Chapter 1 - The Shattered Glass
Little Billy clung to Elena's leg as if his life depended on it.
"I don’t want to go to Mommy," the boy cried out in pure terror.
Elena knelt down on the cold marble floor and wrapped her arms around him.
"It’s okay, sweetie, you’re safe with me," she whispered softly.
The heavy oak doors of the foyer burst open with a deafening crash.
Victoria stormed into the mansion, her designer heels clicking sharply against the floor.
"Get your hands off my son," she screamed, her eyes blazing with irrational fury.
Elena stood up defensively, keeping Billy positioned safely behind her back.
"Please, Mrs. Vance, he was just scared," Elena pleaded, trying to keep her voice calm.
Victoria marched forward until she was just inches away from the young nanny.
"You don't tell me how to raise my child," Victoria snarled, her breath reeking of expensive gin.
She raised her hands aggressively, balling her manicured fingers into tight fists.
"Stop," Elena begged, stepping backward.
"Don't shove me!"
"Get out of my face," Victoria yelled, launching both hands violently into Elena's chest.
Elena lost her balance on the slippery marble step and tumbled backward toward the sharp edge of the glass coffee table.
"Elena!" Billy shrieked in horror.
"Dad, help!"
"Someone help me!" Elena cried out as she fell.
Suddenly, a strong pair of arms wrapped around her waist, catching her just before her head struck the glass.
"I’ve got you," Mark panted, pulling Elena back to her feet.
Billy ran to his father, tears streaming down his flushed cheeks.
"She pushed her, Daddy!" the little boy sobbed.
Mark glared at his estranged wife with absolute disgust.
"What did you just do, Victoria?" he demanded, his voice trembling with rage.
Victoria suddenly changed her entire demeanor, her face twisting into a mask of fake innocence.
"It was an accident," she gasped, pressing a hand to her chest.
"She tripped!"
"I saw you shove her with my own eyes," Mark roared.
"Mark, please listen to me," Victoria begged, taking a step toward him.
Mark pulled out his cell phone and dialed 911 without breaking eye contact.
"The police are on their way," he stated coldly.
Victoria simply smiled a chilling, wicked smile.
"That is perfect," she whispered.
The flashing red and blue lights of three police cruisers instantly illuminated the living room windows.
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They hadn't been called by Mark.
They were already waiting outside for Victoria's signal.
