Mark and I had been together for a year when he proposed. It wasn’t the fairy-tale moment I imagined as a child, but it was sincere, and I knew it came from love. The proposal came soon after we discovered I was pregnant. Though unexpected, we were both excited and nervous about becoming parents.
That evening, we had dinner plans with Mark’s parents, and I was anxious. He had warned me they were strict and traditional, so I spent ages picking the perfect outfit. In the end, I chose the first one I tried on, and Mark reassured me that I’d be fine. When we arrived, his mom greeted us coldly, and I quickly offered a homemade cherry pie, only to be met with disapproval. She seemed offended, but I tried not to let it affect me.
Dinner was awkwardly silent, and when conversation turned to the wedding, I mentioned that I’d be pregnant by then. Erin’s reaction was harsh—she called it a disgrace and demanded an apology. The tension escalated, with Mark staying quiet, and Erin even suggested abortion. I was devastated, and after a brief, heated argument with Mark, I left to stay at my old apartment.
The next morning, Mark’s father, George, came to apologize for Erin, explaining that her reaction stemmed from unresolved issues about her own pregnancy before marriage. Still hurt, I appreciated the insight. Later, Mark returned with flowers, apologizing for not standing up for me. He promised it wouldn’t happen again. His mom also reached out with an apology, asking about my favorite pie. I smiled, feeling a small sense of connection.
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