The morning sun brightened the grand hall of the Vance estate, reflecting off the hardwood oak floors and white crown molding. Beneath a large framed painting of the American flag, the silence of the house had broken into pure terror just moments before Marcus walked into the room. His pristine dark tuxedo stood out against his pale, clenched jaw as his heavy footsteps echoed off the high walls.
Victoria: Marcus! You're back early from the corporate office!
Elena: Mr. Vance, help us! Please!
Victoria: Don't listen to her, darling! She just tried to steal the baby from his nursery!
Elena: That is a complete lie! She was swinging him by his wrists in the middle of the hall!
Victoria: I was only playing with him, Marcus! She attacked me and snatched him out of my hands!
Elena: Look at his arms, Mr. Vance! His wrists are red!
Marcus stopped in the center of the room. He looked at Elena holding little Leo, whose tiny body still trembled against her shoulder. The infant's soft blue suit was wrinkled, and his small cries were fading into weak gasps for air.
Marcus: Elena, is the baby bleeding anywhere?
Elena: No, sir, but he is trembling so hard... he was screaming in pain!
Victoria: Marcus, why are you asking the maid questions instead of firing her right now?! She put her hands on me!
Marcus: Be quiet, Victoria.
Victoria: Excuse me?! I am your wife! You cannot speak to me like that in front of the help!
Marcus: I said be quiet.
Victoria took a quick breath, her bright red lipstick twitching into a sharp line. She stepped toward her husband, adjusting her expensive diamond necklace with a hand that shook slightly.
Victoria: This girl is trying to ruin our family! She's been jealous of me since the day we got married!
Elena: I don't care about your marriage, Mrs. Vance! I only care about keeping this child safe from your cruelty!
Victoria: See?! Listen to how disrespectful she is! Call security and have her dragged off our property!
Marcus: Security isn't coming for Elena, Victoria.
Victoria: What are you talking about? Whose side are you on?!
Marcus: I am on the side of my son.
Victoria: He is my son too! We signed the custody and adoption papers last week!
Marcus: Those papers were never filed with the family court, Victoria.
Victoria froze. The color drained from her high cheekbones as she took a slow, calculated step backward against the wall.