Mark: What the hell just happened in here?!
Grandpa Arthur: Lily! Oh God, my baby!
Mark rushed across the room, his eyes instantly tracking from his weeping daughter on the floor up to Brenda, who was quickly trying to smooth down her designer dress. Grandfather Arthur, holding his wooden cane, stumbled as he hurried to the toddler's side.
Lily: GRANDPA! DAD!
Mark: Lily, sweetie, what happened? Why are you crying like this?
Lily: Mommy hit me! She hit my face real hard!
Mark’s chest heaved as he turned his head slowly toward his wife. The air in the room instantly grew thick with an icy rage. Brenda took a quick step back, her lips trembling as she forced a panicked, innocent smile onto her face.
Brenda: Mark, honey, wait! She’s lying! She tripped over her own feet and bumped her face on the coffee table!
Grandpa Arthur: Look at her cheek, Mark! That’s a handprint! A red handprint on a three-year-old child!
Brenda: Arthur, stay out of this! You old fool, you don't know what you're talking about! She tried to poke my eye with a rose thorn and I just pushed her hand away!
Mark: Pushed her hand away? She’s three years old, Brenda!
Brenda: You always take her side! You and your father treat me like a stranger in this house while she gets everything!
Mark: HOW DARE YOU!
Before Brenda could take another step back, Mark closed the distance between them. The anger that had been building inside him for months erupted. His palm struck Brenda across the face with a loud crack, sending her stumbling backward until she collapsed hard onto the leather sofa.
Brenda: Ah! You... you hit me?!
Mark: You lay a hand on my motherless daughter again and I swear to God you won't walk out of this house on your own feet!
Brenda: You monster! I’m your wife! You can't speak to me like this!
Grandpa Arthur: You are a monster in disguise, woman! We gave you a home, a luxury life, access to our family estate, and this is how you treat a grieving orphan child?
Brenda: She isn't my child! I didn't sign up to be a nanny to a spoiled brat who inherits millions while I have to beg for an allowance!
Mark: So that's what this is about? The trust fund? My late wife’s legacy?
Brenda: She’s ruined everything since I moved in! You look at her and you see Sarah! You don't even look at me!
Mark ignored her shrieking voice and dropped to his knees beside his crying daughter. He wrapped his strong arms around Lily, pulling her delicate frame into his chest while pulling his smartphone out of his jacket pocket with his shaking right hand.
Lily: Daddy, it hurts real bad...
Mark: I'm here, baby. You're safe now. Daddy’s got you. Grandpa’s got you.
Brenda: Who are you calling? Mark, put that phone down right now!
Mark: I’m calling the Texas State Police. And after they take you away, I’m calling my divorce lawyer.
Leave a Comment