“Manang Fe,” I called the oldest helper. “Tell me the truth. How many times has this happened?”
Manang Fe burst into tears. She couldn’t hold it in anymore.
“Sir Marco… please forgive us…” she sobbed. “Señora Miranda does this every day when you leave for the office. She makes Ma’am Elena wash clothes. She forces her to scrub the floors. We’re not allowed to help. She said if we told you, she would have our families back in the province killed.”
My world collapsed.
“Every day?” I whispered. “My wife is eight months pregnant… and you treat her like an animal?!”
“Because she’s not worthy of you!” my mother suddenly screamed, her true colors showing. “She’s poor, Marco! She’s after your money! She needs to know her place! I’m your mother, so I’m the one who decides in this house!”
I slowly walked toward my mother. The woman I had respected my whole life was a monster.
“Ma,” I said, my voice shaking. “Because of you… my child was almost harmed. Because of you, my wife has been suffering.”
“That’s just discipline!”
“That’s not discipline. That’s abuse.”
I took out my phone.
“Guard,” I called the security outside. “Come in. Now.”
Two security guards entered.
“Ma,” I said coldly. “Leave.”
“W-What?! You’re kicking me out?! I’m your mother!”
“Yes. And she is my wife. She is my family now. And I won’t let you hurt them for even one more second.”
I pointed to the door.
“Pack your bags, Ma. The driver will take you back to the province. I’m cutting off your allowance and your access to this house. You are no longer welcome here.”
“Marco! You ungrateful son! You’ll fall without me!” my mother screamed as the guards dragged her out.
When the noise was finally gone, I held Elena tightly in my arms.
“I’m sorry, love…” Elena cried. “I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want you and your mom to fight… I just endured it…”
“Shhh. It’s not your fault,” I whispered, gently stroking her belly. “It’s my fault for being blind. But I promise, from now on, I will protect you and our child—no matter who stands against us.”
That day, I lost a mother, but I saved my real world: my wife and child.
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