David pulled tiny Toby gently into his arms and held him tight.
The infant buried his wet face directly into David's crisp white shirt.
David reached down with his free hand to touch Emily's shaking shoulder softly.
He stroked her blond hair as tears rushed down her pale cheeks.
"I am right here, sweetie," David whispered in a trembling tone.
"What happened to you?" he asked with deep concern in his eyes.
Emily sobbed heavily as she tried to raise her head off the floor.
"I had to keep him safe, Daddy!" she cried out loud.
David held her chin gently to lift her gaze up toward his face.
"Safe from what, Emily?" David demanded in a worried voice.
Emily looked down at the shiny marble tiles without making eye contact.
She pulled her pink crutches closer to her bruised little knees.
"Mommy said we had to stay quiet," Emily whimpered softly.
"She said bad things happen if we make too much noise today."
David felt a surge of cold ice run through his warm veins.
He slowly raised his head and looked straight down the long hallway.
His wife Sarah was standing at the far end near the master bedroom.
She wore a crisp white blouse and folded her arms across her chest.
Sarah showed no emotion on her face as she watched her daughter cry.
She did not move forward to help the injured child on the floor.
David stared at his wife with utter disbelief and growing anger.
"Sarah, what is the meaning of this?" David asked coldly.
Sarah merely sneered and took a slow step backward into the dark room.
David knew right then that his marriage was officially over forever.