The millionaire eagerly returned home excited to see his daughter after three months away on an international business trip

but when he opened her bedroom door the little girl was curled up trembling under her blanket her jaw visibly swollen

when she finally opened her mouth for him to check he instantly froze his hands shaking as he dialed 9 1 1

the sleek black Maybach slowly coasted into the front driveway of the Greenwich estate Steven turned off the engine

leaning back into the leather seat allowing the silence to settle over him for a moment three grueling months of numbers

and mandatory networking had completely drained the 40 year old executive

but as he looked up at the warm golden light spilling from the second floor window Steven smiled

reaching for the gift bag on the passenger seat inside was Mr Bear the fuzzy stuffed companion

Hannah had insisted her dad acquire during a phone call last month the main door swung open

before Steven could touch the bell Heather stood there radiant and perfectly composed in a cream silk dress

her blonde hair meticulously styled as if she were about to attend a high society gala

not just welcoming her husband home welcome home Steven

Heather rushed forward wrapping her arms tightly around his neck the heavy scent of expensive perfume enveloped him

Steven patted his wife’s back appreciating the warm reception but his mind had already raced upstairs

I’m back where’s Hannah dear is she still awake

Heather’s body stiffened for a fraction of a second a tiny reflex Steven caught even through his suit jacket

she pulled away her blue eyes quickly darting toward the kitchen she’s fast asleep she had a very busy day playing

why don’t you head to the kitchen I’ve asked the chef to prepare your favorite wine don’t go up just yet you might disturb her slumber

it’s only 7:00 Heather I’ll just pop in drop off the gift and give her a goodnight kiss I’ve truly missed my girl

Steven gently removed his wife’s hand and moved toward the staircase Heather hurried to block his path

placing her hand on his chest her voice unusually rushed you mustn’t Steven

she’s been very delicate lately whimpering a lot it took me all day to soothe her

if you wake her now all my hard work will be for nothing Steven frowned

this resistance didn’t sound like concern for a child’s rest it sounded like a deliberate attempt to conceal

something he gently pushed Heather’s hand aside his voice deepening

I’m her father I’ll know how to settle her back down if she wakes leaving Heather frozen at the foot of the stairs

Steven ascended to the second floor the moment his feet touched the hallway carpet a thick aroma overwhelmed his senses

the scent of hot cinnamon and baked apples it wasn’t faint it was intensely heavy

almost dizzying along the path leading to Hannah’s room dozens of large scented candles were burning brightly

Stephen quickened his pace a deep sense of unease settled in his stomach why the need for so many candles

in a house that boasted a state of the art air filtration system Hannah’s door was silently closed

Steven placed his hand on the doorknob feeling the coolness through the wood he twisted it gently the room was pitch black

the blackout curtains tightly drawn allowing no light inside Hannah it’s daddy

with the light streaming in from the hallway Steven could make out a small shape curled up on the bed covered head to toe by a blanket

the moment she heard his voice the bundle of blankets began to tremble uncontrollably

Steven approached the bed and then he sensed it cutting through the sweet cloying aroma of the candles outside was a rank

sickly sweet odor it was the kind of smell you might associate with spoiled food left forgotten in a disconnected refrigerator

during a heatwave Steven’s stomach lurched that terrible scent

was coming from right underneath his daughter’s blanket Hannah Stephen abruptly pulled the blanket away

Hannah flinched shrinking back into the corner of the bed like a small injured creature

her thin hands clamped tightly over her mouth and nose her wide frightened eyes fixed on the space behind Stephen

where Heather was now standing in a silent plea what’s wrong sweetheart take your hands down and let daddy see

Steven gently but firmly separated her cold hands Hannah let out a painful gasp slowly revealing her dry

cracked lips Steven froze inside that tiny cavern

her gums had turned a frightening deep shade of black a massive festering abscess had ruptured

oozing a mix of fluid and yellowish discharge streaming down her throat the heavy unpleasant scent washed directly over Stephen

oh my goodness his usual composure shattered Steven scooped his daughter up into his arms

her body was feather light and feverish he rushed out of the room colliding with Heather who was standing at the doorway

what are you doing put her down the doctor will think I harmed her I’ll handle this Heather grabbed Steven’s coat sleeve

trying to wrestle him away Steven turned to his young wife his eyes blazing with fury

he flung her arm away so forcefully that she staggered back against the wall out of my way Steven carried Hannah down the stairs

running out to the front yard Heather refused to give up chasing after him her mouth rapidly issuing hollow excuses

Steven listen to me it’s just a toothache that’s all Steven gently laid Hannah down on the back seat of the car

then whirled around he spotted Heather’s car and house keys sitting on the decorative table near the entrance

without a word he snatched the key ring swinging his arm and launching it deep into the snow covered shrubbery

in the corner of the garden you what in the world are you doing

Heather shrieked you are not going anywhere stay right where you are if you dare step one foot beyond that gate

I will ensure you regret it for the rest of your days Steven roared the sound of a father’s profound anguish

causing Heather to recoil in fear he slammed the car door shut but didn’t start the engine

right away Steven’s trembling hand reached for his phone dialing 9 1 1 emergency services

please send a vehicle immediately my daughter her mouth is severely swollen and painful

I’m afraid to move her far hurry Steven threw the phone onto the seat turning back to clutch Hannah

who was slipping into semi consciousness in his arms her shallow hot breath warming his chest

minutes later at the hospital the stark cold white fluorescent lights of the emergency room corridor

seemed to slice through Steven’s mind he slumped on the hard plastic bench

his hands clasped so tightly that his knuckles had turned white the pervasive smell of antiseptic

could not override the lingering foul odor on his suit jacket the scent from his little girl’s mouth