Mark felt his heart pounding heavily against his ribs as he stared at Evelyn.
Her face had turned pale, but her dark eyes were cold and guarded.
She smoothed down her green dress with trembling fingers to cover her nerves.
Evelyn: Mark, you cannot seriously believe a frightened child over your wife.
Mark: Lily never lies to me about anything.
Lily: She dropped powder in the cup, Daddy!
Lily: She used a tiny spoon from her purse!
Evelyn shook her head slowly and took a cautious step forward.
Evelyn: She was watching a silly movie earlier, Mark.
Evelyn: Her imagination is getting out of hand today.
Mark: Do not take another step toward us, Evelyn.
Mark walked around the heavy sofa while keeping his daughter safely behind him.
He looked at the small teacup sitting quietly on the wooden side console.
The liquid looked slightly darker than usual in the bright afternoon sunlight.
A strange, faint chemical smell drifted off the surface of the tea.
Mark picked up his smartphone from his pocket with a steady hand.
Evelyn: Who are you calling right now?
Mark: I am calling my brother David.
Mark: He is a doctor and can look at this tea.
Evelyn's eyes widened in sudden fear as she stepped toward the console table.
She reached out her hand to knock the teacup off the wooden edge.
Mark saw her move and reached out instantly to stop her hand.
He grabbed her wrist firmly before she could touch the teacup.
Mark: What are you trying to do, Evelyn?
Evelyn: You are insulting me in my own home!
Mark: This is my home, and you will answer my question!
He slammed his other hand down hard on the console table in anger.
The heavy vibration made the teacup rattle against the hard wood surface.
Evelyn pulled her wrist away violently and stumbled backward against the sofa.
Evelyn: You are losing your mind over nothing!
Lily: She has a glass bottle in her big handbag, Daddy!
Mark turned his sharp gaze toward Evelyn's expensive leather handbag on the sofa.
Evelyn immediately lunged forward to grab the bag before he could reach it.
The battle for the truth had officially begun inside the silent living room.