Mark stood up slowly from the floor with heavy deliberate movements.
His initial deep shock turned into a sharp cold protective fire.
He stood firmly between Evelyn and his two tiny terrified children.
Some neighbors who were visiting for a community meeting watched through glass doors.
They stood outside the parlor partition in absolute stunned silence and outrage.
They saw the red marks on the children through the pristine glass panel.
Evelyn noticed the gathering neighbors and her face turned completely pale.
Father: How long has this been happening in my house?
Girl: Dad, this isn't the first time she did this!
Girl: She gets mad every single time you leave for trips!
Mother: She is making up lies because she got grounded!
Boy: No we are not lying! Look at my arm!
Father: Stop talking right now, Evelyn!
Mother: Mark, you need to support your wife over these kids!
Father: You will never touch my children again!
Mark took his mobile phone out from his inner coat pocket.
His hands were remarkably steady despite the rage inside his chest.
He unlocked the phone screen and dialed three urgent digits immediately.
Evelyn gasped loudly and reached forward to grab the phone away.
Mark stepped back smartly and pointed his finger directly at her face.
Father: Do not take another step toward me or my kids.
Mother: You are overreacting to a simple discipline lesson!
Father: Look at their arms and tell me that again.
Mother: We can handle this privately inside our own family!
Father: The police are coming here to handle this right now.
Evelyn stepped back toward the marble wall near the large flag.
Her fake confident mask was falling apart completely in front of everyone.
The neighbors outside were whispering angrily and taking out their phones too.
They were recording the whole dramatic scene through the bright glass.
Evelyn realized her social reputation in the town was completely destroyed.
She backed away until her hands touched the white wall behind her.
Mark spoke clearly into the phone speaker to emergency dispatch services.
He gave his exact home address with absolute clarity and calm purpose.
He requested an ambulance and officers to report to his home immediately.
The children held each other tightly near the edge of the room.
They knew their father was finally here to protect them forever.