Julian pulled his heavy leather suitcase through the front entrance of the massive family mansion.
The bright light from the crystal chandelier reflected off the white marble floors of the grand foyer.
He had been away in Europe for six long months managing the family firm's international logistics accounts.
Every single day of that trip had felt like a slow punishment because his wife was not beside him.
Elena had stopped answering his phone calls three months ago without giving him any real explanation.
His stepmother Vivian had claimed that Elena took a massive trust fund payout and ran away with another man.
Julian never truly believed that terrible rumor because he loved Elena with his whole heart and soul.
He had returned home early to hire private investigators and search for his missing wife himself.
The loud rolling sound of his heavy luggage wheels echoed across the tall walls of the quiet house.
Two security guards stood near the doorway with their hands folded tightly behind their dark uniforms.
Beside them stood Arthur, the old family lawyer who managed the complex estate and every major contract.
Arthur looked down at the ground with a deep frown and refused to make direct eye contact with Julian.
Julian stopped walking suddenly when he noticed a small figure kneeling on the cold white tile floor.
A young maid in a faded grey uniform was scrubbing a stain with an old wooden bucket nearby.
Her shoulders were shaking softly as if she was trying very hard not to make any sound.
Julian: Elena?
The young woman froze completely when she heard his familiar voice echo through the huge foyer.
She kept her head lowered down toward the wet soapy water and tried to hide her face.
Elena: I am sorry, sir, I will finish cleaning this area right away.
Julian dropped the handle of his expensive suitcase and let it crash heavily onto the shiny marble.
He stepped forward quickly because that quiet timid voice belonged to the woman he had married.
He reached down and gently lifted her chin so he could see her face in the light.
Tears were streaming down her soft skin, which was pale and dirty from hours of heavy labor.
Red marks and visible bruises lined her thin cheeks, showing clear signs of severe emotional neglect and hardship.
Julian: What happened to you, my love?
Elena: I missed you so much, Julian, but they told me you abandoned me completely.
Julian felt a wave of cold horror wash over his body as he looked at her frail state.
He pulled her up from the filthy bucket and wrapped his arms tightly around her small body.
Her hands were shaking against his suit coat as she held on like a drowning person in water.