My Mother’s Lies Made the Man I Loved Leave

I brought my boyfriend of six months home for dinner.

At the dining table, my mom pulled out a stack of bed photos of me with other men.

“Honestly, my daughter is quite dirty.”

Before I could respond, she continued, “You’re the man my daughter has dated the longest, and also the richest. Since you two plan to marry, you deserve to know. My daughter has dated over thirty boyfriends and had sixteen abortions. Decide for yourself.”

My boyfriend’s face darkened. Without another word, he stood and left.

I ran after him, desperate to explain, but he shook off my hand. “She’s your mother. How could she slander you like that? I didn’t expect you to be such a pretender. Let’s break up.”

Feeling defeated, I returned home. I saw my mom hurriedly hide her phone, but I still caught the last part of her voice message. “Kiersey, I set you up with a quality man. Make sure you seize the chance.”

I froze in place, helplessness wrapping around me. Closing the bedroom door, I finally made a decision.

——

Tanner Gilman was the boyfriend I had dated for six months, and I decided to marry him.

Bringing him home had been a carefully weighed decision. Because I had a mother who supposedly loved me to death.

Now that everything had erupted into chaos, exhausted as I was, a bitter laugh threatened to escape me. This wasn’t the first time, and deep down, I had expected it.

The good food went to my cousin, the fun and beautiful things went to my cousin, and even men had to go to her first.

And me? Her own daughter? I had never once felt her favor, nor had I ever been worthy of anything good.

My heart felt as though it was being sliced again and again with a blunt knife.

So much pain, so many betrayals, that my senses had grown numb.

Rubbing my face, I opened my computer and returned to my work, finishing the final touches on my project proposal.

The man was gone, but I still had my proud career.

The door opened, and my mom appeared in the doorway, holding a steaming bowl of vegetable soup.

Her eyes were full of grievance and helplessness as she said, “Millicent, Tanner had no trust in you. I only gave him a small test, and he revealed his true colors. A man like that is not worth entrusting your life to.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Not worth entrusting my life to, but worth entrusting my cousin’s life to?”

She lifted her chin, pride and calm etched on her face. “Your cousin only gets what you don’t want. My Millicent deserves the best man.”

I froze, speechless.

A thorn seemed lodged in my throat, making it painful to swallow.

She was my closest kin, yet every time, she could thrust me into the most humiliating situation, then smile as if nothing had happened.

As if she had not been the one to strike the blow.

Seeing my silence, she smiled and placed the bowl of vegetable soup before me. “You didn’t eat much at dinner. Mom made this for you. Eat it while it’s hot.”

It felt like a slap, then a hand offering a bribe. I exhaled wearily. “Just leave it there. I’ll eat it once I finish this.”

“How can that be? Working on an empty stomach is terrible for your health. Eat now, then continue.”

I paused my typing. “Mom, it’s really hot. I promise, as soon as I finish, I’ll eat it right away, okay?”

She seemed ready to argue, but when our eyes met, her lips pressed into a thin line, and she left, glancing back with every step.

Before the door clicked shut, she reminded me once more, “You must eat, don’t forget.”

I nodded seriously. “Okay.”

Taking a deep breath, I dove back into my work.

Not even a minute had passed before the door creaked open again.

My mom peeked in. “Millicent, why haven’t you eaten the vegetable soup yet?”

She strode in without hesitation. “I knew it, once you get busy, you forget everything, even your own health.”