The gentle notes of a classical melody echoed through the massive marble ballroom, floating up toward the crystal chandeliers.
Six-year-old Leo sat on the velvet bench of the grand piano, his tiny hands moving across the white keys with delicate care.
Victoria: Stop that awful noise right now!
Victoria marched across the polished floor, her white designer gown sweeping behind her as her face twisted in anger.
Clara: Miss Victoria, please. He is just practicing for his father.
Victoria: I don't care what he's doing! His useless playing is giving me a headache!
Before the young nanny could step between them, Victoria lunged forward and shoved the small boy off the piano bench with full force.
Leo: Ahh!
Leo hit the hard marble floor with a sickening thud, crying out as his elbow scraped against the stone.
Clara: Leo! Oh my goodness, are you okay?!
Clara dropped to her knees, wrapping her arms around the terrified boy as tears streamed down his pale cheeks.
Victoria: Get this brat out of my sight before I have security throw you both into the street!
Clara: How could you do that to a child?! He's only six years old!
Victoria: He is a spoiled nuisance, and you are just a hired servant who doesn't know her place!
At that exact moment, the grand double doors at the end of the hall swung wide open.
Ethan Vance walked into the ballroom, his tall frame dressed in a tailored black tuxedo as the house staff bowed their heads in respect.
Victoria's eyes lit up, and she instantly pointed an angry finger at the weeping child and nanny on the floor.
Victoria: Ethan! You're finally here! Are you going to discipline your staff for speaking to me like this?!
Ethan didn't say a single word to her as he walked past, his heavy footsteps echoing against the walls.
He knelt beside Clara and Leo, gently pulling his crying son into a warm embrace while placing a protective hand on Clara's shoulder.
Victoria: Ethan! I am your fiancée! Look at me right now!
Ethan turned his head slowly, his dark eyes freezing her with pure, icy disdain.
Ethan: Take off the ring. The wedding is off.
Victoria stood frozen in horror as Ethan picked up his son, leaving her alone in the giant room with the echoes of her ruined future.