Victoria: "SHE ATTACKED ME! GET HER OUT OF HERE!"
David: "What in God's name is going on in here?!"
Victoria: "David! Thank goodness you're home! This ungrateful child threw a glass tumbler at me and tried to steal from my jewelry box!"
David ignored Victoria's desperate shouting completely, dropping quickly to his knees beside Lily on the hard marble floor. The small girl was shaking uncontrollably, her face stained with fresh tears as she buried her head into his chest.
David: "Lily! Sweetheart, look at me! Are you okay?!"
Lily: "Daddy! She burned me! She had the fire!"
David: "Shh, I've got you. Let me see. Let Daddy look at you."
David carefully pulled back the sleeve of Lily's yellow dress. Right there on her small forearm was a bright red burn mark, swelling rapidly against her fair skin. David gasped softly, his hands trembling as he stared at the injury.
Victoria: "She's making that up, David! It was an accident! I was trying to light a candle and she bumped into me!"
David: "An accident?! You held an open flame to my daughter's skin!"
Victoria: "She isn't even your real daughter! She's an adopted orphan from your dead brother's failed marriage!"
David: "She is my legal daughter, Victoria! I signed the adoption papers the day my brother passed away!"
David lifted Lily gently into his arms, carrying her over to the leather bench near the vanity. His breath came in ragged, furious gasps as he turned around to face his wife. His knuckles turned white, his jaw clenching so hard his teeth clicked together.
Victoria: "Don't you take that tone with me! I am the mistress of this estate! I won't be spoken to like this in my own home!"
David: "This isn't your home anymore, Victoria. Not after what you just did."
Victoria: "What are you talking about?! I brought millions into this marriage! My family's investment firm funded your real estate empire!"
David: "I don't care about the money! You hurt a defenceless six-year-old child!"
David stood up abruptly, stepping over the discarded red lighter on the floor. He charged forward until he was standing inches from Victoria, his tall frame towering over her as his eyes flared with absolute rage.
David: "DON'T YOU EVER DARE TOUCH HER AGAIN!"
Victoria: "David, get your hand out of my face!"
David: "If you step anywhere near this room again, I swear to God I will have you thrown in handcuffs!"
Victoria flinched, taking a step backward against the marble vanity counter, her face turning pale as she realized her control over the household was completely slipping away.