Arthur Vance carried his leather briefcase into the high-ceilinged foyer.
He expected a quiet morning before heading to the corporate headquarters downtown.
Instead, the shouting echoing from the main living area caught his attention immediately.
He hurried toward the sitting room with a look of deep concern.
The sight before him made his blood run completely cold in an instant.
Elena was holding his crying infant son protectively against her chest.
Victoria was trembling with rage, her face twisted in an ugly sneer.
Arthur: What on earth is happening in this house right now?
Elena turned to her employer with tears of relief in her eyes.
Elena: Sir, thank goodness you arrived home when you did!
Victoria: Ignore this crazy servant, Arthur, she has completely lost her mind!
Elena: She tried to drop a heavy bronze statue right into Leo's crib!
Arthur gasped in horror and stepped rapidly toward his young wife.
Arthur: Is this absurd accusation true, Victoria?
Victoria: Of course not, darling! She tripped and tried to blame me!
Elena shook her head firmly as she held the baby even tighter.
Elena: Look at the statue lying right beside the baby's blanket, sir!
Arthur looked down at the floor and saw the heavy metal object.
The piece of art had clearly been moved from its safe mantle display.
His eyes narrowed as he turned back to look at his wife.
Arthur: You told me yesterday that you loved my son as your own.
Victoria: I do love him, Arthur, you must believe me!
Elena: She called him a brat who ruins all her plans!
Victoria took a quick step back toward the framed American flag.
Her face went completely pale under the bright morning sunlight.
Arthur: I need the absolute truth right now, Victoria!
Victoria: Fine, I hate that little brat taking all your attention!
Arthur staggered backward slightly as if he had been struck hard.
The betrayal pierced straight through his heart like a sharp blade.
Arthur: How could I have been so blind to your wickedness?