Mark crashed heavily onto the lawn, taking the full impact on his right side.
His shirt caught a stray hot ember from the burning fire pit.
Sarah dropped to her knees on the grass beside him in absolute panic.
She held her baby securely in her left arm while checking Mark's shoulder.
"Mark! Are you okay?" Sarah wept hysterically.
A dark scorch mark spread across the fabric near his neck.
Mark wince in pain as he looked up at his tear-streaked wife.
"I am okay... keep the baby safe," Mark whispered weakly.
Evelyn stood motionless near the patio edge with a cold stare.
She did not offer a single word of apology or help.
Sarah held her baby close to her chest, her heart pounding with heavy grief.
"How could you do this to your own son?" Sarah wept loudly.
Mark pushed himself up from the soft grass despite the pain in his arm.
A deep wave of furious realization washed over his face.
He turned around slowly to face his mother.
Years of suppressed emotion and painful tension finally exploded within him.
"You have crossed every line today, Mom," Mark said, his voice trembling with anger.
"I did what was necessary for our legacy!" Evelyn shouted defensively.
"You put my family in danger over money and control!" Mark yelled back.
He took three large steps forward until he stood right in front of her on the patio.
"Get out of here right now!" Mark ordered with pure fury.
Evelyn stepped back in shock, shocked by her son's firm tone.
"You are throwing away your own mother?" she asked in disbelief.
"You threw away your right to be part of my home today," Mark replied coldly.
Sarah watched from the grass as her husband finally stood up for their future.
The silence that followed was long and heavy across the yard.