Arthur looked into Maya's tear-filled eyes with deep affection and heavy emotional pain.
He wiped a stray tear from her pale cheek with his thumb very gently.
Maya stared back at the wealthy man in complete silence and profound bewilderment.
She had never seen the master of the house show such intense personal emotion.
Victoria took a step backward as her hands began to shake around her glass.
The wine sloshed over the rim and stained her pale fingers red.
Victoria: Have you lost your mind, Arthur? She is just the house cleaner!
Victoria: She spilled soapy water all over the floor and needed strict discipline!
Arthur: Do not speak another word to her in that disrespectful tone!
Victoria: You are making a scene over a girl who started three days ago!
Arthur: She is my long-lost daughter, you cruel and heartless monster!
Victoria's jaw dropped open as the heavy words echoed down the silent hall.
She nearly dropped her wine glass onto the hard marble floor in shock.
Maya froze in place as Arthur helped her stand up onto her feet.
She looked up into Arthur's face, searching for any sign of a joke.
Maya: What are you saying, sir? My father passed away years ago.
Arthur: Your adoptive father lied to protect you from a terrible legal battle.
Arthur: I have searched for you every single day for over fifteen years.
Victoria: This is ridiculous, Arthur! You are letting a stranger deceive you!
Arthur stood up to his full height and turned toward his arrogant wife.
His eyes burned with a blazing fury that Victoria had never seen before.
He took a step forward and pointed his finger directly at Victoria's face.
Arthur: I knew the moment I saw her birthmark on her inner wrist.
Arthur: My late wife had the exact same mark in the exact same spot.
Victoria: A birthmark proves nothing in a court of law or anywhere else!
Arthur: I ran a private DNA test the day she submitted her employment application.
Victoria's face turned completely white as the blood drained from her pale cheeks.
She clutched her wine glass so tightly that her knuckles turned pure white.
She looked between Arthur and the young girl standing quietly behind him now.
Maya reached down and looked at the small flower-shaped mark on her wrist.
She had owned that mark her entire life without knowing its true history.
Maya: You are really my biological father? Is that really true, sir?
Arthur: Yes, my sweet girl. You are Sarah, my missing daughter from Texas.
Victoria: Even if she is your daughter, you cannot talk to me like this!
Arthur: I can and I will, because your cruel games end today in this house.
Arthur slammed his hand against the wall frame, causing Victoria to jump back.
The glass in her hands shattered against the edge of a nearby pedestal table.
Red wine and broken glass showered across the white stone floor below them.
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