Today, Margaret decided to finish her workday about an hour and a half earlier than she usually did. The thing was, her husband Nicholas had his birthday today, and she needed to prepare for the upcoming celebration. — Nancy, I’m leaving early today, it’s my hubby’s happy birthday, so keep that in mind, okay? — Margaret said to her coworker and with a habitual gesture took off her apron, shaking off the hair from it.

Her coworker nodded gloomily and impassively continued working on the hairdo of a full-figured lady, her regular client. But, catching a glimpse that Margaret was already packing her tools, getting ready to leave work, she wished her goodbye: — Margo, just watch yourself, hold it together, don’t let your Gargoyle Patterson mess with your head, okay? — Okay, I won’t, — Margaret smiled.

Gargoyle Patterson, or according to her passport Zelda Patterson, was Margaret’s mother-in-law. She, like no one else, knew how to brainwash any person, leaving their self-esteem in ruins. Margaret knew about this trait of Nicholas’s mom firsthand.

But what could she do? Today was the birthday of her beloved sonny, and Zelda Patterson simply couldn’t miss it. Therefore, Margaret was prepared for aggression from her mother-in-law. But today was her holiday too, so Margaret wanted to rejoice for her husband no matter what.

Today she really wanted to be the best wife in the world for Nicholas, and for that, she herself needed to be perfect. Zelda Patterson had to be pampered, one had to fuss around her, begging for commands. She always had to be given a lot of attention, so right after work, Margaret flew to the other end of the city to buy a cake for Nicholas.

That very cake that mommy had picked out for her precious sonny. Zelda Patterson herself couldn’t trek that far due to her health condition, doctors forbade it. But Margaret could do it no problem, she’s young, right? She won’t fall apart, she’ll go.

As soon as Margaret lifted her foot to board the bus, her cell phone buzzed in her pocket. It was Nicholas calling. — Honey, hello, — a sugary voice of her husband sounded from the receiver.

— I’m calling to tell you this. So you know, I invited Lena and Victor over today. I hope you won’t mind? — Margaret had just managed to sit in the only free seat on the bus when her husband asked the question, hinting at coordination with her.

Lord, of course she was against it. How could it be otherwise, since Lena was Nicholas’s ex-wife, and Lena’s current husband Victor was his direct boss. Therefore, Margaret didn’t object to her husband’s will…