The grandfather clock inside the grand marble foyer chimed twice, its heavy sound echoing against the high white ceiling.
At the top of the grand staircase, Victoria smoothed down the silk fabric of her maroon designer gown, glaring down at two-year-old Noah.
The toddler sat on the carpeted landing in his little blue outfit, clutching a wooden toy train with both of his chubby hands.
Victoria: Stop looking at me with those pathetic eyes!
Noah: Mommy? Where is Daddy?
Victoria: I am not your mother, and a bastard like you doesn't belong in this house!
Victoria lunged forward, placing both of her palms hard against the toddler's chest and shoving him toward the open edge.
Noah shrieked in terror as his tiny body slipped over the lip of the landing, tumbling down the flight of carpeted wooden stairs.
The heavy white front doors of the mansion clicked open just an inch, cold afternoon air cutting into the heated foyer.
Lucas Sterling peered through the gap, freezing in sheer horror as he saw his little boy flipping down the steps.
Lucas: Noah!
Lucas kicked the double doors wide, sprinting across the marble and dropping onto his knees in a frantic slide.
His denim knees slammed hard against the marble floor at the foot of the staircase as he opened his arms wide.
He caught the falling toddler against his chest just inches before the baby's skull could shatter against the stone.
Noah sobbed uncontrollably, his tiny fingernails digging through Lucas's dark grey shirt into his shoulder.
Lucas wrapped his arms around the boy, tears of sheer panic flooding down his cheeks as he checked his son's arms and legs.
High above on the staircase, the sharp click of high heels sounded as Victoria walked down the steps with a black clipboard tucked under her arm.
Lucas: What did you do?!
Victoria did not slow her pace, lifting her chin with an arrogant smirk as she stared down at the trembling father and son.
Victoria: That bastard deserved it!
Lucas stood up slowly from the marble floor, his eyes turning cold and dangerous as he realized the secret inside that clipboard was about to tear this entire family apart.