Arthur: What did you just say, Clara?
Clara: I told her I was scared... I tried to hold the railing, but she pulled my fingers off...
Evelyn: She's confused, Arthur! She took a terrible fall, she doesn't know what she's saying right now!
Arthur: Shut your mouth, Evelyn.
Evelyn: Don't talk to me like that in front of the child! I was standing right there! I reached for her sweater, but it tore!
Arthur: Show me the sweater.
Evelyn: What?
Arthur: You said her sweater tore when you tried to catch her. Show me where it's torn.
Evelyn hesitated at the bottom of the stairs, her back pressing against the white banister. Her hands twitched against the fabric of her blue evening gown.
Evelyn: I... I meant I tried to grab her arm. It all happened so fast!
Arthur: You've been complaining about her trust fund since the day we got married. You thought I didn't notice?
Evelyn: That was about her inheritance and the family estate estate planning! It had nothing to do with this!
Arthur: You took her up to the balcony while the housekeeper was in the kitchen. You knew I was coming home early today.
Evelyn: That was a complete coincidence! I came down to welcome you!
Arthur: Gently, Clara... stay right here on the floor, baby. Don't move your leg.
Clara: Daddy, don't leave me...
Arthur: I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere.
Arthur stood up slowly. The grief in his face hardened into raw, dark rage as he stepped toward the bottom of the staircase.
Evelyn: Arthur, please... look at me. You know how much I care about this family.
Arthur: Don't you dare lie to me in my own house!
The crack of his hand hitting her cheek echoed like a gunshot through the high-ceilinged foyer. Evelyn gasped, her head snapping sideways as she stumbled back against the wooden steps.
Evelyn: You struck me! You actually hit me!
Arthur: If you step one inch closer to my daughter, I will do far worse than that.
Evelyn: I'm calling the police! This is assault!
Arthur: Go ahead. Call them. Call our divorce lawyer too while you're at it.
Evelyn: You can't ruin my life over the words of a traumatized child!
Arthur: She isn't the only one who saw what happened today, Evelyn.
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