The sound of shattering glass echoed off the polished white marble floors of the Manhattan penthouse.

Liam: Stop crying right now! Do you hear me?

Elena: That is a very big feeling. You can be angry. I am not leaving.

Leo: I hate it! I want it to stop!

Elena: I know, sweet boy. Take a deep breath with me. In and out.

Liam: Don't indulge his pathetic whining! He needs discipline, not coddling!

Elena: He is three years old, Mr. Vance. He does not need discipline right now. He needs safety.

Liam: Fourteen nannies ran out of this apartment in six months! Fourteen! And you think a cheap maid badge gives you the right to lecture me?

Elena: I am not lecturing you. I am holding your son while his world falls apart.

Liam: You are here to clean the floors, Elena. Wash the crystal, vacuum the rugs, and stay out of family business.

Elena: Then let me clean up the mess you just made on the floor before he steps on it.

Liam: Look at him! He is weak because his mother ran away and left him with nothing!

Leo: Mommy? Where is Mommy?

Elena: Shh, little one. Focus on my voice. Look at the flag hanging on the wall over there. See the bright red stripes?

Liam: Do not bring her up! She signed the divorce papers and took her settlement money!

Elena: Is that what you tell yourself every night when you look at this empty home?

Liam: You are walking on extremely thin ice. One more word and you are fired without a reference.

Elena: Fire me, then. But while I am still standing here, I will not let you scare this child.

Liam: You do not know who I am or what I can do to your career, woman.

Elena: I know exactly who you are, Liam. That is why I stayed when the others ran.