The grand American wedding hall was silent for a brief second before the sharp sound of screaming broke through the expensive atmosphere. Hardwood oak floors stretched across the vast space under bright recessed ceiling lights, reflecting the white crown molding and a framed USA flag painting on the wall. Lily lay flat on the floor, her fair skin pale as she wrapped both arms tightly around six-year-old Daisy to shield her body. Clara stood above them in her voluminous white gown, her subtle freckles twisting with intense rage as she raised the wooden baseball bat again. The heavy bat came down toward Lily's shoulder, striking with a dull, blunt impact that made the maid gasp in severe pain.
Clara: Stay out of my way! You are not going to ruin my life or my wedding day!
Daisy: Don't hurt mommy! Please stop hurting my mommy!
Lily: I am holding you, Daisy... Just keep your eyes closed, baby girl!
Daisy sobbed loudly, clinging to her mother's stained apron while Lily absorbed the terrible blows to protect her child's body. Clara raised the bat a third time, completely out of control as she prepared to strike the helpless mother directly on her head. At that exact moment, the double doors of the grand hall swung open with a heavy bang that echoed across the oak floor. David Vance rushed into the room, his black tuxedo unbuttoned, his face pale with horror as he witnessed the violent scene before his eyes. He saw Clara holding the bat high over Lily and the small crying girl huddled on the hard wooden planks below.
Daisy: I knew you would protect us! Help my mommy!
David: Clara! Stop right now! What are you doing?!
David charged across the hardwood floor with heavy, furious footsteps, moving faster than he had ever moved in his entire life. Before Clara could bring the wooden bat down again, David closed the distance and delivered a swift kick directly to Clara's shoulder and chest. The force sent Clara tumbling backward across the polished floor, her voluminous white lace gown rustling violently as she hit the ground with a loud thud. She rolled onto her back, gasping sharply for air as the wooden bat clattered across the oak wood and landed near the wall.
Clara: How could you do this to me?! I am your bride! How could you kick me on our wedding day?!
David: Get away from them! If you ever touch them again, I will have you locked behind bars forever!
Clara lay on the floor crying hysterically, clutching her chest and looking up at David in complete disbelief as her gown lay ruined around her. She had never seen David display such fierce anger, and the cold realization of what she had done began to sink into her mind. David ignored her completely, dropping to his knees beside the bruised maid and the small crying girl lying on the floor. He gently reached out his arms, wrapping them protectively around both Lily and Daisy as heavy tears spilled down his own cheeks.