Maya: Daddy!
Victoria gasped, her hand freezing in mid-air as she turned around in sudden, blinding shock. Her face went completely pale, her smug expression vanishing as her red hair swung wildly across her shoulders.
Victoria: Nathan?
Nathan didn't say a single word. His face turned to stone, his dark eyes burning with pure, unbridled fury. He took three long, aggressive strides across the marble floor, completely ignoring Victoria's sudden attempt to lower the spoon and smooth out her silk dress.
Victoria: Nathan, darling! You're back early! I was just... I was just disciplining the staff! You know how irresponsible Elena gets when—
Before she could finish her sentence, Nathan’s hand flew across the space between them. A loud, sharp slap cracked through the large kitchen like a gunshot. The impact snapped Victoria’s head hard to the side, her body recoiling violently as she stumbled back against the edge of the marble island.
Victoria: Ah!
She clutched her burning cheek, her eyes wide with total disbelief. A thin trickle of blood appeared at the corner of her manicured lips as she stared up at her husband, her breath coming in ragged, terrified gasps.
Nathan: Don't you ever put your hands on my family again.
Victoria: Your... your family? Nathan, what are you talking about? She's just a maid! She's hired help!
Nathan: Shut your mouth, Victoria!
Nathan dropped down to his knees on the cold tile, completely ignoring his wife as he pulled Elena and little Maya into a tight, protective embrace. Maya buried her face into his wet wool coat, her small frame shaking with heavy sobs as Nathan stroked her hair gently.
Nathan: I'm here, baby. Daddy's here. Nobody is ever going to hurt you or your mother again. I promise you.
Elena: Nathan... you came back... I tried to protect her, I tried—
Nathan: You did great, Elena. You did so well. I'm so sorry I wasn't here sooner.
Victoria: What is the meaning of this?! Nathan Sterling, are you out of your mind?! You hit me for a servant?! I am your wife!
Nathan: You were a mistake, Victoria. A terrible, blind mistake that ends today.
Victoria: You can't speak to me like that! I have rights in this house! We signed a prenuptial agreement, but I still own half of this estate's furniture and access to the joint account!
Nathan: You don't own a single blade of grass on this property, Victoria. And if you think a piece of paper is going to protect you after what I just saw, you're even dumber than I thought.
Victoria: She tricked you! She's been lying to you while you were overseas! She told everyone in the neighborhood that you were supporting her, trying to ruin my reputation!
Nathan: Elena didn't have to tell anyone anything. I know the truth because I hired a private investigator three weeks ago.
Victoria's eyes darted toward the kitchen doorway, realizing for the first time that two heavy-set security guards in black suits were standing right behind Nathan, blocking her only exit out of the mansion.