He refused to take his disabled wife to the party, saying her presence would be “embarrassing.”

His knees buckled.

And in that moment, surrounded by applause and stunned silence, Leo finally understood the cost of his cruelty—far too late to escape it.

A spotlight focused.

A woman riding a Gold-plated Wheelchair came out. She was wearing a beautiful red gown full of diamonds. Her hair was done up, her face was fresh and fierce.

Mara.