The heavy double doors of the grand Dallas mansion flew open with a violent crash, sending a cold draft sweeping through the sunlit foyer. Guests turned, their conversation dying in an instant as a small boy sprinted into the hall, his breath coming in ragged, desperate gasps. Blood was splattered across his bright yellow shirt, staining his arms and dripping onto his forehead.
Noah: STOP LYING! STOP LYING TO EVERYONE!
Caleb: Noah? Oh my God, Noah!
Maya: What is happening?! Is that blood on him?!
The boy’s face was drench in tears, his subtle freckles barely visible beneath the bright red smudges covering his pale skin. He ran frantically past the rows of white rose arrangements, his eyes wide with pure panic as he searched the crowd for the one person he trusted.
Noah: PLEASE, DON'T LET HER TAKE ME!
Maya: Sweetheart, come here! I've got you, I've got you!
Maya, looking stunning in her white lace wedding gown, dropped straight to her knees on the hard floor. She wrapped her arms tightly around the trembling boy, pulling his bloody face into her neck while he sobbed uncontrollably into her shoulder. Caleb, standing tall in his black tuxedo, stepped in front of them both, his eyes fixed on the foyer doorway.
Victoria: Grab him! Somebody grab that lying little monster right now!
Caleb: Step back, Victoria!
Victoria: HE ATTACKED HIS FATHER! Look at what he did to Charles downstairs!
Victoria marched forward in her dark maroon dress, her diamond earrings catching the bright Texas sunlight. Her face was twisted with aggressive rage, her pointed finger trembling as she closed the distance between them. But before she could reach the terrified child, Caleb cut across the floor and stood directly in her path.
Caleb: YOU'RE NOT TOUCHING HIM!
With a swift, powerful movement, Caleb brought his hand across Victoria's cheek. The loud, sharp impact echoed like a gunshot through the silent mansion, sending Victoria staggering backward in absolute shock. But as the groom protected the terrified child, a dark secret was about to unravel right in front of the entire family.