David held Lily tightly against his ribs while his eyes stayed locked on Victoria's calm face. His hands shook with pure anger as he felt Lily's wet tears soaking into his white jacket sleeve. He stepped toward the center of the white marble room with heavy deliberate steps.
David: Why was she locked outside in the high heat?!
Victoria smiled just a little bit and adjusted her long silk dress with one smooth hand. She placed her porcelain tea cup down on the table without making a single sound. Her calm eyes looked directly at David without any fear or shame at all.
Victoria: She was being far too loud while I was reading my mail.
David: She is eight years old, Victoria! You do not lock a child outside!
Victoria walked closer with soft steps that barely made a sound on the smooth floor. She raised her golden chin high and held out the thick Manila envelope in front of her chest. It was the prenuptial agreement draft that her high-priced divorce lawyer had sent over that morning.
Victoria: I needed quiet to read over our trust fund papers for the estate, David.
David: The estate does not matter right now! My daughter's safety is everything!
Lily buried her face deeper into David's chest and held onto his shirt fabric tightly with both hands. Her tiny voice cracked softly as she tried to speak between her small sad gasps for air. David leaned his head down close to listen to her words.
Lily: She said you do not love me anymore, Daddy. She said it is her house now.
David felt a deep cold sharp pain cut right through his chest when he heard those words. He looked up at Victoria, whose calm expression had finally turned into a cold narrow glare. The quiet tension in the room grew so tight that neither of them moved for a moment.
David: Did you say those terrible words to my little girl?
Victoria: She needs to learn her place in this family now, David. You spoil her too much.
David pulled off his white suit jacket with one swift motion and threw it onto the chair nearby. He kept his left arm firmly wrapped around Lily to make her feel safe and secure. His face turned bright red as he took another large step toward his wife.
David: Her place is right here with me, and this is her home first!
Victoria took a quick step back as she realized how truly angry David had just become. Her smug look began to slip away into nervous concern as David reached out his hand fast. He grabbed the heavy Manila envelope right out of her smooth fingers.
Victoria: Hey! Do not touch those legal papers! My lawyer spent weeks on those terms!
David looked down at the official black text printed across the thick paper sheets inside. It was a request for half his company shares and total control over the grand family mansion. Victoria had planned to take his wealth while slowly pushing his daughter out of the picture completely.