Elena gripped the edge of the cold kitchen island as the sharp pain radiated up her arm from where Arthur had just shoved her.
Elena: I can't keep working like this, Arthur. My hands are completely exhausted.
Arthur: You don't get to complain about exhaustion when your entire existence is funded by my hard work!
Arthur stepped closer, his face flushing a deep, furious crimson as he loomed over her like a predator.
Elena: I earned every single dollar in my trust fund before you even walked into my life.
Arthur: Your trust fund belongs to this household now, exactly like everything else you own!
Elena shook her head, her breath coming in shallow, ragged gasps as the terrifying reality of her marriage settled in.
Elena: You tricked me into signing those corporate transfer papers while I was recovering from surgery.
Arthur: Keep your voice down, you ungrateful little brat!
Margaret walked into the bright kitchen, clapping her hands together with a sickeningly cheerful grin on her face.
Margaret: Oh, stop crying, Elena. You've always loved playing the victim for attention.
Elena: Margaret, please... just stay out of this.
Margaret: I live here too, darling, which means I get a front-row seat to your pathetic little meltdowns.
Chloe pulled out her smartphone, opening the live-streaming app and angling the camera straight toward Elena's bruised face.
Chloe: Hey guys, welcome back to the livestream! Watch what happens when a gold-digger tries to steal from my brother!
Elena: Chloe, turn that camera off right now!
Chloe: No way, babe! My chat is absolutely loving this drama right now. Look at those donation spikes!
Arthur raised his heavy hand high into the air, his eyes blazing with malice as he prepared to strike her across the face. Elena stared at him, her heart pounding against her ribs like a trapped bird, knowing that the nightmare was about to reach its absolute boiling point.