Lily: Papa?
Richard dropped his briefcase onto the floor, the hard leather cracking against marble.
He rushed forward and dropped to his knees right beside the dirty wash bucket.
He pulled the fragile girl into his arms, ignoring the bleach soaking his expensive suit.
Richard: Lily? My God, Lily, is this really you?
Lily: I thought you were never coming back for me.
Sarah: Richard, please, don't make a scene in front of the help.
Richard lifted his head, his eyes burning with absolute, murderous fury.
Sarah backed away toward the fireplace, her face suddenly losing all its color.
Richard: Help? You called my only child the help?
Sarah: She lied to you! She got kicked out of school weeks ago!
Lily: She took my phone, Papa. She made me sleep in the pantry.
Richard held his trembling daughter tighter against his chest.
He looked down at her small, raw knuckles and the terrible mark on her head.
A cold rage took over his mind, clearer and sharper than anything he had ever felt.
He stood up slowly, lifting Lily with him and placing her safely on the sofa.
Sarah reached out her manicured hands as if trying to soothe a wild animal.
Sarah: I was just teaching her some discipline, Richard. She was out of control.
Richard: You put a fourteen-year-old child on her knees to scrub floor tiles?
Sarah: You don't understand what happened while you were away in New York!
Richard: I understand that my wife is a monster.
Richard pulled his cell phone from his inner coat pocket with steady fingers.
He dialed three digits without taking his dark eyes off Sarah's terrified expression.
Sarah lunged forward to grab his arm, but he shoved her away effortlessly.
Richard: Emergency services? Send police and an ambulance to my address immediately.
Sarah: Hang up that phone right now, Richard! You will ruin our family reputation!
Richard: My daughter was assaulted and abused in my own home.
The line connected to the local dispatcher, and Richard spoke with chilling calm.
He gave his address clearly while Sarah began to cry loud, fake tears in the corner.
Lily sat shivering on the silk cushions, holding a throw pillow tightly against her chest.
Richard hung up the phone and walked straight toward his trembling wife.
He stood over her like an absolute judge, his fists clenched tight at his sides.
Richard: Tell me everything you did to her before the police get here.