The following week, Ethan decided to come home early from his office.
He did not call Vanessa to inform her about his change of plans.
He parked his car around the corner from the house.
As he walked up the driveway, he heard shouting from inside.
Ethan paused near the front porch to listen carefully.
He recognized Vanessa's sharp voice coming from the kitchen area.
Vanessa: Clean those dishes faster or you will get no dinner tonight!
Ethan heard the quiet weeping of his young daughter inside.
His heart beat fast against his chest as he reached for the doorknob.
He took a deep breath to calm his rising temper.
Ethan opened the door quietly and stepped into the foyer.
He walked silently toward the bright kitchen at the back of the house.
Lily stood on a wooden step stool by the deep sink.
Her small hands were covered in dish soap as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Vanessa stood directly behind the girl with her hands on her hips.
Lily: You hurt me every day!
The little girl spoke through heavy sobs, her voice cracking with pain.
Vanessa took a aggressive step toward the small child.
Vanessa: Stop making things up right now!
Vanessa: Nobody is going to believe a silly little girl like you!
Ethan could not hold himself back for another second.
He pushed the double doors wide open with a loud thud.
Vanessa spun around, her face instantly turning pale with shock.
Ethan: Enough!
Ethan: I already saw the marks on her arms!
Vanessa stumbled backward slightly against the kitchen counter.
She tried to adjust her bright blue dress and fix her hair.
Vanessa: Ethan, darling, you scared me!
Vanessa: I was just teaching her some basic discipline.
Ethan: This is not discipline, Vanessa!
Ethan: This is cruelty, and it ends right now in this house!
Lily jumped down from her stool and ran toward her father.
Ethan knelt on the marble floor and wrapped his arms around her.
He could feel his daughter shaking with terror against his chest.