Before Megan could reach the door handle, the front door swung open from outside.
Mark’s mother, Evelyn, walked in holding a large wrapped gift box in her arms.
She took one look at the tense scene and stopped instantly on the welcome mat.
Evelyn: Goodness gracious, what on earth is going on in here?!
Megan: Mom! Mark and Sarah are throwing me out into the cold for no reason!
Evelyn set the gift package on the entry table and looked over at her son.
Evelyn: Mark, son, it is Christmas day, why are you screaming at your sister?
Mark: She leaned over Ella’s chair and threatened her because she dropped a toy, Mom!
Evelyn: What?! Megan, tell me you did not do something so terrible!
Megan: They are lying, Mom! Sarah pushed me for no reason at all!
Sarah took a calm step forward, holding little Ella securely against her chest.
Sarah: I have the security camera running right there in the corner, Evelyn.
Sarah pointed up toward the small black lens mounted near the ceiling molding.
Sarah: Every single second of what Megan did was recorded on live video.
Megan’s face completely lost all color as she glanced up at the small lens.
She had totally forgotten about the indoor safety camera Mark installed last month.
Mark: Do you want me to pull up the video on the TV right now, Mom?
Evelyn turned back toward Megan, her expression turning into deep disappointment.
Evelyn: Megan... how could you act so cruel toward your own baby niece?
Megan: I was just stressed out, okay?! Everyone always picks Sarah over me!
Evelyn: That is no excuse to take your bitter anger out on an innocent child!