Mark wrapped his arms around Lily while looking across the white kitchen floor.
Victoria adjusted the collar of her dark magenta dress with shaking hands.
She took a slow step backward against the clean kitchen counter.
Father: What happened to her?
Mark looked down into his daughter's red and tearful face.
Lily hid her small nose against the wool fabric of his navy suit coat.
Little Girl: She hurt me...
Mark felt a cold chill run all the way down his back.
He gently picked up Lily's tiny left hand to look at her skin.
Red marks covered her knuckles where the wooden board had pressed down hard.
Father: How long has this been going on, Lily?
Little Girl: It's the same every day...
The little girl buried her face deeper into her father's neck.
Mark stood up slowly while holding his daughter safely against his chest.
His jaw clenched tight as he stared directly into Victoria's wide eyes.
Victoria raised her hands defensively with a fake smile on her face.
Victoria: Mark, you are completely misunderstanding the whole situation.
Victoria: She was being rebellious and refused to clean her mess.
Father: She is five years old, Victoria!
Mark took two long strides toward the tall woman in magenta.
Victoria backed up until her lower spine hit the edge of the island.
Victoria: I was only trying to teach her basic discipline while you were away!
Father: That is not discipline, that is complete cruelty!
Mark pointed one firm finger straight toward the open front entrance door.
Father: You are going to pack your bags and leave right now.
Victoria's defensive expression turned into a harsh and bitter sneer.
Victoria: You cannot throw me out of this home so easily, Mark.
Victoria: We are legally married, and half of this house belongs to me!