Marcus stood frozen in the center of the foyer, his eyes darting between his crying daughter and his wife standing at the top of the landing. Victoria's face paled, though she quickly forced a shocked, tearful expression onto her face.
Victoria: Marcus, you can't possibly believe a one-year-old over me! The maid is coaching her!
Marcus: Shut up, Victoria. Just shut up for a second.
Elena: Mr. Vance, look at the baby. She's terrified of her, not me.
Marcus knelt down next to the stroller, his big hands gently taking Lily's tiny, shaking fingers. Lily immediately reached out, wrapping her arms around her father's neck, sobbing into his shoulder.
Lily: Mommy pushed... stroller go fast, Papa!
Marcus: Shh, baby girl, daddy's here. You're safe now. Daddy's got you.
Marcus stood up slowly, his face transforming from confusion into pure, unadulterated rage. He looked up at Victoria, whose confident posture was beginning to fracture under his intense stare.
Victoria: Marcus, please listen to reason! Why would I ever hurt Lily? I love her like my own!
Marcus: You've hated her since the day we got married! You complained every time I put her in my will!
Victoria: That's not true! I was just thinking about our future family!
Marcus stormed up the marble staircase, his heavy dress shoes echoing like thunder through the massive house. Victoria took a step backward, pressing her back against the wooden banister.
Victoria: Marcus, stay back! You're scaring me!
Marcus: You tried to break my daughter's neck! You pushed a baby down a flight of stairs!
Victoria: It was an accident! The brakes slipped!
Marcus: Don't lie to me! Lily saw you, Elena saw you, and I know what kind of monster you are!
In a burst of overwhelming fury, Marcus reached the top step and confronted Victoria face-to-face. Before she could scream, his hand flew across the air, landing a sharp, loud slap across her face. The crack echoed off the high ceilings as Victoria gasped, clutching her reddened cheek in disbelief.
Victoria: Ah! You hit me?! You laid a hand on me?!
Marcus: You're lucky I don't throw you down those same stairs right now!
Victoria: I'll ruin you for this! I'll take half your estate in the divorce!
Marcus: You won't get a single cent of my estate, Victoria. You're going to prison.
Marcus turned on his heel and rushed back down the stairs toward the foyer. He dropped to his knees beside Elena and the stroller, lifting Lily into his arms and pulling her close against his chest.
Marcus: You're safe now, baby. Daddy will never let anyone hurt you again.
Elena: Do you want me to get her some water, sir?
Marcus: Elena... call 911 right now. Tell them there's been an attempted murder in this house.
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