The smell of rich fresh coffee filled the sunlit kitchen, but the air inside was completely ice cold. Sarah held her tiny baby boy close to her chest, rocking back and forth on the gleaming hardwood oak floor. Little Leo was barely six months old, and his skin felt like a burning oven against Sarah's collarbone. His faint cries bounced off the high white crown molding of the room. Sarah reached out with a trembling hand to grab a cold washcloth from the counter, trying desperately to cool her sick infant down.
Before her fingers could touch the cloth, a sharp hand grabbed her forearm with a squeeze that left red marks. Evelyn stood over her, dressed in an expensive designer silk blouse, her eyes narrowed in cold anger. She adjusted her diamond engagement ring and pointed toward the marble countertop where six empty porcelain mugs sat waiting.
Evelyn: I told you, serve the coffee right now!
Sarah: Evelyn, please, Leo has a fever of a hundred and two. I need to take his temperature again and put a cold wet towel on his forehead.
Evelyn: Your husband's uncles are sitting in the dining room waiting. You are a guest in my house, and you will show some respect.
Sarah: He is your grandson! He is sick!
Evelyn did not hesitate for a single second. Her right hand swung through the bright daylight of the kitchen, delivering a loud sharp slap right across Sarah's cheekbone. The force of the strike spun Sarah slightly around, her skin turning bright red instantly. Leo let out a piercing scream as Sarah gasped, staggering back against the kitchen island, tears pouring down her flushed face.
At that exact moment, the heavy wooden kitchen door swung wide open. Connor walked into the bright room holding a decorated white birthday cake with glowing lit candles for his father's memory party. His warm smile shattered instantly into dark rage as his eyes landed on his weeping wife holding her face, and his mother standing tall with her hand still raised in the air.
Connor: Mom, what did you just do?
Evelyn: Your wife forgot her place, Connor. She was being disrespectful to me in front of our family.
Connor set the birthday cake down on the counter with a loud thud, completely ignoring the lit candles as they flickered out. He rushed across the room and wrapped his strong arm firmly around Sarah's trembling shoulders, pulling her and the baby close into his chest.
Sarah: Connor, she wouldn't let me stop! He's burning up!
Connor: It's okay, sweetheart. I'm right here. I've got you both.
Evelyn crossed her arms over her chest, standing firm near the hallway archway where two of Connor's aunts were now peeking in with shocked looks on their faces. She smoothed down her hair and looked down her nose at her son.
Evelyn: She still has to serve everyone! I run this house, and while you live under my family trust rules, you obey me!
Connor: No, Mom. I'm finding out where my three thousand dollars a month really went.
Connor reached deep into his jacket pocket and pulled out his phone, his thumb rapidly opening his banking application as Evelyn's face suddenly went completely pale.