Leo: MOMMY! MOMMY, WAIT FOR ME!
Julian: What is the meaning of this? Someone grab that kid right now!
Clara: Julian, wait, don't scream at him. He's terrified.
Julian: I don't care! Security, get this pest out of my sight before he ruins the video feed!
Priest: Son, please, calm down. Let the security guards help you outside.
Leo: No! I want my mommy! Mommy, where are you?!
The boy’s frantic screams vibrated off the high ceilings as he stumbled over a floral arrangement, nearly falling onto the marble floor. Gasps echoed through the rows of high-society guests as diamond-dripping women pulled back their silk dresses in disgust. Julian stepped forward, his face turning dark red, his jaw clenched so tight the veins in his neck bulged.
Julian: Who let a street brat into my private ceremony? Are you all incompetent?!
Guest 1: Is that... isn't that one of the staff members' children?
Guest 2: Look at his clothes, they're cheap! How disgraceful, interrupting a Sterling wedding!
Clara: Julian, stop yelling! He's just a six-year-old child who got lost!
Julian: He is ruining the most important day of my life, Clara! Look at him, he's a disaster!
Leo: MOMMY!
The little boy didn't stop. He scrambled back onto his feet, running straight past the rows of mahogany pews toward the back exit. Down the side aisle, a figure in a maid uniform broke rank from the catering line, dropping her silver serving tray onto the floor with a loud, metallic crash that shattered the chapel's silence.
Helena: LEO! NO, LEO, STOP!
Julian: Helena? What the hell are you doing?!
Helena: I'm sorry, sir! I'm so sorry! He escaped from the holding room in the back!
Julian: Get him out of here before I fire you on the spot!
Helena dropped to her knees right in the middle of the aisle, ignoring the glares of two hundred wealthy spectators. The little boy threw himself into her arms, burying his face into her crisp white collar, sobbing violently as his shoulders heaved. Helena wrapped her arms tightly around his trembling frame, whispering sweet words into his hair as she tried to pull him toward the side door.
Helena: Shh, Leo, baby, it's okay. Mommy's here. I've got you, sweetheart, please be quiet.
Leo: Mommy, the mean man told me you were going away forever! He said you were leaving me!
Helena: No, Leo, no one is leaving you. I'm right here. Let's go outside, please.
Julian: Get that sniveling kid out of here, Helena! You're a maid, act like one and clear the aisle!
Clara: Julian, give her a second! Can't you see the boy is hysterical?
Julian: I don't give a damn about her boy! This wedding cost half a million dollars, and she's making a spectacle of us!
Helena squeezed the boy tighter, lifting him into her arms as she stood up to leave. But as she adjusted her grip on her crying son, the harsh spotlight overhead caught the glare of something bright on her left hand. My breath caught in my chest, and I took two steps forward, pulling off my lace veil to get a better look.
Clara: Wait... stop. Helena, hold on.
Julian: Clara, what are you doing? Let her go!
Clara: Look at her hand, Julian. Look at her ring finger.
On Helena's left ring finger, gleaming brightly against her dark maid uniform, sat a massive, four-carat cushion-cut diamond surrounded by a platinum band. It was a custom piece from Cartier, an exact duplicate of the heirloom engagement ring Julian had given me six months ago, right down to the unique, tiny crest engraved on the side.
Clara: Where... where did you get that ring, Helena?
Helena: I... I have to go, ma'am. I'm so sorry for the disruption.
Julian: She stole it! She's a thief! Guards, arrest her right now! She stole from the estate!
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