“Your mother is gone. Tears won’t bring her back—so wipe your face, make dinner, and don’t look like a grieving child when my guests arrive.” That was what my husband said.

He realized he was finished. All eyes were now on him, filled with disgust and disbelief. The same colleagues who had praised him earlier now looked at him like a monster. How could a man be so cruel to his wife? How could he celebrate a party right after burying his mother-in-law? The reputation Mark had built over the years crumbled in an instant. Mr. Harrison listened to my entire story without blinking. His face slowly changed from an impassive and authoritative expression. It now emanated extreme anger. His jaw tensed so much that the veins in his neck stood out. His right hand clenched into a tight fist at his side.