PART 2: THE BREAKING POINT
The heavy double doors of the kitchen swung open. Julian walked in, intending to grab a quick espresso before the first guests arrived. Instead, the scene before him made his blood run completely cold.
His daughter, his entire world, was hysterical, standing on a stool, her hands soaked in a mixture of water and blood, her face red and tear-stained. And standing right next to her, looking as though she were watching a dull television program, was Victoria, calmly drinking water.
Julian didn't think. He crossed the room in two massive strides. He bypassed Victoria completely, stepping in front of Lily. He placed his large, steady hands on Lily’s waist, safely lifting her down from the stool and stepping between the child and his wife.
"Lily, Lily, look at me," Julian commanded softly, his heart hammering against his ribs. He grabbed a clean linen towel from the counter, immediately wrapping it around her bleeding hand. "Clara!" he shouted, his voice booming through the house.
The new nanny, Clara, rushed into the kitchen, her eyes widening at the scene.
"Take her upstairs. Bandage her hand, stay with her, and do not leave her side. Do you understand me?" Julian ordered, his voice vibrating with a terrifying, suppressed rage.
"Yes, Mr. Vance," Clara whispered, quickly scooping the crying child into her arms and hurrying out of the kitchen.
The heavy doors clicked shut. The rush of the running faucet was the only sound left in the room.
Julian turned slowly to face Victoria. The elegant, controlled facade of the billionaire investor was entirely gone. In its place was a father pushed to the absolute brink. His face was contorted in a mask of pure fury, his veins bulging against his stiff white collar.
"Why did you do this?!" Julian roared, the sound tearing through the kitchen. He stepped into her personal space, his imposing frame towering over her.
Victoria gasped, the sheer force of his anger shocking her. For the first time, her mask slipped. Her eyes widened in genuine terror, her breath catching in her throat as she instinctively clutched her chest. The glass of water trembled in her hand.
"Julian, it was an accident—she was being clumsy—" Victoria stammered, her voice losing its icy composure.
"An accident?" Julian’s voice dropped to a low, lethal hiss. He took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to control the violent urge to destroy everything in the room. His eyes bored into hers, filled with a deep-seated disgust. "She is a child. She was bleeding. And you stood there and drank water."
"You don't understand the pressure I'm under to make this night perfect for you!" she cried out, trying to reclaim her defensive footing. "She is always clinging to the past, bringing that garbage into this house—"
Julian raised a single, stern finger, cutting her off instantly. The gesture was absolute. It demanded total silence.
"Shut. Your. Mouth," he whispered, each word dripping with venom.
He stepped even closer, his face inches from hers. The glamorous socialite looked small now, trapped between the marble counter and the fury of a man who realized he had let a monster into his home.
"Pack your bags and leave," Julian whispered, his voice trembling with a terrifying finality.
Victoria stared at him, choked with tears that were born out of fear and ruined pride rather than sorrow. "Julian... the guests are arriving in an hour. The Sterling name—the press—what will people say?"
"I don't give a damn about your name, your family, or the press," Julian said, his eyes burning with an unyielding fire. He looked at her as if she were a toxic asset to be liquidated without a second thought. "My daughter will be raised by a decent woman. Not a sociopath in a velvet dress."
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"You can't do this to me," Victoria whispered, a tear finally escaping her eye, ruining her perfect makeup.
"Watch me," Julian replied. "You have thirty minutes to get out of my sight before I have security throw you onto the street in front of the paparazzi."
