At my anniversary, my mother-in-law raised her glass: «To the daughter of a cleaning lady who got married successfully!» My husband was choking with laughter and filming it on his phone. My mother stood up and said three words, after which my mother-in-law turned pale…

When the main course arrived, Margaret pulled out pills and laid them by her plate. “Digestive enzymes,” she told the woman next to her. “At my age, you have to watch your health, though some,” she shot Anna a pointed look, “think at 30 you can eat anything.”

Anna stayed silent, savoring her grilled salmon. She wouldn’t let Margaret’s jabs ruin her mood. After the entrees, the emcee called for a dance break. The band played a slow song, and Steven, prompted by his mother’s glance, finally remembered his husbandly duties. “Dance?” he offered, extending a hand.

They stepped to the center. Steven’s hands rested on her waist, Anna’s on his shoulders. They moved to the music, but an invisible wall stood between them. Steven stared over her head, his mind elsewhere.

“Enjoying the party?” Anna asked, seeking connection. “Yeah, it’s fine,” he replied mechanically. “Mom’s happy, though she thinks the steak’s overcooked.”

Anna pursed her lips. “And you? How’s your steak?” “It’s okay,” he shrugged. “I’m not picky, you know.”

After the dance, Steven hurried back to his mother, who launched into an animated story, gesturing wildly. Anna stayed on the dance floor, joined by friends. They danced to upbeat tunes, laughing, and for a moment, Anna forgot the tension at the table.

Returning to the guests, she saw Ellen sitting alone, watching the fun with a gentle smile. Margaret had moved to a nearby table with Steven’s friends, chatting animatedly and occasionally glancing at Anna and her mother. “You okay, Mom?” Anna asked, sitting beside her.

Ellen nodded. “Of course, sweetie. It’s a wonderful party, and you look so beautiful today.”

Anna hugged her. “Thanks for coming. I know you’re tired after your shift.”

“What’s that?” Ellen waved it off. “For you, I’d move mountains.” Just then, Steven approached. “Anna, Mom wants to give a toast. Come to the table.”

Anna and Ellen returned to the main table. Margaret was already standing, champagne flute in hand. She waited for Anna to sit, then signaled the band to lower the music. “Attention, dear guests!” she announced in a clear voice. “Today’s a special day, a milestone. As the mother of our birthday girl’s husband, I’d like to say a few words.”

The room quieted, all eyes on her. Steven watched his mother with admiration, phone ready to record. Anna tensed. Something in Margaret’s tone made her brace herself. She felt Ellen’s hand gently cover hers under the table.

Margaret scanned the silent room and smiled. That particular smile Anna had learned to recognize as trouble. “Life is full of surprises,” she began, raising her glass. “You never know what twists fate has in store. Take my son. From a respected, educated family, with a great job at a top company, he meets…” She paused, choosing her words. “…a girl from a very different world. And falls so hard he loses his head.”

A murmur rippled through the room. Anna felt heat rush to her face. “Anna,” Margaret continued, locking eyes with her, “became part of our family. And today, we celebrate her thirtieth birthday. A milestone. So, let’s raise our glasses to the janitor’s daughter who married so well.”

She emphasized “janitor’s daughter” with a pause before and after. The room froze. Someone choked on their wine, others stared at their plates. Waiters with dessert trays stood still. Steven didn’t look shocked or embarrassed. He was stifling laughter, filming the scene.

He found it hilarious—his wife’s public humiliation by his mother. Anna felt her dress suddenly too tight. The bracelet from her mom weighed heavily on her wrist. She wanted to vanish, to be anywhere but here, under dozens of pitying stares. Ellen sat rigid, her hand still on Anna’s, now trembling slightly.

She looked at Margaret with an expression Anna had never seen on her quiet, humble mother’s face. Margaret, pleased with her impact, sipped her champagne and sat, casting a triumphant glance at Anna. “Mom was just joking,” Steven finally said, still filming. “She’s got a unique sense of humor, right, Anna?”

But Anna couldn’t speak. A lump clogged her throat, and red spots danced before her eyes. She stared at her mother-in-law and husband, feeling the fragile house of cards that was her marriage collapse. Ellen slowly rose from her seat.

The room was so silent you could hear the chair scrape the hardwood. The older woman stood tall, and suddenly it was clear where Anna got her proud posture and iron will. She fixed Margaret with a long, piercing look that wiped the smile off her face…