I arrived late to Christmas dinner and froze when I saw my sister serving 20 people alone while her in-laws sat there laughing. When her mother-in-law threw a glass of wine over her head, I jumped up. “What did you just do to my sister?”

But she wasn’t fine. That much was obvious to anyone looking at her.

Before I could say another word, Daniel’s mother, Margaret, raised her wineglass and called across the room, “Emily! This wine is warm. Are you even paying attention tonight?”

“I’m sorry, I’ll bring another bottle,” Emily answered quietly as she hurried over.

Margaret suddenly rose from her chair, her face hard and icy. “No, you’ve already done enough.” Then, without any warning at all, she tipped the glass and dumped red wine straight over Emily’s head.

The room exploded with laughter.

My stomach dropped. For one stunned second, I couldn’t move. Emily stood completely still, wine dripping through her hair and down her dress, her hands shaking beside her.

“What is wrong with you?!” I yelled, stepping toward them. “You can’t treat someone like that!”