Chapter 3 - DUST AND OAK
BANG!
The heavy oak double doors at the end of the hallway flew inward with a sound like a gunshot.
The brass handles slammed against the plaster walls, cracking the decorative molding.
Richard stood in the threshold.
His dark navy suit jacket was unbuttoned, his white shirt collar open at the neck.
His eyes swept over the scene—the trembling children, the raised hand, the sinister posture of the woman in plum.
"Nobody touches my child!" Richard roared.
His voice thundered down the narrow corridor, rattling the glass wall sconces.
He lunged forward, his heavy dress shoes striking the floorboards with rhythmic, furious thuds.
Eleanor dropped her hand instantly, her face transforming into a mask of fragile innocence as she turned toward her husband.
"Richard! Thank God you're home!" Eleanor gasped, her hands clutching her throat.
"The children... they've gone completely mad! Toby attacked me!"
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Richard didn't even look at her.
He shoved past her silk shoulder, dropping heavily to his knees in front of his son and daughter.
