The Shameless Ultimatum
Its all your fault! Yours! Yours! Yours!
The woman was positively bellowing down the entire street, her voice careening into that ear-splitting shriek only achieved by women with years of mothering experience and a sturdy pair of lungs. Her face was a twisted wreck of pain and fury, with tears streaming down her flushed cheeks, leaving streaks as if marking her battle scars. She didnt seem to notice the tears, consumed as she was by righteous or self-righteous anger. She lurched at the young man, arms outstretched, fingers twitching like she was about to go for his collar and shake the truth out of him by force. Her hands clenched and unclenched, the pain in her eyes so raw that for a second, Nick felt a twinge of awkward sympathy.
Nick dodged her lunge with more agility than anyone outside a pub brawl had business possessing. He even twirled his fingervery subtly, so as not to tempt fatenear his temple, marvelling at this dramatic outburst. Honestly, how could she pin everything on him? It was as if personal responsibility had packed up and moved to Scotland.
If it werent for you, my baby girl would be perfectly fine the woman wailed between sobs, her shoulders shaking so hard you half-expected her to shatter, like a neglected wedding teapot. Youve ruined her life! You!
Thats just your point of view, Nick cut in frostily, his expression growing darker by the second. Only now did he twig who she wasCarolines mother. Of course. But even knowing that, the accusations grated at him. Fury buzzed in his chest; hed done nothing to earn this pantomime villain status. I never forced her into anything, you know. Everything was her decision! Caroline wanted the attention, she simply didn’t pull it off.
Dont you dare talk about her like that! This is all your fault! The woman was off again and made a fresh move towards him.
Her sontall, exhausted-looking, with eye bags that would shame any sixth-former post-examsgrabbed her and gently pulled her away. He had the air of someone whos lost sleep and patience in equal measure, holding his mums elbow in a grip firm enough to keep her from launching herself at Nick again.
Mum, please he said quietly, and although his voice was tired, he was clearly no newcomer to family melodrama. Lets go. Theres no need for this.
Your sisters in hospital, and you dont even give this boy a piece of your mind! his mother sniffed, trying to yank her arm free. Her anger couldnt hide the pain. Could have knocked a few teeth out at the very least! How dare he treat Caroline like this!
And whats that got to do with me? her son mumbled with a wry twist to his mouth, turning away. Maybe if youd brought Caroline up a bit better, none of this would have happened.
Cue: the shrill, yet curiously amused voice from the side-lines.
Whats happened then? This sounds brilliant!
Nick inwardly groaned. Of course, of all possible witnesses, it had to be Sophie. The universitys unofficial columnist and chief resident busybody. She was the type who remembered everything anyone ever did wrong, all the way back to that time you wet yourself in year three. Even the lecturers quietly avoided her, in case she dragged up some humiliating tale from the archives.
Sophie stood barely a pace away, eyes shining with the hunger of someone whose social currency was gossip. Her lips twitched in anticipation, and she tapped her handbag strap like she was warming up for a particularly juicy episode.
Go onspill! Sophie pressed closer, cocked her head and flashed a sly smile. Or Ill just make something up. And you know how creative I can get
Nick let out a weary sigh, ran a hand through his hair, and shot a sideways look at Carolines mother and brother as they drifted off still muttering and squabbling.
Not going to leave me alone, are you? he asked, resignation in his voice.
Sophie shook her head, her attention only growing. She looked almost predatory with anticipationlike a tabloid editor on deadline.
Alright, listen up, Nick dropped his voice, but promise you wont spread this. Its not a pretty story, and I do not want it making the rounds. Deal?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
It started a couple of weeks back. Nick had been feeling for some time that his relationship with Caroline wasnt exactly setting the worldor even the local Greggson fire. If anything, things were getting drearier by the day. More and more, it felt less like being with a real, flesh-and-blood girlfriend and more like wrestling with a black hole that constantly craved reassurance and declarations of love. And always managed to suck his attention right out of him.
Honestly, Nick was bone tired of the constant rants and grievances. If anything dipped outside Carolines self-authored script, it turned into a five-act tragedy: How can I go on? Everything is meaningless! But, worst of all, shed regularly threaten to end it all. At first, Nick panicked, tried to comfort her, took it deadly seriously. After a while, though, he saw the patternit was emotional blackmail, plain and simple. Each time, he could feel his patience, faith in her feelings, and (rather crucially) his capacity for empathy quietly packing their bags. He just didnt feel that warmth and care anymore.
The threats ramped up. Caroline found something new to kick off about nearly dailyhed been slow with a text, looked at another girl, failed to say love you before bed. She even started sending, in graphic detail, what shed do if he broke up with her. It was like she was preparing for the worlds most melodramatic audition. Nick could have written the script by now: tears and shouting, threats, tearful apologies, declarations shed change, then an expectant silence while he wondered when the cycle would start again. He was utterly exhausted.
Then, one evening, Caroline turned up at Nicks flat unannounced. He was in the middle of an in-depth session of pretending to study when the doorbell screeched. Looking through the spyhole, he spotted Caroline outsideclearly rattled, probably after just reading his breakup message. Her face was flushed, eyes blazing, hands trembling so hard they could have made tea themselves.
Nick! You cant do this to me! she shouted, thumping the door. If you dump me, Ill do something stupid! You hear me? Im not joking!
Nick stood on the other side of the door, jaw clenched so tight you could have chipped teeth on it. He was tornpart of him wanted to open up, comfort her, whisper that it would all be alright. He could hear how crushed she was, and, despite himself, still felt a pang of pity. But common sense howled in protest: the moment he let her in, it would be yet another marathon of weeping, scolding, and threats. He knew this production too well.
You need to see someone, Nick called through the door, his voice sharper and more tired than he’d planned. Seriously. Get professional help. Im not up for being held responsible for your every outburst. Enough! Case closed.
Nick! DO NOT do this to me! she shrieked. In an emotional burst, she kicked the door, instantly regretting it as the pain shot up her foot. She gasped, then straightened with an air of defiance, stifling the wince. Nick, open up! Please! Just talk to me for a minute!
Then, slow footsteps on the stairsan elderly neighbour approaching, grey hair in a neat bun, spectacles perched on her nose, radiating quiet censure.
Young lady, you ought to be ashamed, the old dear said, stopping just out of arms reach. Its not proper, loitering outside a boys flat. Wheres your upbringing?
Caroline snapped back, chin jutting defiantly. Well, I dont remember asking your opinion, did I? But her bravado waveredunderneath, the words hit their mark. She stifled the twinge of shame and straightened, tossing a pointed retort over her shoulder as she stormed down the stairs in a racket of echoing heels. Her cheeks burneda mixture of embarrassment, rage, and being called out by an OAP and a boyfriend in one fell swoop. But inside, she was hatching plans. Oh, Nick wouldnt get rid of her that easily. He had obligations! She pictured the registry office, her in the white lace dress shed eyed last week, the dainty diamond ring she coveted. No, shed show him just how serious she could be, mark her words.
A few hours later, Nicks phone flashed up a particularly strange message. He was in the kitchen, sipping what used to be tea and was now just a sad puddle, when the screen twinkled with a notification. He sighed, unlocked it: Caroline. She wrote that she couldnt cope anymore, insisting it wasnt his faultbefore launching into a flood of emotional mush about loving him, not knowing what shed do without him. It was a ramble, all exclamation marks and repetition, written as if by someone seriously unhinged. It definitely wasnt the result of too many drinksCaroline never touched the stuff.
She finished with a plea for him to come over, saying she was terrified to be alone. Nick read the message twice, leaned back and exhaled. He felt a thrum of worrywhat if she really was in trouble? But, just as quickly, that seasoned certainty crept in: this was another lever. Shed used every tool in the emotional toolbox already.
If I give in now, he thought, shell have me on the hook foreveralways threatening, always demanding.
After a moments deliberation, Nick opened his contacts and rang Carolines mum. He explained what was going on, forwarded the messages, and after a few tense minutes got a reply: she was frantic, promised to get to Caroline straight away. Nick slouched in relieflet someone else handle this, for once.
Mission accomplished, he tried to focus on prepping for his next round of exams. He reckoned he had enough to swot up on as it was, without getting distracted by a barrage of texts. He switched off his phone and dived into his revisiondates, quotes, key points, and the odd intrusive thought about the soap opera next door.
Time zipped by. At last, late into the night, Nick finished. He stretched, his shoulders achy, and finally switched the phone back ononly to be greeted with a tsunami of missed calls and messages, almost all from Carolines mother.
His fingers went cold as he read the first text: Carolines in hospital. They got there in time. Shell live.
Nick froze. So shed actually gone through with it. In a rush, his mind replayed that last meeting, Caroline sobbing uncontrollably through his closed door. Her face, once bright and sparky, had been increasingly haunted. His hands balled into fists as guilt, confusion, and dread tangled inside him.
Before he could collect himself, another message popped up, this one a punch to the gut: This is your fault! You drove her to it! His hands tightened on his phone until his knuckles went white. He drew a shaky breath, but the accusation echoed endlessly in his head.
He called Carolines mum, braced for battle, fingers trembling as it rang.
Get down to the hospital and start apologisingon your knees! she cried down the line. Her voice was ragged with grief and fury. Nick pictured herpale and red-eyed in some hospital corridorbut forced himself not to cave to guilt; her accusations were wildly unfair.
Oh, is there anything else on your wishlist? Nick snapped, still reeling at her chutzpah. His anger took over, and he struggled to keep his voice level. Im not apologising for things I didnt do. I suggested she get help, since her behaviour is frankly unwell. She refused. Why should I sacrifice my life just because a spoiled girl throws a fit?
Youre responsible! You drove her to this! You have to make it right! she insisted, voice cracking.
Im ending this conversation, Nick said flatly. Carolines playing games, dont you see? If shed really meant it, she wouldnt have messaged me about it in advance. Shed have just done it. Goodbye. Please dont call me again!
He hit end call and leaned against the wall, shutting his eyes and counting to ten, trying not to throw the phone against the kitchen tiles.
But his phone buzzed again. If you dont marry her, youll regret it. Marry her and shell get better, I promise! Everything will be fine! Carolines mothers rationale was clear: force Nick to the altar, and all would be magically healed. It would be comical, if it wasnt so grim.
Nick frozespeechless at the idiocy of the suggestion. Ultimatums about marriage, on the back of a mental health crisis, were a new low even for him. He squeezed the phone until it nearly cracked. Boiling fury rose inside him; how could anyone believe guilt-wedlock was the answer to anything?
Are you serious? he asked quietly, his voice thick with anger. You actually think I should marry your daughter because shes threatened to harm herself? Thats blackmailpure and simple!
Dont call it that! she screamed, her voice now completely frayed. I just want to save my little girl, you see? You broke her; its your job to fix her! Imagine watching your daughter fade away, stop smiling She cant live without you! Youre the centre of her universe!
And shell magically get better with me around? Nick snapped, not bothering to hide his annoyance. Do you really think a marriage certificate sorts all this out? That a ring and a photoshoot fixes dependency and manipulation? That isnt loveits illness! I wont be her therapist, nurse, and saviour all rolled into one. Thats not my job.
You dont understand! she cried, her words dissolving into sobs. She just needs supportshe just needs you! If you run away now, youre responsible for whatever happens next! Youll live with that forever!
Nick closed his eyes, fighting a fresh wave of shaking hands. He breathed in, held it, and let it out, slow and steady, refusing to be drawn in. She had a point about guilta tiny, insistent part of him pricked with it. But he knew deep inside: if he let himself be forced, hed be signing up for a lifetime of misery.
I wont marry your daughter, he said, steel in his voice, enunciating every word as though nailing them to the wall. Not now, not ever. I wont sacrifice myself for the sake of a lifeboat fantasy. Caroline needs a specialistsomeone actually equipped to help. Im not her shrink, babysitter, or emotional crash mat. I dont want that role, and Im not taking it on.
You have no heart! she screamed, her tone brimming with venom. You ruined my girl and now you wont even take responsibility! Shell never recover! Youre stealing her last hope!
Her last hope is to see a proper therapist, Nick replied icily, keeping his voice as calm as possible. She needs to accept Im finished, and so do you. Trying to force us together will make both of us utterly miserable. Its not a solutionits just hiding the problem.
There was silence. He could hear her crying, collecting herself, gulping for air as if on the brink of saying something else but thinking better of it.
You never loved her, she finally whispered, her bitterness bleeding through. You just used her, and now youre dumping her when things get hard. What are you, some kind of player?
I never used Caroline, Nick answered slowly, weighing each word. Once, I did love her. But love isnt supposed to be a prison. Being with her turned to constant threats and endless fights and fear. Its not healthy! We both deserve something better.
Youre just a coward, she spat.
Im scared of wrecking two lives instead of one, Nick shot back firmly. Marrying her helps no one. Shell never learn to manage her problems if she thinks shes fixed by trapping me. Ill live in fear, not love. Goodbye. And dont ever call me with this nonsense again.
He ended the call, placing his phone down very slowly as if it might explode. He still shookanger, grief, and a little sliver of guilt whirled inside. He took a deep, steadying breath. Again. And again. Finally, the shakes subsided. Nick rubbed his face, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes, mustering all the remaining energy for the day ahead.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
So, there you go, Nick concluded, staring out the window at the cloud-thickening sky, his voice weary, shoulders hunched as if hed been made to carry Carolines mother up five flights of stairs on his back. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to shake off the memory. And, for the record, even Carolines brother says she staged the lot. Hes seen her milk pity before, just never with such, er, brio.
Sophie sat in silence, twisting a lock of hair, head tilted, listening intently. For once, her face was pure sympathy. All the nosiness and gossipy relish were gonetrue concern, nothing more.
Tough luck with that one, she said gently. And her mum, too. But youre rightgetting married because someone guilt-trips you is barking mad. Caroline needs to learn she cant control people, and her mother should stop thinking ultimatums fix anything. Otherwise, itll just get messier. My advice? Block their numbers. Dont reply, dont get back in touch, or theyll keep dragging you back inalways a new guilt trip, always something to tear you down.
Thats exactly the plan Nick replied softly, feeling the weight finally slide off his shoulders. He straightened up, took a long, deep breathproperly, for the first time in weeks.
