The bright sun shone brightly over the luxury estate on a warm Saturday afternoon.
Mark smoothed down his crisp white dress shirt while looking out at the marble patio.
He had built this home through years of hard work as a successful real estate broker.
His six-year-old daughter Daisy was running across the lush green lawn in her pink dress.
Her bright laughter echoed softly against the surrounding stone walls of the private courtyard.
Mark felt a deep sense of pride watching his young daughter play so happily today.
However his new wife Victoria stood near the pool wearing a fancy champagne satin dress.
Victoria held a tall crystal glass of sparkling lemon juice while staring cold at Daisy.
She had married Mark eight months ago after a brief and fast romance in Miami.
Mark thought Victoria loved his family, but subtle signs of tension had started showing lately.
Victoria often complained about the substantial trust fund Mark had created for his young daughter.
She believed the estate money should belong entirely to her and their future children together.
Mark took a deep breath as he poured himself a drink inside the quiet glass kitchen.
He looked through the large sliding doors at his daughter twirling near the glistening water.
Daisy loved looking at her reflection in the cool blue water of the outdoor swimming pool.
She leaned over the smooth edge to splash her tiny hands into the calm water.
Victoria glided across the polished travertine deck with a slow and silent stride.
She positioned herself right behind the unsuspecting little girl who was giggling joyfully.
Mark noticed the strange glare in Victoria's eyes from across the spacious indoor dining room.
His stomach tightened with a sudden wave of deep anxiety as he watched her movements closely.
Victoria leaned down close to Daisy and whispered something very harsh into her ear.
The little girl froze in place and turned her small face toward her harsh stepmother.
Mark raised his hand against the clear glass window to see what was happening outside.
Victoria reached her hand out quickly toward Daisy's back with a cold sharp push.
Daisy lost her footing completely on the slick tiles and tumbled backward into the deep pool.
A massive splash sent cold water cascading over the sun-drenched marble deck of the mansion.
Mark gasped in sudden horror as his beloved daughter disappeared under the turbulent water.
The crystal glass slipped out of his trembling fingers and shattered on the marble floor.
Sharp glass fragments bounced across the floor as the loud crash rang out through the house.
Mark did not hesitate for a single second as panic flooded his fast pounding heart.
He threw open the heavy sliding glass doors with a desperate kick of his leg.
He sprinted across the slippery patio deck at maximum speed toward the deep blue water.
Victoria turned her face away with an unbothered expression on her cold sculpted face.
She adjusted her smooth satin dress without displaying any emotion or panic for Daisy.
Mark reached the edge of the pool with his heart hammering wildly inside his chest.
He took a deep breath before diving straight into the deep water after his child.