That disastrous dinner changed everything. By the end of the night, I knew I had to cancel the wedding.
I never thought I’d call off an engagement, but meeting Richard’s parents was a wake-up call. Until then, Richard had seemed perfect—charming and confident. But as soon as we arrived at the restaurant, his mother, Isabella, fussed over him and ignored me completely. Richard didn’t stand up for himself or for me.
The evening spiraled as his father questioned how I would “take care of” Richard, while Isabella laid out a list of unrealistic expectations. When the bill came, they suggested splitting it evenly, despite their expensive orders. Richard stayed silent.
In that moment, I realized marrying him meant a lifetime of dealing with his overbearing parents. I paid for my meal, stood up, and called off the wedding. The next morning, returning my wedding dress brought me relief. Sometimes, the bravest choice is walking away from what isn’t right.
