The sudden, sharp thud resonated throughout the quiet house, followed immediately by the desperate, frantic crying of an infant.
Sarah: Oh God! No, no, no!
Mark rushed into the foyer from the adjacent hallway, his heart beating wildly against his ribs as he saw his seven-month-old son lying on the rug at the base of the grand staircase.
Mark: What happened? What did you do to him?
Sarah: I didn't do anything! He slipped, Mark! He crawled too close to the top step!
Mark dropped to his knees, his hands trembling violently as he carefully lifted baby Leo into his arms, pulling the crying infant against his chest.
Mark: Hey, buddy, it’s okay. Daddy’s got you. What happened here, Sarah?
Sarah: I was holding him, and he just wriggled out of my arms! It was a complete accident, I swear!
From the middle landing of the staircase, Mark’s eight-year-old daughter, Lily, stood quietly, staring down at her stepmother with cold, unwavering eyes.
Lily: Dad, check the camera footage.
Mark froze, looking up at his daughter as she pointed her finger directly toward the high-definition dome camera installed in the corner ceiling molding above the entryway.
Mark: Let’s see what it recorded.
Sarah: Mark, don't listen to her! She’s just a kid, she didn't see anything!
Mark: Shut up, Sarah! We’re checking the feed right now!
Mark pulled out his smartphone, his thumb hovering over the home security application as Sarah’s face turned deathly pale.
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