Just three weeks after her wedding, Jenna discovered her beautifully crafted wedding album torn apart. The joyful memories were scattered in pieces across the floor of her living room. Confronting her mother-in-law, who was already in tears, Jenna could hardly believe the scene before her. She clutched a torn photo and sobbed, feeling a mix of sorrow and shock. “I never wanted you to see this…” It was a sight that had completely stopped Jenna in her tracks. She already had a bit of a strange feeling when her mother-in-law, Mildred, wanted to see her for coffee that day. Normally, she would never come by without her son, and now Jenna’s husband, Cody, was present. He would be at work the whole day, but Mildred was noticeably persistent. And Jenna now knew why… Jenna could not believe what she saw. In the middle of her neat living room was her mother-in-law, Mildred, sitting down on her knees. Tears were streaming down her cheeks and leaking onto the ground. In her hand, she still clutched a couple of torn-up photos. And when Jenna scanned the rest of the floor, it did not take her long to realize where those photos came from. Her beautifully hand-crafted wedding photo album. A book on which she had spent countless hours putting in every photo, decorating every page, and really making it feel special. Ever since she finished it a couple of days ago, Jenna had proudly been displaying it on her coffee table. But now it was all over the floor, completely torn to shreds by the hand of her mother-in-law. Jenna had only been out of the room for a couple of minutes, getting coffee and something to eat. How did Mildred even have time to destroy her precious photo album down to almost atoms? And, more importantly, why did she even do this in the first place? Finally, Mildred looked up and met the eyes of the still completely stunned Jenna… The words that Mildred spoke next did nothing to make the situation clearer to Jenna. “I never wanted you to see this”. What the hell did Mildred even mean by this? Did she never want her to see the photo book destroyed? Then maybe she should not have done it here and now, when Jenna was only out of the room for 5 minutes max! But before Jenna could ask any questions or even express her anger, Mildred got up in haste, dropped the last bits of photos she still held in her hands, and rushed out of the house. Jenna could only watch her leave the house as she still stood there with a tray full of coffee and cookies. Now it was just her and her prized possession scattered all over the floor in pieces… Jenna was unsure of what to do now. She started to pick up what was left of her photo album and see if there was still anything salvageable. There were a couple of photos that had not been ripped up, but those were few and far between. Most of these precious photos were completely ruined and they could be tossed straight into the trash. Of course, Jenna had back-ups of all these photos and she could have them printed again. But all the time, energy, and love she had put into this book as a whole was now lost forever, and she did not know if she had the motivation to do this again. That reality was so hard for her to accept, especially cause she had no idea what she had done to deserve this!  She and her mother-in-law never had the very best relationship, but it never felt problematic or something. In her eyes, there was nothing that could have predicted something like this. Jenna thought back to the words Mildred had spoken right before she rushed out, “I never wanted you to see this”. It just made no sense to her. What did that old woman mean? After collecting every piece of the photo album, Jenna decided to call Mildred. She tried to reach her mother-in-law at least 8 times but kept getting pushed away. It was clear that Mildred had no intention of talking to her and thus Jenna knew that she only had one other option. She needed to call her husband Cody and explain what his mother had done… Jenna dialed Cody’s number and recounted the shocking story about Mildred destroying the wedding album. “You won’t believe what just happened,” she started, her voice shaking. “Mom tore up our wedding album, Cody. It’s everywhere.” There was a pause on the other end of the line, followed by Cody’s confused response. “Wait, what? Why would she do that?” Jenna’s frustration spilled over. “I don’t know, Cody. She just kept saying she never wanted me to see it.” Cody initially reacted with disbelief, unable to fathom his mother’s actions without proof. “Jenna, are you sure it was Mom? This just doesn’t sound like her,” he said, trying to process the information. Jenna’s voice grew more desperate. “I saw her, Cody. She was right here, crying with the torn photos in her hands. It’s not a mistake.” Cody hesitated, still grappling with the absurdity of the situation. “I just…I can’t believe she would do something like this.” Jenna sent Cody photos of the destroyed album, making him realize the gravity of the situation. “Check your phone,” she said, her voice taut with tension. Moments later, Cody’s voice was hushed. “Oh my God, Jenna. I had no idea it was this bad.” The images on his screen painted a painful picture—shreds of their wedding memories scattered like confetti. “I can’t ignore this,” Cody admitted, the shock evident in his voice. “I’ll go talk to her after work.” Stunned by the photos, Cody promised Jenna he’d visit his mother’s house after work to get answers. “I’m so sorry, Jenna. This is unbelievable,” he said, trying to comfort her. Jenna nodded, though he couldn’t see her. “Just find out why she did this, Cody. We need to understand.” Cody’s resolve was firm. “I will. I’ll leave as soon as I can.” The day ahead felt long and heavy with unspoken questions and looming confrontations.  Relieved, Jenna felt hopeful that Cody would resolve the issue and uncover the truth behind Mildred’s actions. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. “Thank you, Cody. I just need to know why,” she whispered. Cody’s voice was reassuring. “We’ll get to the bottom of this, Jenna. I promise.” As she hung up, Jenna allowed herself a small glimmer of hope, trusting that Cody’s visit might bring clarity and peace to the chaotic situation.  Jenna spent hours reviewing and compiling all the digital copies of the wedding photos on her computer. She meticulously sorted through each image, reliving every joyful moment. Her heart ached with a mix of nostalgia and determination. “I won’t let this be the end of our memories,” she muttered to herself, her fingers flying over the keyboard. Each click and drag brought her closer to recreating the album that Mildred had destroyed. She prepared a new photo compilation, determined to create a replacement wedding album. Jenna’s eyes were tired but focused as she arranged the photos, making sure each one captured the essence of their special day. “This will be even better,” she whispered, trying to reassure herself. Her computer screen displayed a collage of love and happiness, a stark contrast to the shredded remnants still haunting her living room floor. Jenna sent the new photo compilation to a printer, determined to protect it from Mildred. She carefully reviewed the order details, ensuring everything was perfect before hitting ‘send’. “This one stays hidden,” she thought, making a mental note to keep the new album away from prying eyes. As she finalized the order, a sense of accomplishment washed over her. She had taken the first step in reclaiming her memories. Late in the evening, Cody finally came home, looking exhausted and troubled. Jenna looked up from her spot on the couch, her heart skipping a beat at his weary expression. “Hey,” she greeted softly, trying to gauge his mood. Cody dropped his bag by the door and sighed deeply. “We need to talk,” he said, his voice heavy with fatigue. Jenna’s stomach tightened with anxiety, bracing herself for the conversation ahead. Jenna sensed something was wrong as Cody entered, suspecting a long and difficult conversation with Mildred. “What did she say?” Jenna asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Cody ran a hand through his hair, his eyes avoiding hers. “It’s complicated,” he replied, sinking into the armchair. Jenna’s heart pounded in her chest. She had hoped for answers, but Cody’s troubled demeanor only heightened her worry. The room felt heavy with unspoken words. Cody revealed that he spoke with Mildred, who justified her actions in destroying the wedding album. “She said she had her reasons,” Cody began, his voice strained. Jenna’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Reasons? What possible reason could justify this?” she demanded. Cody sighed heavily. “She didn’t want you to see something, Jenna. She thought she was protecting us.” Jenna’s mind raced, trying to make sense of his words. To Jenna’s shock, Cody agreed with his mother and demanded she not make a new album. “I think we should just let it go,” Cody said firmly. Jenna’s jaw dropped. “Let it go? Cody, that album was important to me!” He shook his head. “Mom believes it’s for the best. Maybe she’s right.” Jenna felt a surge of anger and confusion. “How can you side with her on this?” Desperate for answers, Jenna questioned Cody, but he refused to share Mildred’s reasoning. “What exactly did she tell you?” Jenna pressed. Cody looked away, avoiding her gaze. “It’s complicated, Jenna. Just trust me on this.” Jenna’s frustration grew. “Complicated? I deserve to know why she destroyed our memories!” Cody stood his ground. “I promised Mom I wouldn’t say more. Please, Jenna, just drop it.” His secrecy only deepened her pain. Jenna felt deeply hurt, interpreting Cody’s refusal as a sign he didn’t value their marriage. “So that’s it? You’re just going to protect her over me?” she asked, tears welling up in her eyes. Cody looked pained. “It’s not like that, Jenna.” But she shook her head, feeling the sting of betrayal. “It sure feels that way. I can’t believe you won’t stand up for us.” The room fell silent, heavy with unresolved tension. The couple engaged in a heated argument, with Cody insisting he still wanted to be married despite Jenna’s doubts. “I love you, Jenna. This doesn’t change that,” Cody argued. Jenna’s voice trembled with emotion. “How can you say that when you’re siding with her?” Cody’s frustration boiled over. “I’m trying to do what’s best for everyone! Can’t you see that?” Jenna shook her head. “No, Cody. I can’t see that at all.” Jenna reached her breaking point, feeling abandoned and misunderstood by Cody. She couldn’t contain her emotions any longer. “I can’t stay here and keep fighting like this,” she shouted, tears streaming down her face. Cody looked helpless. “Jenna, please, we can work this out,” he pleaded, but she shook her head, the pain in her eyes unmistakable. “I need some space, Cody. I can’t deal with this right now.” She packed a small bag, unable to stay in the house with Cody any longer. Jenna moved quickly, grabbing essentials and stuffing them into a duffel bag. Her hands trembled with a mix of anger and sadness. Cody stood in the doorway, his expression a mix of regret and confusion. “Where are you going?” he asked softly. Jenna zipped up the bag, her resolve firm. “I need time to think,” she replied. Tearfully, Jenna drove to her mother’s house, seeking solace and support. The drive felt like an eternity, her mind racing with thoughts of betrayal and heartbreak. She wiped her eyes, trying to focus on the road. As she pulled into her mother’s driveway, a wave of relief washed over her. She needed her mother’s comforting presence now more than ever. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car. Jenna’s mother welcomed her with open arms, ready to provide comfort and understanding. “Oh, Jenna, what happened?” her mother asked, her voice full of concern. Jenna collapsed into her embrace, the weight of the day finally catching up to her. “It’s a long story, Mom,” she said, her voice breaking. Her mother guided her inside, gently rubbing her back. “Let’s sit down and talk about it,” she offered, leading Jenna to the living room. The pain of Cody siding with his mother over her deeply wounded Jenna’s heart. She recounted the events in a tearful stream, each word feeling like a fresh cut. “I can’t believe he would choose her over me,” Jenna sobbed. Her mother listened intently, her expression a mix of shock and sympathy. “You deserve to be treated better than this, Jenna,” she said firmly, holding her daughter close. “We’ll figure this out together.” Jenna and her mother talked late into the night about the shocking situation with Mildred and Cody. “I just don’t understand why he would side with her,” Jenna said, her voice heavy with exhaustion. Her mother nodded sympathetically. “It doesn’t make sense, Jenna. There has to be more to this,” she replied. The hours passed as they discussed every detail, searching for clues that might explain Cody’s inexplicable behavior. Jenna’s mother, equally stunned, proposed confronting Mildred directly to uncover the truth. “We need to talk to her face-to-face,” she said firmly. Jenna looked uncertain. “Do you really think she’ll tell us anything?” Her mother nodded. “We won’t know unless we try. We deserve to hear her side of the story, too.” Jenna sighed, feeling a mix of apprehension and determination. “Alright, let’s do it,” she agreed reluctantly. They resolved to visit Mildred’s house the next day, determined to get answers. Jenna’s mother gave her a reassuring smile. “We’ll go first thing in the morning,” she said. Jenna nodded, feeling a bit more at ease with her mother’s support. “Thanks, Mom. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she said, her voice softening. Her mother squeezed her hand. “We’ll get through this together, sweetheart,” she promised. Jenna had a sleepless night, anxious about the upcoming confrontation but eager for the truth. She tossed and turned, her mind replaying the events of the day. “What will she say? Will Cody be there?” she wondered aloud. Each question felt heavier than the last. The hours dragged on, and Jenna found herself staring at the ceiling, waiting for the dawn and the answers it might bring. Grateful for her mother’s support, Jenna felt a mix of nerves and curiosity. As the first light of morning crept into the room, she took a deep breath. “It’s time,” she whispered to herself. Her mother was already awake, making coffee in the kitchen. “Ready?” she asked gently. Jenna nodded, trying to steady her racing heart. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” she replied, feeling a strange blend of fear and hope. The next morning, Jenna and her mother drove to Mildred’s house, determined to confront her. The drive was tense, filled with anxious silence and fleeting glances. Jenna gripped the steering wheel tightly, her mind racing. “What will we say?” she asked, breaking the silence. Her mother took a deep breath. “We’ll just ask for the truth,” she replied. Jenna nodded, feeling a mixture of determination and dread as they approached Mildred’s home. They knocked on the door and rang the doorbell repeatedly, but no one answered. Jenna’s anxiety grew with each unanswered knock. “Maybe she’s not home,” she muttered, glancing at her mother. They tried again, the silence from inside the house only deepening their unease. “Let’s give it a few more minutes,” her mother suggested, looking around the quiet neighborhood. Jenna sighed, frustration bubbling under the surface. “I just want to talk to her.” A neighbor informed them that Mildred had left with Cody the previous night. “I saw them drive off together around midnight,” the elderly man said, his brow furrowed with concern. Jenna’s heart sank. “Are you sure it was Cody?” she asked. He nodded. “Positive. I’ve known that boy since he was little.” Jenna exchanged a bewildered look with her mother. “Why would Cody lie about coming home alone?” she whispered, her mind reeling. Jenna and her mother were stunned, knowing Cody had returned home alone. “Why didn’t he tell me?” Jenna asked, her voice shaking. Her mother put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Something’s not right, Jenna. We need to figure this out.” Jenna nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. “We should go back home,” she decided. Her mother agreed. “Let’s find out what’s really going on,” she said, steering Jenna towards the car.  Questions raced through Jenna’s mind: where had Cody taken Mildred, and why wasn’t he at work? The drive back felt longer than usual, every second filled with tense silence. “What if she’s hiding in our house?” Jenna blurted out. Her mother frowned. “Let’s not jump to conclusions, but we need to be prepared for anything.” Jenna’s grip tightened on the wheel, her determination growing with each passing moment. “We’ll find out soon enough.” Jenna feared Mildred might be hiding in their home and rushed back with her mother. As they sped down the familiar streets, Jenna’s anxiety grew. “What if she’s there, Mom?” she asked, her voice trembling. Her mother tried to calm her. “We’ll handle it, Jenna. Just stay focused.” Jenna nodded, though her heart pounded with fear and uncertainty. The house loomed closer, each passing second stretching into an eternity. They arrived to find Cody’s car still in the driveway, raising further suspicions. Jenna’s pulse quickened as she parked the car. “Why is he home?” she muttered, glancing at her mother. “Something doesn’t add up,” her mother replied, her voice steady but concerned. Jenna felt a knot tighten in her stomach as they approached the house. “Let’s see what’s going on,” she said, steeling herself for whatever they might find. All the curtains were closed, and the house seemed eerily quiet. Jenna exchanged a worried glance with her mother. “It’s too quiet,” she whispered. Her mother nodded. “Stay close,” she advised. Jenna took a deep breath and walked up to the front door. The silence felt oppressive, each step echoing loudly in her ears. “Here goes nothing,” she said, reaching out to ring the doorbell. Jenna rang the doorbell, seeing a curtain briefly open and close, but the door remained shut. “Did you see that?” she asked, her voice tense. Her mother nodded. “Someone’s definitely in there,” she confirmed. Jenna’s frustration mounted. “Why won’t they answer?” she muttered, ringing the doorbell again. The house stayed silent, the brief movement behind the curtain only heightening her sense of urgency and desperation. Furious and desperate, Jenna pounded on the door, determined to get answers. “Open up, Cody!” she yelled, her voice breaking with emotion. Her mother stood beside her, ready to support her daughter. “We just want to talk!” Jenna continued, her fists hitting the door harder. The unyielding silence from inside felt like a mocking response. Jenna’s determination grew. “I’m not leaving until you explain!” she shouted, her desperation echoing in the quiet street. Jenna’s phone rang; it was Cody pleading with her to leave and promising explanations later. “Jenna, please, just go. I’ll explain everything tonight,” he begged. Jenna’s grip tightened on the phone, her anger flaring. “Explain now, Cody. What’s going on?” she demanded. Cody’s voice was urgent but evasive. “I can’t talk right now. Just trust me, and I’ll tell you everything tonight.” Jenna felt a surge of frustration. “Trust you? Are you serious?” Jenna screamed at Cody, demanding immediate answers and refusing to trust him blindly. “No, Cody! You need to tell me what’s happening right now!” she shouted. Her mother looked on with concern, sensing the escalating tension. Cody sighed heavily. “Jenna, I promise it’s not what you think. Just give me until tonight.” Jenna’s voice cracked with emotion. “You’re asking too much, Cody. I deserve to know the truth now.” Cody begged Jenna to return home that evening for a full explanation. “Jenna, please, just come home tonight. I’ll explain everything, I swear,” he pleaded. Jenna hesitated, her mind torn between anger and the need for answers. “Why can’t you tell me now?” she asked, her voice softer but still firm. Cody’s response was urgent. “It’s complicated. I need to talk to you in person. Please, Jenna.” Jenna reluctantly agreed to leave but only pretended to comply with Cody’s request. “Fine, I’ll go, but this isn’t over,” she said, her voice filled with resolve. Cody sounded relieved. “Thank you, Jenna. I’ll see you tonight.” As she hung up, Jenna turned to her mother. “We’re not actually leaving,” she whispered. Her mother nodded, understanding the unspoken plan. “Let’s find a place to hide the car,” she suggested. Jenna and her mother parked their car out of sight, planning to sneak back into the house. They found a spot a few houses down, hidden from view. “We’ll wait here for a bit, then go back quietly,” Jenna said. Her mother nodded in agreement. “Be careful, Jenna. We don’t know what we’re walking into.” Jenna’s heart pounded with anticipation. “I know, Mom. But we need to find out the truth.” Jenna quietly returned to the house, intent on entering without being seen. She moved with purpose, her mother trailing closely behind. “Stay close,” Jenna whispered, her eyes scanning the surroundings. The house loomed ahead, silent and still. Jenna’s heart raced with anticipation and a hint of fear. “We have to be careful,” she muttered, determined to uncover whatever secrets were hidden inside. She noticed her bedroom window was still slightly open, offering a way in. Jenna’s eyes lit up with a mix of relief and apprehension. “The window’s open,” she whispered to her mother. “I’ll go first and let you in.” Her mother nodded, giving her a reassuring squeeze on the arm. Jenna approached the side of the house, her steps careful and quiet. “Here goes nothing,” she thought. Jenna fetched a ladder from the shed and carefully climbed to the open window. Each rung creaked slightly under her weight, but she pressed on, focused on her goal. Her mother watched from below, her face a mask of concern. Jenna reached the window, her hands trembling slightly. “Almost there,” she whispered, pulling herself up. The familiar scent of her room filled her with a bittersweet comfort. Moving like a spy, she silently entered the house, her heart pounding with tension. Jenna paused for a moment, listening for any sounds. The house remained eerily quiet. She motioned for her mother to follow, helping her climb through the window. “Stay close and be quiet,” Jenna instructed softly. Her mother nodded, and they both moved carefully through the room, senses heightened with anticipation. Jenna navigated the house quietly, her determination to uncover the truth driving her forward. She glanced around, noting every detail, every shadow. “We need to check downstairs,” she whispered to her mother. They moved as silently as possible, each step measured and cautious. Jenna’s mind raced with possibilities. “What are they hiding?” she wondered, her resolve strengthening with each passing second. Jenna reached the top of the stairs, hearing rustling noises from downstairs. She froze, straining to make out the sounds. “Do you hear that?” she whispered to her mother, who nodded, her face tense. The rustling continued, growing louder as they stood there. “Someone’s definitely down there,” Jenna said, her heart pounding. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever they might find. She suspected Mildred was back, possibly destroying more photo albums. “What if she’s doing it again?” Jenna whispered, her voice tinged with panic. Her mother squeezed her arm reassuringly. “We’ll handle it, Jenna. Let’s just see what’s going on.” Jenna nodded, swallowing hard. The thought of more destroyed memories fueled her anger and determination. She took another deep breath, ready to face whatever awaited them. Taking a deep breath, Jenna rushed downstairs, ready to confront them. Her footsteps were quick but controlled as she descended the stairs, her mother following close behind. “We’re going to get to the bottom of this,” she thought, her mind racing. The rustling noises grew louder, each step bringing her closer to the source. Jenna’s heart pounded in her chest, her resolve solidifying with each passing moment. She found Mildred and Cody at the dining table, surrounded by photo supplies and a large album. Jenna stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening in surprise. “What is this?” she demanded, her voice shaking with a mix of anger and confusion. Cody looked up, startled. “Jenna, I can explain,” he said quickly. Mildred glanced at Jenna, guilt and sadness etched on her face. The tension in the room was palpable.  Cody caught off guard, began to explain the situation, urging Jenna to sit and listen. “Please, Jenna, just hear us out,” he pleaded. Jenna hesitated, then slowly moved to a chair, her eyes never leaving Cody’s. “Alright, start talking,” she said firmly. Cody took a deep breath. “We’re trying to fix things. There’s more to this than you know.” Jenna’s heart raced, a mix of anger and curiosity driving her to listen.  Cody revealed they were recreating the photo album because Mildred had a manic episode. “Mom had a manic episode the day she destroyed the album,” Cody explained, his voice filled with concern. Jenna’s eyes widened in shock. “A manic episode?” she repeated. Cody nodded. “Yes, she’s been struggling lately, and she felt terrible about what happened. She wanted to make things right by recreating the album.” He explained Mildred’s recent episodes and her intention to repair the damage. “She’s had a few episodes recently,” Cody continued. “She didn’t mean to hurt you or destroy the album. She felt awful afterward and wanted to fix what she had done.” Jenna looked at Mildred, who was silently crying. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Jenna asked, her voice softening. Mildred wiped her tears, looking up with regret. “I was ashamed,” she whispered. Mildred had accidentally destroyed the album during an episode, feeling horrible afterward. “I never wanted to destroy your memories,” Mildred said, her voice breaking. “I don’t know what came over me. I’ve been struggling to control these episodes.” Jenna felt a pang of sympathy. “You should have told us,” she said gently. Mildred nodded, her eyes full of remorse. “I’m so sorry, Jenna. I just wanted to make things right.” Jenna, understanding the situation, forgave Mildred and agreed to help remake the album. “I understand now,” Jenna said, taking a deep breath. “I forgive you, Mildred. Let’s work together to fix this.” Mildred’s eyes filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Jenna,” she said softly. Cody smiled, relief evident on his face. “We can do this together,” he said. Jenna nodded, feeling a sense of peace wash over her. “Yes, together.” They all worked together to create a new photo album, mending their fractured relationships. The table was covered with photos, glue, and decorative papers. Laughter and stories filled the air as they reminisced about the wedding. “This looks even better than the original,” Jenna said, smiling. Mildred nodded, tears of joy in her eyes. “Thank you for giving me a second chance.” Jenna squeezed her hand. “We’re family. We’ll get through anything together.”