I never told my parents that I had invested $500 million to save their failing company. My sister took credit, claiming she had closed the deal. At the victory party, my five-year-old son accidentally spilled water on his dress. She hit him so hard he lost consciousness. My mother snorted, “You clumsy speculator! Take the boy and go!” I gave them one last chance to apologize. Instead, they shouted, “Your sister saved us! You’re nothing but a burden!” Then they turned their attention to me. “Hello, our CEO…” What I had done had completely shattered their world.

There was silence in the ballroom.

Chapter 2: Impact
There was a deathly silence, broken only by the soft clatter of Leo’s plastic cup against the floor.

Vanessa looked down at her dress. The white silk was now sheer and clung to her skin, the hem heavy with water. There was no shock on her face; only pure, unadulterated vanity that was offended.

“You… you little monster!” Vanessa screamed.

Leo’s lower lip quivered. “I’m sorry, Aunt Vanny. It was an accident.”

But Vanessa wasn’t listening. She didn’t see the baby. She saw the missed photo opportunity. She saw a blemish on her perfect evening.

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