Mark walked toward the white wall near the large framed flag painting.
He looked directly into Elena's cold eyes with a stern firm expression.
Little Leo held tightly onto Mark's thumb with his tiny soft fingers.
Mark: Is there any truth to what Sarah is telling me, Elena?
Elena: Of course not, I am his mother and I care for him!
Sarah: You hire random temporary sitters and leave town for whole weekends!
Sarah wiped her wet cheeks with the sleeve of her clean uniform dress.
She pulled a small black digital recording device out from her deep apron pocket.
The small plastic device looked worn out from weeks of constant daily use.
Sarah: I recorded the baby crying alone while you were away in Chicago.
Elena: You sneaky little rat, hand that device over to me right now!
Elena lunged forward to grab the black recorder from Sarah's trembling hands.
Mark stepped quickly between the two women with a dark stern gaze.
He blocked Elena's path using his broad shoulders and strong tall frame.
Mark: Do not touch her, Elena, let her play the full audio tape.
Elena: You are taking the word of house staff over your own wife!
Mark: I am seeking the truth about my son's health and safety.
Sarah pressed the red play button on the top of the dark recorder.
Clear digital sound immediately filled the wide grand marble hallway of the house.
The loud sound of an infant crying echoed off the tall white walls.
A woman's sharp voice could be heard yelling loudly in the distant background.
The recorded voice clearly belonged to Elena during a moment of deep anger.
Recorded Elena: Stop crying, you ruined my afternoon party plans with my friends!
Mark felt his entire heart break into a thousand tiny sharp pieces.
He looked at Elena as if he was seeing a total stranger today.
Mark: How could you talk to our sweet helpless baby like that?
Elena: It was just a stressful afternoon, every mother loses her temper!
Sarah: She threatened to fire me if I ever told you the truth!
Mark gripped the edge of the hallway table to steady his trembling body.
The reality of his beautiful marriage was crumbling down around his feet.