Mark stood up slowly, keeping one arm wrapped firmly around Lily's small waist as she held onto his neck for dear life. Victoria backed up two steps, her heel catching slightly on the edge of the plush area rug behind her armchair. Her hands shook violently as she set the wine glass down on the table, spilling red liquid across the glass top in her haste. She had never seen Mark look at anyone with such utter hatred, his eyes cold and dark as he stepped closer to her.
Victoria tried to pull her classic fake smile, reaching her hand out toward Mark's arm in a desperate attempt to diffuse his exploding temper. She tried to craft an instant lie, her voice pitching high and nervous as she stumbled over her words in front of the child. Mark took another heavy step forward, his shadow completely covering Victoria as she backed against the wall frame of the hallway entrance.
Victoria: Mark, listen to me, we were just playing a game!
Mark: Playing a game? You put my daughter in a maid dress?!
Victoria: She offered to help clean, I swear it!
Lily: She said I couldn't eat dinner if I didn't polish her shoes!
Victoria: That is a complete lie! She's making things up!
Mark: Don't you dare call my daughter a liar!
The room went entirely silent for a fraction of a second as Mark snapped. Moving with sudden, overwhelming speed, Mark raised his open palm and forcefully slapped Victoria directly across her right cheek. The loud, sharp impact sound cracked through the open foyer like a gunshot, echoing off the high ceilings and marble walls. Victoria gasped loudly, recoiling in absolute shock as her head snapped to the side, her hand immediately flying up to cover her stinging red face.
She stumbled sideways, barely catching her balance on the armrest of the velvet chair as tears of shock welled up in her own eyes. She stared at Mark with wide, terrified eyes, completely unable to process that her wealthy, usually mild-mannered husband had just struck her down. Mark didn't flinch, his chest heaving with heavy breaths as he pointed a commanding finger straight toward the massive double exit doors at the end of the hall.
Mark: Get out of my house! Right now!
Victoria: Mark, please! You can't just kick me out!
Mark: How dare you treat my daughter like this in my own home!
Victoria: I am your wife! I have rights in this house!
Mark: You have nothing! Get your things and get out!
Victoria stood frozen, her cheek burning bright red where Mark's hand had landed. She tried to step toward him again, but Mark took another menacing step forward, his voice rising to a booming roar that shook the glass light fixtures above. Lily buried her face deep into Mark's coat, feeling safe for the first time in months as her father defended her honor without a single moment of hesitation or doubt.