The heavy iron gates swung open as Mark's luxury sedan sped through quickly.
He slammed his car into park near the front fountain and rushed out immediately.
The bright white walls of the estate offered no comfort to his panicked mind.
He unlocked the heavy wooden entrance door and stepped inside as quietly as possible.
The echo of loud weeping bounced off the tall marble columns in the hallway.
Victoria: Stop crying right now or I will lock your toys away forever!
Leo: Daddy, I want my daddy to come back home!
Victoria: Your daddy is not here to save you from my rules today!
Mark walked toward the sound with his fists clenched tightly at his sides.
He rounded the corner and saw Victoria towering over the trembling toddler.
She had taken away the stuffed bear that belonged to Leo's late mother.
The cruel woman held the beloved toy high above the small child's reaching hands.
Leo was reaching up desperately while sobbing uncontrollably on the slick floor.
Ellen, the loyal family maid, was standing nearby with trembling hands and pale skin.
Ellen: Please Miss Victoria, give him his mother's bear back right now!
Victoria: Mind your own business and get back to scrubbing the kitchen floor!
Ellen: You are terrorizing a sweet child who did nothing wrong to you!
Victoria spun around angrily and pointed a long fingernail straight at Ellen's face.
Victoria: If you say another word, I will make sure you get fired today!
Ellen: I do not care about this job if it means staying silent!
Mark stepped forward out of the shadows, his voice shaking with absolute fury.
Mark: What on earth is going on inside my house right now?
Victoria froze instantly, her face turning completely pale as she dropped the bear.
She quickly transformed her harsh expression into a look of innocent surprise and sweetness.
Victoria: Oh mark darling, you came back home so much earlier than expected!
Mark: Do not call me darling after what I just witnessed with my own eyes.
Victoria: You are taking this whole situation completely out of context, my love.
Mark: I saw how you treated my son through the smart house security feed!
Victoria gasped softly and took a fast step backward toward the marble staircase.
The mask of the caring stepmother had completely fallen off in an instant.