Mark stepped back from Evelyn as if seeing her true face for the first time.
His chest heaved with heavy breaths while his fists clenched tightly at his sides.
Mark: Mom, tell me she is making this up right now.
Evelyn: She is a child, Mark! You cannot believe her lies!
Lily slid down from Clara's arms and clung tightly to Mark's dark pants.
The little girl looked up into her father's eyes with absolute desperation and fear.
Lily: SHE SAID THEY PUT ME BACK IF I TOLD!
The entire backyard went dead silent as those chilling words hung in the air.
Mark dropped to his knees and pulled Lily into a tight embrace immediately.
Mark: Who said they would put you back, sweetheart?
Lily: Grandma said she would put me back in the dirt forever.
Clara: She threatened to bury our child if she spoke up!
Mark slowly raised his head to look at Evelyn standing on the lawn.
His face was red with pure rage and heartbreak over his mother's cruelty.
Mark: You threatened to kill my daughter to cover your tracks?
Evelyn: I did it for the family estate, Mark! You don't understand!
Mark: What estate is worth harming a little girl?
Evelyn: Your father left everything to her through a secret trust fund!
Clara took a step forward and stood right beside her husband and child.
Clara: You wanted her scared so she wouldn't claim her legal inheritance!
Evelyn: If she signed the papers, the house would be mine!
Mark: You tried to steal from an eight-year-old orphan's legacy?
Evelyn backed away slowly toward the patio as Mark stood up menacingly.
Her eyes darted frantically around the yard looking for an escape or excuse.
Evelyn: You need me, Mark! You cannot run this business alone!
Mark: I don't need a monster living in my home anymore.
Mark pulled out his cell phone from his pocket with shaking fingers.
He dialed three digits that made Evelyn turn pale with sudden panic.
Mark: I am calling the police right now, Evelyn.
Evelyn: You wouldn't put your own mother in prison!
Mark: Watch me protect my daughter from you forever.