Ashamed of His Mother, She Stole the Show at His Wedding
Marina watched her son, Ilya, trying on his wedding suit. He looked so grown—tall, handsome, well-groomed. Tomorrow was his big day, and it felt surreal.
Ilya admired himself in the mirror, pleased with how expensive the suit looked.
“It’s classy,” he told Marina.
“It is,” she thought, though she only said, “I’ll probably cry when I see you all dressed up tomorrow.”
Then, Ilya turned serious.
“Mom, you’re not coming to the wedding, right? We agreed.”
“Agreed?” Marina asked, taken aback. “I thought you were joking.”
“I wasn’t,” he said, pacing nervously. “You know what Vika’s parents are like. It’s going to be all fancy people—elites. You’ll feel out of place. I’ll be worried about you the whole time. I don’t want the day ruined.”
He softened his tone, holding her hand.
“Mom, imagine how awkward you’ll look among those glamorous women. Please, don’t come. We’ll visit you the next day. You can give us your gift then.”
Marina’s heart broke. Her son was ashamed of her—of her job as a cleaner.
“I’m getting my hair and nails done,” she protested. “I’ll wear a nice dress.”
“What, that old blue one?” he scoffed.
Finally, he said bluntly, “I don’t want you there. I’m embarrassed that my mom is a cleaner. Don’t come.”
Stunned, Marina said nothing as he walked out. Hours passed in silence before tears finally came. She pulled out an old photo album, flipping through her life: an orphanage childhood, tough times, dead-end jobs, and finally, love.
She remembered Maxim—the only man she ever loved—how they fell for each other quickly, planned a future, and how everything was torn apart when Maxim’s powerful family disapproved. She was framed, jailed, and forgotten. She later found out she was pregnant. And when her son was born, she gave him everything—food, clothes, gadgets—without ever telling him what she sacrificed.
Now that same son was ashamed of her.
But Marina made a decision: this time, she would do what felt right.
She used her savings for a makeover—new dress, hair, makeup. When she walked into the wedding ceremony, jaws dropped. Elegant, radiant, and graceful, she turned heads. Even Ilya was stunned.
Still, he tried to dismiss her quietly:
“You’re not coming to the reception, are you?”
“I’ve seen all I needed,” she replied gently.
But then the bride, Vika, ran over.
“You look amazing! My parents would love to have you join us!”
Reluctantly, Ilya changed his tune, inviting her to stay. During the reception, Marina took the mic to give a short, heartfelt toast. As she stepped down, a man in a sharp suit blocked her path.
“Marishka?” he gasped. “Is it really you?”
It was Maxim—her Maxim. He had been invited by the bride’s father, his business partner. He was floored to see Marina—and her son.
They talked for an hour, catching up on the lost years. Maxim had been lied to by his father—told Marina had left him for someone else. Heartbroken, he stayed abroad, later marrying unhappily. Now divorced, childless, and still carrying the pain, he was shocked to learn the truth.
They danced, and all eyes were on them.
Ilya stared in disbelief. For the first time, he truly saw his mother—not as a cleaner, but as a beautiful, strong woman who had given up everything for him. Guilt washed over him. When he saw her walking out with Maxim, he ran after her.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“I’m doing what you wanted. Leaving,” she said calmly.
“And this man?” Ilya asked.
Marina smiled. “This is Maxim. Your father.”
Ilya stood stunned. Marina gently added, “We’ll talk soon. But not today. Today is a celebration.”
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