The Son Who Finally Said "Enough"
For a moment, no one moved.
The kitchen clock read 3:12 a.m. Water continued running into the sink. Anna stood trembling, one hand instinctively covering her swollen belly while my mother's fingers remained tangled in her hair.
I had spent thirty-four years fearing one woman's disappointment.
Tonight... I feared losing another.
"Let her go."
My voice was quiet.
My mother laughed. "Don't be ridiculous, Ethan. She's lazy. She needs discipline."
I took one step forward. "Take. Your. Hands. Off. My. Wife."
Something in my face must have changed. My mother slowly released Anna's hair. Anna nearly collapsed, and I caught her before she hit the floor. She buried her face against my chest, shaking so hard I could barely keep my own balance.
My mother folded her arms. "So now you're choosing her over your own mother?"
I looked directly into her eyes. "No."
"I'm choosing what's right."
She scoffed. "After everything I've done for you?"
I gently wrapped a blanket around Anna's shoulders. Then I picked up my phone.
"I'm calling the police."
The silence that followed was louder than any scream.