The romantic anniversary meal that Maren’s husband, Julian, plans for them is something that she dares to hope may reignite the spark that they’ve lost over the years. On the other hand, the evening takes a startling turn when an unannounced guest dressed in white shows up, and from that point on, nothing is the same. In this tale about limits, betrayal, and discovering your voice, Maren is the one who must make a decision: is love something that should be saved, or is it the most courageous choice she will ever make to walk away?
It was the first anniversary of our wedding, and Julian had gone all out to celebrate.
He had reserved a table at a rooftop restaurant in the heart of the city, the kind that had flickering candles, shimmering string lights, and a view of the skyline that made the entire city feel as if it were ours.
Over the course of the evening, a violinist played gentle melodies that floated from one table to the next. Once in a while, we were able to look at each other without the glare of our phone screens getting in the way. The sky was glowing with the last blush of the sunset.
I wore my favorite black dress and curled my hair. I was completely ready. It was flowers that he had brought, roses of a rich crimson color that still retained the chill of the evening air.
While the server was pouring wine into my glass, I responded with a smile and said, “This is perfect.”
Julian made a soft clinking sound with his glass against mine. “Maren, you are deserving of perfection.”
Only the two of us were present during that time, and we shared it until a shadow appeared on the table.
When I looked up, I felt a sinking sensation in my stomach.
Among those who were present was Sylvia, Julian’s mother.
Her attire was a floor-length white lace gown, complete with beautiful beading and, incredibly, a short train. She was wearing it throughout the entire event. Her makeup was delicate and romantic, and her hair was curled, giving the impression that she was going to her own wedding party. It was at that precise time that I felt less like Julian’s wife and more like the ex-girlfriend who had just stumbled into his new fiancée in an unpleasant situation.
“Sylvia who?” I blinked my eyes in incredulity.
In the moment that Julian stood up, his chair made a loud scraping sound against the tiles.
“Mom? ” What are you doing in this location? He inquired about it.
As if this were the most normal thing in the world, she grinned cheerfully, as if it were that natural.
“Oh, honey, you didn’t seriously believe that I would be absent on your special day, did you?”
It’s our… what?
As she placed her palm on his chest, she informed him, “It’s your anniversary!” “I view that as being of equal significance”. You were born to me, do you remember that? In the event that you are commemorating love, I ought to be a part of it.
Then she shifted her attention to me, her smile being pleasant but lacking in substance.
The reason I wore white was because I wanted to feel beautiful. You are aware of this, all right?
I chose not to respond. To the point when I feared my teeth could break, my jaw was clenched so tightly.
Julian didn’t appear to be unhappy. It is hardly even surprising. Now… I’ve resigned. Moreover, that was even more terrible.
It appeared as though Sylvia had been invited to sit in his chair, so she retrieved it and sat down in it. The clutch was placed on the table, and she took a quick check at his plate.
Were you referring to the duck? It was a bright question. “Duck is my favorite!”
She grabbed a piece from his plate and shoved it into her mouth before one of us could respond to what she had done. Julian was unable to prevent her from doing so.
The tone of my voice was tense as I stated, “This was supposed to be a private dinner.”
The response she gave was, “I know,” while waving her fork as if I had said something ridiculous. Nevertheless, it is also a celebration for the family, Maren. I am a member of the family, in case you still haven’t noticed. I have been a member of Julian’s family for a far longer period of time than you have been with us.
The waiter walked by, made a slight double take, and provided me with the kind of compassionate glance that is typically intended for someone whose vehicle has just been towed because of an accident.
The words of my mother reverberated in my head: “Maren, you are not going to go to such extremes.” You are able to rise above it.”
However, “rising above it” was beginning to seem a lot like taking a calm plunge into the water.
My attempt was to bring the topic of conversation back to ourselves. “So, do you want to recall our excursion to the coast? Those cliffs, where the sun was rising—”
Julian sat down in a chair that he had dragged over just for himself. In addition to giving me a brief smile, he took a drink of the whiskey. However, before he could finish his sentence, Sylvia moved closer to him.
Are you able to recall the time when you were a young child and you would weep if I left the room? She said, “I used to sleep on the floor next to your crib just to hear you breathe,” as she gently stroked his cheek with the back of her palm. “It was a great experience.” “From the beginning, you have been my favorite boy. And no one, absolutely no one, will ever love you the way that I do.
She cast a sideways glance in my direction, her eyes warm yet contemptuous of me. No one, not even she, can. And not even… her.”
The not Maren. It is not your wife. It’s just “her.”
The heat in my throat increased. In order to stand up, I pushed my chair back.
“Julian, allow me to return home. You and “your date” are free to unwind for the remainder of the evening.
“Maren, please wait—” My hand was outstretched to him.
I firmly responded with “No.” At the moment that she entered this room wearing a “wedding dress” to our anniversary dinner, you had the opportunity to make a decision. You did not succeed in making it.”
Suddenly, Sylvia let out a gasp, as if I had just revealed a scandal in the church. “What a terrible mistake it is to make! It’s only that you’re being emotional, my dear.”
I took a single, long swig from my glass of wine, brought it to the table, and then left the room. He did not stay behind.
That was three days ago.
There were no calls. There are no texts. “No” “Did you make it home without incident?” None of it.
There was no sense of coincidence in the silence. It had a sense of being selected.
I, too, did not make any attempt to contact you. I was curious to see if he would even notice the growing distance between us as the hour progressed. Should he be concerned enough to shut it down.
It wasn’t him.
On the other hand, Sylvia did. An air of arrogance permeated the voicemail that she left me.
“You have ashamedd yourself further. Nothing is going to happen to me. To which Julian is well aware. I have requested that he remain with me until you have figured out how to conduct yourself.
Two times, I played it back. Next, you removed it.
During that evening, I prepared a bag. I needed to get some fresh air, not because I was leaving for good (at least, that’s what I told myself), but because I was in need of it. In order to visit my sister Rowan, I took a car. As she rubbed her eyes and answered the door, she was barefoot and massaging her eyes.
She whispered, “Come in, Mare,” as she went in. The “guest room” is now ready.
A lead blanket was weighing down on me as I slumped into her bed, feeling the weight of the past three days pushing down on me.
Rowan served me coffee the following morning when I woke up. What are you sure that this isn’t just a one-time occurrence?
“No,” I murmured in a low voice. “This is the person she has always been. This is something that Julian has always allowed her to be. I was simply thinking… perhaps getting married might make a difference.”
The head of Rowan was shaken. “Believe people when they reveal themselves to you,” the saying goes. In addition, if your husband allows them to treat you as if you are not there, you should leave.
The following evening, Sylvia called once more.
Before she could finish her sentence, I added, “You have made it impossible for me to stay here because you are someone who is so obsessed with being included.” Why are you maintaining contact with me when you already have Julian?
There is no sound.
I spoke to Sylvia in a calm manner and said, “Julian will not choose you forever.” It is unreasonable to anticipate that I will assist in picking up the pieces when he learns what you have caused him to lose.
She took a few deep breaths. “Before you dare to—”
I hung up the phone.
After one week had passed, she experienced what Julian referred to as a “medical scare.” Chest discomfort and rapid breathing are symptoms. In a state of fear, he called me.
“Maren, I am at a loss on what to recommend! Help me out!
This is Julian, dial 911. I am not a medical professional.” I hung up after that.
A few hours later, he returned the call. “She is doing ok. Simply put, it was stress. As a result of the words that you spoke to her. My intention is to bring her back to our home. Peace is necessary for her to recuperate.
Indeed, it is. Therefore, it would appear that establishing boundaries is now a risk to one’s health.
At that moment, I realized that Sylvia would not give up.
Unless I’d done something that she would never have anticipated.
When I arrived at my own house on a Sunday afternoon, I felt like a complete stranger. During our honeymoon, Julian had purchased a mug for me, and Sylvia was sitting on my couch, wearing my robe, and drinking tea from it.
It appeared as though she had been waiting for me, as she suddenly looked up and gave a slight smirk.
With a soothing tone in my voice, I sat across from her. It’s over for you.
Her dark brows furrowed. Please excuse me.
Ever since the day we tied the knot, you have been attempting to force Julian to make a decision. “And you were successful.”
It gave her a grin, as she believed she had achieved success.
But here’s the point,” I stated in a level-headed manner. When it comes to his wife, a man who is unwilling to stand up to his mother is not a man who is worth fighting for.
Her grin started to waver.
The reason I’m leaving is not because of you. The reason I’m going is because of the person he turns into when you’re around.
Putting a big envelope on the coffee table was my first step. “Married papers have been signed. They should be given to your son.
After that, I left the room.
After a period of two weeks, Rowan’s residence was visited by a letter. Stationery with floral designs that is wax-sealed.
The phrase “I always thought you were just a phase” was written in a cursive script that looped. Since you are no longer here… He resembles his father in every way. Not sure if I’ll be able to handle it.”
Tears left marks on the surface. I didn’t care if it was real or phony. I failed to provide a response.
Since then, a year has passed.
There were times when I would wake up gasping for air and reach for a phone that remained silent. This was during the beginning of my experience. As I scrolled through old photographs, I would ponder whether or not the joy that I observed in them had ever been genuine.
On the other hand, I would recall that evening. A clothing that is white. These are the beads. The teeny-tiny train that was following her from behind like a cloak of ghosts. She smiled at me as if she were trying to provoke me. And Julian’s permissiveness toward her.
When I hear the phone ring, I no longer brace myself physically. I don’t practice my holiday smiles in the mirror for the holidays. Those that want to diminish me do not find a place in my life.
Located close to Rowan, I have my own apartment. I am a sluggish walker today. On the terrace, I go and enjoy my coffee. Even when it hurts, I go to therapy and express the truth about my experiences.
Silence, as I’ve found, can be a source of pain, but it can also be a source of joy.
In addition, when I remember back to that evening, I occasionally realize that Sylvia did not wear white to a party I was attending. Attending a funeral, she wore it.
The memorial service for her authority.
My silence should be laid to rest.
The dissolution of a marriage that ought to have fallen solely under my jurisdiction.
Moreover, I am finally at ease with that for the very first time.
