Sitting in the corner of the small room was a woman in white.
Her once-white wedding dress was torn, stained, and gray from years of confinement.
Her blonde hair was long, tangled, and matted across her pale shoulders.
She lifted her hands to protect her weak eyes from the bright daylight above.
Julian felt as if his heart had completely stopped beating inside his chest.
The woman turned her face upward, her eyes brimming with fresh, bright tears.
Evelyn: Julian... is that really you... after all this time?
Julian let out a ragged sob and reached his arm down into the opening.
Julian: Evelyn! Oh God, Evelyn! Take my hand right now!
He locked his fingers around her small, thin hands with an absolute grip.
Her skin was cold to the touch, but her grip was desperate and tight.
Julian pulled her upward with immense force, lifting her out of the ground.
He pulled her into his arms, collapsing onto the hardwood floor with her.
He squeezed her tight against his chest, crying loudly into her shoulder.
Evelyn: I never left this house... I never wanted to go...
Leo stared at the dirty woman, tears streaming down his small, round cheeks.
Leo: Mommy? Is that my mommy, Daddy?
Evelyn looked at the small boy and let out a broken, emotional cry.
Evelyn: My baby... my sweet little boy, you are so big now...
She extended a shaking, weak hand and wrapped her arm around Leo's neck.
The tiny family wept together on the cold floor of the bright foyer.
Suddenly, fast heels clicked sharply on the high marble floor near the stairs.
Victoria rushed into the room, her high satin dress rustling as she walked.
She adjusted her large diamond necklace, her eyes wide with cold, harsh panic.
Victoria: What is going on here? Julian, step away from her!
She pointed a long, manicured finger at the trembling woman on the floor.
Victoria: Evelyn ran away, you know that! This is an absolute setup!