The bright luxury study room felt colder than usual on that rainy Tuesday afternoon.
A large American flag hung beside the massive dark wood fireplace.
Seven-year-old Leo knelt quietly on the cold white marble floor.
He held a wet yellow sponge in his tiny trembling hands.
A tiny stain near the hearth required his complete attention.
His stepmother Evelyn stood near the tall bookshelf in her emerald green silk dress.
She watched the boy with cold narrow eyes and folded arms.
Evelyn: You are not moving fast enough, Leo.
Leo looked up with fear shining in his big brown eyes.
Leo: I am trying my best, Mommy Evelyn.
Evelyn: That is simply not good enough for this house.
She stepped forward and kicked the metal bucket with her high heel.
Dirty grey water splashed violently across the polished white marble floor.
The soapy liquid soaked directly into Leo's light blue wool jumper.
Leo gasped aloud as the cold water touched his skin.
Leo: Mommy, please don't!
Tears began streaming down his pale soft cheeks.
Evelyn: Stop crying like a baby and clean this up instantly!
She pointed her long painted fingernail directly at his face.
Leo shrank back toward the heavy stone fireplace mantel.
His small knees trembled against the wet slippery tiles.
He gripped the wet sponge tighter between his small fingers.
Leo: I am sorry, I will clean it all right now.
Evelyn: You are just as clumsy as your real mother was.
Her harsh words echoed loudly off the high plaster ceiling.
Leo buried his face in his hands and sobbed uncontrollably.
The heavy oak double doors suddenly swung open with a loud bang.
David walked into the study wearing his sharp grey suit.
He had just returned home early from his corporate office downtown.
His footsteps stopped abruptly as he took in the shocking scene.
His eyes widened when he saw his young son weeping on the floor.
David: What on earth is going on in here?!
Evelyn quickly adjusted her dress and tried to smile smoothly.
Evelyn: David, darling, the boy was just being clumsy again.
Leo looked up at his father with heartbreak in his eyes.
Leo: Daddy, help me!
David felt a sharp pain pierce his chest instantly.
He crossed the room with quick aggressive strides toward them.
His face hardened into a mask of pure protective fury.
David: What do you think you're doing to my son?!
Evelyn: I was only teaching him some discipline, David!
David slammed his heavy hand onto the mahogany desk in outrage.
The loud impact made Evelyn jump back toward the wall.
David: This is not discipline, this is pure cruelty!
He bent down immediately and picked up his crying little boy.
He wrapped his strong arms securely around Leo's shivering body.
Leo held onto his father's coat with all his remaining strength.
David glared down at his wife with complete cold contempt.
David: If you ever treat him like this again, we are done!
Evelyn stood frozen in place beside the dark wooden wall.
Her face turned completely pale as David turned his back on her.
He carried Leo out into the hallway, closing the doors behind them.