The bright morning light poured through the tall windows of the Vance estate, reflecting off the grand staircase and white marble floors[cite: 1]. Elena knelt on the cold stone, her black-and-white maid uniform rumpled around her legs[cite: 1, 1]. She was six months pregnant, and her hands trembled as she pressed them flat against the marble floor[cite: 1, 1]. Above her stood Victoria, her mother-in-law, dressed in an expensive metallic gold wrap dress[cite: 1]. Victoria held a sharp pair of silver tailor scissors, snapping the blades together with a loud metallic click[cite: 1].
Victoria: You really thought you could trick my family, didn't you?
Elena: Please, Victoria... I just want to finish cleaning the foyer floor[cite: 1].
Victoria: Staff who embarrass me do not belong here[cite: 1].
Elena: I'm not trying to embarrass you! I'm carrying your grandchild!
Victoria: You are a low-class maid who lured my son into a cheap secret marriage!
Victoria grabbed a fistful of Elena's dark hair and pulled her head back roughly[cite: 1, 1]. Elena gasped as the sharp tip of the heavy scissors grazed her forehead, leaving a thin red cut[cite: 1]. Tears streamed down Elena's face, dripping off her chin onto her apron[cite: 1]. Victoria smirked, raising the scissors higher above Elena's head to cut off her hair completely[cite: 1].
Victoria: I'm going to make sure everyone at the charity gala sees what a pitiful fool you are before I throw you out on the street!
Elena: Stop! Please don't do this!
Victoria: Silence! You have no voice in this house!
The heavy front double doors burst open with a sharp bang[cite: 1]. Heavy leather shoes marched rapidly across the marble entryway as a tall man in a dark suit walked into the foyer[cite: 1, 1]. He stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes widening in total shock and fury at the scene unfolding near the stairs[cite: 1, 1].
Julian: Why is my wife on the floor[cite: 1]?
Victoria froze instantly, the scissors slipping from her fingers and clattering loudly onto the marble[cite: 1]. Her jaw dropped in utter horror as she stared at her son[cite: 1].
Victoria: Your... your wife[cite: 1]?
Elena sobbed softly, clutching her belly as Julian rushed forward, taking off his suit jacket to protect her[cite: 1, 1]. But Victoria knew this was only the beginning of a nightmare she couldn't escape[cite: 1].