Arthur adjusted his brown suit jacket as he walked through the tall front entrance of the estate.
The white marble floor reflected the heavy chandelier hanging above the grand central staircase in the foyer.
He had returned early from his law firm to check on his nine-year-old daughter Maya.
Ever since he married Victoria six months ago, the atmosphere in the home had felt strangely tense.
Victoria was a wealthy socialite who always wore expensive silk dresses and demanded complete perfection around her.
She rarely smiled at Maya and often complained that the young girl was far too noisy.
Arthur stopped near the framed flag on the wall when he heard a sharp gasp upstairs.
Maya: Daddy! Help me!
Arthur: Maya! I am coming right now!
Arthur rushed across the polished floor toward the wide marble steps with his heart pounding wildly.
He saw Maya standing near the upper railing with Victoria towering right behind her blue gown.
Maya lost her balance on the top step and tumbled downward toward the carpeted landing below.
Arthur lunged forward and caught his daughter in his arms before she hit the hard surface.
Arthur: I have got you, Maya. You are safe now.
Maya: She scared me, Daddy! She told me to stand near the edge!
Victoria: She tripped on her own long hem! It was purely an accident!
Arthur held his crying daughter tightly against his shoulder while looking up toward the balcony steps.
Victoria stood at the top of the stairs with her hands resting on her silk hips.
Her face looked pale, but her eyes held a cold and distant glare that alarmed Arthur.
Arthur: You did this on purpose, Victoria!
Victoria: How dare you accuse me of such a terrible thing in my own home!
Arthur: This home belonged to my late wife before her estate trust was ever formed.
Victoria: Never raise your voice at me or question my intentions again, Arthur!
Maya buried her face in her father's neck while her tiny frame shook with heavy sobs.
Arthur stood up slowly while keeping his arm wrapped securely around his daughter's waist.
He noticed a folder of legal documents sitting on the small hallway table near the front door.
Victoria quickly glided down two steps, trying to position herself between Arthur and those papers.
Victoria: You are overreacting because you are tired from working at the office all week.
Arthur: I know exactly what I saw when I stepped through those front double doors.
Victoria: Let the house housekeeper take Maya upstairs so we can speak privately right now.
Arthur: Maya stays with me everywhere I go in this house from this moment on.
He carried Maya toward the study and locked the heavy wooden door behind them securely.
The quiet room felt safe, but Arthur knew a much bigger fight was just beginning tonight.