a millionaire called home but lost contact with his daughter for three days

he decided to return mid trip leaving his business unfinished upon entering the house an unsettling odor

wafting up from the basement immediately caught his attention when he reached the basement door

he was aghast at the sight before him Arthur Sterling stood before the large mirror in his dressing room

adjusting the knot of his silk tie it was only seven a m but the 55 year old was impeccably dressed

in an expensive wrinkle free suit he glanced at his wristwatch for the third time in five minutes

the slow tick of the second hand caused his fingers to rhythmically tap on the marble vanity

the driver is already waiting at the gate a soft sweet voice chimed from behind him

Elena entered the room at 30 Arthur’s stepmother moved with the Grace of a fashion model

she glided to his side her gaze focused not on his eyes but on the Lapel of his jacket

her long slender fingers meticulously polished with bright red lacquer

delicately brushed away an invisible speck of dust from the premium fabric

make sure you close that big deal on this trip darling I’ve cancelled all my yoga sessions this week

to stay home and look after Lily Arthur nodded his eyes fixed on his phone screen displaying a cascade of work emails

thank you for your effort remember to ensure she takes her nutritional supplements on time

in a shadowed corner of the hallway behind a slightly ajar oak door a small figure was tucked away

Lily 6 years old was swallowed up by an oversized baggy gray sweatsuit making her appear even smaller and more solitary

her frail arms clutched a threadbare teddy bear tightly against her chest

her large round eyes were wide with anxiety tracking her father’s slightest movements

hey that orchid pot outside is crooked straighten it immediately Elena’s sharp whisper echoed from the front door

as she turned to instruct the gardener seizing the moment of distraction Lily took a deep breath gathering her courage

she darted from her hiding spot toward the study where Arthur was tucking his laptop into his leather briefcase

Daddy Lily called out tentatively her voice a tiny squeak she held up a piece of paper colored with crayons

that was crumpled at one corner and bore smudged finger marks the drawing showed crude lines of black and red

a woman with long messy hair shutting a small child inside a pitch black box

Arthur balancing his phone between his shoulder and ear was simultaneously sweeping up a pile of documents on the desk

I don’t care about the cost Mike secure that contract before noon today

he cast a cursory glance at the paper in his daughter’s hand his mind was preoccupied

with multimillion dollar figures and a packed flight schedule his large hand gently brushed Lily’s hand

away from the crucial file he took the crayon drawing folded it carelessly in half

and quickly slipped it into the inner pocket of his vest without properly looking at it be a good girl Lily

Daddy’s very busy I’m going to earn money to buy you the biggest dollhouse in the store go play with mom

he gave her a quick absent minded pat on the head the way one dusts off an ornament then turned and strode quickly toward the door

Lily was gently pushed backward she neither cried nor threw a tantrum her thin shoulders simply trembled

she retreated slowly into the shadow of the hallway her head bowed over her stuffed bear

the moment Arthur passed her Elena loomed large right behind Lily she placed her hand on the child’s shoulder

her sharp fingernails dug into the thin sweat suit fabric like a vice holding Lily firmly in place

daddy’s off to work now say goodbye to him dear Elena’s voice was syrupy sweet

and she smiled brightly as she waved at Arthur but the hand on Lily’s shoulder tightened its grip

Arthur nodded a final farewell to his wife and daughter then quickly stepped into the car

the door of the glossy black Rolls Royce slammed shut the window slowly rolled up

separating him from the world inside the house the car pulled away passing through the heavy iron gate

leaving the grand yet desolate mansion behind out of habit Arthur glanced into the rearview mirror

to adjust his collar his movement froze on the second floor behind a tightly closed glass window

a tiny figure stood alone Lily’s hand was pressed against the cold pane

her eyes followed his car without blinking a look of despair and emptiness so profound it seemed to pierce the car glass

lodging directly into Arthur’s mind he intended to lower the window and wave

but his phone rang Arthur sighed turned away and answered the call

leaving his daughter’s small figure to fade and disappear behind the gray thicket of winter trees

the door of the luxury hotel suite in New York City closed behind Arthur shutting out the clamor of the opulent lobby

he tossed his leather briefcase onto the chair and reached up to loosen the necktie knot that felt like it was constricting his throat

ideally after landing and checking into one of Manhattan’s most exclusive hotels he should have felt relaxed

or eager to prepare for the meeting with his partners the next morning but instead his stomach churned inexplicably

Arthur paced the room pouring himself a glass of water he drank it down in one gulp

trying to quell the burning sensation in his chest his eyes unconsciously

darted toward the landline phone on the bedside table he picked up the receiver

his fingers rapidly dialing his familiar home number the phone rang once twice

hello Arthur Elena’s voice answered from the other end she picked up so quickly it surprised Arthur

but her tone was slightly breathless as if she had just rushed a long distance

it’s me how are you two doing at home did Lily take her medicine dear

everything is wonderful honey I just gave her the medication she’s sound asleep now because it’s kicked in

you know how she is she sleeps all day when she’s feeling under the weather could I talk to her for a moment

silence hung on the line for a few seconds Arthur heard a faint clicking sound like fingernails tapping on a wooden surface

please don’t wake her Arthur she just drifted off if she wakes up she’ll start fussing for her daddy

you just focus on your work I’ll have her call you tomorrow when she’s feeling better

all right just keep a close eye on her I feel uneasy

you worry too much darling get some rest now love you the long dial tone signaled the call had ended