Mark reached into the small concrete compartment to help his weak father.
He carefully placed his arms under the old man's thin, frail shoulders.
The elderly man weighed almost nothing as Mark lifted him into the light.
Mark placed his father gently onto the soft study room leather sofa.
The old man rested his weak head against the plush leather cushions.
Grandfather: Thank you, Mark... I thought I would die in that darkness.
Mark held his father's cold, bony hand tightly in his warm palm.
Tears of deep regret and sorrow burned in Mark's dark brown eyes.
Mark: How could she do this to you, Dad?
Grandfather: She locked me away right after I signed my final will.
Grandfather: She brought me small meals when you were away at work.
Grandfather: She threatened to hurt Eli if I ever made a loud sound.
Mark felt his heart shatter into a thousand sharp, painful glass pieces.
His entire marriage had been built on a dangerous, evil lie.
He looked over at his son Eli, who was crying near the sofa.
Mark: Eli, go to your bedroom and stay there right now.
The boy nodded quickly and hurried out of the study room space.
Once the door clicked shut, Mark turned around to face his wife.
Sarah stood cowering against the mahogany bookshelf near the far wall.
Her polished image was completely shattered into messy, ugly ruined pieces.
Mark: You forced my innocent father into a living grave for money?
Sarah: I did it for our future and for Eli's future!
Mark: Do not use our sweet son to justify your disgusting wickedness!
Sarah stepped forward, holding her hands out in a desperate plea.
Sarah: We can fix this, Mark! We can tell people he was lost!
Mark: You are a monster, Sarah.
Mark grabbed his smartphone from his pocket with a swift, firm motion.
His hands were shaking, but his mind was crystal clear and focused.
He quickly dialed nine-one-one on the bright touch screen layout.
Sarah gasped in horror as she realized what her husband was doing.
She sprinted across the polished floor to snatch the phone away.
Sarah: Put that phone down right now, Mark!
Mark blocked her easily with his firm arm, stepping back out of reach.
Mark: I need emergency medical help and the police at my address immediately.
Sarah let out a sharp screech of pure, hopeless panic and dread.
Her entire life of luxury and wealth was collapsing in an instant.