Mark stood frozen in the middle of the large open dining room.
He looked at his mother Evelyn sitting proudly on the expensive sofa.
She did not look sorry or ashamed about what she had done.
In fact, she had a small, smug smile resting on her face.
Mark felt a deep pain in his chest as he looked at her.
He had loved and trusted his mother his entire adult life.
When his father passed away, Mark paid off her large house mortgage.
He brought her into his own home so she would never feel lonely.
He gave her a credit card connected directly to his bank account.
Yet she treated his kind, loving wife like a hired servant.
Mark: Mom, look at me when I speak to you.
Evelyn crossed her arms tightly and slowly looked up at her son.
Evelyn: I have nothing to say to you while she is lying.
Mark: Maya has never lied to me a single time in five years!
Evelyn: She is taking advantage of your wealth and good heart, Mark.
Maya: I never wanted your money, Evelyn! I only loved Mark!
Evelyn: You came from a poor neighborhood with nothing to your name.
Evelyn: You are not worthy of sitting at this family table.
Mark stepped directly between his mother and his crying wife.
His hands were shaking with deep anger as he raised his voice.
Mark: That is enough of your bitter cruelty in my home!
Evelyn: Do not raise your voice at the woman who raised you!
Mark: You forced a pregnant woman onto her knees on marble floor!
Evelyn: A little hard work never killed anyone, Mark.
Mark: You humiliated her on her birthday inside my own house!
Evelyn scoffed loudly and stood up from the velvet sofa.
She straightened her expensive wool jacket and smoothed her dark hair.
Evelyn: I was simply teaching her how to respect this household.
Evelyn: Someone needs to remind her of her humble place here.
Mark: Her place is right by my side as my wife!
Maya: Mark, please... my stomach is hurting a little bit right now.
Mark turned around immediately with deep concern on his face.
He saw Maya clutching her baby bump with a pale face.
The stress of the horrible fight was affecting her health.
Mark felt a terrible wave of guilt wash over his body.
He had let his mother stay in their house for far too long.
He had ignored smaller warning signs over the past six months.
Evelyn had made rude comments about Maya's family and simple background.
She had criticized Maya's cooking, clothes, and baby shower plans.
Mark had always tried to keep the peace between the two women.
He thought his mother was just adjusting to old age and change.
But today showed him the terrible, cruel truth of the situation.
His mother was intentionally trying to ruin his happy marriage.
Mark: Maya, lean on me and let me get you some warm water.
Maya: I just want this nightmare to be over, Mark.
Mark: It is over right now, sweetheart. I promise you that.
Mark looked back at his mother with a cold, firm expression.
The dynamic in the grand house was about to change forever.