The next afternoon brought heavy gray rain clouds floating low over the suburban green hills.
Mark returned home earlier than usual from his morning shift at the medical clinic.
He stepped quietly through the front door into the wide white marble entryway floor.
He wanted to surprise Lily with a new painting set he bought at town.
He heard low, sharp voices echoing down from the second-story balcony high above him.
He stopped near the grand staircase and kept completely still behind a carved pillar.
Victoria: Stop crying this instant, you silly little girl!
Lily: Please give me back my mother's silver locket right now, Victoria!
Mark felt his heart freeze in his chest as he heard his daughter crying.
He crept up the plush carpeted steps silently to see what was taking place.
Victoria was standing near the steep edge of the long upper hall railing.
She was holding Lily's small wrist firmly while reaching for a delicate silver necklace.
That locket contained the only portrait of Lily's deceased mother inside its frame.
Victoria: Your father belongs to me now, and so does this grand house.
Lily: No, it belongs to my mommy and my daddy!
Victoria yanked the thin silver chain hard until the fragile metal clasp snapped completely.
Lily stumbled backward near the high open railing of the grand marble balcony.
Victoria did not reach out her hand to catch the frightened, tumbling young child.
She simply watched cold-heartedly as Lily lost her balance on the smooth floor.
Lily let out a sharp, terrified scream that echoed loudly through the foyer.
Lily: Daddy, help me please!
Mark sprinted forward with incredible speed across the vast upper carpeted hall space.
He dove across the slick wooden floor with his hands outstretched wide open.
He wrapped his strong arms around Lily right near the edge of the stairs.
They slid safely against the wide base of the carved wooden stair bannister.
He held his trembling daughter tightly against his heavy chest while breathing fast.
Lily buried her small wet face deeply into her father's soft navy jacket.
Lily: Daddy, I was so scared I was going to fall down!
Mark: I have got you now, sweet baby, you are safe with me.
Mark lifted his head and stared up at Victoria with intense, burning rage.
Victoria stepped back slightly, her pale face suddenly turning completely white as bone.
She had not realized that Mark was standing right inside the quiet house.
Victoria: Mark, I swear it was just a terrible, unfortunate accident!
Mark: Do not say another word to me right now, Victoria!
He stood up slowly while holding his sobbing daughter safely in his arms.