Mark did not slow down as he closed the distance across the front lawn. The fury burning in his chest pushed aside every thought of decorum, status, or composure.
Mark: Get your filthy hands off my daughter!
Brenda: Mark, wait! You don't understand, she was throwing a temper tantrum in front of the neighbors!
Mark: I said get away from her!
Before Brenda could step back or offer another excuse, Mark delivered a powerful kick straight to her waist, sending her stumbling backward until she slammed hard against the wooden fence.
Brenda: Ow! Are you crazy?! You just kicked me!
Mark: Touch her again and you won't walk away at all!
Mark dropped to his knees on the hard pavement, his heavy hands trembling as he reached for the sobbing child.
Mark: I've got you, baby! I've got you! You're safe now!
Lily: Daddy! She hit me... she hit my hand real hard!
Mark: Shh, don't look at her. Look at me. Daddy's here. Nobody is ever going to hurt you in this house again.
He scooped Lily up into a tight, protective embrace, resting her tear-stained face firmly against his chest. As the baby girl gasped for air, clinging tightly to his collar, Mark stood up and turned his glare toward Brenda, who was clutching her side near the fence.
Brenda: You ruined my clothes, Mark! And over what? A little discipline? She needs to learn respect!
Mark: Discipline? Look at her hand, Brenda! She's three years old!
Brenda: She disobeyed me! You're soft on her because of her dead mother, and it's ruining this family!
Mark: Do not mention her mother's name with that mouth!
Brenda: I am your wife now! I have authority in this house!
Mark: Not anymore you don't. Get inside before I lose my mind completely.
Brenda: You can't speak to me like that! I contributed to this house!
Mark: You haven't paid a dime for anything since the day we got married. Go inside and sit on the couch. We are talking right now.
Brenda scoffed, brushing dust off her skirt, but the lethal anger in Mark's eyes forced her to turn around and march inside the house. Mark carried Lily into the living room, setting her down gently on the plush sofa. He picked up his phone and dialed a direct number.
Mark: Arthur? It's Mark. I need you at my house immediately. Bring the prenup agreement and the custody paperwork for Lily's trust fund.
Arthur: Mark? What's going on? Is everything alright?
Mark: No. My divorce lawyer needs to be here ten minutes ago. And bring a rep from family court if you can.
Brenda: A divorce lawyer?! Are you out of your mind?!
Mark: You made a huge mistake today, Brenda. You thought I was too busy with work to notice what was happening right under my roof.
Brenda: Mark, let's talk about this privately! We don't need lawyers!
Mark: The time for talking ended the moment you laid a finger on my child.
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