When parents divorce, it often brings pain and distress to their children.<\/p>\n
However, in my case, I felt relieved. I still loved both my mother and father, but their marriage had been difficult to watch.<\/p>\n
As I got older, I encouraged my mom to find someone new. She often expressed how lonely she felt, especially during quiet evenings at home. So, when she called me one day, her voice filled with excitement as she announced she had a boyfriend she wanted me to meet, I was genuinely happy for her.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
To make introductions, she invited me over for dinner. All I knew about him was that his name was Aaron and that he was a pastry chef.<\/p>\n
Wanting to make a good impression, I picked up a bottle of wine on my way. Given my tight budget, it was a luxury\u2014one that meant I\u2019d be eating instant noodles for the rest of the week. I was struggling financially, saving every penny to achieve my dream of opening my restaurant.As I arrived at my mom\u2019s house, a wave of nervousness washed over me. Within seconds, the door swung open.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cCasey! You\u2019re finally here!\u201d My mom beamed. \u201cWe\u2019ve been waiting! I was just about to call you when the doorbell rang!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I gave her a reassuring nod. \u201cI\u2019m sure everything will be fine. You chose him, so how can I not support you?\u201d<\/p>\n
We walked into the dining room together, but the moment I stepped in, my stomach twisted.<\/p>\n
Standing near the table was a man about my age, with dark hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and a confident posture. I glanced at my mom, who kept smiling as if everything was perfectly normal.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
She looked between me and him, waiting for my reaction. But I was speechless, frozen in place.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you kidding me?!\u201d My voice came out louder than I intended. \u201cIs this some kind of joke?!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cCasey, this is not a joke,\u201d Mom said calmly. \u201cAaron and I are dating.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I turned to him, my anger flaring. \u201cWhy are you with her? Is it for the money?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cCasey!\u201d My mom gasped.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ignoring her, I clenched my fists. \u201cYou two need to break up!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Mom\u2019s expression hardened. \u201cWe\u2019re not breaking up!\u201d she declared. \u201cAaron proposed, and we\u2019re getting married in two months!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Aaron\u2019s jaw tightened. \u201cCasey, I assure you, I don\u2019t care about your mom\u2019s money. I love her.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Mom exhaled, clearly exhausted. \u201cI\u2019m done with all this yelling. Either you calm down and join us for dinner, or you can leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
see next page \u2764<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat!\u201d I shot back. \u201cIf a random guy is more important to you than your daughter, then I\u2019m leaving!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
For days, I struggled to accept that my mother was engaged to someone my age.<\/p>\n
I lay awake at night, replaying the dinner in my heThat evening, I took a deep breath and faced her. \u201cI accept Aaron and fully support you,\u201d I told her. \u201cNow it\u2019s official.\u201dad.<\/p>\n
On the wedding day, as we rushed to the venue, Mom suddenly gasped. \u201cOh no! I left my phone at home!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I volunteered to retrieve it. Back at the house, I searched every room. No phone. Then I noticed a locked drawer near her desk. On impulse, I yanked it open.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Papers spilled onto the floor.<\/p>\n
As I gathered them, bold letters on one document caught my eye\u2014Debt Notice.<\/p>\n
They were all under Aaron\u2019s name. My heart pounded. Then I found another document\u2014property papers. My mom\u2019s name was there, but the signature at the bottom wasn\u2019t hers. It was Aaron\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Stop the wedding!\u201d I yelled, bursting into the venue.<\/p>\n
I shoved the papers into my mother\u2019s hands. As she read them, her hands trembled. Then, she covered her face.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cCasey\u2026\u201d she whispered. \u201cThese debts\u2026 they\u2019re because of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Aaron stepped forward. \u201cYour mom told me you\u2019ve always dreamed of owning a restaurant. We were buying one for you with the wedding money.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He sighed. \u201cWe had to finalize the purchase earlier than planned. I didn\u2019t have enough funds, so I covered the difference. That\u2019s why there\u2019s debt.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Shame flooded me. \u201cPlease forgive me,\u201d I murmured. \u201cAnd you too, Aaron. I was too harsh.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Aaron\u2019s voice remained steady. \u201cCasey, take your seat so we can continue the ceremony.\u201d<\/p>\n
I hesitated, then slowly nodded. My legs felt weak as I walked toward the back. The weight of my mistake pressed down on me.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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