“Olivia, dear, tell us more about your parents,” David’s mother, Nancy, asked during a Sunday brunch. Nancy was a woman who valued lineage and social standing, and Olivia’s vague background had always bothered her.
“I was raised by a single mother,” Olivia replied calmly, meeting Nancy’s gaze. “My father left before I was born. He wasn’t interested in the responsibility of a family.”
She didn’t sound bitter, just matter-of-fact. “My mother is a librarian in a small town upstate. She’s a simple woman, very quiet. We aren’t close.”
“And how did you manage such a prestigious university on a librarian’s salary?” Nancy pressed, her tone skeptical. “Did you have help from other relatives?”
“No,” Olivia said firmly. “I worked. I studied. I earned scholarships. I knew from a young age that if I wanted a different life, I had to build it myself. There was no safety net for me. I had to be the best just to get a seat at the table.”
“That’s very impressive, Olivia,” Nancy said, though her eyes remained narrowed. “I suppose I’ve lived a very different life. When David was born, I stayed home. Arthur provided everything, so I could focus on the children and the house. I never had to worry about a paycheck.”
“You were very lucky to have a husband who could provide that,” Olivia said, her voice taking on a slight edge. She quickly caught herself and softened her tone. “It’s a beautiful home, Nancy. And you’ve raised wonderful children. Your gardens are spectacular—I’ve never seen roses like those.”
Nancy smiled, accepting the compliment, but she wasn’t fooled. She sensed a cold calculation in Olivia that didn’t sit right with her. She felt like Olivia was playing a part, wearing a mask of the “self-made woman” to hide something else.
“David,” Nancy said later, when they were alone in the kitchen. “I think Olivia’s mother should be at the wedding. It’s not right to exclude her. Family is family, regardless of past disagreements. Imagine if you and I had a falling out—would you really want me missing your wedding day?”
“Mom, it’s complicated. Olivia doesn’t talk about it, and I don’t want to push her. She’s clearly hurt by something in her past.”
“That’s exactly why we need to find out what it is,” Nancy insisted. “If she’s going to be part of this family, we need to know who she really is. And a mother and daughter shouldn’t be estranged like this. It’s unnatural.”
“What do you want me to do? I can’t force her to call her mom.”
“Leave that to me,” Nancy said with a knowing look. “I have a plan, but Olivia doesn’t need to know. Let’s just call it a surprise.”
Comments are closed.