Mark opened the large double doors of his home with his silver key.
He stepped quietly across the polished marble floor of the high foyer.
Suddenly, an angry voice echoed loudly off the high white walls.
Mark stopped instantly in his tracks near the framed American flag.
Vanessa stood over little Lily near the grand curving staircase.
She wore a bright gold sequined dress that caught the morning light.
Her face looked twisted with pure anger as she glared down at the child.
Lily held her small blanket tight with both of her shaking hands.
Vanessa: You'll never be more than a servant, just like your mother!
The sharp words hit the empty room like a loud thunderclap.
Mark felt his blood turn cold as he listened to those awful words.
Lily looked up with large tear-filled eyes and a trembling chin.
Lily: I was just hungry.
Vanessa raised her hand to point a long fingernail at the little girl.
Vanessa: Be quiet and get out of my sight right now!
Mark could not believe the awful scene happening before his eyes.
The woman he trusted was treating his precious daughter like trash.
He took a deep breath as severe rage boiled up inside his chest.
He marched rapidly across the shiny floor toward the two of them.
His heavy dress shoes made loud firm sounds against the hard marble.
Vanessa turned around quickly with a startled expression on her pale face.