My future stepmother told my orphaned little brothers that they would soon be “sent to a new family” – so we gave her the toughest lesson.

The worst happened at Mark’s nephew’s birthday party.

Children at a birthday party | Source: Pexels
Children at a birthday party | Source: Pexels

Joyce was serving the cake. She served all the children except my brothers!

“Oops! Not enough slices,” she said, without even looking at them.

My brothers, thankfully, didn’t realize his cruelty. They just looked confused and disappointed.

But I was furious! There was no way I was going to let Joyce get away with it like that.

A furious woman | Source: Pexels
A furious woman | Source: Pexels

I immediately offered my slice to one of the twins.

And Mark gave his share to Caleb.

Mark and I looked at each other, and at that moment we understood that Joyce wasn’t just hateful — she was actively cruel to Caleb and Liam.

A few weeks later, we were at Sunday lunch when Joyce launched her next attack.

A woman sitting at a dining table | Source: Pexels
A woman sitting at a dining table | Source: Pexels

“You know, when you have your own babies with Mark, things will get easier,” she said.

“But we’re going to adopt my brothers, Joyce,” I replied. “They’re our children.”

“Papers will never change blood. You’ll see.”

Close-up of a man | Source: Pexels
Close-up of a man | Source: Pexels

“Mom, that’s enough,” Mark said. “You need to stop disrespecting the boys. They’re children, not obstacles to my happiness.”