Liam

"My Liam deserves better," said Eleanor, my mother-in-law, stirring the sugar loudly, her icy gaze never leaving my face. "We were talking to Chloe at the charity event yesterday. She's the minister's daughter, a smart girl, and she runs a chain of galleries. Now that's a match for the owner of a construction company."

We were sitting in the living room of our house. Liam had just walked in, wearily loosening his tie after a hard day at the office.

"Mom, stop it," he winced, kissing my cheek. "Stop interfering with my personal life and business. I love my wife."

"Love fades, son, but status remains," Eleanor muttered, looking with disgust at my simple housecoat. "That provincial woman can't even cook a decent dinner. Did you order delivery? Are you wasting my son's money again?"

“I earn my own money, Eleanor Viktorovna,” I answered quietly but firmly, clenching my fists.

"Are you making money? Your pennies in copywriting are a joke to our family!" She stood up abruptly. "Liam, Chloe is waiting for your call about the sponsorship. Don't miss your chance to correct the mistake of your youth."

When the door slammed behind her, a heavy silence fell over the room. Liam sat down on the sofa, hiding his face in his hands.

"Is she right, Liam?" My voice wavered. "Am I a mistake to you?"

“Stop it,” he replied hoarsely. “You know what she’s like. Just ignore her.”

But I saw his phone light up with a notification from an unknown number: "Liam, it's Chloe. Mom gave me your contact information..."