\n\n\n\nA bride and groom in a park | Source: Pexels\n\n\n\n
I stood next to James, my husband, feeling both excited and nervous.\n\n\n\n
We smiled for the camera, the photographer snapping away, capturing our special moments.\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nA wedding photographer taking a shot on his camera | Source: Pexels\n\n\n\n
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\u201cTime for the family picture!\u201d the photographer called out.\n\n\n\n
James\u2019 father, Bill, stood nearby but didn\u2019t join us.\n\n\n\n
Instead, he mumbled something about making a phone call and walked away.\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAn older man standing with one hand in his pant pocket | Source: Pexels\n\n\n\n
I felt hurt and confused as I watched him leave.\n\n\n\n
This wasn\u2019t the first time Bill had acted so cold.\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nA sad bride | Source: Freepik\n\n\n\n
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From the moment we met, Bill had been polite but always kept his distance. He never really talked to me, and at family gatherings, he would always find an excuse to leave the room when I entered. I never understood why.\n\n\n\n
Did he not like me? Did I do something wrong?\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAn older man | Source: Pexels\n\n\n\n
James squeezed my hand, sensing my discomfort. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about Dad,\u201d he whispered. \u201cHe\u2019s just\u2026 difficult sometimes.\u201d\n\n\n\n
I nodded, trying to push the thoughts away, but it wasn\u2019t easy. Bill\u2019s avoidance had been a shadow over our relationship, a constant reminder that I wasn\u2019t fully accepted by James\u2019 family.\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nA bride and groom | Source: Unsplash\n\n\n\n
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The photographer continued to take pictures, directing us to different poses. I smiled, but deep down, I felt awful. This was supposed to be a happy day, yet here I was, worrying about Bill\u2019s behavior.\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay, let\u2019s get a picture of just the bride and groom!\u201d the photographer said cheerfully.\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nA couple posing for a wedding photographer | Source: Unsplash\n\n\n\n
James wrapped his arm around me, and we smiled for the camera. I tried to focus on him, on us, and the love we shared. James was my rock, always supportive and understanding.\n\n\n\n
After the photo session, we mingled with our guests. Friends and family congratulated us, their smiles and well-wishes lifting my spirits. But every now and then, my eyes would drift to Bill, standing on the edge of the crowd, phone in hand, looking away.\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nAn older man busy on his phone | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n
The day after the wedding, I couldn\u2019t shake off the feeling of unease.\n\n\n\n
James and I sat in our cozy living room, the warmth of the fireplace doing little to comfort me. I knew I had to talk to him about his father. The weight of Bill\u2019s behavior had become too much to ignore.\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nA couple at home | Source: Pexels\n\n\n\n
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\u201cJames,\u201d I said, \u201cwhy does your father dislike me so much?\u201d\n\n\n\n
James looked taken aback but quickly masked it. He hesitated, rubbing his hands together and glancing around nervously.\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nA worried man | Source: Pexels\n\n\n\n
\u201cSamantha, it\u2019s not that he dislikes you,\u201d he began slowly. \u201cIt\u2019s\u2026 he thinks you have a personal hygiene problem.\u201d\n\n\n\n
His words hit me like a ton of bricks.\n\n\n\n
I stared at him, shocked. \u201cWhat? That\u2019s ridiculous!\u201d\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAn upset woman | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n
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James sighed. \u201cI know. But he\u2019s been saying things implying that you\u2026 smell bad.\u201d\n\n\n\n
I felt my face flush with anger and embarrassment, and memories of the past few months flooded back.\n\n\n\n
James had made comments about my body odor, and it had made me paranoid.\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nA woman under a shower | Source: Pexels\n\n\n\n
I started showering multiple times a day, applying deodorant constantly, and even asking friends and family if I smelled bad.\n\n\n\n
They all reassured me that I smelled fine, some even saying I smelled too clean.\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nA young woman applying perfume | Source: Freepik\n\n\n\n
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Before I could speak, James went on, \u201cAnd there\u2019s something more I need to tell you. My father\u2026 he used this technique on my mom, too.\u201d\n\n\n\n
A chill ran down my spine. \u201cWhat? What do you mean?\u201d\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nA shocked woman | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe believes that if a woman thinks she smells bad, she\u2019ll feel too low to cheat, will love only her husband, and will always stay clean. It\u2019s his twisted way of ensuring loyalty,\u201d James explained, and I could see he was feeling ashamed.\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe did it to my mom, and she never left him. He thought he was helping us by doing the same to you.\u201d\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nA senior woman smelling perfume | Source: Pexels\n\n\n\n
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I couldn\u2019t believe what I was hearing. My anger flared up, hot and fierce.\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s sick, James! It\u2019s manipulation, plain and simple. It\u2019s not love!\u201d\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know, Samantha. I\u2019m so sorry. I should have realized it sooner. I let him get into my head,\u201d he said sadly.\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nA sad man | Source: Pexels\n\n\n\n
I sat down beside him and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. \u201cWe can\u2019t let this continue, James. This manipulation is unacceptable. It\u2019s toxic, and it\u2019s not something we should tolerate.\u201d\n\n\n\n
James nodded, looking more shaken than I had ever seen him. \u201cYou\u2019re right. I need to confront him.\u201d\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nA couple at home | Source: Freepik\n\n\n\n
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\u201cBut know that setting boundaries isn\u2019t enough. We need to cut his toxic behavior out of our lives entirely,\u201d I said. \u201cWe need to protect our relationship from this poison. We need to focus on us and our future without his interference.\u201d\n\n\n\n
James reached out and took my hand. \u201cI promise, Samantha. I\u2019ll do whatever it takes to keep us safe from his toxicity. We\u2019ll handle this together.\u201d\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCouple holding hands | Source: Unsplash\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you, James,\u201d I said softly. \u201cI love you.\u201d\n\n\n\n
James looked into my eyes. \u201cI love you too, Samantha. We\u2019re a team, and nothing will come between us.\u201d\n\n\n\n
The next morning, we drove to Bill\u2019s house, ready to confront him.\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nA couple in a car | Source: Pexels\n\n\n\n
James parked the car, and we walked up to the grand suburban house. My heart pounded, but I knew this was necessary. James squeezed my hand reassuringly before we stepped inside.\n\n\n\n
\u201cStick with me,\u201d he whispered, and I nodded.\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nA house | Source: Pexels\n\n\n\n
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Bill greeted us at the door, looking puzzled.\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat brings you two here so early?\u201d he asked, trying to sound casual.\n\n\n\n
\u201cDad, we need to talk. Now,\u201d James said.\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nTwo men face to face | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n
We moved to the living room, and I stood nearby, listening intently.\n\n\n\n
James took a deep breath and started explaining what we had discovered about Bill\u2019s so-called method.\n\n\n\n
\u201cDad, we know about your manipulation. The things you\u2019ve been implying about Samantha\u2026 it\u2019s not right,\u201d he said firmly. \u201cYou did it to Mom, and now you tried it with Samantha. It\u2019s unacceptable.\u201d\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nA young man talking to an older man | Source: Freepik\n\n\n\n
Bill\u2019s expression hardened. \u201cJames, it\u2019s a foolproof method. It kept your mother loyal, and it would have done the same for Samantha.\u201d\n\n\n\n
My anger flared, but I held my tongue, letting James handle it.\n\n\n\n
He needed to stand up to his father.\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAn angry woman | Source: Pexels\n\n\n\n
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\u201cNo, Dad,\u201d James said, his voice unwavering. \u201cIt\u2019s manipulation, and it\u2019s toxic. If you want to be part of our lives, you have to respect Samantha and our relationship.\u201d\n\n\n\n
Bill stared at James, his face unreadable.\n\n\n\n
For a moment, I feared Bill would argue. But then he sighed, realizing James was serious.\n\n\n\n
\u201cFine,\u201d Bill said. \u201cIf that\u2019s what you want. But you\u2019re making a mistake.\u201d\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSad senior man | Source: Pexels\n\n\n\n
James shook his head. \u201cNo, Dad. The mistake was letting this go on for so long. Samantha deserves better, and so do I.\u201d\n\n\n\n
I felt a wave of relief wash over me.\n\n\n\n
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James had stood up for us, for our relationship.\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nA couple holding hands | Source: Unsplash\n\n\n\n
It wasn\u2019t going to be easy, but this was a step in the right direction.\n\n\n\n
We left Bill\u2019s house and drove home in silence, both of us lost in our thoughts. I knew rebuilding trust with Bill would be difficult, if not impossible. But I was grateful for James\u2019 unwavering support.\n\n\n\n
As we pulled into our driveway, James turned to me. \u201cAre you okay?\u201d he asked gently.\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nA couple looking at each other | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n
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I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions. \u201cYes, I am. Thank you, James. For standing up for us.\u201d\n\n\n\n
He smiled, reaching over to take my hand. \u201cWe\u2019ll get through this together, Samantha. I promise.\u201d\n\n\n\n
I felt a surge of love for him, knowing we were stronger together. \u201cI know we will,\u201d I said softly.\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nA couple embracing | Source: Freepik\n\n\n\n
We walked into our home, feeling a sense of renewed hope. There were still challenges ahead, but we were ready to face them. Our bond had grown stronger through this ordeal, and we looked forward to building a life together, free from manipulation and toxicity.\n\n\n\n
As we settled into our evening routine, I felt a sense of peace. With James by my side, I knew we could overcome anything. Our love was strong, and it would carry us through whatever lay ahead. Together, we were unstoppable.\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nA happy couple | Source: Pexels\n\n\n\n
What would you have done?\n\n\n\n
If you enjoyed this story, here\u2019s another one: Tori\u2019s world shatters when her cruel parents abandon her and her two little brothers, leaving them to fend for themselves. Years later, just as she begins to rebuild her life, her estranged parents knock on her door, smiling as if nothing happened. Why have they returned now, after all these years?\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAn elderly couple on doorstep | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n
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This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.\n\n\n\n
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided \u201cas is,\u201d and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
An older man looking at a bride | Source: Amomama Samantha\u2019s new marriage begins with an unexpected mystery when her father-in-law, Bill, refuses to pose […]\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4958"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4958"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4958\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4959,"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4958\/revisions\/4959"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4958"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4958"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4958"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}