That evening was perfect—the ocean, a family dinner with Mark’s parents. I was pleasantly surprised by the day. Nothing could spoil it. How wrong I was! As Mark dozed off in bed, something rustled under the door. It was a note: “Your boyfriend is cheating on you.” That was only the first twist in my story.
Mark and I had arrived at a beautiful vacation spot—his parents’ house by the sea. The house was charming, with white walls, blue shutters, and a wrap-around porch overlooking the ocean. The scent of saltwater and the sound of crashing waves instantly made me feel relaxed and happy.
As we stepped out of the car, Mark’s father, a tall man with a warm smile, came forward to greet us.
“Welcome, Odri! It’s so nice to finally meet you,” he said, giving me a hearty handshake.
Mark’s brothers and sisters followed suit, each offering their friendly greetings.
“Hey, Odri! I’m Kevin,” said Mark’s younger brother, grinning from ear to ear. “And this is Lisa, our youngest sister,” he added, ruffling a petite girl’s hair.
Mark’s mother, who had previously been quite distant, also seemed friendly and kind. She approached me with a warm smile and hugged me gently.
“I’m glad you could join us, Odri. We’ve heard so much about you.”
I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I had been nervous about meeting Mark’s family, especially his mother, who I knew had been a bit reserved about our relationship. But here she was, welcoming me with open arms.
Everyone was preparing for Mark’s birthday. The house buzzed with activity as his siblings hung streamers and blew up balloons, while his father and Kevin set up a barbecue on the patio. The delicious smell of grilling meat wafted through the air, mixing with the salty sea breeze.
“Hey, Dad, can you pass me another balloon?” Lisa called out from the living room.
Laura threw the invitation at him and stormed out. The room was silent, except for the sound of my sobs.
Mark’s family exchanged shocked glances. His mother covered her mouth, his father looked bewildered, and his siblings whispered among themselves.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I turned and ran out of the house, needing to get away from the chaos and confusion.