Clara lay on the cold marble floor for a second, her hand pressed against her burning cheek. The pain was sharp, but the emotional damage was far deeper than any physical sting. She had given up her own career to support Julian's rising business, standing by his side during every difficult meeting and corporate negotiation. She had watched him climb the ladder of success, only for him to turn around and treat her like an inconvenient piece of trash. Julian stood over her, casually adjusting the cuffs of his expensive suit jackets as if he had merely swatted a fly away. His eyes held no remorse, no guilt, and no affection whatsoever.
Julian: Get up and pack your bags before I have security throw you out into the street.
Victoria: You heard him, darling. Your time in this home is officially over.
Clara: You will regret this, Julian. I swear you will regret this day.
Julian: With what power? You have nothing. Your family is nothing compared to mine.
Clara slowly pushed herself up off the floor, using the wall near the front entrance for support. Her knees were shaking, but a sudden surge of cold resolve rushed through her veins. Julian believed he was untouchable because his company had recently signed a massive commercial lease in the city. He believed Clara was just an isolated woman with no resources, no leverage, and no one to stand up for her in times of crisis. He had forgotten who her family truly was because Clara had chosen to live a modest, quiet life away from her father's immense wealth and influence.
She walked out through the heavy wooden front doors and stepped onto the brightly lit stone driveway. The morning sun beat down on her face, drying the warm tears that continued to stream down her cheeks. She reached into her small clutch purse and pulled out her smartphone. Her fingers were shaking so violently that it took her three attempts to unlock the screen. She opened her contacts list and scrolled down to a number she had not called in over two years. She took a deep breath, swallowed the lump in her throat, and pressed the call button. The phone rang only once before a deep, calm, and immensely authoritative voice answered on the other end of the line.
Clara: Dad... now!
Arthur: Clara? What happened? Are you crying?
Clara: He hit me, Dad. Julian hit me in front of everyone.
Arthur: Send me the location immediately. We're on our way!
The call disconnected immediately. Clara dropped her location pinned through the messaging app and stood by the grand entrance, holding her arms tightly around her waist. She looked back toward the open front doors, where Julian was standing near the doorway with a drink in his hand, looking down at her with total indifference. He had no idea what kind of storm he had just summoned upon his comfortable life. He thought he had won a simple victory over a quiet wife, but he was about to realize that some boundaries should never be crossed.