Victoria sat sprawled out on the wet floor, staring up at Mark in total disbelief.
She looked at Clara, then back at Mark, trying to process his sudden words.
Her mind raced as she remembered all the terrible things she had said to Clara.
Over the past month, she had ordered Clara around like a slave every single day.
She had insulted her clothes, her age, and her slow movements without any second thought.
Victoria: What do you mean she raised you? That makes no sense at all!
Mark: My biological mother left me at an orphanage when I was just a baby.
Clara: Mark, please, you do not have to explain anything to her now.
Mark: No, mother, she needs to hear every single word of the truth right now.
Victoria gasped loudly and covered her open mouth with both of her shaking hands.
The word mother echoed around the grand high-ceiling entryway like a loud thunderclap.
Mark walked over to Clara and knelt down beside her on the cold wooden floor.
He ignored the dirty soapy water and gently helped the old woman stand up straight.
Sarah helped hold Clara's other arm, wiping the tears from the old woman's cheeks.
Mark held his mother close to his chest and kissed the top of her grey hair.
Mark: Clara adopted me when she was a young worker at the local shelter.
Mark: She worked three cleaning jobs every day just to pay for my high school.
Mark: She gave up her entire youth so that I could go to a great college.
Victoria slowly stood up from the wet floor, her red gown ruined by dirty water.
Her face was completely pale as the total reality of her huge mistake hit her.
Victoria: Mark, I am so sorry, I did not know she was your adoptive mother!
Mark: That should not matter at all, Victoria!
Mark: You should treat every human being with basic kindness and simple respect!
Victoria: I can change, I promise! Please give me another chance to make it right!
Mark looked at her with pure disgust and reached into his jacket pocket once again.
He pulled out a thick white paper envelope that he had brought home from work.