Mark stepped off the train with a heavy heart and walked toward the dark street.
He carried his small daughter Lily in his arm while rain poured over them.
The cold air made his hands numb as he checked his cell phone again.
He had missed three frantic phone calls from his young wife Sarah earlier.
Sarah had gone to visit her wealthy stepmother Evelyn at the large family estate.
Evelyn was a very powerful woman who controlled a large inheritance trust fund.
She had never accepted Mark into the family because he came from humble roots.
When Mark arrived at the mansion gates, the massive iron bars were locked tight.
He pushed the front gate buzzer three times until an old butler answered.
The butler refused to let him inside without explicit permission from Evelyn.
Mark knew in his heart that something was horribly wrong with this strange visit.
Little Lily began to cry softly against his shoulder because she felt scared.
Lily: Daddy, I want to see Mommy right now.
Mark: I know, sweetie, we are going to find her together.
Mark parked his old car near the side hedge and looked for an opening.
He found a loose wooden fence panel near the back garden wall.
He carried Lily through the gap and moved quietly along the stone path.
The huge white mansion stood dark and quiet under the stormy night sky.
Mark noticed a light glowing from a small basement window near the rear patio.
He crept closer to the glass and tried to peer through the thick dirt.
He heard faint voices arguing loudly inside the large luxury house.
Evelyn was speaking in a sharp voice about legal papers and a secret will.
Mark pulled out his phone and dialed the local emergency number right away.
He reported a potential kidnapping and asked for immediate assistance at the address.
The dispatcher told him to stay outside and wait for emergency responders.
Mark could not just stand by while his wife was in real danger.
He walked up the grand front stairs and pushed open the heavy front door.
The tall entrance hall was lined with expensive paintings and bright glass chandeliers.
Evelyn stood near the curved staircase wearing a dark blue velvet gown.
She looked down at Mark with complete disdain as he stepped inside.
Evelyn: You have no right to enter my private home like this.
Mark: Where is my wife, Evelyn? Tell me where she is!
Evelyn: Sarah left hours ago after we finished discussing our family business.
Lily: That is a lie! Mommy never left without me!
Lily pointed her tiny finger toward a dark hallway deep inside the mansion.
Mark felt his blood run cold as he looked at Evelyn's calm face.
He knew the ruthless stepmother was hiding the truth from both of them.
He swore he would not leave until he found Sarah alive and safe.