David stepped through the massive front doors of his quiet family estate.
The morning sunlight poured through the clear tall glass windows.
He set his dark leather briefcase down on the cold white marble floor.
His long business trip was finally over after three full weeks away.
He smiled softly as he thought about hugging his young daughter Sophie.
His late wife had passed away two long years ago in the past.
Since that sad day, little Sophie was the center of his entire world.
He walked further into the bright grand foyer near the high stairs.
A thick silence filled the huge house instead of the usual laughter.
David stopped in his tracks near the heavy American flag on display.
A strange dark luggage bag was sitting right in the middle space.
It was a massive black traveling suitcase resting flat on its side.
David frowned deeply as he looked at the mysterious heavy luggage piece.
He had not left any baggage sitting out in the broad open hallway.
Suddenly a tiny muffled voice rang out from deep inside the leather.
David felt his heart freeze instantly inside his broad heavy chest area.
Sophie: Daddy, please open it!
David dropped his car keys onto the floor with a loud crash.
He dropped to his knees right beside the tightly zipped black bag.
His large hands shook wildly as he grabbed the heavy metal zipper.
David: Sophie! I'm here, keep talking to me!
He yanked the metal slider around the rounded edge with frantic speed.
The thick zipper gave way under his desperate and strong pull.
The dark cover fell open to reveal a sight he could not believe.
His sweet little girl was curled inside the cramped padded space.
Tears swept down her pale young cheeks in thick warm rivers.
She held a tiny framed picture of her late mother very tightly.
Sophie: Daddy...
David gasped loudly as pure shock rushed through his entire body.
He gently lifted her small fragile frame out into his firm arms.
She buried her wet face straight into his clean blue suit coat.
David looked up at the quiet balcony with absolute cold fury growing.
He heard slow footsteps echoing from the quiet upper wooden hallway.
His new wife Victoria walked down the grand white staircase slowly.
Beside her stood her grown adult son Julian with a cold smile.
David held his trembling little girl even tighter against his broad chest.
He demanded a clear answer from the two cold faces above him.