The dark gray sky outside began to drizzle with rain as a black luxury sedan pulled into the long circular driveway of the Sterling estate. David sat in the backseat, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and joy. He had missed his son terribly during the three-day business trip. He looked forward to wrapping his arms around his wife and holding his baby boy.
Inside the hallway, Victoria was adjusting her ruby satin dress in front of the giant gold mirror. She turned around and saw Clara holding Leo near the top of the marble staircase. Leo had a tiny scratch on his leg from earlier when Victoria had knocked over his playpen in frustration.
"Give me the baby," Victoria demanded, walking up the steps toward Clara. "David's car is here. I am going to carry him down the stairs so David sees what a wonderful mother I am."
"No, Mrs. Sterling," Clara said softly but firmly, backing away slightly. "He is scared of you. Please, just let him stay calm."
Victoria's eyes flared with explosive anger. "How dare you defy me! Give him here!" She reached out and yanked Leo roughly from Clara's arms. The baby let out a sharp, painful scream as his arm was pulled. Victoria lost her balance slightly, grabbing Leo by his small body and practically dragging him down the remaining marble steps toward the main entrance hall.
Leo's crying echoed through the high ceilings of the estate. Clara rushed down the stairs after them, her heart in her throat. "Stop it! You're going to break his arm! Let him go!" Clara cried, trying to grab Victoria's arm to protect the screaming child.
At that exact moment, the grand double front doors burst open. The heavy brass handles slammed against the wooden frame with a loud bang that rang through the front hall. Two tall security guards stood at attention outside, holding large black umbrellas as David stepped across the threshold carrying his briefcase.
David stopped dead in his tracks. The scene before him made his blood run cold. His wife was wearing an elegant red dress, aggressively dragging his six-month-old baby boy across the polished floor by his arm. The infant was crying hysterically, his face turned red with panic. Standing right beside them was Clara, the maid, her eyes wide with terror and a deep blue bruise covering her left cheek.
The silence in the hallway was suffocating for a split second before Leo's screams filled the air again. David dropped his briefcase onto the floor. His eyes widened in absolute shock and disbelief as he stared at the woman he had loved and married.
"Victoria?" David whispered, his voice trembling with confusion and rising horror. "What... what are you doing to my son?"
Victoria froze. She immediately let go of Leo's arm, trying to shift her expression into one of innocent distress. She took a step back, her hands trembling as she smoothed her satin gown. "David! Oh, thank God you are home! It's not what it looks like! This crazy maid just pushed me down the stairs!"