The bright morning light poured across the white marble foyer, reflecting off the polished floor.
Three-year-old Toby gripped the balustrade in his light blue denim overalls, his sneakers squeaking on the tiles.
Standing tall over him on the second-floor landing was Victoria, smoothing her crimson red velvet gown.
A huge American flag hung down from the gallery wall behind her.
Victoria: Stop crying and look at me, you little nuisance.
Toby: I want my daddy! Daddy is coming home!
Victoria: Your daddy isn't here to hold your hand today.
Toby: Please don't touch me! I want to go down!
Victoria: You take up too much space in this mansion, Toby.
Victoria placed both hands against the boy's chest and shoved him hard over the railing.
Toby tumbled past the massive crystal chandelier, his terrified scream cutting through the air.
Toby: Daddy! Help me!
Down below, Marcus Vance pushed open the front doors in his tailored charcoal gray suit.
He dropped his leather briefcase, looking straight up into the vaulted ceiling in horror.
Marcus sprinted across the white marble floor directly underneath the falling child.
He threw his body forward in a desperate slide on his knees, holding his arms wide open.
Toby hit his chest with a heavy thud, knocking the breath from Marcus as they skidded across the stone.
Marcus clutched his weeping child tight, burying his face into the boy's hair.
Toby: Daddy, she pushed me off the balcony!
Marcus’s relief hardened into pure, blinding rage as he carried his son up the white marble staircase.
He reached the upper landing right in front of the American flag and delivered a stinging slap across Victoria's face.
Victoria: Ah!
Marcus: YOU HEARTLESS MONSTER! YOU TRIED TO MURDER MY SON!
Marcus: GET OUT OF MY HOUSE BEFORE I DESTROY YOU!
Victoria stumbled against the stone railing, totally unaware of the locked legal dossier Marcus carried in his jacket.