David looked out the large front window of his bright luxury mansion with a warm smile.
His eight-year-old daughter Clara was sitting at the wooden kitchen table painting a simple picture.
Life had been very hard for them since his first wife passed away three years ago.
David worked tirelessly as a successful CEO to give Clara everything she ever wanted or needed.
Now he believed he had finally found happiness again with his new wife named Vanessa.
Vanessa was young, stylish, and always wore high-end designer clothes around the house.
She had moved into the grand estate just two short months ago after a fast wedding.
David thought Vanessa loved Clara just like her own biological child.
However, whenever David left the house for business, Vanessa completely changed her warm attitude.
She treated young Clara like an unwanted guest inside the large home.
Clara tried telling her father about Vanessa's cold behavior several times before.
But David always assumed Clara was just having a hard time adjusting to a stepmother.
He believed that time would heal all the awkwardness between them.
On this clear morning, light flooded the vast white marble foyer of the mansion.
David was preparing to leave for an important corporate board meeting across town.
He kissed Clara gently on top of her head before grabbing his black leather briefcase.
David: Be a good girl for Vanessa while I am at work today.
Clara: I will try my best, Daddy, but please come home very soon.
Vanessa walked down the grand white staircase wearing a casual t-shirt and smiling softly.
Vanessa: Don't worry about a thing, David, we will have a wonderful day together.
David smiled and walked out the heavy entrance doors toward his car.
Clara felt a cold chill run down her spine the moment the door shut.