The white marble floor of the grand luxury mansion was freezing beneath Maya's knees, but the icy cold was nothing compared to the fear clutching her chest.
Victoria: You insolent, worthless little brat!
Maya: Please, Miss Victoria... I dropped the vase by accident!
Victoria: STAFF WHO EMBARRASS ME DO NOT BELONG HERE!
Victoria's metallic gold gown shimmered under the bright natural daylight streaming through the high arched windows, casting a long, sinister shadow over the kneeling girl.
The cold steel of heavy dressmaking scissors snipped menacingly in the quiet mansion hall.
Maya: Please don't... my hair... please!
Victoria: Shut up! You spilled water on my designer heels, and now you dare to raise your voice to me?
Tears streamed down Maya's pale face, mixing with the tiny bead of blood dripping from a fresh cut on her forehead where the shattered porcelain had struck her moments earlier.
Victoria grabbed a thick lock of Maya's long brown hair, her knuckles white with cruel fury.
Victoria: I am going to teach you a lesson every servant in this city will remember!
Maya: I'm begging you... please let me go...
Victoria: Kneel straight! You don't move until I say so!
The heavy iron front doors of the mansion suddenly swung open with a loud, echoing thud.
Rapid, heavy footsteps rushed across the foyer floor.
Julian: WHY IS MY WIFE ON THE FLOOR?!
The snip of the metal blades stopped instantly mid-air.
Victoria's face transformed into pure terror as her jaw dropped in absolute shock, her eyes widening as she stared at the powerful man standing in the doorway.
Victoria: YOUR WIFE?!
Maya sobbed softly, resting her hand over her lower belly, waiting for the storm that was about to shatter the quiet luxury of the mansion hall forever.