Evelyn marched upstairs to her large guest bedroom in a rage.
She slammed the bedroom door so hard the house frames rattled.
Mark walked back to his wife and sat down beside her on the couch.
He wrapped his arm around Maya's shoulders and pulled her close.
Maya rested her heavy head against his broad, warm chest.
Maya: I am so sorry your birthday surprise turned out like this.
Mark: Do not apologize for anything, sweetheart. None of this was your fault.
Maya: She made me feel so small and useless these past months.
Mark: I should have noticed her cruel behavior much earlier than today.
Maya: I did not want to cause trouble between you and your mother.
Mark: You are my family now, Maya. My main job is protecting you.
Mark pulled out his smartphone and dialed his primary bank branch.
He spoke to the customer service manager in a calm voice.
He immediately canceled the platinum credit card he gave to Evelyn.
He also removed her name from his emergency trust fund accounts.
For years, Evelyn had enjoyed unlimited financial freedom from her son.
She bought designer clothes, went on expensive vacations, and bragged to friends.
She looked down on Maya because Maya grew up in a working-class town.
Maya's father was a mechanic and her mother worked at a local bakery.
Evelyn thought her son deserved a woman from a high-society family.
She never valued Maya's kind heart, sweet nature, or deep loyalty.
Upstairs, loud thuds could be heard as Evelyn packed her leather suitcases.
Thirty minutes later, she dragged two heavy bags down the staircase.
Her face was red with anger and her eyes were filled with resentment.
Evelyn: I hope you are happy destroying this family over her!
Mark: You destroyed this family yourself with your endless greed and hate.
Evelyn: I am calling your uncle to tell him how you treat me!
Mark: Go ahead and show him the security video while you call.
Evelyn paused near the front door, knowing her relatives would side with Mark.
If the family saw how she treated a pregnant woman, she would be disgraced.
Evelyn: Give me money for a taxi to the downtown hotel!
Mark: Here is fifty dollars in cash. That is all you get.
Mark handed her a single bill from his leather wallet.
Evelyn snatched the cash out of his hand with a harsh glare.
Evelyn: You are a terrible son, Mark!
Mark: And you were a terrible mother-in-law to a wonderful woman.
Mark opened the large double front doors and pointed outside firmly.
Mark: Hand over your house key right now, Evelyn.
Evelyn dug through her purse and threw the brass key on the table.
She grabbed her suitcases and walked out into the cool evening air.
Mark shut the door firmly and locked it from the inside.