The Severed Tether
Inside the dining room, Julian raised his crystal wine glass to his lips, smirking across the table at Victoria.
"She’ll be crying in the guest bedroom within ten minutes," Victoria scoffed, placing the silver ice bucket onto the mahogany sideboard with a clatter. "These common girls always think their pride is worth something. As if being pregnant with a Sterling heir gives her the right to hold her head up in my house."
Cynthia, Julian’s mistress seated across from him, giggled into her napkin. "She looked like a drowned rat, Julian."
Julian chuckled, but the vibration in his breast pocket interrupted him. He glanced at the caller ID. The blood drained from his face instantly.
The Chairman.
Julian cleared his throat, setting his wine down with a sudden clink. "Grandfather? Good evening, sir. We were just—"
"Pack your personal effects and vacate the residence by midnight, Julian," Arthur Sterling’s voice cut through the line like tempered steel.
Julian froze, the smirk sliding entirely from his face. "Grandfather? What... what are you talking about? It's Julian. We’re having dinner—"
"I listened to the entire dinner," Arthur replied coldly. "You have forgotten the dignity of this family. You have mistreated the mother of my great-grandchild. The board has already been summoned for an emergency session tomorrow at eight. Do not dare call me again."
May you like
The line clicked dead. In the silence that followed, Victoria reached for her son's arm. "Julian? What did he say?"
Julian’s hand shook so violently that the dark wine spilled over the pristine white tablecloth, spreading like an open wound.
