In spite of the fact that it is commonly believed that money cannot buy love, my husband believed that it was OK to use Zara’s college fund, which was a savings account left by her late father, to pay for his grown daughter’s wedding. His blatant sense of entitlement, along with his daughter’s subdued expectations, left me speechless. I gave a steady nod, but I was already working on a different strategy.
I went through the process of remarrying six years ago, and I was well aware that it would be a difficult balancing act.
Only ten years old at the time, my daughter Zara was still in pain from the death of her father, which had occurred only a year before.
Elliot had been the kind of man who loved in a manner that was straightforward and unassuming. When he woke up early, he would prepare waffles and put money into a college fund that was intended to give him opportunities that he had never had before.
That investment was Elliot’s last gift to his daughter, and it was also his last vow to be able to provide her with chances.
But combining families was not a simple process. What might possibly be the case?
At the time, Freya, Simon’s daughter, was already twenty years old. Simon brought her along with him. Never once did Freya show us any open disrespect. She lacked the intelligence to do that.
On the contrary, she employed icy silences and pointed comments as instruments, so making it brutally obvious that we were not members of the family but rather friends.
I made an effort to get in touch with her. I pleaded with her to accompany me on my coffee runs and shopping excursions, but she consistently denied my invitations.
Freya ignored all of Zara’s efforts to get to know her step-sister, despite the fact that Zara made her own initial efforts. She only communicated with Zara or me when she needed something, and she treated us as if we were merely visitors who were hardly tolerated.
The previous week, while Simon was sitting down to a tired Tuesday night supper, he put his fork down with intentional ease. It was the kind of ease that causes your skin to prickle before the words even register.
Then… “The wedding of Freya is going to take place very soon,” he added, wiping his hands on his handkerchief as if he were getting ready for a significant undertaking. There is still a shortfall of approximately $30,000, despite the fact that I have already contributed $10,000.
I bided my time. Maintain a steady gaze. My heart is pounding. Something was approaching, and I could feel it in the very depths of my stomach.
Zara looked up from the roasted veggies she was eating, completely oblivious and naive. She had been discussing her biology test as well as the college preparatory classes that she intended to enroll in the next academic year. Elliot’s daughter, who never stops looking ahead and always strives to achieve more.
What followed was the blow.
If we wanted to, we could just take it out of Zara’s college fund. She is only sixteen years old. Also, let’s face it: families give back to their own.
As if they were fog, the words remained in the air. I became aware of something within me becoming very quiet. It was the kind of tranquility that precedes a period of intense activity.
Family is beneficial to family… as if Freya had ever treated Zara in this house as if she were a member of the family.
In the same way that Freya’s extravagant wedding visions were more important than Zara’s aspirations.
There was a reduction in the sound of the clink of silverware and the hum of the refrigerator. As Freya sat there with her arms folded, she exuded an air of anticipation, as if this had been the plan from the beginning.
They had already planned this out, right? Had they been plotting behind my back, counting Elliot’s money as if it were already theirs, and they had been doing it?
My heart was racing, but I managed to keep my voice steady.
Do you intend to spend the funds that my late husband had set up for his daughter’s education in order to pay for a wedding?
Uncomfortably, Simon squirmed in his seat and shifted forward. “All right, when you put it in such a manner—”
“What else could I possibly utter?” I inquired about it. In a word, that is just what it is.
Simon scoffed at me as if I was exaggerating my response, as if I was only being dramatic for no reason.
This is Zara’s big day, honey, and she will handle everything on her own because she is so intelligent. When it comes to higher education, who even pays the whole amount these days?
He gave a shrug and a smile that was dripping with smug disdain, and he leaned back as if the matter had been resolved.
From across the table, Freya gave a smirk, finally taking her eyes from her phone for a time so that she could take pleasure in the occasion.
Then he said, “Well, it’s not that serious, come on,” he said.
Really not that serious? My husband’s dying wish, which he intended to give to his daughter as his last gift, was not serious at all. It is not that serious that Zara’s future, her goals, and her opportunities are concerned.
I was unable to contain my rage, which was tearing at my chest and raging to escape. While I was outdoors, I took a deep breath and exhaled gently, putting on a serene expression on my face.
My response was, “I’ll check the numbers and think about it,” and I meant it.
Their expressions changed for the better. I just got a far better idea for how to handle this situation, but before I shared it with anyone, I needed to make sure that I was prepared.
I sat down with Simon and Freya two days later to provide them with my response to their question.
The expression on Simon’s face was one of early triumph as I said, “Fine,” and I observed it. A check will be written by me. To be clear, there is one stipulation.”
He blinked his eyes. Freya arched her brow and grinned gently, her grin trembling slightly.
“What do you mean by the condition?” I was able to pick up on the cautious tone that Simon was using when he asked the question.
At that moment, I smiled, but it was not a friendly smile.
“A contract is signed by you. You are required to refund every pound that you take from Zara’s fund, according to a straightforward agreement. Without a doubt. Within a year’s time.”
We were separated by a gap of stillness that spread between us.
I could almost see the wheels moving in Simon’s head, the math, and the startling awareness that this would not be as straightforward as he had assumed it would be.
A legal agreement? Freya said the words, her tone piercing with astonishment. Are you serious about this?
I responded by saying, “Completely serious,” while maintaining a strong focus on her. “If family is able to provide for family, then family is also able to provide for family.”
As Simon’s face contorted, his former self-assurance began to wane like dew from the dawn. “What is it? Is this even possible? Family does not behave in such a manner! The way you maintain score is not how we do it!
Then again, I did not flinch. I had been anticipating this moment, this revealing of his actual nature, for quite some time.
At long last, the mask was losing its grip.
My voice was as rock-solid as it was when I said, “Exactly.” The family does not believe that attending a party is more important than going to college. The fact that your grown daughter is unable to attend her ideal wedding does not mean that family will take away a child’s future.
This is not going to work! Although Simon made a complaint, his voice was weak and unable to be heard. “Oh, you’re borrowing!”
In response, I stated, “Borrowing indicates that you intend to return what you have taken.” What time did you intend to carry out that action?
He stuttered, trying to find words that would not come out of his mouth. Since there was no plan, was there a reason for this? That has never been the case. My cooperation, my desire to maintain peace, and my determination to avoid conflict at all costs were all things that they had banked on.
However, their assessment was incorrect.
Simon got up so quickly that his chair brushed against the floor as he stood up.
“You are acting in an absurd manner! This pertains to Freya’s grand celebration!
Even I stood there, as steady as stone and as peaceful as glass.
And Zara has only one opportunity to live a life free of debt in the future. Therefore, this is what we are going to do.
I dug into my backpack and pulled out my wallet.
This was the end. It’s time to face the truth.
I took out two documents from my bag.
I pointed to a document and stated, “This is the contract,” while holding it up. “I will send the money today if you sign it,” the speaker said.
The way he looked at it was as if it were a threat.
I passed the second piece of paper across the table and said, “And the other one is divorce papers.” I will protect Zara’s future if you are unwilling to do so. In or out in your presence.”
The phrases lingered in the air like a challenge that had been presented.
As if he were a fish out of water, Simon’s mouth opened and closed again. He had not anticipated any resistance. He was anticipating both agreement and surrender.
However, I had learned something from Elliot a very long time ago: sometimes love involves being strong, even when it hurts or when it is difficult. At times, it is necessary to be willing to sacrifice all else in order to safeguard another person.
It was Freya who responded, “You’re bluffing,” but her tone was not one of absolute conviction.
I responded by saying, “Test me,” and she noticed something in my eyes that caused her to disengage her gaze.
As Simon dropped back into his chair, the fight began to drain out of him like air from a balloon that had burst completely. You would actually divorce me because of this, right?
I made the correction, “If I wanted to protect my daughter’s future, I would divorce you.” “The decision is entirely up to you.”
One and a half weeks later, Simon relocated.
The wedding for Freya was successful. It was paid by her biological mother and any resources Simon could muster together, and it was smaller and less extravagant than what she had anticipated.
Zara and I were not invited to the wedding, but I heard from friends that it was wonderful and private, and that it was exactly what a wedding ought to be when it is about love rather than show.
On the other hand, I did not shed any tears. No apologies are also offered.
Following Simon’s departure that evening, Zara wrapped her arms tightly around my waist and held me. Her eyes welled up with tears as she did so.
She leaned down close to my shoulder and said, “Thank you.” “I am grateful that you have chosen me.”
In response, I hushed, “I will always choose you,” and I meant every word of it. The phrase “that’s what mothers do”
Elliot’s money is securely stored in that account, where it continues to grow and waits for the day when Zara requires it.
Moreover, she will require it.
She is going to put it to use in order to fulfill her ambitions of becoming a doctor, a teacher, an engineer, or any other profession that her heart desires for her to carry out.
This is because that has always been the purpose of the money. It is not a party, it is not a display, and it is not the fantasies of another person.
This was Elliot’s final gift to Zara, the daughter he loved more than life itself, and it was for Zara’s future prosperity.