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.

The impact was so loud it echoed off the marble walls. The force was so great that Leo threw his head back. He didn’t even have time to scream. He fell hard to the ground, his small body slumped against the cold stone.

“Leo!” I shouted, lunging forward.

I was there in a flash and pulled him onto my lap. He was pale, a dark bruise was already forming on his cheek, and his eyes were rolled back in his head. He’d hit his head when he fell. He was unconscious.

“My dress!” Vanessa shouted, pointing to the wet side. “That dress is worth tens of thousands of euros, Marcus! And that clumsy brat ruined it!” Why did you let her bring it here?”

My parents came running. My mother didn’t look at Leo. She didn’t check if her grandson was still breathing. She reached out and touched the wet fabric of Vanessa’s dress.

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