The bright daylight washed over the polished marble floor of the grand estate, but the atmosphere inside was ice cold.
Vanessa lay collapsed on the hard stone, clutching her swollen belly. Tears streaked through the red cuts on her arm as she looked up in pure agony.
Julian: Get up off the floor, Vanessa. Stop making a dramatic scene.
Vanessa: Julian... please help me. I fell down the stairs.
Julian: YOU'RE AN EMBARRASSMENT, VANESSA! I'M DONE CARING.
Beside him stood Chloe, wearing a gleaming gold satin dress. She crossed her arms and let out a soft, cruel laugh.
Chloe: YOU SHOULD APOLOGIZE! MAYBE HE'LL KEEP YOU ON AFTER THE DIVORCE!
Vanessa: Chloe, stay out of this. I am his wife.
Chloe: Not for long, honey. Look at yourself. You're a mess.
Vanessa's hand trembled violently as she reached across the cold white floor, her fingers brushing against her smartphone.
Julian: VANESSA IS PREGNANT! I'M NOT CARRYING DEAD WEIGHT ANYMORE!
Vanessa: Dead weight? I built your life with you!
Julian: You gave me nothing! My lawyers are already drafting the paperwork!
Vanessa pulled the phone to her ear. Her voice shook with heartbreak, but her eyes suddenly burned with a dark, terrifying resolve.
Vanessa: DAD, JUST AS YOU TOLD ME... DESTROY HIS LIFE!
Julian: Call whoever you want! Your family has no power here!
The heavy front doors burst open with a loud thud, echoing through the massive marble hall.
Heavy, rapid footsteps rushed down the foyer as a powerful, tall man in a dark tailored suit stepped inside.
Arthur: YOU DARE TOUCH MY DAUGHTER?!
Julian's arrogant smirk vanished instantly. His face went completely pale as he backed away.
Julian: WAIT... SIR, LET ME EXPLAIN!
Arthur stepped forward in righteous fury, pointing a sharp, commanding finger directly at Julian and Chloe.
Arthur: I WILL DESTROY BOTH OF YOUR LIVES!
Arthur kneels down gently on the floor, cradling Vanessa's trembling shoulders while staring up at the terrified couple with absolute coldness, setting off a war that would tear everything down.