The smell of fresh paint and floor polish filled the sunlit kitchen of the Sterling estate.
Clara: I washed the floor twice, just like you asked.
Richard: It doesn't look washed to me, Clara. Look at those smudges on the island.
Margaret: From now on you're my family's maid.
Clara stood in the center of the white marble room, her fingers clutching a wet rag. Her face was still stinging from where Margaret had struck her ten minutes ago.
Clara: Richard, please... I am your wife, not your servant.
Richard: You're whatever my mother says you are while you live under this roof.
Margaret: You came into this family with nothing, girl. Don't forget your place.
Clara raised her shaking hand to her face, dabbing her cheek with a white cloth.
Clara: I loved you, Richard. I gave up my career to move here with you.
Richard: Your career was running a small bakery, Clara. That's hardly a real career.
Margaret: Start with the kitchen, then his laundry. And make sure those countertops shine before noon.
Margaret pointed aggressively across the counter, her long red nails glistening in the bright morning light.
Clara: I won't do it.
Richard: What did you just say to my mother?
Clara: I said I am done.
Clara slowly pulled the massive diamond engagement ring off her left ring finger. The metal gave a sharp metallic clink as she placed it directly onto the polished marble countertop next to a folded napkin.
Richard: Clara... what are you doing with that ring?
Clara: You were right. I don't belong here.
She turned on her heel and walked out of the kitchen, her blue satin dress swishing softly as her suitcase wheels rolled smoothly across the hardwood floor.
Margaret: Let her go, Richard! She'll come crawling back before the end of the day!
A heavy door slammed shut at the end of the front hallway, echoing loudly through the massive house.
Richard: Let me call my bank manager to make sure she didn't take any credit cards.
Richard pulled his smartphone out of his lavender shirt pocket, tapping the screen to open his primary business banking app.
A loud digital alert chime rang out from the phone's speaker.
Richard: What is this? Why does it say Funds Frozen?
Margaret: What do you mean frozen? Try logging in again!
Richard: Why can't we access the money?!