The bright sun beat down on the outdoor terrace of the luxury estate, painting everything in blinding gold[cite: 1]. The air smelled like expensive flowers and champagne[cite: 1]. It was supposed to be the happiest day of my life[cite: 1]. But my chest hit the stone floor as I let out a scream that tore through my throat[cite: 1].
Claire: My baby!
Claire: Somebody help us! Please!
Mark: What happened? Claire, what’s going on?
Claire: She took her! She threw her into the deep end!
Mark: Who? Who took Lily?
Claire: Victoria! Look at the water!
Mark turned his head toward the massive, crystal-clear swimming pool built right off the main patio[cite: 1]. Heavy metal shackles were wrapped tightly around our little six-year-old girl’s ankles and wrists down at the bottom[cite: 1]. She was struggling, bubbles escaping her mouth as her small hands pulled against the chains[cite: 1].
Mark: Oh God. Hang on!
Mark: I’m coming for you, baby! I’m coming!
Victoria: You’re too late, Mark[cite: 1].
Claire: You monster! Give me the key!
Victoria: Key? What key?
Victoria stood near the edge of the pool in her crisp white high heels, her eyes ice cold[cite: 1]. She held a small brass key between two fingers[cite: 1]. Mark bolted across the stone patio, his gray suit jacket flapping behind him as he pushed past wedding guests[cite: 1]. He leaped high into the air and hit the water with a deafening splash[cite: 1].
Claire: Mark! Get her unlocked!
Victoria: Oops. Dropped it[cite: 1].
Victoria opened her fingers and let the brass key drop right into the narrow iron drainage slot along the pool deck[cite: 1]. It clinked against the metal grate and disappeared into the underground pipes[cite: 1].
Claire: No! No, no, no!
Victoria: Oops, indeed.
Claire: What did you do? Why are you doing this to us?
Victoria didn't answer. She pulled a heavy black remote out of her purse, brought her thumb down on the red button, and pointed it directly at the pool[cite: 1]. The mechanical motor under the deck started to whir[cite: 1].
Claire: Stop it! Mark, get out of there!
Mark: Claire, dive in! Help me hold her up!
I kicked off my shoes, held my pregnant belly with one hand, and threw myself into the water[cite: 1]. But above us, the dark gray automatic pool cover was already sliding shut, cutting off the sunlight inch by inch[cite: 1].