Chapter 1 - THE WINE STAINED BETRAYAL
The dining room of the Vance estate in Long Island was suffocatingly quiet.
The grandfather clock ticked with a rhythmic, oppressive weight.
Tonight was Julian’s fifth birthday.
Victoria Vance had spared no expense to celebrate the heir.
At the head of the mahogany table sat Charles Vance.
He looked cold and indifferent.
Next to him was Julian.
Julian was dressed in a custom-tailored suit.
He looked like a pampered prince.
At the far end sat Eleanor.
Her posture was rigid.
Her heart was heavy with years of sorrow.
Beside Eleanor sat five-year-old Leo.
Leo wore a faded, oversized sweater.
He was the child Charles had brought home years ago.
He was the result of a supposed one-night stand.
The mistress had abandoned him.
Eleanor had raised Leo out of pure compassion.
She raised him as her own flesh and blood.
Yet she was met with relentless cruelty.
Charles and Victoria despised her.
They claimed she humiliated the family.
They hated that she kept the bastard under their roof.
The peace broke suddenly.
Leo slid a hand-drawn card toward Julian.
Happy birthday, Julian, Leo whispered.
He had a hopeful smile on his small face.
Before Julian could reach for it, Victoria snatched it.
She sneered at the child.
She tore the drawing in half.
She threw the pieces into a bowl of soup.
How dare you bring your trash here, Victoria hissed.
Her voice dripped with pure venom.
Keep your hands to yourself, boy.
You do not belong in this family.
Victoria, please, Eleanor pleaded.
Her voice was trembling but defensive.
He just wanted to give his brother a gift.
Brother? Charles scoffed loudly.
He set his wine glass down with a sharp clack.
Do not insult my legitimate son, Eleanor.
You coddle that mistake just to spite us.
You care more about a reject than your own blood.
He is a child, Charles, an innocent one.
Eleanor stood up from her chair.
The wood scraped loudly against the floor.
She pulled Leo behind her back.
Victoria’s eyes flashed with manic rage.
She stood up from her seat.
Her diamonds caught the chandelier light.
You insolent, ungrateful girl, Victoria screamed.
In one swift motion, she grabbed her goblet.
She threw the red Cabernet into Eleanor’s face.
The cold, dark liquid drenched Eleanor’s pale skin.
It soaked her white dress.
It dripped down like fresh blood.
Before Eleanor could wipe her eyes, Victoria lunged.
She delivered a brutal, physical shove.
Eleanor lost her balance immediately.
She stumbled backward toward the antique cabinet.
She crashed into the heavy glass doors.
The glass shattered upon impact with a thunderous roar.
A rain of jagged shards showered over her.
She collapsed onto the cold floor.
She was gasping in sheer agony.
A large piece of glass sliced her forearm.
Another cut opened her temple.
Crimson blood mixed with the spilled wine.
It pooled on the white marble floor.
Mommy, Leo screamed in terror.
He burst into tears and rushed to her.
His small hands were stained with her blood.
Charles did not move a single muscle.
He pulled Julian away from the scene.
He wanted to protect his son from the sight.
He looked down at his wife with disgust.
Clean this mess up, Eleanor, he said coldly.
He turned his back on her without remorse.
You brought this on yourself, he muttered.
Lying amidst the broken glass, she felt pain.
She clutched a crying Leo to her chest.
Her blood dripped onto his worn sweater.
Eleanor stared at her husband’s retreating back.
She felt a cold resolve harden in her heart.
She knew she would not survive this household.
She did not know the truth yet.
The boy clinging to her was the true heir.
He was the only real Vance blood in the room.
The shadow of the estate loomed over them.
Their lives were about to change forever.
She promised herself she would escape.
She would take Leo away from this hell.
The night was long and filled with shadows.
She closed her eyes against the stinging pain.
The silence returned to the room once more.
Only the ticking clock filled the void.
Leo sobbed softly against her shoulder.
She stroked his hair with a trembling hand.
She would protect him at any cost.
This was only the beginning of their journey.
The game had finally shifted tonight.
Dark secrets remained buried under the floorboards.
She would uncover them all in time.
The Vance dynasty was built on lies.
She would ensure those lies crumbled down.
One day they would pay for their cruelty.
She would rise from these broken shards.
The glass would serve as her catalyst.
Tomorrow would be a new chapter for them.
She whispered a promise into Leo’s ear.
They would find their way to freedom.
The cold marble floor felt like a grave.
But her spirit remained unbroken and strong.
She watched the light fade from the room.
The nightmare was far from over, however.
She steeled her nerves for the long road.
This was a war for their very survival.
May you like
Every drop of blood was a lesson learned.
She would never be the victim again.
