One Tuesday morning, Mark announced that he had an important business meeting in town.
He grabbed his briefcase and put on his navy suit coat near the entryway.
Vanessa smiled warmly as she adjusted his tie near the front door.
Vanessa: Have a wonderful day at work, my love.
Mark: Make sure Lily eats a good lunch before her tutor arrives.
Vanessa: Of course, I will take perfect care of our sweet girl.
Mark kissed her cheek, but he secretly felt a strange knot in his stomach.
He pulled out of the driveway in his luxury sedan, pretending to leave for the office.
In reality, Mark had installed security cameras inside the mansion earlier that week.
He parked his car two blocks away and opened a live video feed on his smartphone.
Meanwhile, inside the mansion foyer, Lily was looking at a framed picture of her mother.
Tears rolled down the little girl's freckled cheeks as she hugged the small frame.
Vanessa walked into the bright foyer with heavy, angry footsteps.
Her face turned twisted and mean the moment she saw the picture in Lily's hands.
Vanessa: Put that stupid photo away right now!
Lily: I just want to look at my mommy...
Vanessa: Stop crying over her!
Vanessa reached out and grabbed the picture frame right from Lily's hands.
She threw the frame onto the white marble floor, shattering the glass into pieces.
Lily screamed in fear and dropped to her knees on the cold floor.
Lily: Mommy's picture! Why did you break it?
Vanessa: Because I am the woman of this house now, you ungrateful child!
Vanessa grabbed the girl by the arm and shoved her backward forcefully.
Lily stumbled back and fell hard onto the polished marble surface.
She sobbed loudly, clutching her bruised arm while backing away in terror.
Watching the video feed on his phone, Mark felt a surge of absolute fury.
He slammed his foot on the accelerator and sped back toward the house.
His hands shook on the steering wheel as anger burned in his chest.
Vanessa picked up a small decorative box and threw it near the child.
Vanessa: You will learn to obey me, or I will send you away forever!
Lily: Please don't hurt me! I want my dad!
Vanessa: Your dad isn't here to save you this time!
She stepped closer to the trembling girl with her hand raised in anger.
Lily pulled her knees to her chest, hiding her head in terror.