Marcus stepped inside the mansion early after cancelling his flight back from Chicago.
He had felt an odd worry in his chest all morning long.
The loud sounds of crying and harsh arguing reached his ears immediately.
His face hardened as he marched rapidly down the brightly lit corridor.
He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the terrible scene before him.
Victoria stood in her green dress, her face twisted in cruel, red anger.
Elena sat on the floor, weeping with a large visible bruise on her face.
Little Leo was sobbing hysterically while clinging tightly to the maid's apron.
Marcus: What in the world is happening inside my home right now?
Victoria: Marcus, you are back early! This clumsy maid dropped our son!
Elena shook her head frantically as tears rolled down her bruised cheek.
Elena: That is not true, sir! I would never harm little Leo!
Marcus: Elena, tell me the absolute truth right this instant.
Elena: She hurts the child every time you leave this house!
Victoria gasped sharply and stepped toward the weeping maid with raised hands.
Victoria: She is lying to ruin my marriage and steal our money!
Marcus rushed forward before Victoria could move any closer to the maid.
He quickly knelt on the cold floor beside the shaking young woman.
He tenderly lifted his crying son up into his strong, protective arms.
Leo immediately buried his tiny face into his father's thick blue suit jacket.
Marcus looked closely at the dark purple mark on Elena's swollen face.
He recognized the exact shape of a harsh hand strike on her cheek.
His jaw clenched tightly as intense fury washed over his heart completely.
Marcus: Look at me, Victoria, and answer me right now.
Victoria: You cannot believe the word of a common domestic worker!
Marcus: Look at my son's tears and tell me the truth!
The air in the long corridor felt heavy, quiet, and extremely cold.
The truth was finally breaking through years of polished, high-society lies.