I had been waiting for months to meet my daughter’s fiancé, imagining the perfect introduction. But when I opened the door and saw him, my excitement vanished. This wasn’t what I expected. I knew, in that moment, this wedding couldn’t happen. I had to stop it—no matter what it took.

I had been running around the kitchen all day like a madwoman because today was important—Kira was finally bringing her fiancé and his parents over for dinner.

I had dreamed of this moment for months, picturing how we’d sit together, laughing over stories, bonding as future in-laws.

But for some reason, Kira had avoided it, always coming up with excuses. “They’re busy, Mom.” “Another time, I promise.” It didn’t make sense. What could be so hard about introducing us?

But now, she had no choice. Marcus had proposed. It was official. And that meant I was meeting him—and his family—whether she liked it or not.

Bradley sat at the table, flipping through the newspaper, watching me with amusement.

“Sit down for a minute, Jessica,” he kept saying.

I waved him off. “I don’t have time to sit! The roast is in the oven, the table’s not set, and the flowers—where are the flowers?”

Just as I started setting the food on the table, the doorbell rang. My heart pounded. This was it.

“Oh God, they’re here!” I shouted, yanking off my apron and tossing it onto the counter.

Bradley barely looked up from his chair. “I’ll get it,” he said, calm as ever.

“No!” I rushed to his side. “We have to greet them together!”

Bradley sighed but stood up. I grabbed his arm and straightened my dress, forcing the brightest smile I could manage.

“Can I open it now?” he asked.

I nodded.

Bradley pulled the door open. There stood Kira, glowing with excitement, her fiancé Marcus beside her, and behind them, his parents. My smile froze. My breath caught. My heart sank.

They were Black.

I blinked, trying to process what I saw. My mind spun. This wasn’t what I had expected. I glanced at Bradley. His face had gone stiff.

“Mom?” Kira’s voice snapped me back to reality. “Are you going to invite our guests inside?”

“Yes, of course,” I said quickly, my voice strained. I stepped aside, letting them in.

I led them to the dining table, but my hands trembled. My thoughts raced. I needed a moment.

“Excuse me,” I said. “I just need to bring out a few more dishes. Kira, come help me.” I turned to Bradley. “You too.”

Kira hesitated but followed me. Bradley trailed behind.

As soon as the kitchen door swung shut, I turned to Kira.

“Is there something you forgot to tell us?”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Your fiancé is Black!” The words burst out before I could stop them.

“Yes, Mom. I know.” Her voice was calm, but her eyes hardened.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” I demanded.

“Because I knew how you’d react,” she said, crossing her arms. “Just give Marcus a chance. He’s a good man, and his family is wonderful.”

Bradley’s voice cut through the air. “My daughter is not marrying a Black man.”

“That’s not your decision to make!” Kira shot back. Her voice shook, but she stood firm. “Can you two just act normal for one night?”

Without another word, she stormed out.

Bradley and I carried the dishes to the table in silence. No one spoke much during dinner, though Kira and Marcus did their best to keep the conversation going. The air felt heavy. Every bite tasted like nothing.

After dinner, Kira pulled out her childhood photo albums. She laughed as she showed Marcus old pictures. I watched them from across the room, my stomach tight.

Beside me, Marcus’s mother, Betty, leaned in. “What do you think of them as a couple?”

I hesitated. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not racist,” I said, lowering my voice. “I just think Kira would be better off with someone… more like her.”

Betty nodded. “I completely agree. I don’t think they’re a good match either. Marcus would be better off with someone who understands our… culture.”

I exhaled, relieved. “You’re reading my mind.”

Betty straightened. “We can’t let this wedding happen.”

“No, we can’t,” I agreed.

From that day on, Betty and I formed an unspoken alliance.

We both wanted what was best for our children—or at least, what we believed was best.

We picked fights over everything. Betty criticized Kira’s dress choice, saying it didn’t fit their traditions.

I argued with Marcus over the menu, insisting Kira wouldn’t be happy with his family’s preferences.

When it came to the church, Betty and I nearly came to blows. She wanted the ceremony at their family church, I wanted it at ours. We disagreed on music, guest lists, even the seating arrangement.

But none of it worked. The more we pushed, the stronger Kira and Marcus became. Instead of seeing their differences, they only clung to each other harder.

So, we had to be smarter.

I arranged a “harmless” lunch for Kira with my colleague’s son, a polite young man with a stable career and good family values.

Meanwhile, Betty set up a meeting between Marcus and a woman from their church, someone she believed would be a “better fit.”

Of course, we never called them dates. That would have raised suspicion. We just needed them to show up.

That evening, we gathered at Betty and Rod’s house. Bradley and I arrived early, and while Betty and I whispered about our plan, I noticed something odd—Bradley and Rod were sitting in front of the TV, laughing over beers.

When I got Bradley alone, I hissed, “What’s going on?”

He shrugged. “What? We root for the same team. Rod’s a good guy.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You’re supposed to be on my side!”

“I am,” he said, taking another sip.

I heard the front door swing open and slam shut. Heavy footsteps echoed through the house.

My heart pounded. I rushed into the living room, where Betty was already standing, her arms crossed, her face tense.

Kira and Marcus stood in front of us, their eyes burning with anger.

“Are you out of your minds?!” Marcus yelled, his voice shaking.

Kira turned to me, her face red. “Our wedding is in a week, and you’re setting me up on a date?”

I opened my mouth, but Betty spoke first. “We just wanted what’s best for you.