Chapter 2 - THE FIRST WARNINGVictoria quickly began changing the rules of the house.
Leo was no longer allowed to play in the living room.
He was told to eat alone.
His favorite toys disappeared from the family room.
Even his photographs of his mother were quietly removed from the walls.
Whenever Mark asked about it, Victoria had an explanation ready.
"Leo needs discipline."
"He's becoming spoiled."
"He needs boundaries."
Mark believed her.
He wanted so desperately to believe that Victoria could become the mother Leo had lost.
One afternoon, Elena found Leo sitting on the staircase, holding a photograph of his mother.
"Why did she take Mommy's picture away?"
Elena sat beside him.
"Sometimes adults make decisions they don't understand themselves."
Leo looked into her eyes.
"Does Victoria hate me?"
Elena's heart broke.
"No, sweetheart."
It was a lie.
And Elena knew it.
That evening, Mark came home exhausted from a business meeting.
Victoria immediately greeted him with a kiss.
"I made dinner."
Mark smiled.
For a moment, everything looked normal.
Then Leo came running into the room.
"Daddy!"
Mark opened his arms.
But Victoria's expression changed.
She watched them embrace.
Something dark flashed across her eyes.
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Elena saw it.
And this time, she didn't look away.
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