Chapter 19: Silent struggle
Ethan walked over to Mara, wrapping an arm around her waist. He leaned in and whispered, "I'm sorry. My mom..."
Mara froze. She had never been great with mothers, and now, here she was—meeting her mother-in-law for the first time, looking like a complete mess.
Ethan straightened and spoke proudly. "Mum, this is my wife, Mara."
Maria subtly stepped away from Mrs. Anderson as the older woman's gaze shifted between the two women.
"And she is?" Mrs. Anderson asked, her sharp eyes settling back on Maria.
Mara quickly stepped in. "Nice to meet you." She stretched out her flour-covered hand. "That's my friend, Maria. She's visiting for a few days."
Mrs. Anderson took Mara's hand with a warm smile. "Nice to meet you too, daughter-in-law. You're so beautiful, and I love your sense of fashion." Her eyes twinkled with amusement. "But, girl, the kitchen is absolutely not for you."
Mara sighed dramatically. "Yeah... everything decided to go wrong today."
Maria chuckled. "Don't worry, Mara. I'll handle it."
Mrs. Anderson turned to her son. "Son, don't you have a cook?" She raised an eyebrow before glancing back at Mara. "Let her be the one to cook," she said softly, a thoughtful expression on her face.
She liked Mara the moment she saw her, she liked her. But she had lived long enough to know when something wasn't right. Something was going on between Maria and Ethan. She could feel it.