Victoria walked over to the glass table, standing directly between her husband and the young maid. She looked down at Elena, her expression softening with genuine sympathy. "Get your things, Elena," Victoria said softly, her voice steady and calm despite the tears still glistening on her eyelashes. "You and your brother are free to leave today. Your final checks will be paid in full, and no one in this house will ever threaten you again."
Julian’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing as he stepped toward his wife. "You don't have the authority to make those decisions, Victoria," he warned, his voice dropping into a low, threatening tone. "This is my family's estate, and what happens under this roof is decided by me." But Victoria didn't back down; she stood her ground, facing him with a dignity he had clearly underestimated.
Elena didn't hesitate. She bowed her head briefly toward Victoria in silent gratitude, turned on her heel, and hurried out of the dining room through the side service entrance, her heavy footsteps fading into the distance. The room fell into a heavy, absolute silence as husband and wife stood face to face under the bright sunlight and glittering chandelier.
Victoria looked at Julian one last time, the love she had felt for him for ten years completely gone. "The estate may belong to your family, Julian," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper that cut deeper than any scream. "But my life does not." Turning on her heel, she walked out of the room, leaving Julian standing alone in the grand, empty dining room as the morning sun washed over the polished glass table, exposing the quiet ruin of his world.