Chapter 7 - ELENA RUNS TOWARD THE CRYING
Elena dropped the basket in her hands.
Sheets spilled across the floor.
"Leo?"
Another scream.
She ran.
Down the service corridor.
Past the dining room.
Into the grand hall.
What she saw stopped her heart.
Victoria had Leo by the arm.
The boy was terrified.
His face was red with tears.
"Let him go!"
Victoria spun around.
The surprise loosened her grip.
Elena crossed the room and took Leo immediately.
He wrapped both arms around her neck.
His entire body trembled.
"What is wrong with you?" Elena shouted.
Victoria's face flushed.
"Give him back."
"No."
"I said give him to me."
"No."
Victoria stepped closer.
"This is my house."
"This is Mark's house."
"I am going to be his wife."
"Then act like someone who deserves his family."
Victoria raised her hand.
Elena caught her wrist.
For several seconds, the two women stared at each other.
One wearing designer silk.
The other wearing a housekeeper's uniform.
But power had changed sides.
Elena released Victoria's wrist.
"Stay away from Leo."
Victoria shoved her.
Elena staggered but kept the boy protected against her body.
Leo screamed again.
Something inside Elena snapped.
She pushed Victoria away.
Hard enough to create distance.
Victoria stumbled.
Shock filled her face.
"You touched me."
"You touched a child."
"I'll have you arrested."
"Call the police."
Elena held Leo tighter.
"Please. Call them."
Victoria stared at her.
The confidence faded.
Because somewhere beneath the anger, she realized how the scene would look.
A terrified toddler.
A broken toy.
Bruises.
Security cameras.
Then the front doors opened.
Neither woman noticed at first.
A man stood in the entrance.
Mark Sterling.
May you like
And the expression on his face was something Victoria had never seen before.
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