Maria worked tirelessly as a janitor to raise her son Aiden alone, always putting his future first. Despite her modest job, she managed to send him to a good school and supported his dreams. He excelled in science, met a kind girl named Linda, and the two fell in love. Linda came from a wealthy family, but Aiden assured Maria that love, not status, bound them.
Maria welcomed Linda warmly, but Linda’s parents, Hugh and Elizabeth, were judgmental. They looked down on Maria’s background and mocked her during the wedding. Still, Maria remained proud and dignified, choosing not to let their arrogance ruin the day. When it came time for speeches, Hugh and Elizabeth boasted with a lavish gift.