When my dying mother-in-law called me late one night, I never expected her to confess a secret that would turn our lives upside down. That secret led me to a point where I had to make a difficult choice.
I’ve been married to Dawson for about ten years, and my mother-in-law never missed a chance to remind me that I wasn’t the kind of woman she wanted for her son.
A woman talking to her daughter-in-law | Source: Midjourney
Colette is one of those people who believe in telling the truth, no matter how bitter it is. She doesn’t care if the truth will hurt her loved ones because she believes honesty comes first.
“I wanted Dawson to marry my friend’s daughter,” she told me one day when she came over to our place. “I always thought they’d make a great couple.”
A woman speaking to her daughter-in-law | Source: Midjourney
Honestly, I wanted to tell her off, but I’m not the type to disrespect anyone. I always ignored her snide remarks, and that’s the only reason our relationship survived.
A few months ago, Colette was diagnosed with cancer, and the doctors said she didn’t have much time left. Before her diagnosis, we only saw each other at family gatherings and rarely spoke otherwise.
A woman looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney
So, it was surprising to see her name flash on my phone screen a week ago. Especially at 11 p.m. I was making tea when she called.
“Hello?” I answered, thinking what made her call me this late.
“Eliza…” she began in a frail voice. “I need to talk to you.”
My heart skipped a beat.
What was this about? I thought. Was everything okay?
“Colette, is everything fine?” I asked. “Where’s Martha, your nurse?”
A woman talking to her mother-in-law on the phone | Source: Midjourney
There was a long pause on the other end. I could hear her breath in a haphazard pattern, and then I heard something I wasn’t expecting.
I heard her sob.
“Colette? What happened?” I asked again.
“I… I have to tell you the truth,” Colette stammered. “Before it’s too late.”
What? I thought. I wasn’t expecting this.
So, the thing is, Colette has never shared anything personal with me during all these years. She had never considered me as a friend, and this sudden call from her was making me worried.
A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney
“The truth will ruin your life and Dawson’s, but you need to know what I did,” she continued. “Something I will never forgive myself for. I wasn’t always the person you think I am.”
“I don’t understand,” I said slowly, wondering what her words meant.
“There was someone else in my life before I married Dawson’s father,” she confessed. “His name was Wesley.”
Before I could respond, Colette revealed something even more shocking.
