Julian: DON'T YOU EVER CALL HER A MAID AGAIN!
Victoria: Julian? Have you lost your mind?! Step away from me!
Julian: You treat everyone around you like garbage, and I have stayed silent for far too long.
Victoria: I am your fiancée! That woman scrubs the floors!
Julian's hand whipped through the air with lightning speed, catching Victoria entirely off guard.
SFX: Loud sharp slap impact
The crack of the open-handed strike echoed through the massive high-ceilinged foyer like a gunshot. Victoria stumbled backward on her high heels, her balance faltering as she gasped in sheer disbelief. She brought a trembling hand up to her cheek, her skin instantly turning a bright, burning crimson where his palm had struck her.
Victoria: HOW DARE YOU HIT ME?!
Julian: You crossed a line that can never be uncrossed, Victoria.
Victoria: You hit me over a hired servant?! You're throwing away our entire engagement and our social standing for a maid?!
Julian: SHE IS NOT A MAID! SHE IS MY WIFE! DO NOT CALL HER A MAID, OTHERWISE I WILL LEAVE YOU!
The silence that followed his words was absolute, broken only by the soft, ragged breathing of the two frightened boys. Victoria's jaw dropped open, her eyes darting between Julian and Clara on the floor as her brain struggled to process the devastating reality of his confession.
Victoria: Your... your wife? What are you talking about?!
Julian: We were married legally two years ago, before my father forced me into this arranged corporate engagement with your family.
Victoria: This is a sick joke! My father will destroy your company for this!
Julian: Let him try. I am done living a lie to appease your father's board of directors.
Victoria's face twisted from shock into a mask of pure, venomous hatred as she realized her high-society life had just blown up in her face. Julian turned his back on her completely, ignoring her sputtering threats as he sank down onto the hardwood floor beside Clara and his sons.