Chapter 6 - THE DAY EVERYTHING CHANGED
Tuesday morning arrived bright and cloudless.
Mark had an emergency board meeting downtown.
Before leaving, he carried Leo through the foyer.
"I'll be back before dinner."
Leo clung to him.
"No."
Mark stopped.
"No what?"
"Daddy stay."
His voice cracked.
Mark's heart tightened.
Victoria approached.
"I'll take care of him."
Leo immediately buried his face against Mark.
Mark looked at Victoria.
Then Elena.
Something felt wrong.
But forty executives were waiting.
A billion-dollar acquisition depended on the meeting.
He kissed Leo.
"Elena is here."
The child reluctantly released him.
Mark left.
His black car disappeared down the long driveway.
Victoria stood at the window until it vanished beyond the gates.
Then she turned.
The smile disappeared.
Leo sat on the marble floor pushing his favorite wooden train.
Click.
Click.
Click.
Victoria stared at him.
"Stop."
Leo continued quietly.
Click.
Click.
Her heel struck the floor.
"I said stop."
The child froze.
Elena was in the laundry room at the far end of the house.
Victoria walked toward Leo.
"You ruin everything."
Leo clutched the train.
Victoria knocked it from his hand.
The toy slid across the marble and struck the wall.
One wheel broke away.
Leo stared at it.
Then began crying.
Victoria's irritation exploded.
"Stop crying!"
Leo reached toward the train.
She seized his arm.
The child screamed.
Victoria dragged him upright.
"You want attention?"
Leo struggled.
"Elena!"
That name enraged her further.
"She's not coming."
She pulled him away from the toy.
"Nobody is coming."
But Victoria was wrong.
Because Elena heard the scream.
May you like
And this time, there was no doubt.
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