After My Son Chose His Abusive Father, I Disowned Him

After my son left, I carefully picked up the Mother of the Bride dress from the floor, feeling the luxurious fabric and intricate patterns, and handed it back to Gianna Harris, the boutique owner, with an apologetic smile.

“These dresses still have their tags on. I won’t be needing the Mother of the Bride dress anymore. Could you help me find something more suitable for my everyday wear?”

Gianna, perceptive as always, chose not to question me further and instead presented me with two options: a rich emerald dress and a soft lavender one.

“Would you like to try them on?”

After changing, I stood in front of the mirror, gazing at the elegant, composed woman reflected back at me. I couldn’t help but smile at her.

To my surprise, the reflection returned my smile.

I chuckled again.

Gianna burst into laughter. “Well, you’re certainly taken by yourself today, aren’t you, dear?”

She led me to the styling area. “When you purchase a dress from us, we offer a complimentary hairstyling session. Let me show you what I can do.”

I nodded, watching as the woman in the mirror became even more polished under Gianna’s skillful hands.

Leaving the boutique, I hailed a cab and headed to the hotel where Kolton’s wedding was set to take place.

Evangeline Marshall, the hotel manager, clarified several times, “If you cancel now, there will be a 30% fee deducted. Are you certain you want to cancel the event scheduled for next month?”

I nodded resolutely.

Since I wasn’t welcome at the wedding venue, I figured Kolton wouldn’t want to have his wedding at the hotel I reserved either.

With a refund of $8,700 credited to my phone, I felt a wave of relief and headed to the jewelry store.

I used the refund to buy myself a beautiful gold bracelet. Kolton had often mentioned that after the wedding, it was my job to gift Alina Cook a gold bracelet, and accompany her to pick one out.

Trying on the $3,800 bracelet, I finally understood why Alina loved gold bracelets so much. The allure of wealth was undeniable.

Stepping out of the jewelry store, I stood on the bustling sidewalk, feeling somewhat adrift amidst the throngs of people.

Since becoming a single mother, my entire focus had been on my son. After Kolton went to college, I devoted all my energy to running my cotton boutique. Last year, when the town underwent redevelopment, my boutique was demolished. All I had left were two storefronts and $100,000 in compensation.

Just when I was feeling aimless, Kolton graduated college and brought home his girlfriend to plan their wedding.

If he cared about me even a little, he would have noticed my boutique was closed. But he was completely oblivious, even telling Alina disparagingly, “My mom’s not very capable or educated; she just knows how to card cotton.”

Meeting my future daughter-in-law for the first time, I held back from correcting him. As the wedding approached, with hotel bookings and wedding planning, Kolton never once asked me how business was going.

And speaking of the wedding planning, I hailed another cab to head straight to the wedding planning company.

Aspyn Ryan, the sales representative, asked with a fixed smile if there was something unsatisfactory.

Left with no other choice, I concocted an excuse.

“The wedding is canceled. The bride and groom aren’t getting married anymore. What’s the point of wedding planning?”

Just then, Kolton and Alina arrived at the company to discuss the wedding plans.

Seeing me, Kolton’s eyes flared with anger. “What’s the deal? I told you the wedding isn’t for you. You’re all dolled up like some old hag. Who are you trying to impress?”

Alina tugged at his arm, but he brushed her off.

“Mom, I'm begging you, please, can you stop complicating things? Alina and I are already exhausted from preparing for the wedding. You can’t help; could you at least stop making things harder?”

Aspyn glanced at me, then at Kolton and Alina, and cautiously asked, “Ma’am, should I process the cancellation or not?”

“Cancel!”

“Why cancel?”

My words and Kolton’s overlapped.

Kolton looked at me incredulously.

“Mom, can’t you stop messing around? I’m really tired these days. You don’t understand the wedding protocols, so why interfere so rashly?

“And there’s only a month left until the wedding. If we cancel now, where can we find another suitable planner?

“My dad and Khloe are accompanying us to the hotel rehearsal tomorrow. How am I supposed to explain this to them?”

I watched Kolton’s lips move, unable to believe that I had raised such an ungrateful son after leaving his father behind with nothing.

What does he take me for?

What does he think of my care and love for him?

I straightened up and firmly requested Aspyn, “I’m sure I want to cancel the wedding services. Please proceed with it.”

Kolton stood with his arms crossed, his expression stormy as he glared at me. “Keep making a fuss, Mom. Let's see how far you'll go.”

Alina handed me a cup of coffee from the dispenser. “Ma’am, are you dealing with something difficult or troubling?”

I had barely accepted the coffee when Kolton slapped it out of my hand.

“Alina, don’t pay her any mind. She’s menopausal; full of tricks.”

Then he said, “I can’t wait to see what kind of wedding service you’ll choose.”

And with that, he pulled Alina away, leaving without a glance at my soaked skirt.

Aspyn handed me a tissue, refrained from further questions, and efficiently processed the cancellation.

Once it was confirmed, another $9,000 was credited to my account.

Though I lost some money in the cancellation, at least it didn’t benefit my ungrateful son.

When I returned home, it was already 7 p.m., but the real estate agent, Ivey Cooper, whom I had contacted earlier, still came bustling in.

“Ma’am, are you sure you want to sell that house?

“Your neighbor has long wanted to move her son into the adjacent house; she’s contacted you before, and you never agreed.”

I had purchased that house when Kolton decided to build his life back home, using all my savings. At the time, he was out of town, and the owner was eager to sell as they were moving abroad. I bought it under my name.

I had initially planned to transfer it to him once he got married.

Looking back, I’m glad it’s under my name.

Now Kolton has a blood-related father. What would he care about a house his embarrassing mother prepared for him?