“Mum, stop this already! What do you mean she’s not your daughter-in-law? Am I not your son?” Henry demanded, his voice tight with fury, eyes reddening with restrained anger.

“You are,” Mrs Williams snapped, “but I might disown you if you don’t start listening to me. Do you want me to lose face in this city? Among my friends? Even my enemies? Do you want people to laugh behind my back?” Her voice echoed through the mansion, trembling with rage.

Henry leaned close to his mother’s ear, his voice low and urgent. “Mum, I’m your son—you know me better than anyone. And Dad is your husband—you know him more than...