The morning light streamed through the towering glass windows of the grand foyer.
Arthur stepped through the double oak doors of the mansion after a long morning of meetings.
He carried a leather briefcase in his right hand and a bouquet of fresh flowers in his left.
The white marble floor glinted under the high ceiling chandeliers.
Arthur expected a quiet afternoon with his little two-year-old daughter named Lily.
Instead, a cold chill ran down his spine as he heard harsh voices upstairs.
He stopped near the base of the winding staircase and listened carefully.
His new wife Victoria was standing on the upper balcony near the decorative marble pillars.
She wore an expensive emerald green silk dress that swept against the polished floor.
Victoria was holding small Lily by the arm right next to the high wrought iron railing.
The child was crying softly and clutching her small plush toy tightly.
Victoria: You don't belong in this house!
Arthur dropped his leather briefcase onto the floor with a loud heavy thud.
His heart pounded against his ribs like a wild drum.
Arthur: Victoria! Step back from that railing right now!
Victoria turned her head sharply with a look of cold surprise.
She pulled Lily back away from the edge just as Arthur began taking two steps at a time.
His shoes clicked loudly across the polished white marble steps.
Arthur: Give me my daughter this instant!
He reached the top landing and grabbed Lily into his strong arms.
He pulled the toddler tightly against his chest while his whole body trembled with anger.
Lily buried her small wet face into Arthur's neck and sobbed uncontrollably.
Arthur: I've got you sweetheart. Daddy's here. You're safe now my baby.
Victoria adjusted the collar of her silk dress and backed away slightly.
She put her hands up in the air with a fake expression of deep concern.
Victoria: It was an accident! She slipped while playing with her toy near the ledge!
Arthur glared at her with intense furious tears in his dark eyes.
Arthur: You did this on purpose!
Victoria: Don't say such crazy things in front of the child!
Arthur: I heard every word you screamed at her before I ran up those stairs!
Victoria took a step back toward the open doorway of the master bedroom suite.
Her face went pale as she realized Arthur was not believing her lies.
Arthur: You never loved this family or took care of this sweet little girl!
Victoria: I gave up my whole social life to live here with you!
Arthur: You moved in here for my money and my late wife's estate!
Lily's soft crying slowly settled into tiny gasping breaths against Arthur's shoulder.
Arthur held his daughter closer and pointed his finger straight at the front exit.
Arthur: Get out of my home right now!
Victoria: You can't just throw me out without talking to my attorney first!
Arthur: Watch me order security to escort you straight off this property!
Victoria stomped her designer heel on the floor and clenched her jaw tightly.
She backed away down the balcony hallway while whispering dark threats under her breath.
Arthur did not care about her threats because his only focus was keeping Lily completely safe.
He carried Lily down to the quiet living room and dialed his trusted family lawyer.