Mark sat at his large dark wooden desk inside his quiet home office.
He looked at a small framed picture of his late wife and sighed deeply.
His little daughter Chloe was the most important person in his entire life.
Two years had passed since her sweet mother had died from a sudden illness.
Mark had tried his best to manage his growing business while raising his daughter.
Then he met Veronica at a high society charity gala in the big city.
She was charming and wore expensive burgundy dresses that made everyone look at her.
She promised Mark that she would love little Chloe like her own child.
They got married six months later in a beautiful outdoor garden wedding ceremony.
Mark believed that his lonely home was finally full of warmth once again.
Veronica: Good morning, my dear husband.
Veronica walked into the sunlit kitchen wearing a sharp burgundy dress and high heels.
Mark: Good morning, Veronica.
Mark: Have you seen little Chloe yet today?
Veronica: She is still sleeping in her bedroom upstairs.
Mark smiled and poured himself a hot cup of fresh black coffee.
He loved his new family and felt very grateful for his peaceful life.
Yet deep inside his chest a strange little feeling began to grow slowly.
Chloe used to laugh and run through the big bright hallways every morning.
Lately the little girl had become very quiet whenever Veronica walked into the room.
She would hide her little face behind her teddy bear and stay silent.
Mark thought his daughter was just taking time to adjust to her stepmother.
He kissed Veronica on her soft cheek before grabbing his heavy leather briefcase.
Mark: I have a long board meeting at the downtown office today.
Veronica: Do not worry about a single thing at home, darling.
Veronica: I will take wonderful care of little Chloe all day long.
Mark nodded and walked out the big front door to his luxury car.
He trusted his wife completely with his home and his precious little girl.
He drove down the quiet suburban street toward the crowded busy city center.
The morning sun was shining brightly across the high glass skyscrapers downtown.
Mark parked his luxury car in his private spot underneath the corporate building.
He walked inside the elevator and rode it up to the top floor.
His mind kept returning to the shy look on his daughter's pale face.
He remembered how she held her breath when Veronica came near her crib.
Mark took a deep breath and tried to focus on his work goals.
He had a huge company to run and many important contracts to sign.
Yet something felt wrong inside his heart that bright Tuesday morning.