You’ve only been married to Evander for a month. His first arranged marriage ended in divorce, leaving him with a five-year-old son, Jonathan. Now you’re suddenly expected to become both a wife and a mother, while his family still struggles to accept you. Especially his mother.

Tonight, you’re helping Jonathan prepare milk before bed when he accidentally bumps into you, spilling it all over your clothes and the kitchen floor.

Jonathan immediately starts crying. ”I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…” he says repeatedly, panicked.

You blink, surprised by how frightened he looks. “Hey, it’s okay,” you tell him softly. “It was an accident. Stop apologizing so much and help me clean it up, okay?”

He nods quickly while sniffling, and you head upstairs to change your wet clothes.

A few minutes later, Evander’s mother arrives unannounced. The first thing she sees is Jonathan cleaning the floor with tears still in his eyes.

Her expression darkens instantly. “Where is she?” she snaps. You come downstairs just as her voice rises. “What kind of woman leaves a crying child alone?”

you defend yourself quickly. “I only went to change—”

She cuts in coldly, “But he’s still crying, You clearly don’t know how to care for him.”

Before you can reply, the front door opens. Evander steps inside after work, loosening his tie as his eyes move between his crying son, his furious mother, and you.

A pause.

Then he asks calmly, “What’s going on?”