My mother-in-law branded my quiet mother “ugly” at my wedding, and I couldn’t ignore it. I thought I had the ideal revenge plot, but when the backlash started, I realized I might have gone too far.
For the hundredth time, I adjusted my veil as I stood in front of the mirror. My hands were trembling; perhaps from excitement or nerves? Mum appeared behind me, teary-eyed.
“Sofia, you look beautiful,” she said.
I looked up at her, admiring her modest, black outfit. “Mom, thank you. You also have a great appearance.
She fidgeted at her dress’s hem. “Are you certain it’s not overly simple?”
“It’s flawless,” I told her. “You’re flawless.”
Mom gave me a grin, but I could see doubt in her eyes. Her preference was to disappear into the background due to her bashful nature.
“Please proceed,” I replied, putting my arm around hers. “Let’s go kill them.”
The event was a haze. As I made my way down the aisle, Michael’s eyes met mine, and before I knew it, we were exchanging vows. We turned to face our guests, and that’s when I saw my new mother-in-law, Vivian, looking stunning in her jewel-encrusted gown.
I was ecstatic to be at the reception. Michael and I went around introducing ourselves, extending greetings and accepting congrats. Mom was standing at the punch bowl by herself, and she looked uneasy.
I moved over. “Enjoying yourself?”
She gave a nod, but her eyes did not grin. Naturally, my dear. You look amazing in that dress.”
“Mom, thank you. I —
“All right,” a voice interrupted. With a glass of champagne in hand, Vivian emerged. “Evelyn, my love, that’s a really… unique outfit choice.”
Mom’s cheeks became red. Oh, I’m very grateful. Vivian, your dress is equally gorgeous.
A sneer curved Vivian’s lips. “Well, some of us like to put in extra effort on significant occasions.”
I started to bite back, but Mom grabbed my arm instead. Why don’t you go dance with Michael, Sophia? It’s the day of your dreams.
I reluctantly left them, but I stayed close to Mom all night. She retreated to the room’s corners, appearing to get smaller.
***
My phone buzzed the following morning when Michael and I were eating breakfast. Jen, my cousin, was there.
“Hey, how’s the recent bride?” She enquired.
Fantastic! Despite my exhaustion, nevertheless.
“I suppose. I have something I need to tell you, listen.
My blood started to boil as Jen related what she had overheard during the wedding. Had Vivian referred to my mother as ugly? To further visitors?
Jen remarked, “I’m so sorry, Sophia.” “I didn’t mean to spoil your evening.”
“No, thank you for informing me. Regards, Jen.
With my hands trembling with rage, I hung up and faced Michael. “At our wedding, your mother called my mom ugly.”
His expression dimmed. How come? Are you certain?
Jen heard her say something. Whoa, this is unbelievable!
A hand went through Michael’s hair. Let me speak with her now, shall we? Her statement wasn’t appropriate.
But I had a plan in mind already. “No, I can handle this.”
I took out my laptop and opened the contact details of the wedding photographer. I quickly composed a message while my fingers skimmed over the keyboard:
Hello, Rob Regarding our wedding pictures, I have a unique request. Could you point out any pictures of my mother-in-law that don’t look good? In addition, I was wondering if you could alter the pictures in a way that would make her appear worse.
Before I could stop myself, I pushed send.
The photographer said right away: “Yeah, of course. That’s something I can accomplish. However, are you positive?
“Definitely,” I answered.
Peering over my shoulder was Michael. “What are you doing, Sophia?”
I forcefully closed the laptop. Nothing. Just curious about the pictures.
Clearly not buying it, he scowled and let it go.
I was nervously awaiting the pictures for the next three days. I was astonished to see them in a shared folder when they eventually showed up. With her mouth hanging open, Vivian was shouting at a helpless child. Another picture had her teeth covered in spinach.
Her makeup appeared slightly smudged and her wrinkles appeared more prominent in each picture.
A pang of remorse shot through me, but I ignored it. This was something she deserved.
I was shocked when the phone rang. It was Vivian.
“Sophia!” she cried out. “How have you altered my pictures?”
I pretended not to know. “Explain what you mean.”
“Don’t try to fool me! I look awful in each and every one!
“Well, that seems strange. It’s probably just an error.
“Mend it! Right now.
Before I could reply, she hung up. With a worried expression on his face, Michael entered.
Was my mother there?
I gave a nod. “She’s not pleased with the pictures.”
He let out a sigh. “What did you do, Sophia?”
I told him everything, including the modifications and the request to the photographer. With every phrase, his face got more concerned.
Finally, he remarked, “I can’t believe you did that.” “I understand that what my mother said was incorrect, but this is also wrong.”
A knot of guilt tore at my belly. “I just wanted to defend my mother,”
“I know that, but there were more appropriate approaches. We ought to go speak with your mother.
We were seated in Mom’s living room an hour later. When we told her what had happened, her eyes got bigger.
“Oh, Sophia,” she murmured. That wasn’t necessary for you to accomplish.
“But Mom, she did you harm! I was unable to allow her to get away with it.
Mom gave a shake of her head. Her remarks may only cause me harm if I allow them to, honey. Furthermore, you’ve merely given her more power by taking revenge.
Michael gave a throat clearing. “Evelyn, I really apologize for what my mother said. It was utterly inappropriate.
“Thank you, Michael. However, you shouldn’t apologize for it.
Mom spoke again after a brief period of stillness. “Thank you, Sophia, for wanting to stand up for me. That’s not the way, though. We ought to be more capable than that.
My eyes started to water. “Mom, I apologize. I simply… I adore you so much, and I can’t stand it when someone treats you poorly.
She drew me into an embrace. “I understand, my love. I also adore you. But sometimes, leading a happy and fulfilling life is the finest kind of retaliation.
We left Mom’s place, and I felt relieved as well as a little ashamed. Michael gave me a tight squeeze.
What comes next, he enquired.
I inhaled deeply. “I suppose I should put this right now. even though your mother isn’t deserving of it.
He gave a nod. “We’ll work together on it.”
We invited Vivian over the next day. Entering our apartment, she had a thunder cloud on her face.
“So?” she insisted. “Will you be fixing those horrible pictures?”
I inhaled deeply. “Vivian, I must apologize to you. I instructed the photographer to alter those images so you appear unflattering.
Her shocked eyes widened, then narrowed with rage. “How dare you —”
“I’m not done yet,” I interrupted. “I took action after learning about your remarks regarding my mother during the wedding. Is she being called ugly? That was inappropriate and harsh.
Like a fish, Vivian’s mouth opened and closed. Michael intervened.
“Mom, your words were hurtful. Since Evelyn is now a member of our family, she merits respect.
I had a brief fear that Vivian would blow up. Then her countenance changed in a certain way.
“I… Grudgingly, “I suppose I may have been out of line,” she said.
I answered, “We all were.” So perhaps we should restart? You could apologize to my mother and I will take care of the photos.
After hesitating, Vivian nodded. “I guess that’s… reasonable.”
Although it wasn’t flawless, it was a start. Michael grabbed me and hugged me as Vivian departed.
“You have my admiration,” he said.
I gave him a heartfelt grin. “Many thanks. All I can hope is that this is only the start of something better.
***
The following week, Michael, Mom, Vivian, and I got together for dinner. Though uncomfortable at first, the tension gradually subsided as the evening went on.
I watched as Mom and Vivian shared anecdotes about their kids while gingerly finding common ground. It was something, but not quite friendship.
Vivian drew me aside as we were saying our final goodbyes.
“Sophia,” she uttered in a quiet voice. “I… I apologize. For my actions as well as my words. You’re a terrific fit for my son, and maybe we can get past this.
I felt a burden release from my shoulders as I nodded. “That would be nice.”
Michael smiled at me as we drove home. That wasn’t all that horrible, was it?
I chuckled. “Well, I guess not. But will we promise to never act in such a manner again?
He gave my hand a squeeze. “Acquire.”
I reclined in my chair and reflected on our voyage together. From the ideal wedding day to the turmoil in the family and back again. It wasn’t simple, but perhaps that was the whole point of family: the complex, messy, and lovely reality of loving people for who they are, flaws and all.
How would you have responded in that situation?