I spent two days cooking Thanksgiving dinner. Before tasting anything, my mother-in-law m0cked my food and homemade rolls. I smiled, packed every dish into my car, and left. Four hours later, their calls wouldn’t stop.

I looked at him.

“You laughed.”

His forehead creased.

“What?”

“Yesterday. Your mother embarrassed me in front of everyone, and you smiled.”

“I was uncomfortable.”

“So was I.”

I removed my wedding ring.

Then I placed it beside the audit folder.

“But discomfort didn’t make me disrespect you.”

Six months later, Mercer Construction entered a major restructuring after lenders reviewed the company’s financial problems.

Martin eventually lost control of the business.

Brooke closed her boutique.

Vanessa cooperated with the review process.