the millionaire was at work preparing for a meeting when he was abruptly called by his daughter

when he accepted the call it began with ragged breathing followed by his daughter’s terrified cry

the neighbour is trying to break in the millionaire was stunned and immediately rushed home

Arthur Sterling stood close to the edge of the reinforced glass window on the 50th floor

below Manhattan unfolded like a colossal electronic chessboard with lines of vehicles

stretching into red and white light trails at this elevation the blare of car horns

the sounds of disputes or the city’s frantic pace could not reach him Arthur cherished this quietude

to him silence was the sound of authority he had spent his entire life procuring this stillness

isolating himself from the common tumult of the world beneath he turned his gaze

sweeping across the vast expanse of his polished mahogany desk not a single paper out of place

not a speck of dust everything resided in its correct location much like his life in the corner of the desk

a gleaming silver photo frame stood prominently it was the sole family picture in the office

in the photograph Arthur wore a dark suit standing rigidly with the confidence of a man

holding the financial life blood of half the city beside him was Isabella his second wife

10 years his junior she was striking a sharp and cool beauty as if sculpted from marble

her hand rested gently on the shoulder of his young daughter Lily Arthur looked at his daughter

seven year old Lily in a dark blue velvet dress stood as solemnly as a small soldier

she wasn’t smiling her large round eyes stared straight into the lens

but lacked the usual playfulness of a child Arthur nodded slightly satisfied with the image

he didn’t perceive sadness in those eyes he only saw the outcome of impeccable nurturing

children require structure more than giggles Isabella had told him on the day the photograph was taken

Arthur believed her he recalled how Isabella had persuaded him to let go of the longtime nanny

two years prior a stranger cannot mentor our child to become a Sterling

Arthur she had said her voice soft yet firm as she poured his tea

only a mother knows how to shape the young saplings Lily is too timid she needs fortitude to grow resilient

Arthur had consented he believed Isabella was sacrificing personal freedom

to cultivate Lily’s future since then whenever he drove to his Connecticut estate on weekends

he was greeted by absolute order no boisterous shouts no garish

plastic playthings strewn across the expensive flooring the residence was consistently tranquil

spotless and fragrant with lilies to Arthur that tranquility symbolized security

he believed he had constructed an impenetrable sanctuary for his daughter where life’s hazards were barred

beyond the iron gate he glanced at the timepiece on his wrist

6 in the evening his schedule for the day was finished but he felt a sense of relief

remembering he didn’t need to return home tonight he had a crucial conference in the morning

and would lodge in his city penthouse apartment honestly Arthur cherished his family

but he cherished them in the manner of an investor he cherished their perfection from a distance

his choice to stay here to acquire a few more million dollars nightly was how he expressed that affection

he believed the expression of devotion wasn’t mushy embraces but rather the figures in the trust fund

guaranteeing Lily would never have to bow to anyone he reached for the file for tomorrow’s conference

savoring the sensation of complete oversight over his destiny the sound of the telephone violently split the silence

sharp and insistent like a fire alarm Arthur started his hand freezing midair

it was not the office phone it was the black device deep in the drawer the private line

whose number he had given to only two individuals his wife and his daughter it had never rung at this hour

Arthur fixated on the name displayed on the screen Lily a furrow appeared on his brow

the child never initiated contact with him at home the regulation was distinct

do not disturb dad when he is occupied unless it is Isabella calling to provide a status update on her studies

Arthur hesitated for a second then answered the call his thumb sliding firmly across the touchscreen

annoyance crept into his tone already preparing a gentle reminder about discipline

Lily you know I’m busy right now he stated his eyes still fixed on the file

but there was no immediate reply only the sound of breathing

short rapid and gasping breaths like someone fleeing it echoed in Arthur’s ear

sharp and real to the extent that he felt the exhalation on the back of his neck

he ceased turning the pages the hair on the back of his neck stood up

Lily he inquired again his voice lower this time where is your mother

daddy Lily’s voice came through fragile like fracturing glass

it wasn’t the voice of the well behaved child Arthur heard every weekend it trembled fractured and was consumed by terror

the neighbour the neighbour is trying to force entry

the statement descended into the office’s quiet space like a shock wave Arthur leaped up

the leather chair behind him scraped forcefully hitting the wall with a loud sound all the composure

all the strategic maneuvering he prided himself on immediately dissipated

in his mind a terrifying scenario began to play out rapidly

he didn’t require further details his brain a mechanism programmed to evaluate risk

instantly filled in the blanks with his worst fear the neighbor

Elias’s image immediately appeared the man who resided alone in a dilapidated wooden house

separated from his estate by only a flimsy fence Arthur remembered the man’s sullen expression

his grease stained attire and unrefined look he had always warned Isabella that the man was a peril

a struggling individual coveting their wealth and now as the turmoil approached

as night descended he was acting Lily listen to me Arthur yelled gripping the phone so tightly

that his knuckles turned white secure your room door where is your mother

tell her to contact law enforcement at once Mommy isn’t here Lily choked out her sob