I wont have any other daughter-in-law, do what you like! thats what Simons mum told him.
So, Simon was finishing up at university and thought now was the right time to marry his first love from college, Charlotte. Charlotte was beautiful, but more importantly, she was a genuinely kind and clever girl. At that time, she was working on her dissertation. The two of them agreed theyd tie the knot as soon as she finished her degree.
Simon decided to break the news to his mum about their plans, but she was having none of it. She told him flat-out that hed either marry Emily from down the road or no one else. Then she asked him what mattered more: success or love? Shed always dreamt of her son climbing the ladder and making something of himself.
Emily was from quite a well-off family, and she’d secretly fancied Simon for ages. But Simon only had eyes for Charlotte, even though her family was a bit rough around the edges. Charlottes mum didnt have the best name in the village What would the neighbours say?
I dont want another daughter-in-law, do whatever you want! his mum snapped at him.
Simon tried for ages to win his mother round, but she wouldnt budge. She even said if he married Charlotte, shed cut him off. That got to him, and he bottled it. He kept seeing Charlotte for about six months, but their relationship just fizzled out over time.
Eventually, he married Emily. She really was in love with him, but they decided against having a big do. Simon was worried Charlotte might come across their wedding photos somewhere. Emilys family were proper well-heeled, so Simon moved into the familys massive house and her parents helped him get his foot in the door with work. He climbed the corporate ladder, but deep down, he was never truly happy.
Simon didnt want children. When Emily realised shed never talk him round, she filed for divorce herself. By the time this all happened, Simon was forty and Emily was thirty-eight. She remarried a bit later, had a child, and was really happy for once.
Simon kept dreaming about marrying Charlotte. He tried to track her down, but there was no trace. It was as if shed completely vanished. Then a friend told him the sad news: after they split, Charlotte had married the first bloke who came along, but he turned out to be a right brute. He beat her so badly, she died.
After hearing that, Simon moved back into his parents old flat and started drinking himself to destruction. Hed spend his evenings staring at Charlottes photo, unable to ever forgive his mum.
