A controlling woman kicks her daughter-in-law out of the house with her newborn child, only to find herself in appalling conditions years later.
Abbie and Jonathan were married for three years when they welcomed their son, Timothy. They lived in Austin, Texas, with Jonathan’s mother, Susan, who wasn’t the worst by all accounts but wasn’t the best either.
Susan’s problem was that she wanted total control over everything, especially Jonathan’s life. To her relief, she was always successful since Jonathan was a “mama’s boy” who never went against her.
However, things began to change when Abbie came into Jonathan’s life. He began to devote a significant percentage of his attention to her, making Susan believe that Abbie was pulling him away from her.
Eventually, Abbie got the impression that Susan despised her, so she advised Jonathan that they move out. But he politely declined, saying, “Oh darling, come on! You know how mom is! She may seem harsh on the outside, but she is soft on the inside. She adores you just as much as she adores me.”
But Abbie knew that wasn’t the case, and her worst fears proved true one day…
Mrs. Norris wasn’t supportive of Abbie and Jonathan’s relationship. | Source: Pexels
“GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE WITH THAT BABY!” Susan yelled at Abbie as she and Jonathan returned from the hospital following Timothy’s birth. She didn’t even go to the hospital for Abbie’s delivery because she despised her. And once Abbie was home, she already had a brilliant plan to get rid of her “pathetic” daughter-in-law.
“Susan, what’s the matter?” Abbie stared at her, bewildered. She didn’t understand why the woman would say something like that to her.
“Good Lord! Susan?” she whispered in disbelief on seeing her mother-in-law in such a terrible condition.
“What’s the matter with me?” she retorted. “That boy is not my son’s blood! He looks nothing like my son!” she lied, screaming at the top of her lungs.
“Susan!” Abbie yelled back, teary-eyed. “How could you say such a thing? He’s your grandson…Jonathan,” she said, turning to her husband. “Why aren’t you saying anything? You know he’s—”
Before Abbie could finish, Susan cut her off. “Stop bewitching my son with those crocodile tears of yours! You’ve already wrecked his life. Pack your things and get lost!” she repeated and grabbed Jonathan’s arm, pulling him to her side.
Mrs. Norris ordered Abbie to leave the house. | Source: Pexels
“Jonathan….” Abbie looked at him with hopeful eyes, but he didn’t utter a word. Instead, he stood by his mother’s side and lowered his head in shame.
Abbie couldn’t believe Jonathan didn’t say anything to his mother, even if it meant losing his son! She realized whatever was happening to her was probably the worst thing she’d ever faced, but she reasoned it was probably for the best if she moved away from the toxicity. So she packed her belongings and left Susan’s home to live with her parents.
Several years went by and Abbie had raised Timothy on her own, giving him the finest of everything. Fortunately, she also healed from the pain of her toxic marriage with Jonathan and took the first step towards divorce and a happy life with her son as a single mother.
A few years after the divorce, she found love again when she crossed paths with a man named Edward at Timothy’s school. He was a widower with a daughter, Caroline. He and Abbie fell in love and got married.
Abbie felt her life was complete after marrying Edward. She had a wonderful family, an excellent job, two beautiful children, and a devoted husband. She never thought about the horrific past again until something unexpected happened one day…
Abbie took a drastic step and became a single mom. | Source: Pexels
After dropping Caroline and Timothy off at school, Abbie was on her way to work when she noticed an elderly woman dumpster diving for food.
“Good Lord!” she sighed as she came to a halt and glanced at the woman. “What misery did she go through to have to eat from a dumpster?”
Abbie reached into her handbag for cash and got out of the car to offer it to the woman. But as she got closer, something about the woman’s filthy clothes made her stop.
She recognized the woman’s coat and immediately came to a halt in the middle of the street until a car blew its horn, interrupting her thoughts. When the homeless woman turned around to face her, Abbie’s suspicions were confirmed.
“Good Lord! Susan?” she whispered in disbelief on seeing her mother-in-law in such a terrible condition. “Susan, what happened to you? What are you doing here?” she asked worriedly as she dashed over to her.
Mrs. Norris was looking through trash for food. | Source: Shutterstock
With tears in her eyes, the older woman stared at her. “Abbie? Forgive me for what I did, sweetheart,” she pleaded, bursting into tears. “Please forgive me! I’m starving! I haven’t eaten in days….” She fell at Abbie’s feet and wouldn’t stop crying.
Abbie never liked Susan, but she wasn’t so heartless that she would leave her like that on the streets. So she took a day off from work and accompanied the older woman to a restaurant.
As Susan finished eating, Abbie gently asked, “Susan, how did you end up like this? Where’s Jonathan?”
“All I can say is I paid for my sins, sweetheart,” she sighed, teary-eyed. “I lost everything I had. My Jonathan is no longer with me. He left me alone, and I was so miserable after that….”
Susan wouldn’t stop crying as she revealed that Jonathan was returning home from work one day when he was attacked and robbed by some hooligans. He tried to fight back, but he eventually succumbed to the injuries and died before reaching the hospital.
Jonathan’s death left Mrs. Norris miserable. | Source: Pexels
After the terrible accident, Susan almost lost her mind. Every night, she would sit for hours on her son’s bed, clutching his things and crying. She didn’t want to do anything or interact with anyone. She eventually gave up on life and began roaming the streets.
“I still have the house, but it’s so empty without him. It comes back to bite me when I go back there. I don’t want to be there. I want to run away from all the bad memories…All the bad things I did to you, oh, I regret them so much. Will you please forgive me? I beg of you!” she pleaded, trembling.
Seeing Susan’s dreadful situation, Abbie knew she had already had her fair share of suffering for her wrongdoings, so softening her heart for the older woman, she decided to let go of the past and forgive her.
“It’s all right, Susan,” she said. “I don’t have anything against you or Jonathan. In fact, I’m happy I went on with my life because I now have a beautiful husband and two wonderful children.”
Susan was surprised. “You remarried?”
Abbie was happy with her married life. | Source: Pexels
“Yes! And I am very happy with my life now,” Abbie replied, smiling.
Susan felt a tinge of jealousy, and she dropped her head in shame. But Abbie forgave her and decided to help her out, so Abbie started visiting her home and helping her around the house once in a while.
She also told Edward everything, and he was very sympathetic and supportive. Leaving the horrific past behind them, they now often invite Susan to their home and spend time with her so that she does not feel alone.
What can we learn from this story?
- One day, everyone pays the price for their wrongdoings. Susan ruined Abbie and Jonathan’s relationship and paid the price for it when she found herself all alone.
- Good things always happen to good people. Though Abbie’s divorce from Jonathan was devastating, it ultimately resulted in a much happier life for her and Timothy.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a mom who asks her old neighbor to babysit her children only to return home and find them missing.
This account is inspired by our reader’s story and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
My Best Friend Kicked Me Out of Her Wedding After the Groom Took the Mic and Pointed at Me
When I walked into my best friend Lily’s wedding, I was ready to celebrate her happiest day. But by the end of the night, the groom was accusing me of sabotaging everything, while Lily demanded I leave. It wasn’t until I caught a glimpse of my reflection that I finally understood the chaos I’d caused.
Last weekend, I went to my best friend Lily’s wedding, and it was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. She and I had been inseparable since middle school.
Teens girl laughing | Source: Midjourney
We’d shared every milestone, from first dances to first heartbreaks, and always imagined ourselves in each other’s weddings. We even used to joke about it, sitting on her bed as teenagers and flipping through bridal magazines.
When she asked me to be a bridesmaid, I couldn’t have been more excited. It felt like I’d been waiting for this moment for years.
Lily planned this wedding down to the last detail, and it was clear from the start that she wanted it to be unforgettable.
A woman surrounded by flowers looking at invitations | Source: Midjourney
The venue, a picturesque vineyard nestled in the heart of Napa Valley, was a dream come true. Every detail she showed me through the process was stunning. She’d planned cascading flowers everywhere and string lights twinkling like stars because the theme was garden elegance.
She also wanted floral arches, pastel linens, and personalized champagne bottles at every table for the reception. It was extravagant, but it was so her.
A wedding aisle outdoors | Source: Midjourney
Unlike most brides, though, Lily didn’t want her bridesmaids to wear matching dresses. “I trust you guys,” she said during one of our planning calls. “I want you to pick something that makes you feel amazing. Be bold! I don’t care if it’s sparkly or neon green—just be you.”
I took her words to heart and spent weeks searching for the perfect dress. It had to be something that struck the balance between looking beautiful and not overshadowing her. I scoured boutiques, flipped through endless online catalogs, and even sent Lily pictures of my top choices.
A woman flipping through magazines | Source: Midjourney
She gave honest feedback on each one, but when I showed her the yellow dress I liked most, her response was instant: “OMG, yes! That’s gorgeous! You’ll look like Belle from Beauty and the Beast!”
On the day of the wedding, the vineyard looked like something out of a storybook. The ceremony took place outdoors under a flower-covered arch, with the golden sun setting in the background.
A wedding in a vineyard | Source: Midjourney
My best friend looked radiant in her custom-made gown, a stunning creation with lace sleeves and a long, flowing train. She practically glowed, and it was impossible not to tear up as she walked down the aisle with her father. She was beautiful, happy, and so in love with Matt.
For a moment, I forgot that he wasn’t exactly the type of man I would’ve chosen for her. We never got along, but she was happy, and in the end, that’s all that mattered.
A bride and groom dancing | Source: Midjourney
For the reception, we moved into a ballroom. It had high ceilings, glass walls that overlooked the vineyard, and more than enough room for the 300 people in attendance.
The food was incredible, the champagne was endless, and everyone seemed to be having the time of their lives.
Not to brag, but I got a lot of compliments on my dress throughout the night. People called it “stunning” and said the yellow color suited me. Some even joked that I looked like “Belle at the ball,” and honestly, I loved it.
A beautiful woman in a ballroom | Source: Midjourney
Even Lily pulled me aside at one point, grinning from ear to ear. “You look amazing!” she said. “I love how confident you are in that dress!”
Her praise meant everything to me. I couldn’t have been happier. For a while, it felt like nothing could ruin the night.
Then came a surprise: a blacklight dance party.
The DJ announced it around 10 p.m., and the crowd erupted with cheers. It was something Lily had planned without telling anyone, a fun, quirky twist to end the evening on a high note.
A DJ using a microphone at a wedding | Source: Midjourney
The lights dimmed, and the room was bathed in UV light. Suddenly, everything neon started to glow, and the dance floor filled with guests laughing at the colors that were highlighted. The music got more lively, and soon, people were dancing happily.
At first, it was great. The energy in the room was contagious, and I loved seeing everyone let loose. But then, I started noticing people staring at me. It wasn’t just quick glances, either. They were staring in shock or giving me side-eyes.
People shocked | Source: Midjourney
I frowned and tried to ignore them by dancing some more. Maybe it was the lighting, or maybe people were just tipsy from the open bar.
Then, out of nowhere, the music stopped.
Confused murmurs filled the room as people looked around. I spotted Matt snatching the microphone from the DJ booth, and my eyebrows furrowed.
His voice cut through the silence like a knife. “Look at her,” he said, pointing directly at me. “She came here to ruin my wife’s big day.”
An angry man with a microphone | Source: Midjourney
I blinked, shocked. What was he talking about?
Lily appeared beside him and, after looking in my direction, her face contorted with anger. “I can’t believe you would do this to me,” she snapped. “After everything!”
“What?” I stammered. “What are you talking about?”
Matt’s tone grew sharper. “You knew exactly what you were doing. Wearing that dress, trying to steal the spotlight. How dare you?”
An angry man pointing | Source: Midjourney
I stood there with my arms to the side, not knowing what was going on. The whispers in the crowd grew louder, and I felt the weight of every pair of eyes in the room on me.
This was like a dream I once had where I went to school in my pajamas.
Lily suddenly materialized beside me, her voice like ice. “You need to leave,” she ordered. “Now.”
“Please,” I begged, tears stinging my eyes. “I don’t know what—”
A woman upset | Source: Midjourney
“Stop!” she interrupted. “I don’t want to hear it. Just go.”
As I turned to leave, not knowing how I had offended my best friend, someone in the crowd shouted, “It’s the dress!”
My eyes snapped up, and I caught my reflection in the ballroom windows. My beautiful yellow dress, the one Lily had loved, was glowing bright white under the blacklights. It looked eerily similar to a wedding gown.
A woman shocked looking at her reflection in a window | Source: Midjourney
My stomach dropped. “It’s not white!” I shouted, spinning around to face the crowd. “It’s yellow! You all know it’s yellow! You saw me all night!”
But the room stayed silent.
“No!” Matt’s voice boomed through the microphone. “You did this on purpose to stand out! You knew about the blacklights! You planned this! GET OUT!”
I started crying while stumbling toward the exit. Lily’s other bridesmaids, her friends from college, followed me.
Two concerned bridesmaids | Source: Midjourney
Ashley, a kind soul, put a hand on my shoulder. “Cynthia, I know this isn’t your fault, but it’s just… not a good look right now. I think Matt may have been by the bar too long. Maybe you should go home, and you can talk to Lily tomorrow?”
Sarah, a more practical woman, nodded. “It’s an accident, but Matt’s making it worse. We’ll deal with this later.”
A woman in a hallway | Source: Midjourney
With a choked sob, I agreed and stumbled to my car, driving home blinded by tears.
Later that night, I sent Lily a long text. I apologized and explained that I had no idea she had planned blacklights for the party. I also added screenshots of her comments when I sent her pictures of my dress.
She knew it was yellow, not white!
“I’m so sorry,” I wrote. “I never wanted to hurt you or ruin your wedding. Please call me when you can.”
A woman holding a phone with a message | Source: Midjourney
She didn’t. Instead, by morning, I was blocked on all her social media. When I texted Ashley, she only said that Lily had been calling me “selfish” and “attention-seeking” and that she didn’t want me in her life anymore.
A week later, a package arrived at my door. Inside was a single photo of me at the wedding, glowing under the blacklights.
Below, a message was written, “Thanks for the memories.”
A polaroid of a woman with a handwritten message | Source: Midjourney
I stared at the picture, feeling my chest tightening. Was this really about the dress? Or had Matt been waiting for an excuse to push me out of Lily’s life? He’d always been cold toward me, even before they got engaged.
Maybe he didn’t like how close Lily and I were. Maybe Lily didn’t like me anymore and wanted an excuse to get rid of me.
What’s worse, I’ll probably never know the real reason for any of this because it’s been a while, and I’m still cut off.
A sad woman | Source: Midjourney
But here’s what I do know: a dress shouldn’t destroy a friendship. Their reaction told me everything I needed to know. After years of loyalty, I deserved better.
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.
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