Mark adjusted his navy blue silk tie in the bright kitchen light.
His silver briefcase sat near the wide marble island counter.
An American flag hung neatly on the far dining room wall.
Mark was a hardworking lawyer preparing for a big court case.
He bent down to hug his seven-year-old daughter Lily tight.
Lily clutched her worn stuffed bunny rabbit close to her chest.
She buried her small face into her father's crisp white shirt.
Mark felt her tiny shoulders trembling against his warm arms.
Lily: Daddy... please don't go today.
Mark: I have to go to court today, sweetheart.
Lily: Please stay home with me, Daddy.
Mark gently wiped a hot tear from her soft cheek.
He wondered why his cheerful daughter seemed so frightened lately.
Victoria: Someone doesn't want daddy to leave.
Victoria walked into the kitchen wearing an elegant red dress.
She smiled smoothly while sipping hot coffee from a porcelain cup.
Victoria had married Mark just six short months ago.
She always acted like the perfect loving stepmother around Mark.
Mark kissed Lily's forehead gently and grabbed his leather briefcase.
Mark: I will be home early tonight, baby girl.
Lily: I love you, Daddy.
Mark hurried out the front door toward his parked sedan.
Yet a heavy sense of worry lingered deep inside his heart.