Mark immediately dropped down to his knees beside his crying mother.
He gently lifted Evelyn by her arms and wrapped her in a hug.
Her small frame felt light and frail against his broad chest.
She sobbed quietly into his shoulder as her body trembled with fear.
Evelyn: I am sorry, Mark, I tried my very best...
Mark: You have nothing to apologize for, Mom, you are safe now.
Mark helped his mother stand up on the slick marble floor carefully.
He guided her toward a comfortable soft armchair near the living room window.
Brenda stood motionless nearby while holding her trembling hands together tightly.
Her mind was racing as she tried to manufacture a believable excuse.
Brenda: Mark, please let me explain what really happened before you judge!
Mark: Explain why my mother is terrified in my own home?
Brenda: She gets confused sometimes and exaggerates how hard things are!
Evelyn: That is not true, Mark, she makes me work all day!
Mark turned his eyes toward his mother with a deeply pained expression.
Evelyn raised her trembling hands so her son could see them clearly.
Her skin was red and raw from harsh chemical cleaning products.
Mark felt a wave of absolute guilt wash over his entire body.
He had believed every word his wife had told him for months.
Brenda had always said that Evelyn preferred resting in her bedroom daily.
In reality, Brenda had been forcing her to clean the giant house.
Mark: How long has this cruelty been going on behind my back?
Evelyn: Ever since you took that big promotion three months ago...
Brenda: She is lying to you because she hates me!
Mark: My mother does not have a hateful bone in her body!
Brenda took a quick step toward the armchair with an angry glare.
Brenda: I run this household while you are away at work!
Brenda: Someone has to maintain this mansion and keep it clean!
Mark: We have a paid cleaning service that comes twice every week!
Brenda: I canceled them to save money for our summer vacation!
Mark stared at his wife as if she were a total stranger.
The woman he thought was kind and loving was showing her heart.
He remembered all the times his mother seemed quiet during family dinners.
He had assumed she was just tired from adjusting to a new home.
Now the horrible truth was completely clear and undeniable before him.
He took out his mobile phone from his front coat pocket quickly.
Brenda: Who are you calling right now, Mark?
Mark: I am calling my estate lawyer to start divorce proceedings immediately.