Mary always thought marriage would bring her joy, but with Ed came a price she hadn’t bargained for—his mother, Scarlett. From the very start, Scarlett made it clear she didn’t approve. On their wedding day, she arrived wearing a veil.
Mary remembered thinking, At least she didn’t come in a full wedding dress. That was the kind of mother Scarlett was—clinging to her “little boy,” no matter how grown-up he was.
Now, every visit to Scarlett’s house felt like walking into battle.
As Mary and Ed drove in silence toward Scarlett’s home, the tension in the car was heavy. Mary pressed her hands together in her lap, already counting the minutes until the ride back.
They pulled into the driveway, and Mary reluctantly climbed out, following behind Ed. She forced a smile, preparing for whatever venom Scarlett would spit this time.
The door flew open, and Scarlett rushed forward with her arms wide. “Oh, my baby! You’re finally here! I’ve missed you more than you know!” She squeezed Ed tightly.
“Mom, it’s only been a week,” Ed muttered, gently pulling away.
Scarlett gave him a soft look, then her eyes shifted to Mary. Her smile vanished. “Well, Mary, I see you’ve gained a few pounds,” she said with a smirk.
Mary swallowed hard, forcing a tight smile. “Good to see you too, Scarlett.”
Dinner was torture. Scarlett didn’t miss a beat, attacking Mary’s cooking, her job, even her clothes. “Mary doesn’t know how to cook. She doesn’t work in a respectable place. She can’t even dress herself properly,” she said, pausing every few words to glance at Ed, waiting for his agreement.
Mary’s fingers dug into her fork. She stayed quiet, knowing any word would only fuel Scarlett’s cruelty. But then Scarlett leaned forward, her eyes sharp, her voice dripping with malice.
“I think it’s high time you gave me a grandchild,” she said. Then she smirked. “Or maybe Mary has… some issues?”
Mary’s chest tightened. Her biggest pain, her secret hope—being a mother—was now Scarlett’s weapon. For six months, she and Ed had been trying, with no success. Scarlett’s words stabbed deep.
“How dare you!” Mary’s voice trembled with anger. “Stop meddling in our lives! Maybe it’s your son who has the problem!”
Scarlett gasped, then snapped back, “That’s absurd! My Eddie is perfectly healthy. But you? Who knows what you were doing before you trapped him into marriage?”
Mary’s face burned red. “You’re a witch!” she spat, turning to Ed. “Are you just going to sit there and let her talk to me like this?”
Scarlett’s eyes glittered with satisfaction. “Yes, Eddie, tell your crazy wife to show some respect.”
But Ed just shrugged, scrolling through his phone. “Work it out yourselves.”
Mary’s heart broke a little more.
Scarlett smirked. “My neighbor mentioned herbal teas that help women like you. Maybe you should try that.”
Mary clutched her stomach suddenly, a wave of nausea washing over her. “Why don’t you drink your own tea?” she managed to whisper before rushing to the bathroom.
When she returned, pale and exhausted, she whispered to Ed, “I want to go home.”
Scarlett tilted her head with mock concern. “Oh dear, are you feeling sick?”
Mary narrowed her eyes. “You probably poisoned me.”
On the drive back, her thoughts spun wildly. She couldn’t shake the feeling. Finally, she whispered, “Ed, can you stop at the pharmacy?”
He sighed but pulled in. Mary grabbed a pregnancy test and hurried home. Moments later, in the bathroom, she held her breath. Two pink lines appeared. Her heart leapt. Tears filled her eyes. She ran out, holding the test.
“Ed, we’re going to have a baby!” she exclaimed, glowing.
Ed looked at it, his face blank. “Oh. That’s… good.”
Her joy deflated instantly.
Weeks later, Mary sat on the edge of their bed, waiting for Ed to finish his shower before their first doctor’s appointment. He was colder than ever, distant, lost in his own world.
His phone buzzed. Normally, she would never touch it. But something inside her hesitated. She reached for it.
There was a passcode now. Her pulse raced. She tried his birthday—unlocked. The screen lit up with a photo of a half-dressed woman, smiling. Underneath: Can’t wait to see you, baby.
Mary scrolled, her stomach twisting with every word. Ed told this woman he was rich, a construction company owner. Lie after lie.
Her hands shook as she screenshot everything.
When Ed stepped out, Mary held the phone up. “What is this?!” she cried.
He snatched it back. “None of your business.”
“None of my business?!” Mary’s voice cracked. “You’re cheating on me! And I’m pregnant, Ed. Your pregnant wife!”
He sneered. “How do I even know the baby’s mine?”
Mary staggered back. “Are you serious? We’ve been trying for months!”
He crossed his arms. “Six months of nothing, and suddenly now? Seems convenient.”
Mary’s tears fell as she shouted, “You’ve been with her for more than six months! I saw it all. You lied to her too—you told her you’re rich!”
Ed shrugged, his face cold. “Doesn’t matter. I’m filing for divorce. This marriage is over. And I’ll take this house. Plus, my mom’s money.”
Mary gasped. “This house was bought by my father!”
“It’s in both our names,” he said smugly.
“What about the baby?” she whispered.
He shrugged. “Can’t prove it’s mine until it’s born. Too late by then.” He slammed the door, leaving her broken.
Desperate, Mary turned to the last person she thought she’d ever trust—Scarlett.
She poured everything out: Ed’s affair, his lies, his threats to steal the house. She expected Scarlett to laugh or dismiss her. But Scarlett’s face grew pale.
Scarlett whispered, “He’s been taking money from me too. Every penny his father left, gone. He said it was for your fertility treatments.”
Mary’s heart sank. “He never went to a doctor. I checked our accounts—he’s been taking out huge amounts.”
Scarlett clenched her fists, tears filling her eyes. “I can’t believe my son would do this. He’s just like his father. A cheater. I endured it, hoping Ed would be better. But he isn’t. I won’t let you suffer too.”
Mary looked at her, stunned. For once, Scarlett wasn’t her enemy.
Scarlett’s voice hardened. “We’ll make him pay. You have proof, yes?”
Mary nodded. “Screenshots.”
“Good. I have his toothbrush. When the baby is born, we’ll do a DNA test. He won’t escape this time.”
Together, Mary and Scarlett confronted Ed. Mary’s voice was steady. “I have all your messages. Scarlett has seen them too. You’re out of tricks.”
Ed paled as Mary laid out her ultimatum. “Sign the divorce papers. Give up your claim to the house. Agree to child support. Or I’ll make sure your mistress learns the truth.”
Ed, cornered, signed. But he had no idea Scarlett had already gone to the mistress, exposing every one of his lies.
A week later, as Mary and Scarlett enjoyed tea at Mary’s house, furious banging rattled the door.
“You promised you wouldn’t tell if I signed!” Ed roared outside.
Mary calmly sipped her tea. “I didn’t tell her, Ed.”
Scarlett’s voice cut through the air, sharp and firm. “I did. I warned you about lying, but you never listened.”
“You’ll regret this!” Ed screamed. “I’ll ruin both of you!”
But flashing lights filled the street. Police swarmed, pulling Ed away in handcuffs after neighbors called about the disturbance.
Mary and Scarlett sat quietly, sipping their tea, their bond stronger than ever. For the first time, Mary realized—Scarlett wasn’t her enemy anymore. She was her ally. And together, they would protect the baby from Ed’s darkness.