Nathan stood near the massive floor to ceiling glass windows of his top floor penthouse.
The bright sun washed over the polished white marble floor of his quiet living room.
He adjusted the cuffs of his dark tailored black suit before turning toward the hallway.
A sudden harsh scream shattered the peaceful silence of his expensive city home.
Nathan stopped in his tracks as the sound of quick footsteps echoed down the hall.
He walked quickly around the glass dining table to see what was happening.
His wife Victoria stood in the middle of the room with a raised wooden stick.
Her white designer dress contrasted sharply with the deep rage showing on her face.
Down on the cold marble floor, a house cleaner was curled into a defensive ball.
The woman wore a traditional black and white maid uniform covered in light dust.
She held a tiny four year old girl tightly against her chest to shield her.
The little girl sobbed loudly into the maid's shoulder while holding her uniform sleeve.
Nathan froze in absolute shock as he took in the strange and terrifying scene.
He had never seen his calm wife look so completely full of raw anger.
Victoria turned her head slightly when she noticed Nathan walking into the room.
She did not lower the heavy stick she held tightly in her right hand.
Her knuckles were completely white from gripping the smooth wooden handle so hard.
The maid pressed the crying child closer to her heart and backed up slowly.
She looked up at Nathan with wide eyes filled with deep fear and desperation.
Nathan took one slow step forward onto the gleaming white floor of the room.
He looked back and forth between his angry wife and the frightened maid.
The heavy silence in the grand penthouse felt thicker than a solid wall.
Nathan lowered his voice as he tried to keep his own panic contained.
Nathan: Victoria, lower that stick right now.
Victoria: You do not understand what this crazy woman just did!
Maid: I only brought her here so you could see the truth!
Nathan: Who is that child on the floor?
Victoria lowered her arms slightly but her sharp gaze remained locked on the maid.
The little girl peeked out from behind the maid's dark shoulder with tears flowing.
She had big blue eyes that matched Nathan's eyes in a startling way.
Nathan felt his heart beat rapidly against his ribs as he stared back.
A strange feeling of recognition washed over him in that silent moment.
He took another step toward the young child resting on the cold floor.
Victoria stepped right between Nathan and the small child on the ground.
Her face looked pale as if her carefully constructed world was crumbling fast.
The maid lifted her chin bravely despite the tears streaming down her face.
She held out a small silver necklace that had been tucked away inside.
Nathan recognized the sparkling silver locket immediately from many long years ago.
It was the exact piece of jewelry he thought was lost forever.
His breath caught in his throat as the heavy truth began to form.