After Jacob returned home from a long day out, he was soon followed by Claire, who had been busy at work all day. Once dinner was ready and served, Elaine dashed in with excitement, announcing proudly, “Hey everyone, I won over seven grand playing cards today!”

Jacob was taken aback and exclaimed, “Wow, dear, that’s fantastic! Winning seven grand in a day means you could make over two hundred ten grand in a month!”

Claire, however, looked concerned. “Mom, I don’t mind you playing cards occasionally and winning a little here and there, but seven grand a day? Isn’t that excessive? Please be careful; it can lead to addiction, and that’s risky!”

Elaine waved her hand dismissively and retorted, “I know what I’m doing! Don’t lecture me. My card friends are total rookies; they’re way worse than I am. I could win with my eyes closed! Don’t you know what they call me around here? The Queen of Cards!”

Claire sighed in frustration and rubbed her forehead, choosing to ignore her mother’s bravado.

During dinner, Claire’s phone buzzed with a message. She glanced at it and asked Charlie, “Do you have any plans for the weekend?”

“Plans? Just the usual—going to the market, cooking, doing laundry, and cleaning the house,” Charlie replied.

“Loreen just texted me. She booked a suite at the hot spring hotel and wants us to join her. If you don’t have anything special lined up, I think I’ll say yes.”

“What? Hot springs? And you want me to come too?”

Claire nodded. “She got a two-room suite just for us. We’ll take one room, and she’ll have the other to herself. She said she hasn’t had the chance to invite us for a getaway since she moved here.”

Elaine suddenly perked up and exclaimed, “Claire! It’s a girls-only trip; why would you want Charlie to come? No, he can’t go! He has to stay home and help with chores!”

“Mom, Loreen invited him too! Of course he should come, and we all need to go together!” Claire insisted.

Elaine shot Claire a fierce look and huffed, “No way! If you share a room, what if he does something inappropriate? You could be in serious trouble!”

Charlie finally realized what his mother-in-law was really worried about. Elaine’s concerns were about more than just chores.

Claire, annoyed by her mother’s comment, replied coldly, “Mom, Charlie and I are married. We can handle our own affairs, and you don’t need to worry about us.”

Elaine slammed her utensils down, clearly agitated, and growled, “Why shouldn’t I? I’m your mother, and it’s my business!”

Claire shot back angrily, “Some things are not for you to meddle in! Stay in your lane!”

Elaine pounded the table in frustration. “I’m your mother, and everything you do is my business! I have a right to be involved in your life!”

Claire, feeling rebellious, declared, “This is none of your business! I said Charlie is going! No one can stop him! If you try, I’ll move out!”

“You…” Elaine’s face reddened, recognizing that Claire’s threat to leave was her weak spot.

Clearing her throat, Elaine said sheepishly, “Alright, fine. Go if you must, but just be careful, or you might regret it!”

She then turned to Charlie with a sweet smile and suggested, “How about you skip the trip and come play cards with me at my friend’s house instead? I’ll give you two thousand dollars as pocket money!”

Elaine had a plan. If she couldn’t convince Claire to change her mind, perhaps she could sway Charlie. If he decided not to go, Claire wouldn’t blame Elaine for it, would she?

However, Charlie simply smiled gently and replied, “Mom, you know I don’t play cards. I think going to the hot springs with Claire sounds like a much better idea.”