Chapter 2 - The Bloody Handprint
“Nathan, you have to listen to me,” Victoria started, her voice sickeningly sweet. “Elena is exhausted. Postpartum depression, clearly.” “She dropped him, Nathan! I was only trying to protect the baby!” Elena gasped at the blatant lie. “I never dropped him!” Elena cried, holding Leo closer. “She tried to pull him out of my arms while he was sleeping!” “She slapped me when I told her to stop!” Nathan slowly walked toward his wife. He gently reached out, his large hand trembling slightly as his fingers brushed the red mark on Elena’s face. The contrast was sickening. His gentle touch against the violent bruise his mother had caused. “Did you do this?” Nathan asked, his voice deathly quiet. He didn't turn around to look at Victoria. “Nathan, she was being hysterical!” Victoria snapped, losing her sweet facade. “She is unfit! She comes from nothing!” “She doesn't know how to raise a Sterling heir!” Victoria had always hated Elena. Elena was a public school teacher, a woman of humble beginnings. Victoria wanted Nathan to marry into high society, to merge empires. Instead, Nathan had chosen love. And Victoria had spent the last two years making Elena’s life a living nightmare. But tonight was different. Tonight, it wasn't just snide remarks at the dinner table. Tonight, it was physical violence. “Pack your things,” Nathan said. His voice broke the heavy silence of the hallway. Victoria smiled triumphantly, adjusting her silk robe. “Exactly,” Victoria sneered at Elena. “Pack your cheap bags and get out of my house.” “Leave the baby. You’re not taking a Sterling away from me.” Nathan finally turned around. His eyes were dark, filled with a storm of suppressed rage. “Not her, Mother,” Nathan said. “You.” Victoria’s jaw dropped. “Excuse me?” she whispered, genuine shock rippling through her body. “Pack your things, Mother. You are leaving this house.”
