Chapter 2 - The Blue Mark
The blue gift bag hits the floor.
The sound of crinkling paper dies instantly against the stone island.
The man drops to both knees, his gray dress trousers grinding into the hard tile.
He scoops the child up into his chest.
Her small frame weighs almost nothing. Her ribs press against his forearm through the thin fabric of her dress.
"Put her down."
The woman moves around the island, her high heels tapping a steady, rhythmic beat against the floorboards.
She folds her arms, the white fabric of her blouse pulled tight across her shoulders.
"She hasn't finished her punishment, Marcus."
"She was eating from the dog’s bowl, Eleanor," his voice rasps, thick and tight.
"Animals eat on the floor when they don't follow rules," Eleanor replies, taking another deliberate step forward.
Her breath smells of oregano and cold sauce.
Sophie buries her face into his neck, her tiny arms locking around his collar with frantic strength.
As her sleeve rides up, the man’s eyes freeze.
Four dark, purplish-blue spots ring the child's tiny forearm—the exact size and shape of an adult's gripping fingers.
The skin around the bruise is hot to the touch.
The man’s fingers begin to shake against his daughter’s back.
May you like
He raises his head, staring straight into Eleanor’s unblinking eyes.
"You told me that camera was broken."
