You know how they say your wedding day is supposed to be the happiest day of your life?
Well, mine started out that way, but it quickly turned into a nightmare, thanks to my new mother-in-law, Eleanor.
I stood at the altar and gazed into my fiancé Jake’s warm brown eyes as we exchanged vows. The lavish venue sparkled around us, as well as the faces of our friends and family.
Couple getting married | Source: Pexels
But not hers.
As we sealed our union with a kiss, I caught sight of Eleanor’s pinched expression over Jake’s shoulder. If looks could kill, I’d have dropped dead right there in my designer wedding gown.
I knew she didn’t approve of us because Jake and I were from two different worlds. I came from old money, the kind that will never run out.
Rich woman getting out of a car | Source: Unsplash
On the other hand, Eleanor was a single mother who had many jobs over the years to support her son.
I admired her for it, but she thought Jake would never be happy with someone like me or with our family.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife!” the officiant declared, distracting me from my thoughts, and the room erupted in cheers and applause.
Couple kissing at their wedding altar | Source: Pexels
Several hours later, the reception was in full swing when Eleanor clinked her glass for the toast. I squeezed Jake’s hand under the table and braced myself.
This wouldn’t be good.
“To my son, Jake,” Eleanor began, and I could recognize the fake sweetness in her voice. “And to his… bride, Amelia.”
Jake tensed beside me.
Couple at a wedding reception | Source: Unsplash
“Jake, darling, I always knew you’d find someone… special.” Eleanor’s eyes narrowed as they landed on me. “Though I must say, I never expected you to marry quite so… far above your status.”
There she goes, I thought as my cheeks burned.
“I just hope Amelia knows what she’s getting into, marrying a man who grew up with so little. But I’m sure her family’s money will smooth over any… rough patches.”
Woman with a wine glass | Source: Pexels
Several guests gasped, and I gritted my teeth as Eleanor raised her glass. “To the happy couple. May your love be as enduring as Amelia’s trust fund.”
“I’m so sorry, Ames. I had no idea she’d –” Jake said as soon as his mother sat back down, but I stopped him with a kiss.
“It’s okay. Let’s just focus on us, alright?”
Bride and groom being affectionate | Source: Unsplash
He nodded, but I could see the worry in his eyes. Fortunately, the rest of the wedding was unforgettable because we ignored that horrible woman.
But Eleanor… was just getting started.
***
The next day, Jake and I arrived at our honeymoon suite on a secluded island resort in the Caribbean.
Hotel room by the beach | Source: Pexels
The room was pure paradise, with the softest white linens and the crystal clear ocean just a few steps outside.
I flopped onto the king-sized bed and giggled as Jake joined me.
“Finally,” he murmured, pulling me close. “Just you and me.”
His eyes got heavy, as they always did when our passion ignited. I felt my belly curling, so I went to kiss him…
A couple in a bed | Source: Pexels
A sharp knock at the door made us both jump apart.
“Housekeeping!” someone outside said. I thought the voice was familiar, but surely… no. She wouldn’t.
“Mom?” Jake called out, frowning.
Suddenly, the door swung open, and Eleanor entered with her arms spread wide. “Surprise!”
Old woman with arms wide open | Source: Midjourney
I sat up, fixing my hair nervously. She had interrupted us! Wait. We had bigger problems than that! “What are you doing here?!” I demanded, outraged.
“Oh, I just thought I’d tag along,” she shrugged. “You know and keep an eye on you two lovebirds. I’m right next door, by the way.”
“Next door? The room next door! Mom, this is our honeymoon!“
A man upset | Source: Pexels
“Don’t be silly. We’re family now! We should spend time together,” Eleanor insisted, and there was nothing we could say to make her see reason.
From that moment on, we had to spend time with her. In fact, she didn’t leave us alone!
She crashed our romantic dinners, interrupted our walks on the beach, and even tried to join us for a couples’ massage.
By day three, I was ready to throw myself into the ocean.
A woman sitting on beach rocks | Source: Unsplash
“Jake,” I whispered one night as we lay in bed. “We have to do something.”
“I know,” he sighed. “I’ll talk to her tomorrow, I promise.”
I thought that would be it, but things got EVEN WORSE the next day when she woke us up at an ungodly hour.
“Rise and shine, lovebirds!” Eleanor trilled. “I’ve got another surprise for you!”
An old woman with arms wide open | Source: Midjourney
She made us get ready and follow her outside to the beach.
My eyes bulged when we reached the dock, and she gestured with pride to a massive yacht bobbing in the crystal-clear water.
“Ta-da!” she exclaimed. “I chartered it for the day. Isn’t it marvelous?”
I had to admit, it was impressive. But something about her smug expression made me worry. I didn’t want to think this, but… where did she get the money for a yacht?
A yacht | Source: Unsplash
Fortunately, my brand-new husband thought the same thing. “Mom, this is too much. How did you even afford this?” Jake asked after we boarded.
“Oh, don’t worry about that,” Eleanor waved her hand dismissively. “I just dipped into your wedding fund a bit.”
Excuse me?
“Our wedding fund?” I asked, shocked. “You mean the cash gifts from our guests?”
An envelope of cash | Source: Pexels
“That’s right!” she nodded, excited. “I figured you two wouldn’t mind. After all, we’re making memories!”
“Mom, that wasn’t your money to spend!” Jake exclaimed, outraged.
“Oh, hush,” Eleanor replied, shrugging. “What’s done is done. Now, who wants mimosas?”
This… was crossing the line. But what could I do?
A woman on a yacht | Source: Pexels
I stormed to the other end of the yacht and tried to swallow my tears. A second later, Jake hugged me from behind and buried his face in my neck.
“Ames, I’m so sorry,” he said into my skin. “This is a disaster.”
“I want to leave,” I said, barely containing my emotions.
And my husband agreed. We spent the rest of the day in silence, absolutely not enjoying the yacht trip, and ignoring Eleanor’s chatter.
A couple on a yacht | Source: Unsplash
As soon as we docked, we headed straight for our room to pack.
Eleanor must have sensed it because she came into the room and tried to stop us, calling us dramatic. But Jake was done with her.
“Enough, Mom. You’ve gone too far. We’re leaving!”
I was so moved by the shiny spine my husband had just grown that I kissed him passionately in front of her.
A couple getting close to kissing | Source: Pexels
***
Once we were back home, I decided that our honeymoon wouldn’t be completely ruined. I won’t go into details, but I made my husband very happy for the next few days.
We knew Eleanor would come back on her original flight plan, unlike us. She would then call for sure, but we tried to avoid thinking about her.
Unfortunately, D-Day arrived, and Eleanor must have dialed as soon as she got home. But Jake let his phone ring for a while. He was preparing himself.
Incoming call on a cellphone | Source: Pexels
“Just answer it, baby,” I encouraged. “Put it on speakerphone. We’ll deal with this together.”
He nodded and clicked. “Mom, I –”
“JAKE! I got robbed! My house! My things!” Eleanor wailed from the other line.
“Wait, Mom. Slow down. I don’t understand,” my husband frowned as my eyes got huge.
Man on a phone call | Source: Pexels
“I think I left my door open when I left!” she cried. “They took everything! Please, I’m sorry for crashing your honeymoon and spending your money! But can you please come here? I’m scared! My house is trashed!”
“Okay, Mom. We’ll be right there,” Jake said, and I loved that he immediately included me.
“Thank you!” Eleanor said and hung up.
When Jake pulled the phone away from his ear, he stared at me with his mouth open and his eyes as big as two baseballs.
A man with a shocked face | Source: Pexels
Out of nowhere, giggles came out from both of us. Soon enough, we were both holding our bellies.
It took a solid five minutes for our joy to settle, and I was even crying. “Well, I think that’s enough proof that karma exists,” I breathed, wiping my eyes, but that sent us into another round of chortling.
Finally, Jake kissed me, still half-laughing, and we almost got distracted again.
Happy couple on a couch | Source: Pexels
But we pulled back and went to see Eleanor. She hadn’t lied.
The house was a mess, and whoever robbed her took everything they could: her kitchen appliances, her television, her jewelry, her stashed cash, and even a coffee table.
Meanwhile, her neighbors saw nothing!
We called the police, followed protocol, and even got Eleanor settled into a hotel for safety. I paid for that gladly because I didn’t want her in our home.
A police SUV | Source: Pexels
Our friends and family helped replace some of her things. We also got a better security system for her house.
Once Eleanor returned to her house and everything settled, Jake had a talk with her. It was more productive than I imagined.
She apologized, even to me, and promised to pay us back for taking from our wedding fund. I didn’t want that, but Jake said it was better to let her. We used that money to go on a second honeymoon, just the two of us.
Now, years later, I can’t say that Eleanor is my closest family member, but she’s a fantastic grandmother and an eager babysitter for our kids. I really can’t complain.
A grandmother drying her grandson | Source: Pexels
Click here to read another story: When my fiancée blew our entire wedding budget on a dress, I was furious. Her cavalier attitude pushed me over the edge. So I devised an epic lesson she’d never forget. Some say I went too far, but I think she deserved this wake-up call. Was I justified?
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
