Mark rose slowly to his feet, keeping Lily cradled tightly in his arms as she continued to weep.
His knees ached from the hard slide, but he barely noticed the physical pain in that moment.
He turned around slowly and looked up toward the grand marble staircase leading to the upper floor.
Evelyn stood at the top of the stairs, staring down at them with a hand pressed against her cheek.
Her face was completely frozen in shock, her eyes wide as she looked down at the child.
Behind her hung a massive framed American flag painting, bright under the morning sunlight.
Mark stared up at his wife, his heart pounding with a sudden and dangerous realization.
He remembered the conversation he had overheard just two nights ago regarding the life insurance trust fund.
Evelyn had been demanding full control over the trust, claiming she needed it for personal business debts.
Now, seeing her standing there without moving a single muscle to help, everything became crystal clear.
A burning rage flared inside Mark's chest as he clutched his daughter tighter against his body.
"Get out of my home right now!" Mark roared, his voice shaking the quiet walls of the estate.
Evelyn gasped loudly, taking one step back away from the marble railing above.
"Mark, please," Evelyn stammered, her voice thin and trembling. "It was an accident!"
"You didn't even try to grab her!" Mark shouted back, his glare fixed on her trembling frame.
He took a step backward toward the grand front entrance doors, refusing to let her come closer.
"Don't ever come near her again!" Mark warned, his eyes cold and full of pure anger.
Evelyn stood motionless at the top of the stairs, looking down at her empty, shaking hands.
She opened her mouth as if to defend herself, but no words came out of her throat.
Mark turned away from her and pushed the heavy wooden front doors open with his shoulder.
He rushed out into the bright morning air, leaving the grand mansion far behind him.
The front door slammed shut with a heavy thud, echoing through the hollow foyer behind them.
Evelyn let out a deep, trembling exhale as she sank slowly onto the top step of the stairs.
The empty foyer remained silent, bright sunlight filling the room and highlighting the framed flag on the wall.
Mark carried Lily straight to his SUV parked in the circular driveway, placing her safely in her car seat.
He locked the doors, pulled out his phone, and immediately dialed his private attorney's emergency number.