Chapter 3: The Guest List
Marcus stared at the guest list for several seconds.
He checked the first page.
Then the second.
Then the third.
His mother's name was nowhere.
“Vanessa, where's Evelyn?””
Vanessa continued scrolling through her laptop.
“What?””
“My mother. She's not on the list.””
Vanessa sighed as though he had asked an unreasonable question.
“She'll be invited, obviously.””
“Then why isn't her name here?””
“Because I'm still organizing the family section.””
Marcus placed the paper on the table.
“She's immediate family.””
“I know that.””
“Then add her.””
Vanessa shut her laptop.
“Why are you making this difficult?””
“I'm asking you to put my mother on our wedding guest list.””
She stood and walked toward the kitchen.
“Fine. I'll add her.””
Marcus watched her type something.
A few seconds later, she turned the laptop toward him.
EVELYN HALE — ONE GUEST.
He frowned.
“One guest?””
Vanessa shrugged.
“She can bring someone if she wants.””
“She's my mother. She doesn't need a plus-one to attend her son's wedding.””
“Then why are we arguing?””
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
He wanted to believe this was a misunderstanding.
“Can we just agree that Mom is going to be part of the wedding?””
Vanessa smiled.
“Of course, darling.””
But when Marcus left the room to answer a phone call, she opened the guest list again.
She moved Evelyn's name from the immediate family section to a separate category marked OTHER GUESTS.
Then she added a note beside it.
No involvement in ceremony.
Three days later, Marcus discovered another change.
They were meeting their wedding planner, Lauren, at the estate when Vanessa began discussing the seating arrangement.
“I want the front row reserved for my parents,” she explained.
Lauren nodded.
“Of course. And where would you like the groom's mother?””
Vanessa smiled.
“Somewhere toward the side.””
Marcus looked up from his phone.
“Toward the side?””
“It's a large room,” Vanessa said.
“My mother should sit in the front row.””
Vanessa laughed lightly.
“Marcus, the front row is for parents and important family members.””
“My mother is my parent.””
Lauren suddenly became very interested in her notebook.
Vanessa lowered her voice.
“Your mother doesn't know anyone there. She'll probably be more comfortable with the other guests.””
Marcus placed his phone on the table.
“She's not a stranger.””
“I'm not saying she is.””
“Then stop treating her like one.””
Vanessa stared at him.
Lauren quietly suggested taking a short break.
Outside the meeting room, Vanessa caught Marcus by the sleeve.
“Do you really want to fight with me over a seating chart?””
“No. I want my mother to sit beside me.””
“It's one day, Marcus.””
“Exactly. One day she'll remember for the rest of her life.””
Vanessa rolled her eyes.
“You're making this about your mother instead of our marriage.””
He walked away before he said something he couldn't take back.
That evening, he called Evelyn.
“Mom, how are you?””
“I'm fine, sweetheart. Did you eat?””
Marcus smiled faintly.
“Yes.””
“Don't just say yes. I know how you get when you're busy.””
He laughed.
Then he hesitated.
“Mom, I need to ask you something.””
“What is it?””
“Would you like to help choose the flowers for the wedding?””
Evelyn was silent for a moment.
“Are you sure Vanessa would like that?””
“It's my wedding too.””
“I don't want to cause any trouble.””
“You won't.””
Evelyn's voice softened.
“I would love to help.””
The following Saturday, she arrived at Marcus's apartment carrying a small box.
Inside were photographs of flower arrangements she had collected from magazines.
She had also brought a little notebook filled with handwritten ideas.
Marcus hugged her.
“Mom, this is amazing.””
Evelyn smiled.
“I thought we could make something beautiful without spending a fortune.””
Vanessa entered the living room carrying two shopping bags.
She stopped when she saw the photographs.
“What is all this?””
“Mom brought some flower ideas,” Marcus explained.
Vanessa put her bags down.
“Evelyn, we've already hired a florist.””
“I know, sweetheart. I just thought I could offer a few suggestions.””
Vanessa picked up one photograph.
It showed white roses mixed with baby's breath.
She placed it back on the table.
“These look inexpensive.””
Evelyn's smile faltered.
“They're just ideas.””
“I'm sure the florist knows what she's doing.””
Marcus stepped forward.
“Vanessa, she was only trying to help.””
Vanessa turned toward him.
“And I'm trying to organize a wedding. Can you please let me do that without turning every decision into a family discussion?””
Evelyn began gathering the photographs.
“It's all right. I didn't mean to interfere.””
Marcus reached for the notebook.
“Mom, leave it. We haven't finished looking.””
But Evelyn gently shook her head.
“Another time.””
She placed the box beneath her arm and headed toward the door.
Marcus followed her.
“Mom, wait. I'll walk you out.””
In the hallway, Evelyn touched his cheek.
“Don't argue with her because of me.””
“I'm not.””
“You're getting married, sweetheart. I want you to be happy.””
Marcus looked at his mother.
“Are you happy?””
She smiled.
“I'm happy when you're happy.””
Then she left.
When Marcus returned to the apartment, Vanessa was standing beside the dining table, tearing one of the flower photographs into pieces.
He stopped.
“What are you doing?””
“Cleaning up.””
“That's my mother's work.””
Vanessa dropped the torn pieces into the trash.
“It was clutter.””
Marcus stared at the bin.
Then he looked at her.
“Don't ever do that again.””
Vanessa's eyebrows lifted.
“Excuse me?””
“You heard me.””
She crossed her arms.
“Are you seriously taking her side?””
“I'm asking you to respect her.””
Vanessa walked toward him and placed both hands on his chest.
“Listen to me. I am going to be your wife. Your mother needs to understand that things will change.””
Marcus didn't answer.
He looked past her toward the trash can.
For the first time, he wasn't thinking about the wedding.
He was thinking about the kind of woman he was about to marry.
That night, after Vanessa went to bed, Marcus retrieved the torn photographs.
He carefully placed the pieces inside his father's old watch box.
Then his phone vibrated.
A message from Lauren, the wedding planner, appeared on his screen.
Marcus, I need to speak with you privately about something Vanessa asked me to arrange regarding your mother.
May you like
A second message followed.
I don't think you're going to like it.
