Mark: Vanessa!
Vanessa gasped as her cheeks turned completely white with instant shock.
She dropped her hand immediately and tried to force a quick smile.
Vanessa: Mark, you came back so soon, darling!
Mark ignored her fake words and rushed straight past her standing frame.
He dropped to his knees right beside his crying young daughter.
He wrapped his strong arms around Lily to shield her completely.
Lily buried her small wet face into his heavy dark suit jacket.
Mark: You are safe here, sweetheart.
Lily: Daddy, I didn't mean to make her angry.
Mark: You did nothing wrong, my sweet little girl.
Mark held his daughter close as soft emotional tears filled his eyes.
He realized how blind he had been for the past few months.
Vanessa stepped closer and reached out her hand toward Mark's shoulder.
Vanessa: Mark, she is lying to you, she was being rude!
Mark: Do not dare talk to me right now!
Mark stood up abruptly and towered over Vanessa in the quiet room.
His jaw was clenched tight as he stared into her cold eyes.
Vanessa took a step back as she saw his absolute rage.
She realized that her comfortable life was slipping away very fast.
Mark was no longer the soft man she thought she could control easily.