-----Elizabeth's Pov----
"When do you plan on getting married, Elizabeth?" My mother, Victoria's, words reminded me why I hated our family occasions.
"I'm not ready to get married yet, Ma," I calmly replied, praying she would drop the subject, but my prayers were in vain as she continued.
"Not ready?!" Her voice loudly rang out, a sign that she was getting angry. "You're not getting any younger, and besides, your younger cousin, Sophia, already got married last week."
Her sudden increase in volume caused the others at the dinner table to turn and look at us. Most of them were inwardly celebrating, seeing me get in trouble, but I didn't mind; this wasn't the first time something like this had happened.
My family is not like most families. While other families wish for their members' success, mine gain satisfaction from watching you fail.
My mother and a few others were an exception to this, but for the past two years, she has been forcing me to get married. Every occasion had become a chance for her to try and set me up with someone, which I didn't appreciate.
Our family was what one would call a middle-class family. We weren't poor, but we weren't rich either. We all lived separately but made sure to get together at least once a month, 'to keep our bond strong,' but this occasion had turned into a brag-about-your-achievements one.
I ran a small interior designing company, which helps support my mom and me. My dad left us when I turned 15, and my mom took up my burden until I turned 18.
That was one of the reasons why I didn't get mad at her for all the blind dates she set me up on and all the men she's introduced me to.
"Ma, I've been really busy at work, so I don't have time for dates," I answered calmly, not wanting to argue. "Besides, I just turned 23; there's still a lot of time to think about marriage."
"23? I was 18 when I got married to your father," she countered, still insisting on the topic. "And since you're busy, just let me handle everything for you.
I heard Mrs. Foster's son is back from Germany. Maybe I could set you up with him?"
"No, Ma. I'll go on a date and get married when I'm ready," I quickly turned down the idea of another blind date.
"Fine, since you are determined to remain stubborn, I'll indulge you a bit," she spoke, sounding weirdly calm, but I knew she was anything but. She takes on that tone when she's about to give an ultimatum.
"Bring home a boyfriend within the next two weeks, or I'll get you married whether you like it or not," she dropped the bomb, stood up, and headed upstairs without finishing her food.
I heard a quiet giggle from Sophia, but I didn't mind them.
I was shocked by Mom's words. I know she wanted me to get married, but she never took it this far. Was someone or something pressuring her?
Before I could continue my thoughts, a voice spoke up from across the table.
"Liz, why don't you stop being stubborn and find a man already?" my aunty, Sophia's mother, spoke up. "If you keep being this hard-headed, your mom will one day–"
She abruptly shut up when she saw my green eyes glare at her, daring her to complete that sentence. After that, everyone went to quietly eating before getting up to leave.
As I said before, they were only here for the monthly 'brag about your achievements' family meet, which usually happens at my mom's place because she was the oldest daughter, and once it was over, everyone made sure to leave after saying their goodbyes.
I walked upstairs to have a talk with Mom, hoping to pacify her. Our house was not that big, so it only took me a couple of seconds before I reached Mom's door and raised my hand to knock.
"It's open," she spoke from within the room before I could knock.
My mom wasn't a fan of bright colors, and this reflected in the design of her room. The room was a mix of black and royal gold. I spotted my mom sitting on the bed, waiting for my approach.
"Ma," I softly called out to her. She didn't reply, but I knew she heard me.
I sat close to her and held her hand, making a pouty face. This tactic always worked wonders when she's mad, and it didn't fail this time either.
"I'm sorry, Ma," I apologized before continuing. "But I'm not ready to get married yet."
"Beth, you know I love you," she started softly. "I don't want you to be alone when I'm gone."
"You're not going anywhere, Mom," I rebutted, not willing to hear her talk about her death so casually.
My mom has been suffering from cancer for the past two years; that's why she has been forcing me to get married.
"I visited the doctor yesterday, Beth," she said with a soft sigh. "He told me that if the operation isn't done soon, I'll only have a year at most."
Her words made me freeze from shock. I now understood why she gave the ultimatum today.
We needed €1,000,000 for her operation, and for the past two years, I've been trying to come up with it. I tried applying for loans, but my 3-year-old company was not worth enough as collateral.
"I-I'll try and come up with it, so please hold on for a while, Mom," I said, not noticing the tears streaming down my cheeks until Mom lifted her hand to cup my face and wipe them off.
"It's fine, baby. I know you've done your best," she said, still cupping my face. "I've lived enough, and my only wish is for you to have someone to take care of you before I'm gone."
I could only hug her and silently sob in her arms, a weakness I would only allow her to see. Lived enough? She just turned 43, and she's this ready to leave me alone? There's no way I'll allow that.
No matter what it takes, I'll come up with the money and make sure she lives long enough to run around with the grandkids she has always wanted.
Ring Ring
Our silent moment was interrupted by the ringing of my phone. I picked it up to see that it was my assistant, Ethan, calling.
"Hello?" I answered, hearing his voice as soon as the call connected. It sounded like something was wrong.
"I'll be there in a few minutes," I answered and put the phone down.
I then turned to Mom, who was silently looking at me while I was on the phone.
"Something happened at the company," I explained, feeling a bit sad that I couldn't spend more time with her. "I have to be there."
"It's fine, you can go," she answered. "Besides, your aunt Catherine will be here in a few minutes, so I won't be alone."
I nodded and turned to leave after kissing her goodbye. Aunty Catherine wasn't related to us by blood. She was a family friend, the mother of two.
Her kids were Cassie, my best friend, and someone I'd prefer not to talk about.
I've known her since childhood, and she usually spends time with my mom when I'm not around.
I entered my car and drove away, headed for my company.