The silence in the room was heavy and painful for everyone.
Victoria crossed her arms tight and looked out the dark window.
Victoria: What does it matter now anyway?
Victoria: That happened decades ago, and she is already dead.
Victoria: We are getting married next month, Richard.
Victoria: You cannot ruin our future over an old piece of paper.
Richard looked at the engagement ring on Victoria's left hand.
The diamond sparkled under the bright overhead desk light.
It felt fake and cold to him now, just like her promises.
Richard: There will be no wedding next month.
Victoria's eyes went wide as she took a sharp breath.
Victoria: What did you just say to me?
Richard: I am calling off our engagement right this moment.
Victoria: You can't do that, our families have business contracts!
Richard: I do not care about your father's business contracts.
Richard: You showed me who you really are downstairs tonight.
Richard: You treats human beings like trash when you think no one sees.
Victoria: I was just trying to keep order in this house!
Richard: You were going to strike a girl over a tiny spill.
Richard: Get out of my house right now, Victoria.
Victoria: You will regret this, Richard!
Victoria: My father will sue you for breaking the contract!
Richard: Let him try, my lawyers will show this stolen document in court.
Victoria turned on her high heels and marched out of the room.
Her loud steps echoed down the hall until the front door slammed shut.
Richard turned slowly toward Clara, feeling a heavy weight lift.
Richard: I am so deeply sorry for what my family's associates did.
Clara: It was not your fault, sir, you were just a child back then.
Richard: That does not change the fact that you suffered because of them.