David carefully lifted baby Leo out of Emily's weak arms and held him very gently.
The infant nestled his small head against David's warm shoulder and finally stopped crying softly.
David looked down at Emily's leg, which was still secured in a thick black brace.
She had slipped on the back porch two weeks ago and needed constant care while healing.
David had trusted Patricia completely when she said she would manage the home care personally.
David: How long have you been sitting here in this cold room, Emily?
Emily: Since breakfast time, Daddy.
David: Did your stepmother give you your afternoon medicine or any lunch?
Emily: No, she said I was being too noisy with my crutches on the wood.
David: She locked you in here because of your crutches?
Emily: She took Leo from his crib and said I had to keep him quiet all day.
David gripped the edge of the wooden door frame as anger burned inside his chest.
He could not believe that Patricia had treated his vulnerable children with such cold neglect.
He stood up slowly while keeping a firm grip on his sleeping baby son Leo.
Emily reached for her wooden crutches and tried to stand up beside her loving father.
David helped her balance on one leg before guiding her toward the open bright hallway.
The sound of high heels clicking against marble echoed from the living room nearby.
Patricia walked into the entryway holding a glass of iced tea in her manicured hand.
She stopped cold in her tracks when she saw David standing there with both kids.
Her pale face turned tight and rigid as she tried to compose her elegant posture.
Patricia: David, you are home earlier than expected from your board meeting.
David: Explain to me why my injured daughter was locked in the back storage room.
Patricia: She was just playing a game back there with her baby brother, David.
David: She has not eaten all day and her leg medicine was completely skipped!
Patricia: You are overreacting as usual about how I manage this large home.
David took a step forward while his eyes locked onto his wife with cold fury.