worst part? Ill definitely lose my gaming time.
Diana felt hurt melt into cold resolve.
You blame me because you cant play your games? Your familys problems are yours to sort, not mine. You should have dealt with them yourself, not turned me into a scapegoat.
It became clear: he hadnt changed. He remained the infantile youth searching for someone to blame, offering her no protection.
I cant put up with this any longer, Victor. Were done. This is the end! Diana declared firmly.
She blocked him everywhere. The break was sharp, but necessary. His familys burdens were his cross, not hers.
A year later Diana recovered from the split and began a new chapter. She met a man, and after three months they were planning a wedding.
One afternoon, while browsing in a boutique in York, she ran into Mrs. Irene Clarke.
Diana, dear! Its wonderful to see you! the former motherinlaw exclaimed, rushing forward.
Diana flinched:
Hello
Mrs. Clarke enveloped her in an embrace and bombarded her with questions:
Its been ages! How are you? Hows life? Im so sorry you and Victor broke up. Hes gone mad with his games! He wont work, always glued to his computer. When you were together he seemed so responsible Do come over sometime!
Im sorry, Mrs. Clarke, Im busy. Work, home
Mrs. Clarke glanced at the ring on Dianas finger:
Whats that? Are you married?
No, were only engaged. The wedding will be this summer.
The friendliness dissolved into a curt remark:
Ah, I see! So its clear now! Good thing Victor left you! We dont need someone like you!
Diana shrugged and turned toward the display shelves. In a way Mrs. Clarke was right: it was fortunate she had left Victor in time. Yet it was a pity she had wasted so many years on him.
