Victoria realized instantly that there was no saving her marriage or her position inside the high-society household. The blind rage in Mark's eyes showed her that any further negotiation would result in immediate police intervention. She backed away slowly, her head held low as she scurried up the grand staircase to grab her designer handbag and coat from the master bedroom. Mark stood at the base of the stairs, keeping his arm locked around Lily while watching Victoria's every move to ensure she didn't attempt to steal any family valuables on her way out.
Three minutes later, Victoria hurried back down the marble steps carrying her leather bag and her expensive wool coat. She didn't dare look Mark in the eye as she passed him in the foyer. She made a quick path toward the double front doors, her high heels clicking rapidly against the floorboards. Mark followed her step for step, keeping a strict six-foot distance behind her until she reached the front porch of the estate.
Mark: Leave the house keys on the console table.
Victoria: You're making a massive mistake, Mark.
Mark: The only mistake I made was bringing you near my daughter.
Victoria: My lawyer will call you by tomorrow morning!
Mark: Tell him to read our prenuptial agreement first.
Victoria threw her brass house keys onto the wooden table with a sharp clatter before stepping out into the cool evening air. Mark slammed the heavy double doors behind her, turning the deadbolt with a loud click that sealed the house tight. He immediately pulled his cell phone from his pocket, dialing his corporate lawyer on speakerphone while holding Lily close to his side. The line rang twice before his top attorney answered the urgent call.
Lawyer: Mark? Is everything alright with the Chicago contract?
Mark: Forget Chicago. Draft immediate divorce papers for Victoria.
Lawyer: Understood. Any specific grounds you want listed?
Mark: Cruelty and breach of prenuptial terms. Freeze all shared cards now.
Lawyer: I will have the court filings ready by eight tomorrow morning.
Mark hung up the phone and tossed it onto the sofa, letting out a long, exhausted breath that seemed to carry months of built-up stress. He looked down at Lily, who was still wearing the absurd black maid dress. He felt a deep surge of guilt for not noticing Victoria's subtle cruelty sooner, realizing how much his daughter had suffered while he was away building his corporate empire. He knelt down on the rug, taking Lily's small hands gently into his own big, calloused palms.
Mark: I am so sorry, Lily. I should have protected you.
Lily: Is she ever coming back, daddy?
Mark: Never again. I promise you, never again.
Lily: Can I take this dress off now?
Mark: Let's throw it in the trash together right now.