When Arnold saw his poor mother at his wedding, he became furious because he had told her not to come. She gave him a gift and made a toast, and the next minute Arnold burst into tears and fell to his knees.
“Ah, look, someone is leaving the café with a smile. Look at her blushing!” Diana’s boss said as a wave of laughter echoed through the café kitchen.
“We’ll be there, Miss Diana. What time is the wedding?” a coworker asked while the others gathered around Diana, who couldn’t help but blush.
“It’s at 11 o’clock this Sunday. I can’t wait to see you all at the church.”
The 60-year-old woman worked as a cleaner at the café. She had taken half a day off to buy the best wedding suit for her only son, Arnold. Diana had spent a long time searching for the blue suit. It was quite expensive, but she didn’t mind. “My boy has to look his best!” she thought.
Diana had spent all her savings to buy her son the suit, and she couldn’t wait to see his reaction when she surprised him at home.
“I can’t wait to see him get married!” Diana thought. She had been looking forward to that moment ever since Arnold told her about his plans to marry his girlfriend, Masha.
“Son, look what I brought you!” Diana burst into his home, holding the suit and wearing a bright smile. “I’m sure you’ll love it! Could you please try it on? The salesperson told me I could still exchange it if there was a problem with the size.”
She took the suit out of the garment bag and showed it to Arnold, who frowned. He was not pleased.
“I’m not wearing such an ordinary suit to my wedding. I’m marrying the daughter of a rich man, and I have to look my best. I’d look cheap in that tacky suit.”
Diana’s eyes began to fill with tears. She pretended she was fine, but her son’s words silenced her. She was disappointed, and her heart ached.
But nothing broke her more than when Arnold said, “One more thing… I don’t want you to come to my wedding. My fiancée’s wealthy family will all be there. I don’t want you showing up in your dirty clothes and ruining my image. Everyone will ask me what you do, and I don’t want to tell them you’re just a cleaner.”
Diana could no longer hold back her tears. She rushed into her room and locked the door. She cried for the rest of the day because she was terribly hurt. Arnold was too busy to check on her and left to take care of the wedding preparations. The celebration was only two days away.
Sunday arrived — Arnold’s long-awaited big day. And despite her son’s ban, Diana did not want to miss such a beautiful moment. She pulled herself together, checked her wardrobe, chose the prettiest dress she owned, and got ready.
“You are too young to understand a mother’s wish and pain. I cannot miss your big day, my son. I’m coming,” she said aloud, looking at herself in the mirror.
Diana wrapped an old ceramic vase that she planned to give her son as a gift. When she arrived at the church, she saw that her coworkers and boss were already there. She was happy, and for a moment, she forgot that Arnold had asked her not to attend his wedding.
“Hello, Miss Diana! I’m sure you are the happiest mother in the world!” her boss said.
Diana smiled and entered with the heavy gift box. She watched the bride and groom exchange rings and then kiss. Even though she tried, Diana could not stop her tears from flowing. She was overjoyed. “I made it!” she said.
After the wedding, a lavish reception was held. Many wealthy guests came to congratulate the newlyweds. Arnold saw his mother approaching and was shocked. He raised his eyebrows in disgust. “Why did she come? I told her not to ruin my day!” he thought.
“Congratulations, sweetheart! You both look wonderful! Best wishes!” Diana said, handing the gift to her son.
Arnold looked around and realized the moment was being photographed. He did not want to make a scene, so he reluctantly took his mother’s gift. He slightly tore open the box and saw the vase inside. “She gave me an old vase that was lying around at home? How cheap!” he muttered.
Arnold walked away to throw away his mother’s gift, which he thought was “trash,” but he was interrupted by his mother’s voice on the microphone. Arnold turned pale with shock. He had no idea that a twenty-five-year-old secret she had kept from him would be revealed that day.
“Twenty-five years ago, just a few minutes before my best friend died…” Diana began, quickly lifting her eyes toward the ceiling as tears started to form.
“She gave me an old vase and told me to give it to her son on his wedding day. It was a gift from her late parents, and she wanted her son to have it.”
Arnold did not understand what his mother was saying.
“After she passed away, I adopted her little boy and raised him as my own. I never married anyone because I wanted to devote my time and love only to my child. Son, it is time for you to discover what your late mother left for you inside that vase. Cheers!”
Diana raised a glass for the toast while a shocked Arnold examined the vase.
He was stunned. Inside the old ceramic vase were stacks of cash. Tears streamed from his eyes as he fell to his knees.
Arnold realized that the woman he had been ashamed of was not his biological mother, but the woman who had sacrificed her entire life to raise him. She was more than a mother to him. She was his savior and guardian angel, the one who had saved him after he became an orphan.
“I kept my promise to my late friend. I am happy for you, my son. Take care of yourself, and may God bless you!” Diana finished.
She walked toward the entrance to leave, but Arnold could not let her go like that. He ran after her and blocked her path.
“Mom, I’m sorry. Your love for me is priceless. I’m sorry I hurt you. I was never a good son, but you were always a good mother to me. Why didn’t you tell me I was an orphan? Please don’t leave me. I don’t want to become an orphan again.”
Diana hugged Arnold, and they returned to the stage, where the groom danced with his mother.
“I love you, Mom!” he whispered.
And Diana smiled, tears of joy flowing from her eyes.