My future mother-in-law demanded my ATM card to pay for the wedding. When I refused, they locked the door and pushed me against the wall. “Hand over the card, or the wedding is off. Who wants a pregnant woman like you?” she sneered.
I was in a situation that no pregnant bride-to-be should ever face.
I was four months pregnant with my first child, and my wedding to Jake was just six weeks away. I had built a thriving digital marketing business through sheer hard work. I owned my own home, paid my bills on time, and thought I had a secure life. But I made one big mistake: I fell in love with Jake.
He ran a struggling tech startup that was only staying afloat because of his mother's support and my quiet financial help. I thought love could change him. We were sitting in his mother, Carol's, stuffy living room to talk about the wedding budget. Carol tapped her long nails on a stack of invoices and said, “The florist needs another $10,000 for imported white orchids today.
And the caterer wants a 75% deposit for the lobster and Wagyu beef menu. ” My stomach tightened with tiredness.
“I've already paid $80,000, Carol. I paid for the venue and the band in full.
I'm not using up my personal savings and my company's operating money right before the baby is born. The orchids aren't necessary, and we'll serve chicken. ” Jake finally looked up from his phone, his good-looking face frowning in annoyance. “Babe, come on. It's our special day. It reflects on our image.
You have the money. It's an investment in our future. ” “An investment? ” I asked, looking at the man I was supposed to marry. My heart ached as the dream started to break.
“Jake, you haven't put a single dollar into this wedding! Your startup hasn't made a profit in two years! I'm the one paying for this whole thing. I'm not paying another cent. ” I grabbed my purse and stood up to leave.
I thought Carol would be angry and play the victim. But I didn't expect her to show her true, ugly self.
“ Sit down, Lily,” Carol commanded, her voice losing the polite act and sounding dark and threatening.
“You're not leaving. ” “Excuse me? ” I scoffed and shook my head.
“Call me when you've decided on the menu. ” I took a step towards the hallway. But Jake lunged forward. He didn't reach for my hand to comfort me. He went straight for the heavy brass deadbolt on the solid oak front door.
Click. The sound of the bolt was loud. Jake crossed his arms and blocked the exit. His jaw was set firmly. He didn't see a pregnant woman; he saw a money source that wouldn't open.
Carol stepped right behind me until I could smell the stale wine on her breath. “Hand over your ATM card and the PIN, Lily,” she said coldly. “Since you won't be reasonable, we'll take the money ourselves. ” I was shocked. The man I loved and his mother had just locked me in a house to steal from me.
“Are you crazy? Open the door! ” I whispered, my voice shaking with panic. Suddenly, Carol raised her hands and pushed me hard against the wall. The impact made me lose my breath. My back hit the drywall with a thud.
Instinctively, I put my hands on my stomach to protect the baby from the violence.
“Hand it over, or the wedding is off,” Carol sneered, her face close to mine, her eyes full of meanness.
“A pregnant woman like you should be grateful that anyone decent wants you. If Jake leaves you today, you'll be a single mother that no one will care about. Give me the PIN now. ”
