Mark pulled his luxury car into the wide driveway and parked right near the front steps.
He stepped out into the bright afternoon sun and walked quickly up the concrete stairs.
The front door unlocked smoothly, and he stepped inside the tall, white marble foyer.
He expected to hear soft music or see the housekeeper folding laundry near the stairs.
Instead, a high sound of crying echoed down the long hallway toward the living area.
Mark froze in place as he recognized his daughter's frightened voice immediately in the air.
He dropped his leather briefcase onto the floor and broke into a fast run.
His shoes made loud footsteps against the polished marble floor as he rushed forward.
He threw the heavy white double doors open with a powerful push of his hands.
The sight inside the bright room made his blood run cold in an instant.
Lily was sitting on the floor surrounded by melting ice cubes and freezing water.
Sarah was standing right above her with a stern and cold look on her face.
Mark: What do you think you are doing in here?!
Sarah: Mark, you are home early, this is just a quick lesson!
Mark did not listen to her smooth excuses as anger filled his entire chest.
He charged across the wide room toward Sarah with his hands clenched into tight fists.
He shoved Sarah away from his weeping daughter with a sudden burst of strength.
Sarah lost her balance completely and fell down onto the hard marble floor hard.
The empty metal bucket crashed beside her, making a loud metallic sound in the room.
Scattered ice cubes bounced off the floor and slid across the wet, shiny tiles.
Mark ignored Sarah completely and dropped to his knees right beside his poor child.
Mark: Lily, sweetie, look at me, are you alright?
Lily: Daddy, it was so cold, I didn't mean to break it!