I’d only been married for two days when my mil dismissed the housekeeper, passed me her apron, and expected me to take her place. She assumed I’d accept it without a word but she had completely misjudged me.

simply to sit around looking pretty.”

Daniel leaned casually against the counter.

“Mom’s traditional. Just go along with it.”

I turned toward him.

“Go along with it?”

He lowered his voice.

“Emily, don’t start drama two days into our marriage.”

That sentence told me everything I needed to know.

During our eleven-month engagement, Daniel had always described his mother as “difficult but harmless.”

He had also promised that after the wedding, we would move into our own home.

Instead, the morning after the ceremony, he announced that living in Patricia’s mansion “for a few months” would help us save money.

I hadn’t argued.

That had been my first mistake.

Patricia pointed toward the floor.

“Pick up the apron.”

Maria looked at me.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Whitmore.”

I shook my head.

“