Evelyn walked around the room while holding Clara close to her shoulder.
The small girl rested her face against Evelyn's neck while sobbing gently.
Evelyn rocked her back and forth to give her comfort and peace.
Evelyn: Shh, you are safe now, my sweet little angel.
Martha: Stop coddling that child every time she sheds a single tear.
Evelyn: She is frightened because you slammed your hand right next to her!
Martha: She is spoiled because you do not know how to raise children.
David stood up from his chair and walked toward his angry wife.
He put his hands in his pockets with a stern posture.
David: Evelyn, you need to apologize to my mother right this second.
Evelyn: Are you seriously asking me to apologize to her right now?
David: You raised your voice at her in her own formal dining room.
Evelyn: She scared our daughter, and you care about voice volume?
David: My mother provides housing for us while my business gets started.
Martha: Exactly, and ungrateful guests should remember who holds the power here.
Evelyn felt a surge of anger rise up from deep within her chest.
She remembered all the money she had contributed to the household accounts.
Her late father had left her a substantial trust fund two years ago.
She had given David access to assist with their family expenses.
Evelyn: This home was bought with my inheritance money, David!
Martha: That money belongs to the family estate now, young lady.
Evelyn: No, that estate was created specifically for my child and me!
David: Do not bring up financial matters in front of my mother like this.
Evelyn stepped back toward the edge of the dining room table.
Her hand accidentally brushed against a tall glass filled with cold water.
The glass tipped over and shattered against the hard hardwood floor.
Water spilled everywhere near Martha's expensive designer shoes on the ground.
Martha gasped loudly and took a step back with disgust on her face.
Martha: Look at the chaos you are creating in my house!
Evelyn: You brought this chaos the moment you tried to intimidate my baby!
David: That is enough, Evelyn, go up to your room immediately!
Evelyn: I am an adult, and I will not be ordered around!
Clara clung tightly to her mother's shirt as the voices grew louder.
Evelyn felt her heart pounding rapidly against her ribcage from stress.
She knew that staying in this house was becoming dangerous for Clara's well-being.
She needed to find a way out before things got worse.
David moved closer and pointed an aggressive finger toward Evelyn's face.
David: You will respect my mother, or you can leave today!
Evelyn: Is that a threat to throw your own family out?
David: It is a rule if you want to stay under this roof!
Evelyn looked him straight in the eyes without backing down at all.
She realized her marriage was completely broken beyond any repair now.