Chapter 5: The Price of Being Family
Marcus returned to the apartment that afternoon.
Vanessa was sitting at the kitchen island, drinking sparkling water while scrolling through wedding inspiration photographs.
She looked up.
“Finally. I've been trying to reach you.””
Marcus placed his keys on the counter.
“Why should my mother stay home?””
Vanessa blinked.
“What?””
“You sent me a message saying she should stay home.””
Vanessa sighed and locked her phone.
“Marcus, don't take it out of context.””
“Then give me the context.””
She crossed one leg over the other.
“I've been thinking about the wedding. Your mother isn't comfortable with the arrangements, and I don't want her feeling awkward.””
“Who told you she wasn't comfortable?””
“She doesn't need to tell me. I can see it.””
Marcus stared at her.
“You mean the seating arrangement you created?””
Vanessa's expression changed.
“Who told you about that?””
“Lauren.””
For a moment, Vanessa said nothing.
Then she laughed.
“Of course. Lauren. She's been questioning every decision I've made.””
“She showed me the seating chart.””
“It's a seating chart, Marcus. Not a crime.””
“She showed me the instructions about the side entrance.””
Vanessa put down her glass.
“Your mother doesn't need to walk through the main entrance with the wedding party.””
“Why?””
“Because the photographs are important!””
Marcus leaned against the counter.
“And my mother ruins them?””
Vanessa rubbed her forehead.
“That's not what I said.””
“You said she shouldn't be in the family photographs.””
“I said we should keep the pictures elegant.””
He stared at her.
“She's my family.””
“And I'm going to be your family.””
“You don't have to replace her to become my wife.””
Vanessa stood abruptly.
“That's exactly the problem. You keep acting like I'm competing with your mother.””
“Then stop making me choose between you.””
She let out a sharp laugh.
“You're unbelievable.””
Marcus pulled out his phone and opened the photographs Lauren had sent.
He placed it on the counter.
“Explain these.””
Vanessa glanced at the screen.
Her face tightened.
“Did Lauren give you all of that?””
“Answer the question.””
She picked up the phone and scrolled through the messages.
“Those were preliminary instructions.””
“You told them to remove my father's tribute.””
“It didn't match the theme.””
“It was a photograph of my father.””
Vanessa threw the phone back onto the counter.
“Marcus, we are spending a fortune on this wedding. I want it to look sophisticated.””
“Your idea of sophistication is pretending my mother doesn't belong?””
“Oh, please.””
She walked toward the refrigerator, opened it, and removed a bottle of water.
“You know what? I'm tired of being judged for wanting a beautiful wedding.””
Marcus watched her pour the water into a glass.
“You know what's strange?””
“What?””
“You've never once asked my mother what she wanted.””
Vanessa took a sip.
“Because she doesn't know anything about planning a wedding.””
“She raised a family.””
“That isn't the same thing.””
The words came out casually.
Almost carelessly.
Marcus looked at her.
Vanessa seemed to realize what she had said, but she didn't apologize.
Instead, she continued.
“Look, my parents have certain expectations. My father knows people at the country club. My mother has already invited several important clients. We can't have the wedding looking like a neighborhood gathering.””
Marcus slowly straightened.
“Are you ashamed of my mother?””
Vanessa rolled her eyes.
“Don't be dramatic.””
“It's a simple question.””
She placed the glass down.
“I think she needs to understand that we're moving into a different world.””
Marcus said nothing.
Vanessa mistook his silence for surrender.
She stepped closer and softened her voice.
“Listen, darling. I know you love her. That's sweet. But once we're married, our household comes first.””
“Our household includes respecting the people who raised us.””
“Not when they interfere.””
“She hasn't interfered.””
Vanessa's expression hardened.
“Then why does she keep appearing at every important moment?””
Marcus stared at her.
“Because she's my mother.””
Vanessa turned away.
“Whatever.””
The argument might have ended there, but her phone began ringing.
She glanced at the screen.
“It's my mother.””
She answered immediately.
“Hi, Mom.””
Marcus turned toward the window, but he could still hear the conversation.
“Yes, I spoke to him.””
A pause.
“No, he's being difficult.””
Another pause.
Vanessa laughed.
“His mother is making everything complicated again.””
Marcus slowly turned around.
Vanessa continued.
“I know. I know. That's why I want her kept away from the important photographs.””
He took a step toward her.
Vanessa lowered her voice.
“Don't worry. Once we're married, things will be different.””
She ended the call.
Marcus stood motionless.
“Different how?””
Vanessa slipped the phone into her pocket.
“What?””
“You said things would be different once we're married.””
She shrugged.
“Because they will.””
“How?””
“Marcus, why do you need an explanation for everything?””
He approached her.
“Tell me what you mean.””
Vanessa folded her arms.
“I mean we'll have our own home, our own schedule, and our own priorities. Your mother won't be able to drop by whenever she feels like it.””
“She doesn't do that.””
“And I don't want her calling you every day.””
Marcus felt his stomach tighten.
“She calls to ask whether I've eaten.””
“Exactly. You're a grown man.””
He looked at the woman standing in front of him.
For months, he had interpreted her comments as insecurity.
Now he was beginning to understand they were something else.
Control.
Vanessa stepped closer and touched his chest.
“Don't ruin everything over this. The wedding is in three days.””
Marcus looked down at her hand.
Then back at her face.
“Do you actually love me?””
Her smile disappeared.
“What kind of question is that?””
“Answer it.””
“Of course I do.””
“Then why do you keep treating the people I love like they're obstacles?””
Vanessa pulled her hand away.
“Because someone has to establish boundaries.””
Marcus walked toward the bedroom.
Behind him, Vanessa called out.
“Where are you going?””
“To think.””
She laughed bitterly.
“Fine. Think. But don't forget that we have a wedding to pay for.””
Marcus stopped.
He turned slowly.
“What did you just say?””
Vanessa lifted her chin.
“Nothing.””
“No. You mentioned money.””
She walked past him and picked up her phone.
“I'm going to meet my mother.””
The front door slammed.
Marcus remained alone in the apartment.
A few minutes later, an email notification appeared.
It was from the wedding venue.
The subject line read:
*Outstanding Balance and Payment Authorization.*
Marcus opened it.
The amount was substantial.
But the payment request wasn't what made his hands go cold.
The document listed Vanessa as the sole authorized representative for changes to the wedding arrangements.
Below her signature was a second section.
A financial guarantee.
His name had already been entered.
May you like
And beside it was a signature that looked almost exactly like his.
Almost.
