CHAPTER 2 – The Kitchen Goes Silent
CHAPTER 2 – The Kitchen Goes Silent
Ethan didn't raise his voice.
He simply walked to the sink, gently took the heavy pan from his wife's shaking hands, and turned off the faucet.
"Lena," he said softly, "look at me."
She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
"I'm sorry. Dinner ran late, and your mom said guests shouldn't have to clean—"
"You've been on your feet all day?"
She nodded.
"Since breakfast."
"And you're eight months pregnant."
Another nod.
Ethan slowly wrapped a towel around her damp hands.
"Go sit down."
"I can finish—"
"No."
For the first time since they had married, there was no room for negotiation in his voice.
He walked into the living room carrying the dirty pan.
His mother, Carol, barely looked up from her phone.
"About time," she muttered. "The kitchen's still a disaster."
Ethan placed the pan on the coffee table.
Grease splashed across the polished wood.
Everyone looked up.
"What are you doing?" his uncle demanded.
"I'm returning something that belongs to all of you."
Silence.
"You cooked?"
"No."
"You made this mess?"
"No."
"So why is my pregnant wife cleaning it while six healthy adults sit here watching television?"
Nobody answered.
Carol finally scoffed.
"She's the woman of the house."
Ethan looked directly at her.
"No."
May you like
"She's my wife."
"And she's carrying your grandchild."
