Mark walked into his massive estate after a very long business flight from Chicago.
He expected to hear the sweet sound of his toddler son playing in the hallway.
Instead, the huge marble entrance was totally quiet and oddly freezing cold.
Mark set his black leather briefcase down near the tall front door key table.
He felt a strange knot forming deep inside his stomach right away.
His wife, Victoria, had promised to care for little Leo while the nanny was away.
Mark had hired Victoria as a personal assistant two whole years ago.
They got married quickly after his first wife passed away from illness.
Mark believed Victoria was a kind and loving stepmother to little Leo.
He gave her full access to his bank accounts and luxury vehicles.
Yet something felt completely off inside the silent mansion today.
Mark walked slowly down the long tiled corridor toward the main living room area.
He heard a faint sound coming from around the high white corner wall.
It sounded like a child softly crying behind the heavy silk curtains.
Mark stopped moving and held his breath to listen closely to the noise.
Mark: Leo, is that you buddy?
No one answered his call except for a low whimpering sound.
Mark stepped forward onto the polished floor with quick heavy steps.
He rounded the corner and stopped dead in his tracks from pure shock.
His heart sank straight into his chest as he took in the strange scene.
Little Leo was sitting on the icy cold floor in the center of the room.
The one year old boy had dirty rice spilled all over his soft shirt.
Tears were streaming down his tiny cheeks in endless salty lines.
He was clutching a cheap metal bowl with both of his shaking hands.
Across the room, Victoria sat comfortably in a large plush armchair.
She was wearing an expensive beige suit while eating sweet green grapes.
She was scrolling through her phone without looking at the crying toddler once.
Mark felt a wave of cold horror wash over his entire body immediately.
Mark: What are you doing over there, Victoria?
Victoria jumped up from her leather chair in complete surprise and horror.
She dropped her handful of grapes directly onto the thick carpet floor.
Victoria: Mark! You were not supposed to be home until tomorrow night!
Mark: Answer my question right now!
Victoria: I was just letting him eat his lunch by himself like a big boy!
Mark looked down at his tiny son who was still sobbing softly on the floor.
The sight broke his heart into a million sharp pieces instantly.