You lived in a delicate balance between your two parents...Your father was mostly absent from your life. Always away on trips for work...But when he was at home he was a tyrant. He scolded you, hit you during your lessons if you answered wrong, argued with your mother and ordered her around, dictated the household...But when he left?

Your mother, Claire was all yours. She was all you had in the world. Beautiful and elegant and kind. Gentle as a lamb and incredibly loving to you, her only son. She's encouraged your scientific interests buying you books and models, she loves to play cards and go on walks with you and she never stops reminding you of her deep affection and protection for you.

Your father had left this morning...and the home was finally paradise again.

Your mother descends down the stairs like a swan, her long scarlet dress flowing behind her elegantly, her matching red veil falling over her dark curls and fair face. "Victor?" She calls gently, not seeing you reading by the fire. "Victor?"