The bright light from the crystal chandelier hit the marble floor of the grand foyer. Chloe smoothed the front of her white silk wedding jumpsuit, her eyes fixed on the entrance. Standing near the luggage rack, Amara knelt beside her worn leather suitcase, clutching a red passport with torn pages scattering across the tile floor.
Chloe: NO! YOU CAN'T LEAVE BEFORE MY WEDDING!
Amara: Miss Chloe, please... I don't have a choice.
Chloe: You think you can just pack up and walk out on my big day?
Amara: My family needs me in London right now!
Chloe: I paid for your visa and your uniform, Amara. You belong in this house until the reception is over!
Chloe reached down, grabbing another handful of official papers from Amara's open bag and ripping them right down the center.
Amara buried her face in her trembling hands, her shoulders shaking violently as tears soaked through her white apron.
Amara: Those are my emergency travel documents... why are you doing this to me?
Chloe: Because nobody ruins my schedule! My mother's guests are arriving in two hours!
The heavy glass double doors swung open with a sharp creak. Mark stepped into the grand foyer, holding a garment bag over his shoulder. His grey suit jacket was unbuttoned, his eyes sweeping over the torn paper littered across the white marble floor.
Mark: WHAT DID YOU JUST DO?!
Chloe: Mark! You weren't supposed to be here until noon!
Mark: What is all this paper on the floor?
Chloe: It's nothing! Amara was throwing a tantrum and trying to leave before fixing the flower arrangements!
Mark dropped his garment bag onto the floor, his face dark with rage as he strode forward rapidly, stepping directly into Chloe's space. Before she could pull back, he swung his hand back with full force and slapped her hard across the face.
Chloe stumbled back two steps, clutching her stinging, reddened cheek in complete horror and shock as tears filled her eyes.
Chloe: YOU... YOU HIT ME?!
Mark ignored her entirely, dropping down on one knee beside the crying maid. He placed a comforting hand on her trembling shoulder while glaring back up at his fiancée.
Mark: AMARA, WHAT HAPPENED?!
Amara: MY MOTHER PASSED AWAY... I NEED TO GO!
Mark stood up with commanding authority, helping Amara to her feet while pointing a stern finger directly at Chloe's face.
Mark: GET OUT OF THIS HOUSE RIGHT NOW! THE WEDDING IS OVER!
Chloe gasped, her jaw dropping open as Mark picked up Amara's suitcase, leaving his humiliated bride to flee out the front doors into the blinding daylight, completely unaware of the dark secret about to tear her family apart.