A Mother's Silence

Ann woke before the sun had fully risen. She lay still for several minutes, staring at the ceiling while the events of the previous days replayed in her mind.

Daniel had changed. Or perhaps she had only started noticing the man he had become.

She slowly sat up and wiped the tears that had escaped during the night. She had cried quietly again, making sure Daniel would not hear her. She did not want another argument. She did not want him to accuse her of being dramatic or difficult. She simply wanted peace.

When she entered the kitchen, Daniel was already dressed for work. He sat at the dining table, scrolling through his phone. "Good morning," Ann greeted softly.

Daniel barely looked up. "Morning."

She moved around the kitchen, preparing breakfast. Her movements were slow, and the tiredness on her face was impossible to hide.

Daniel's mother, Mrs. Damien entered the dining room shortly afterward. She stopped when she saw Ann and for a moment, she simply watched her daughter-in-law. Ann looked nothing like the cheerful young woman who had entered their family months ago. Her eyes were dull, her shoulders were always lowered, and there was a permanent sadness behind her smile.

Mrs. Damien noticed. She noticed everything. She noticed how Ann always served Daniel first. She noticed how Ann rarely sat down until everyone else had eaten. She noticed how Daniel spoke to her. And she noticed how Ann flinched whenever his voice became harsh.

"Good morning, Mama," Ann greeted, curving a smile onto her face.

"Good morning, my dear." Mrs. Damien greeted her before entering the dining to take her seat

Ann placed breakfast before them and she watched Daniel pick up his plate without saying thank you just like he always did.

"Is there tea?" he inquired.

"Yes. I'll bring it." Ann answered urgently and hurried back to the kitchen.

Mrs. Damien watched her disappear then she faced her son who still wouldn't even give his wife a glare. "Daniel," she said quietly.

He looked up with a smile appearing on his face. "What's that, mama?"

"Your wife looks tired." Mrs. Damien relayed.

His expression was covered with a frown but in order to be careful not to be scolded by his mom, Daniel shrugged. "She's always complaining. Maybe she should learn to manage herself better."

Mrs. Damien frowned slightly. "She doesn't look like she's complaining."

With his left hand out, he tried to pause his mom. "Mother, please. Don't start." He returned his head back to his phone. “I’m not in the mood for that this morning, mama. I’ve got so much to do for work.”

Mrs. Damien studied her son carefully. She could sense something wasn't feeling right. There was something different in his eyes whenever he spoke about Ann. It was not love. It was irritation, pride, and something she could not quite understand.

Mrs. Damien wanted to ask what was happening between them. She wanted to tell him that marriage was not supposed to feel like punishment. But she remained silent.

She had always believed that a wife should learn how to keep her home together. Perhaps Ann had done something to upset him. Perhaps Daniel was simply going through a difficult period. Perhaps interfering would make matters worse. So she decided saying a word could ruin things that they wouldn't be able to repair.

When Ann returned with the tea, Mrs. Damien forced a small smile. "Sit down and eat something too."

Ann shook her head. "I will later."

Mrs. Damien disagreed. "You should eat now."

Ann hesitated for some moment and the moment Daniel glanced at her, she refused to change her mind.

"I have to leave soon." The message was clear.

Ann nodded. "I'll eat after you leave."

Mrs. Damien watched her lower her eyes. Something inside her tightened. She remembered being young and newly married herself. She remembered how difficult marriage could be. She had also endured moments when her husband had been distant and angry. But she had stayed. She had believed patience could fix everything. Maybe Ann needed patience too. That was what Mrs. Damien told herself.

Later that afternoon, Mrs. Damien returned to the house unexpectedly and something shocking caught her attention. Someone was sobbing? She was taken aback. How could it be? Was anyone at home more ordered than her husband? So, who could be crying?

With her curiosity, she walked hastily to the living room and the moment she saw the person, she came to an abrupt stop. Ann? It was Ann. The young woman was sitting on the floor beside the sofa, her hands covering her face.

Mrs. Damien stood behind the doorway while trying to figure out what was wrong yet, she couldn't take any step.

Oh, how badly she wanted to ask what exactly was wrong. She could hold Ann and tell her that she was not alone. But she didn't.

Instead, she stepped backward and waited till she was sure Ann was fine.

A few moments later, Ann finally wiped her face and stood up without realizing anyone had seen her. She tilted her head up and began to complete her living room arrangement.

Seeing she was quite better, Mrs. Damien turned around and went upstairs. She entered her room and slumped herself on the edge of her bed, staring at nothing. She knew something was wrong. A mother would always know exactly when her children aren't fine. And she knew Daniel was exactly at fault. Yet, admitting that Daniel was wrong meant admitting that the son she had raised was capable of becoming cruel. And she wasn't ready to face that truth. It was two timing. He wasn't a bad man, she knew that and she also knew it was out of pressure for him to react in a way her daughter in-law doesn't like.

I would carefully watch those two. She finally said. I wouldn't interrupt them but I'll make sure I come in at the very right time.

Later that evening, Daniel came home late and right when dinner was served. Both Mrs. Damien and Ann greeted him and he replied, trying to head upstairs but his mother stopped him.

“Eat before you go up.” she proposed and for some seconds he thought about it before nodding his head to join them.

He headed straight to the dining room and his dinner was quietly served by Ann while Mrs. Damien watched from across the room.

Daniel complained about the food. "This doesn't look hot."

Ann nodded as she apologized. "I'm sorry. I prepared the meal quite too early and served thinking I might not be able to do it since you entered late,” she explained. “I'll warm it again if you don't mind."

"You can't even do one thing properly." He protested.

Ann, remembering herself not to argue, lowered her head while Mrs. Damien's fingers tightened around her cup of tea she was slowly swallowing.

She wanted to speak so badly. She wanted to tell Daniel to stop. But the words remained trapped in her throat.

Ann picked up the plate of food and carried it back to the kitchen.

Mrs. Damien followed her with her eyes.

Their gazes met briefly. For a second, Ann looked as though she wanted to say something. Perhaps she hoped Mrs. Damien would notice. Perhaps she hoped someone would finally defend her. But Mrs. Damien only looked away.

Ann's expression fell.

That night, as Mrs. Damien prepared for bed, she remembered the look on Ann's face. It followed her into her dreams.

Still, she remained silent.

She convinced herself that their marriage was their business. She convinced herself that Daniel would eventually change. She convinced herself that Ann would find a way to make things better. But deep inside, she knew the truth. Her silence was not protecting the family. It was protecting her son from facing the consequences of his actions.

And while Mrs. Ann chose silence, Ann was slowly losing hope that anyone in Daniel's family would ever stand beside her.