Down at the city airport David received an urgent call from his corporate legal counsel.
The meeting in Chicago was postponed due to terrible weather conditions over the Midwest region.
David turned his luxury car around and headed back toward his large suburban home.
He felt a strange feeling of deep worry inside his chest as he drove fast.
He had noticed lately that his son seemed scared whenever Victoria walked into the room.
David loved his wife but he loved his innocent little boy far more than anything.
He pulled through the front gates without sounding his horn or making any loud noise.
The heavy front doors unlocked with a quiet metallic click as he stepped inside the house.
The grand foyer was completely silent except for the sound of distant crying upstairs.
David placed his briefcase on the table and hurried up the wide curved marble staircase.
He reached the main hallway just as Victoria came marching out of her master bedroom.
She was wearing a vibrant ruby red satin gown for an evening charity gala event.
She was dragging little Leo roughly along the slippery marble floor by his shirt sleeve.
The small baby was sobbing hysterically as his tiny shoes slipped on the polished stone.
Victoria: Be quiet right now or you will stay in the dark all night!
David: Stop right there! What are you doing to my son?
Victoria froze instantly in her tracks as her face turned completely pale with surprise.
She released the baby's sleeve immediately and tried to force a soft fake smile.
Victoria: Oh David darling, you are back early! I was just helping him walk!
David rushed forward with his eyes wide with horror at the disturbing scene before him.
He dropped down to his knees on the hard stone floor without caring about his suit.
He lifted little Leo gently into his strong arms and held him tight against his chest.
The poor child clung to his father's coat and sobbed softly into his shoulder.
Anna came running down the hallway with her cheek clearly swollen and red from physical impact.
Anna: Mr. Vance! Thank God you have finally come back home today!