Priscilla sat on the couch with a smooth, practiced smile, watching Marcus across the lush, patterned carpet. Beside her sat Natalia, a warm, steady presence, cradling her baby girl and feeding her a gentle bowl of warm oats.
"He likes his toys," Priscilla remarked, glancing across the room where five-year-old Marcus was completely engrossed in a world of building blocks and stuffed animals.
Her grandchildren were undeniably endearing. Yet, Priscilla looked at Natalia not as the mother of those precious children, but simply as the woman who had married her son. She threw a sharp, measuring glance at her daughter-in-law.
"What do you do for work?" Priscilla asked. She was curious—or rather, skeptical—having heard from Aaron in the past that Natalia owned a small bakery shop.
Natalia's occupation wasn't flashy or corporate. She ran a modest, independent bakery, and in her spare time, she was taking local cooking classes to refine her craft. She looked up, her dark brown eyes meeting Priscilla's gaze, which remained fixed somewhat critically on Diana.
"I run a bakery shop," Natalia answered softly.
"A bakery shop," Priscilla repeated, her tone dripping with polite reservation. "It sounds productive..."
"And I attend cooking classes," Natalia added quickly, desperate not to appear idle or unambitious in her mother-in-law's eyes.
"That's your job?" Priscilla pressed.
"Yes," Natalia replied, keeping her voice even. She had run that shop with pride, building it from the ground up long before she ever met Aaron.
Priscilla mentally scoffed. I'm not sure how much you could possibly earn running a small bakery, she thought. "It sounds productive, but shouldn't you work in a proper organization to sharpen your skills?, Priscillia asked.
To Priscilla, Natalia seemed far too dependent on Aaron. She calculated silently: What is a bakery shop even worth? If Natalia starts working in a corporate organization, she'll be too busy to run that little shop of hers.
"I'm fine taking on what I can handle," Natalia said quietly, suddenly catching the underlying current of judgment. She realized, with a sinking feeling, just how hard Priscilla was trying to undermine her independence.
"You rely on my son that much?" Priscilla asked outright.
Natalia was stunned. Depend on Aaron? She never had. Even after marrying him, she had fought to keep her independence, pouring her heart into her dreams, her bakery, and her personal growth.
"I don't, Mother," Natalia whispered.
Priscilla didn't care for the denial. "Well, I just want you to be good for the kids," she said dismissively.
Natalia knew she was trying her absolute best, but Priscilla simply refused to understand.
As she wiped Diana's lips gently with a napkin after finishing the meal, a heavy wave of sadness washed over Natalia. She could read it plain as day in Priscilla's expression: her mother-in-law simply did not like her.
The realization stung deeply. Priscilla was supposed to care in a motherly way, offering tender affection and guidance. Instead, Natalia felt entirely irrelevant, as though her efforts counted for nothing. A gnawing sense of inadequacy began to take root. Is it my fault she doesn't like me? she wondered. She couldn't recall a single thing she had ever done to offend the older woman; the aversion had been there from the very first day.
Then, her thoughts drifted to a lingering insecurity—her lack of computer skills. Did that make her look unintelligent in their world? She had meant to learn, but between the bakery, the classes, and the children, she had never found the time. Now, it made her feel completely out of her depth.
I really should focus on being more efficient, she told herself bitterly. That must be it.
Yet, she was trying so hard. She extended endless grace and kindness toward a mother-in-law who treated her with cold disdain, only to feel like her efforts were entirely invisible. That was why it hurt so much.
She wanted to leave this house. The magnificent Wayne estate felt less like a home and more like a gilded cage. She wanted Aaron to come back, scoop her and the kids up, and take them far away from the heavy, suffocating atmosphere that Priscilla created.
In the spacious, exquisite office, Aaron sat in his high-backed ergonomic chair, lost in deep thought. He was anxiously thinking of his wife, Natalia, alongside his mother.
He knew all too well that his mother harbored a deep dislike for Natalia, having once unfairly accused her of being controlling when she was not. In reality, Natalia was the gentlest, most innocent soul he had ever known—completely devoid of malice and deeply cherished by him.
A knot of worry tightened in his chest, fearing that his mother might subject her to harsh, disrespectful remarks. Silently, in the quiet of his heart, he prayed that Natalia was alright.
Aaron was at work, but he always returned as quickly as he could. He knew how stern his mother was, and because he was naturally caring, he made it his mission to shield his wife emotionally whenever he was around.
Later that night, upstairs in the quiet safety of the guest bedroom, Aaron and Natalia rested together. Nightfall had brought a temporary peace to the estate.
"So... how was it with my mum today?" Aaron asked gently. He already knew the answer; his mother's sharp tongue spared no one.
"It was fine," Natalia lied softly, offering a faint smile. "We talked about the children and stayed in for a bit."
She deliberately hid Priscilla's mean remarks. She didn't want to burden Aaron with family strife, believing she could shoulder the weight on her own.
Aaron knew his mother far too well. He recognized the stubborn pride and the elitist opinions that blinded her to Natalia's true worth.
"Okay," Aaron said, studying her expressive, understanding eyes. "Well... I know my mum can be difficult. She says whatever she likes when the mood strikes her. Please, don't take her mean words personally. I don't support her behavior. Just try to avoid her if she acts stern, okay?"
"I will," Natalia promised, leaning into him.
"Natalia, you're such a good wife," Aaron murmured, deeply moved by her grace. He could sense the quiet resilience in her spirit, knowing she absorbed his mother's barbs without retaliating. He pulled her close, resting her head against his chest.
Natalia closed her eyes, listening to the steady, comforting beat of his heart. She was just glad Aaron was on her side. She could cope with Priscilla as long as she had him. Aaron, meanwhile, counted down the days until they could finally return to their own home, where his wife could breathe easy again.
Two days later, the front door chimed. Natalia checked the video monitor, a small smile breaking across her face as she saw Aaron standing on the porch. She unlocked the door immediately.
Aaron stepped forward, pressing a warm kiss to her cheek.
"Hi, Aaron," Natalia whispered when he pulled back.
"How've you been?" he asked, looking deeply into her dark brown eyes. Her hair was pulled back into a messy bun, with soft wisps framing her face, making her look effortlessly pretty. She was always pretty to him.
"Good. What about you?"
"Good too." He smiled warmly. "How are the kids?"
He stepped inside, and Natalia closed the door behind him, following him into the living room. Little Diana was in her high chair, happily shaking a rattle. Five-year-old Marcus looked up from his storybook, spotted his father, and leaped up with a joyful shout.
"Dad!"
Aaron scooped him up instantly in a tight embrace. "I missed you, my Marcus."
"Missed you too, Dad!" Marcus squeezed him fiercely.
Next, Aaron walked over to Diana, pressing a gentle kiss to her tiny hand. "And how have you been, little princess?" Diana's brown eyes lit up with excitement at the sight of her father.
Natalia stood quietly to the side, watching the scene unfold. Seeing Aaron with the children filled her heart with warmth, but it also crystallized one urgent thought: We are ready to leave. Weeks under Priscilla's critical roof had worn her down.
After a brief, polite farewell with Fred and Priscilla, the family finally packed up their things and headed home.
Seated in the passenger seat of the car, Natalia watched the streetlights blur past. She felt a profound sense of relief to be away from the estate. Though Priscilla's words still echoed faintly in the back of her mind, she forced them away. They didn't matter anymore.
Beside her, Aaron glanced over, noticing her deep contemplation, and gently steered the conversation toward his day at the office, filling the quiet space with comfort.
Several days later, back in the comfort of their own lavish home, the clock ticked past midnight. The house was fast asleep, wrapped in quiet shadows.
At the dining table, Natalia sat bathed in the soft glow of a screen. A laptop sat open before her. Though she was far from an expert, a quiet determination burned in her chest. She was going to master this.
Upstairs, Aaron woke up thirsty and padded quietly down the stairs to grab a glass of water. As he passed the dining room, a soft light caught his eye. He paused, peering into the room.
There sat Natalia, completely engrossed in what she was doing, entirely unaware of his presence.
Curious, Aaron set his glass down on the kitchen counter and walked over softly. He peered over her shoulder. On the screen, a YouTube tutorial played: How to Use a Computer for Beginners.
Aaron stared at the screen, a sudden realization dawning on him. A frown touched his brow as a troubling thought crossed his mind:
Did my mother talk her into doing this?