Sarah held her crying baby tighter as anger rushed through her veins fast.
She stared at her sister with complete disbelief and rising fury now.
Brenda smoothed down the front of her bright yellow sweater nervously then.
She acted as if nothing serious had taken place in the home.
Sarah demanded an immediate explanation for the red mark on Lily's arm.
Sarah: You actually hit my baby inside my own house?
Brenda: It was barely anything, so stop overreacting right now!
Sarah: Look at her arm, Brenda, you struck an infant!
Brenda: She was reaching for hot tea and needed a lesson!
Sarah: She is eight months old and does not understand that!
Brenda: You are raising her to be spoiled and soft, Sarah!
Sarah took a step backward while holding Lily close to her chest.
Her body trembled as she looked at the woman she once trusted.
Brenda rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest defensively.
She showed zero guilt for what she had just done to Lily.
She insisted that firm discipline was necessary for every growing child today.
Sarah felt tears of rage welling up in her dark brown eyes.
She had welcomed Brenda into her home during a difficult financial divorce.
Mark had questioned the decision from the very first day Brenda arrived.
He had warned Sarah that her older sister was toxic and cruel.
Sarah had defended Brenda because she believed in family loyalty above all.
Now she saw the terrifying reality of Brenda's true dark nature clearly.
The baby continued to cry softly against Sarah's blue sweater in distress.
Down the hallway, a heavy wooden door creaked open with force.
Firm, heavy footsteps began moving quickly toward the bright dining room.
Mark had heard the loud commotion and his daughter's screaming cries clearly.
He rounded the corner with a dark expression of utter anger visible.
His jaw was clenched tight as he scanned the tense room fast.
He saw his wife weeping and holding their terrified infant tightly now.
He saw Brenda standing nearby with a hostile expression on her face.
The tension in the air was so thick it felt almost suffocating.
Mark stepped into the room and locked eyes with Brenda immediately then.