Mark’s decision to call the police was not made lightly. It was a decisive step that underscored his commitment to protecting our new family unit from further harm. As he spoke to the dispatcher, I could sense the weight lifting from his shoulders, replaced by a newfound determination to set boundaries that had long been overdue. He had always wanted to believe the best in his mother, but this was a betrayal he could not overlook.

Minutes later, the police arrived, their presence both reassuring and surreal. Diane’s indignant protests filled the air as she was led away, her cries of injustice falling on deaf ears. The guests, initially shocked and silent, began to murmur among themselves, processing the dramatic turn of events they had just witnessed.