Julian: Mother, tell me you didn't say that to her.
Victoria: I protected this family's reputation! A Sterling does not marry the staff!
Julian: You lied to me! You told me Emma took a million dollars and ran off with another man in Europe!
Victoria: Because it was the truth she deserved! She didn't belong in high society!
Emma held Lily tighter, her fingers brushing the pink frosting off the little girl's party dress.
Emma: I didn't want your high society, Victoria. I took a job at this catering company last month just to pay for Lily's asthma medication.
Julian: Asthma? Is she sick?
Emma: She has medical bills that cost more than my monthly rent. I didn't even know this was your house until I walked into the dining hall tonight.
Julian: My God... Emma, I'm so sorry. I didn't know it was you.
Emma: You hit an eight-year-old girl, Julian! It shouldn't matter whose child she is!
Julian: I was angry, I lost my temper—
Emma: You were a bully! Just like your mother taught you to be!
Lily peeked out from behind Emma's leg, her big blue eyes filled with fear as she looked at Julian.
Lily: Mommy... is that man my daddy?
Emma's breath caught in her throat. She looked down at her daughter, then back at Julian, who was kneeling on the floor three feet away.
Emma: Lily, sweetie...
Julian: Yes, Lily. I'm your daddy.
Lily: Daddies aren't supposed to hurt people.
Julian felt as if a knife had been driven straight into his chest. The entire room of wealthy donors, corporate board members, and family friends stared at him in complete disgust.
Board Member: Julian... is this how you run your personal life?
Julian: Arthur, please, this is a private family matter—
Board Member: Private? You just struck a little girl in front of thirty witnesses! And now we find out she's your legitimate daughter!
Victoria: She is not legitimate! There has been no DNA test!
Julian: Look at her face, Mother! She has my eyes, my hair, and my jaw! She doesn't need a test!
Emma: She doesn't need your money either, Julian. Come on, Lily, we're leaving.
Emma grabbed Lily's hand and turned toward the high double doors of the ballroom.
Julian: Emma, wait! Don't walk out that door!
Emma: Don't touch us!
Julian: I can fix this! I can pay for her medical bills! I can buy you a house!
Emma: You can't buy back nine years of a child's life, Julian. And you can't buy away the bruise on her cheek.
Julian reached out, grabbing Emma's sleeve, but she shoved his hand away with cold determination.
Emma: Touch me again, and I'll call the police and report you for child abuse right in front of all your precious investors.
Julian froze. He watched helplessly as Emma opened the heavy wooden doors and walked out into the rainy night, leading their daughter by the hand.