Mary’s marriage to Ed had come with a heavy burden: his mother, Scarlett, who never bothered to hide her disdain. From cruel comments on Mary’s wedding day to relentless criticisms during every visit, Scarlett seemed determined to make Mary feel unworthy.
But Mary’s tolerance would be tested beyond its limits, and Scarlett’s meddling would soon bring everything to a head.
As Mary and Ed drove in silence toward Scarlett’s house, Mary already dreaded the encounter. Scarlett had openly displayed her resentment from day one. She remembered the wedding all too well—Scarlett had shown up with a veil, and Mary had been grateful she hadn’t worn a full wedding dress.
Scarlett was one of those mothers who just couldn’t let go of her “little boy.”
Pulling into the driveway, Mary took a deep breath, preparing herself for the inevitable remarks. As they reached the door, Scarlett appeared with a big grin, immediately wrapping her arms around Ed. “Oh, my baby! You’re finally here! I’ve missed you more than you know!” she exclaimed, holding him close as though it had been years, not days.
Ed tried to gently pull away. “Mom, it’s only been a week,” he replied, but Scarlett only gave him a brief look before her eyes fell on Mary.
“Well, Mary, I see you’ve gained a few pounds,” she said with a smirk. Mary suppressed a sigh, forcing herself to smile tightly. “Good to see you too, Scarlett,” she replied, hoping her polite words would keep the peace.
At dinner, Scarlett unleashed her usual complaints. “Mary doesn’t know how to cook. She doesn’t work anywhere respectable. And honestly,” Scarlett sniffed, “she doesn’t even dress properly!” She looked at Ed as if expecting him to agree.
Mary gripped her fork tightly, biting her tongue, knowing any response would only fuel Scarlett’s fire. But then Scarlett took a jab that cut deeper than ever before.
“Well,” Scarlett said, her gaze locked on Mary, “it’s about time you gave me a grandchild. Or perhaps,” she added with a smirk, “Mary has… some issues?”
Mary’s heart dropped. She and Ed had been trying for a baby for months without success, and Scarlett’s words stung like salt in a wound. “How dare you!” Mary shot back, her voice breaking. “Stop meddling in our lives! Maybe it’s your son who has the problem!”
Scarlett leaned back, a mocking smile on her face. “That’s ridiculous! My son is perfectly healthy. But you, Mary… who knows what you were up to before Eddie?”
Mary’s anger boiled over. “You’re a damn witch!” she shouted, turning to Ed, hoping he’d back her up. “Are you really going to let her say this to me?”
Scarlett shot Ed a pointed look. “Yes, Eddie, tell your crazy wife to show some respect,” she sneered.
But Ed simply shrugged, barely looking up from his phone. “Work it out yourselves,” he mumbled, clearly uninterested.
Scarlett leaned in closer to Mary, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I hear herbal teas are good for people like you. Maybe you should try some.”
Feeling sick from the argument and Scarlett’s words, Mary stood abruptly. “Why don’t you drink it yourself?” she muttered, rushing off to the bathroom to steady herself.
The drive home felt like a dark cloud. Mary’s mind raced with anger, exhaustion, and a strange feeling of dread. She finally turned to Ed. “Can you stop at the pharmacy?”
He sighed but pulled into the parking lot. She quickly grabbed a pregnancy test, her hands shaking as she paid. Once home, she dashed into the bathroom, staring at the test, her heart pounding. Slowly, two lines appeared. She was pregnant. Relief and joy flooded her, but when she shared the news with Ed, he barely looked up.
“Oh. That’s… good,” he mumbled, his eyes distant.
Mary’s heart sank. She’d hoped this would bring them closer, that Ed would feel the joy she felt. But his reaction left her feeling even lonelier. Days passed, and Ed grew even more distant.
One morning, as she waited for him to finish his shower before a doctor’s appointment, she noticed his phone buzzing beside her. Normally, she’d ignore it, but his cold behavior made her hesitate.
In a moment of weakness, she picked up his phone and was startled to see it now had a passcode. She tried his birthdate, and the screen unlocked. A message stared back at her: a photo of a woman dressed provocatively with the words, “Can’t wait to see you, baby.”
Her hands shook as she scrolled through the conversation, each message a new stab of betrayal. Ed had been lying to this woman too, telling her he was a wealthy construction company owner.
When Ed came out of the bathroom, she was waiting for him, his phone in hand, her face pale. “What is this?” she demanded, showing him the messages.
Ed’s expression hardened, and he snatched the phone away. “None of your business.”
“None of my business?” she cried, her voice cracking. “You’re cheating on me! I’m pregnant, Ed—your pregnant wife!”
He sneered. “How do I even know this baby’s mine?”
Mary’s heart dropped. “Are you serious? We’ve been trying for months, and now, you doubt me?” Her voice broke as Ed crossed his arms.
“Convenient timing,” he said coldly. “Suddenly, you’re pregnant just as things fall apart.”
Mary’s voice trembled with anger. “You’ve been seeing her for more than six months! Lying to her, lying to me!” She clutched her stomach, feeling a new resolve. But Ed just shrugged.
“I’m filing for divorce,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion. “This marriage is over. I’ll take the house, my mom’s money—everything.”
“This house was bought by my father!” Mary shot back.
“Yeah? It’s in both our names.” He sneered.
“And what about our baby?”
“You can’t prove it’s mine,” he replied coldly, then told her to leave.
Desperate and heartbroken, Mary went to the one person she never thought she’d turn to—Scarlett. She needed Scarlett to see the truth, hoping it might bring some justice.
Mary poured out everything, showing Scarlett the screenshots, sharing every cruel threat Ed had made. Scarlett listened, her face paling as Mary’s words sank in.
When Mary finished, Scarlett’s eyes filled with unshed tears. “He’s been lying to me too,” she admitted, her voice trembling. “He said he needed money for doctor visits because you couldn’t get pregnant. Every penny his father left me, gone.”
Mary reached out, feeling an unexpected kinship. “I checked our account. He’s been siphoning money for months.”
Scarlett clenched her fists. “I can’t believe my own son would do this.”
They devised a plan, and Scarlett promised, “I’ll make sure he pays. I’ll protect you and this baby.”
With Scarlett’s support, Mary confronted Ed, armed with the evidence she’d gathered. “I have everything saved,” she told him, her voice steady. “And Scarlett knows too. So, here’s the deal: sign the house over to me, agree to pay child support, and I’ll keep quiet.”
Backed into a corner, Ed reluctantly agreed, but Scarlett had a final move of her own. She visited Ed’s lover, revealing his lies, his fake stories, his deception. She left nothing unspoken, ensuring the woman knew the truth.
Days later, Scarlett and Mary were having tea together, reflecting on the storm they’d weathered. Suddenly, there was a loud banging on the door, followed by Ed’s furious voice. “You promised you wouldn’t tell!” he shouted, his tone wild.
Mary calmly stood up. “I didn’t tell her anything, Ed.”
Scarlett’s voice rang out firmly. “I did,” she said, standing by Mary’s side. “You’ve hurt enough people. It’s time to face the consequences.”
Ed yelled threats, but before he could go further, police officers arrived, alerted by concerned neighbors. They led him away, his voice fading as he continued to shout empty promises of revenge.
Inside, Mary and Scarlett shared a quiet smile. Despite everything, they had found strength in each other, united not only by blood but by a shared purpose to protect the future of the family—this time, for Mary’s child.
What do you think of the story? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
