My Mother-in-Law Forced Me and My Three Daughters to Live in a Cramped Room Beside the Laundry, Constantly Telling Me, “A Woman Who Can't Give This Family a Son Is Worthless.” The Morning She Publicly Humiliated Me in Front of Forty Charity Donors, a Billionaire Quietly Took Off His Jacket, Wrapped It Around My Shivering Girls, and Said, “They're Leaving With Me.”.352

Silence.

Margaret’s expression did not change.

But I knew that face.

I had seen it before punishment.

“Excuse me?”

“My daughters.”

I heard someone inhale.

“They’ve been locked upstairs since this morning.”

Margaret walked away from the podium.

“Emily is under considerable emotional strain.”

I laughed again.

This time I meant it.

“You told me they ruin elegant events.”

“Enough.”

“And you charge me for their toothpaste.”

“Enough.”

“You took my house.”

Her cheeks colored.

“You have no idea what you are saying.”

“You took Michael’s insurance.”

“Stop.”

“You took my mother’s necklace.”

“Emily.”

“You tell my daughters they’re disappointments because they aren’t boys.”

That was when Margaret reached me.

Her voice went very quiet.

“You ungrateful little parasite.”

I whispered, “Tell them where we sleep.”

Her pupils narrowed.

“What?”

“Tell everyone.”

I looked around the room.

“My daughters and I sleep beside the laundry.”